Lithium Americas (US:LAC) Benzingaยท2025-09-24 18:08Core Viewpoint - Lithium Americas Corp (LAC) shares surged over 90% due to government actions, General Motors (GM) commitments, and retail investor enthusiasm, triggering a Golden Cross, indicating positive momentum ahead [1][6]. Government Actions - Reports indicate that the Trump administration is seeking up to a 10% equity stake in Lithium Americas' Thacker Pass lithium project as part of a Department of Energy (DOE) loan renegotiation [2]. - The DOE is reevaluating Lithium Americas' $2.3 billion loan due to concerns over cheaper Chinese lithium, with intentions to secure equity and require GM to relinquish some control over the project [2][4]. Analyst Insights - JPMorgan analyst Bill Peterson notes GM's involvement supports Thacker Pass' development, but details of revised loan or offtake agreements remain unclear [3]. - The potential offering of no-cost warrants for 5-10% of shares could dilute existing shareholders, adding uncertainty to the valuation of a government stake [4]. Technical Analysis - LAC has triggered a Golden Cross, with its 50- and 200-day simple moving averages supporting a bullish case; the MACD is at 0.31, and the RSI has reached an overbought level of 86.5 [6]. - Analysts suggest the post-market surge is amplified by low liquidity and a short interest of around 12% of the float, creating a classic short-squeeze environment [7]. Broader Industry Context - The situation with Lithium Americas reflects a broader trend of the U.S. government taking direct equity stakes in companies critical to domestic supply chains, particularly in sectors where China has a dominant position [8]. - The developments surrounding Lithium Americas highlight a new era where Washington is becoming an active equity investor in critical materials, intertwining politics with the lithium market [9].