M&A action: ASX lithium share halted amid major acquisition

This ASX lithium company is rumoured to be gearing up for an $80m acquisition.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points
  • The Arizona Lithium share price has been halted since Monday morning as the market awaits news of a "material acquisition"
  • According to media reports, the company is acquiring Canadian lithium explorer Prairie Lithium for around $80 million
  • The ASX lithium stock is expected to return to trade tomorrow morning

The Arizona Lithium Ltd (ASX: AZL) share price is in the freezer as the market prepares to hear news of merger and acquisition activity.

That $159 million Aussie lithium stock is rumoured to be acquiring Canada's Prairie Lithium – which reportedly comes with an $80 million price tag.

The Arizona Lithium share price entered a trading halt on Monday morning, leaving it frozen at 6.2 cents.

And there it will remain until tomorrow morning unless the company drops more details this afternoon.

Let's take a closer look at what could be going down at the ASX lithium share this week.

A man sits in a chair hunched over a laptop and covered head to toe in frozen icicles to represent Envirosuite's trading halt

Image source: Getty Images

Arizona Lithium shares frozen as ASX waits for M&A news

Arizona Lithium requested its shares be halted on Monday morning amid what it described as a "material acquisition". Sadly, that's all we've got from the horse's mouth so far.

Meanwhile, the Australian Financial Review reports the ASX company is gearing up to buy Prairie Lithium in a part-cash, part-scrip deal worth around $80 million.

The unlisted Canadian company is exploring the nation's Saskatchewan province for lithium brine resources. Arizona Lithium is also exploring lithium in North America. It holds Arizona's Big Sandy project.

Work on Big Sandy's definitive feasibility study kicked off last month. It's expected to be completed within a year.

The potential that production at Prairie Lithium's project could kick off sooner than at Big Sandy is a major factor in the rumoured acquisition, according to the publication.

No doubt all eyes will be on the Arizona Lithium share price when it returns to trade. Particularly as this year has seen it tumble into the red.

The ASX lithium share is currently down 48% year to date. It has also fallen 31% since this time last year.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Mergers & Acquisitions

Female miner smiling in front of a mining vehicle.
Gold

Why has the Newcrest share price leapt 7% in under a week?

The Newcrest share price looks to be benefiting from tailwinds blowing in on three fronts.

Read more »

A woman sits miserable behind the wheel of her car.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Why is the Carsales share price sinking 7% today?

Carsales is raising funds to support its big bet on Brazil being a key driver of its future growth.

Read more »

A handsome smiling man sits in the front seat of an electric vehicle with his hands on the wheel feeling pleased that the Carsales share price is going up and the company will shortly pay its biggest dividend ever
Mergers & Acquisitions

Carsales share price on ice amid $500m cap raise and acquisition news

Carsales is betting big on Brazil being a key driver of its future growth.

Read more »

Man drawing illustration of a big fish eating a little fish representing a takeover or acquisition.
Mergers & Acquisitions

ASX 200 stock InvoCare rallies 37% on takeover approach

The InvoCare share price is rising from the dead after receiving a takeover approach.

Read more »

two men in hard hats and high visibility jackets look together at a laptop screen that one of the men in holding at a mine site.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Mineral Resources share price slides as Norwest takeover bid heats up

Mineral Resources first announced its plans for an off-market takeover bid of Norwest Energy on 16 December.

Read more »

A young woman sits at her desk in deep contemplation with her hand to her chin while seriously considering information she is reading on her laptop
Resources Shares

4 ASX 200 mining shares to buy for takeover potential: expert

Here are more ideas to cash in on a potential merger and acquisitions frenzy in 2023.

Read more »

A man sitting at his dining table looks at his laptop and ponders the CSL balance sheet and the value of CSL shares today
Mergers & Acquisitions

6 asset-rich ASX 200 shares to buy for their takeover potential: expert

These half-dozen stocks have just the attributes that would have private equity licking their lips.

Read more »

A cool young man walking in a laneway holding a takeaway coffee in one hand and his phone in the other reacts with surprise as he reads the latest news on his mobile phone
Mergers & Acquisitions

Origin share price surges 14% despite lower takeover bid

The consortium has dropped its bid for the ASX 200 company to $8.90 per share.

Read more »