LAR Stock Attracts Major Institutional Buyers: Here's What the Data Shows

Wall Street Shows Optimism on Lithium Argentina

On January 12, 2026, Scotiabank raised its rating on Lithium Argentina (NYSE: LAR) from Sector Perform to Sector Outperform—a positive signal for investors tracking this lithium play. However, the street remains cautious on near-term pricing. Analyst consensus puts LAR’s 12-month price target at $5.60 per share, suggesting a potential 19.73% decline from its December 21 closing price of $6.98. Price forecasts span a wide range, from $2.32 on the downside to $9.45 on the bullish end.

The Real Story: Major Funds Are Doubling Down

While analysts debate valuations, the institutional playbook tells a different tale. Van Eck Associates has become LAR’s largest single holder, with 9,594K shares representing 5.91% of the company. What’s remarkable: the firm nearly doubled its position in the last quarter, increasing holdings by 54.40%—and ramping up its portfolio allocation by a stunning 189.07%.

CenterBook Partners followed a similar pattern, accumulating 4,200K shares (2.59% ownership) after holding just 2,078K shares previously. That’s a 50.52% jump in share count, paired with a 188.66% surge in allocation weight.

Even ETF trackers are rotating into LAR. The MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS fund trimmed its position slightly (down 27.51% in share count) but still increased its portfolio weight by 3.83%—suggesting a strategic rebalancing rather than retreat.

Fund Sentiment Points Bullish

A total of 161 funds and institutions now hold LAR positions, with the collective portfolio weight averaging 0.12%—up 11.05% last quarter. Total institutional share ownership jumped 13.23% to 41,220K shares. The put/call ratio of 0.11 signals a decisively bullish options sentiment, with call buyers outnumbering put buyers by roughly 9-to-1.

Who’s Selling and Why?

Not all major holders are buying. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS and ARGT (the Global X MSCI Argentina ETF) reduced their share counts, though both maintained or increased their portfolio allocations—indicating measured profit-taking rather than panic exits.

The Bottom Line

LAR’s story hinges on a classic institutional contradiction: while consensus price targets suggest downside, the smart money is accumulating aggressively. Whether this reflects faith in lithium’s long-term prospects or a tactical play on near-term volatility remains an open question for traders watching this space.