Lithium Americas soars after report Trump admin mulling stake

U.S.-listed shares of Lithium Americas LAC.N jump 64.5% to $5.05 in premarket trading

Reuters reported on Tuesday that the Trump administration is seeking an equity stake of as much as 10% in LAC as part of talks over a $2.26 bln government loan for co's Thacker Pass lithium mine

Nevada-based mine expected to be Western Hemisphere's largest source of lithium

The Trump administration has recently been acquiring stakes in U.S. companies, the latest being Intel INTC.O and MP Materials MP.N

LAC had split its North American and Argentine businesses in November to boost focus on the mine

Four brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher and six rate it "hold", median PT at $4.75 - data compiled by LSEG

Stock has gained about 3% YTD, till last close