0002 GMT - Coming quarterly updates from Australian lithium companies PLS, Liontown and IGO are likely to focus on prospective growth projects, says Citi analyst Jack Whelan. That follows a rise in spodumene prices, which have more than doubled since mid-October, Whelan says. Citi reckons PLS is best placed to capitalize on the rally, given that company can restart its idled Ngungaju plant in four months at a low cost, he says. Liontown's expansion plan will take 12-18 months to get into production, says Whelan. IGO "is currently focusing on a successful ramp-up of CGP3, before they begin construction of CGP4 and have upside risk if they can resolve the TLEA JV structure," he says. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 18, 2026 19:02 ET (00:02 GMT)

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