In this article, we will be taking a look at the 8 Best Rare Earth Stocks to Buy in 2026.
The demand for vital minerals that are necessary for sophisticated electronics, defense technology, and sustainable energy has led to a growing interest in rare earth mineral stocks. A large supply of minerals, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements, is needed for the world’s transition to renewable energy and electrification. According to Virginia Martin Heriz, worldwide coordinator of Sustainable Investing Research at J.P. Morgan, the energy shift is changing the demand for essential minerals required for solar batteries, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and energy storage systems.
Supply chain concentration is one of the main factors propelling the industry. With around 60% of the world’s production and about 90% of its processing capacity, China presently leads the rare earth sector. Globally, this reliance has sparked strategic worries. As part of larger difficulties around U.S. trade policies, China prohibited exports of seven important rare earth elements at the beginning of the year. Later, limits were extended to five more elements and processing equipment.
As a result, attempts to create local supply chains are being accelerated in the United States and other Western economies. In reaction to Chinese export restrictions, the U.S. government has expanded funding for rare earth producers and purchased shares in significant businesses. A $1 billion reserve of essential minerals, such as cobalt, antimony, tantalum, and scandium, which are necessary for defense technology, is being planned by the Defense Logistics Agency as part of the Pentagon’s increased purchase activities.
Unlike popular subjects like artificial intelligence, rare earth stocks are a less well-established investment opportunity driven by supply constraints, long-term industrial demand, and geopolitics. As governments prioritize resource security, institutional investors are increasingly concentrating on companies in the mining, processing, refining, and magnet manufacturing industries.
However, there are a lot of risks associated with this industry. Execution of mining projects is a major difficulty because they require significant funding, lengthy development periods, and regulatory permits. However, rare earths are a strategic investment theme backed by strong structural trends, and demand is predicted to increase as the globe grows more electrified and technologically advanced. The industry provides exposure to a crucial aspect of the future global economy for investors who are prepared to handle its complexity.
With that said, let’s now focus on the best rare earth stocks.
Our Methodology
For our methodology, we began by screening rare earth stocks with positive analyst upside potential. From this list, we selected companies with the most recent developments, news, and significant catalysts. We then ranked these stocks based on their total number of hedge fund holders as of Q1 2026, using data tracked by the Insider Monkey database.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Insider Monkey’s quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 599.2% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 372 percentage points (see more details here).
Here is our list of the 8 best rare earth stocks to buy in 2026.
8. Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ:SGML)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders:15
Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ:SGML) is among the best rare earth stocks on this list.
TheFly reported on June 9 that SGML announced that a Court of Appeal Judge in the Court of Justice of Minas Gerais overturned a previous lower court ruling that included a potential $10 million legal collateral requirement. The court requested that SGML support the appointment of an independent technical advisory firm to assess and monitor the impact of the company’s operations on residents in the municipalities of Aracuai and Itinga. Sigma Lithium welcomed the assessment process, stating that the independent review would provide an opportunity to establish factual information regarding the operational impacts.
Separately, on June 2, Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ:SGML) reported the filing of one year of externally verified environmental monitoring data covering the 12 months through May 2026. The data demonstrated the company’s performance in managing dust, noise, and vibration levels across nearby communities. Results showed dust emissions remained significantly below established regulatory standards, while vibration measurements were recorded at very low levels, and noise monitoring confirmed compliance with applicable requirements. SGML stated that the independently collected data provides objective evidence of its environmental performance and supports the company’s commitment to sustainable mining practices.
Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ:SGML) is a global lithium producer supplying high-purity, sustainable battery-grade lithium concentrate for the electric vehicle market.
7. American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19
American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) is among the best rare earth stocks on this list.
TheFly reported on June 25 that AREC announced that ReElement Technologies, in which the company holds a minority interest, became a member of the Global Trusted Tech Network of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue. The network brings together governments, companies, institutions, and leaders focused on promoting trusted technologies and improving cooperation among allied nations. ReElement’s involvement is expected to support efforts aimed at developing secure, transparent, and diversified critical mineral supply chains while reducing reliance on sources considered strategic risks.
On June 22, American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) provided an update on the Phase 1 development of ReElement Technologies’ rare earth and critical mineral refining campus in Marion, Indiana. The initial commercial production line at the facility is focused on processing germanium and other strategic materials sourced from recycled and primary feedstocks. The company reported that most major equipment needed for the first germanium production line has either arrived at the site or is in the process of being delivered and installed. ReElement is targeting the start of commercial operations in the third quarter of 2026 as it advances a modular refining platform designed to process multiple elements and feedstocks.
American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) provides critical minerals, rare earth elements, and carbon solutions for infrastructure, electrification, and defense markets.
6. Critical Metals Corp. (NASDAQ:CRML)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 20
Critical Metals Corp. (NASDAQ:CRML) is among the best rare earth stocks on this list.
Critical Metals Corp. (NASDAQ:CRML) announced on June 17 the launch of its planned 10,000-meter diamond drilling campaign at the company’s wholly owned Tanbreez Rare Earth Project in Southern Greenland. The drilling program represents a key step in advancing the project and is intended to support resource expansion, geological modeling, mine planning, and future development efforts. The company confirmed that project infrastructure, including accommodation and operational facilities, has been completed to support the 2026 field season. Drilling teams and equipment have been mobilized, with operations underway following safety checks and readiness reviews. The program is expected to provide additional geological data to advance Tanbreez toward future production.
Separately, this corporate expansion followed CRML’s execution of a binding Scheme Implementation Deed to acquire all issued shares and listed options of European Lithium Ltd. (ASX:EUR). According to the reports published earlier on May 18, the transaction is structured through two interdependent schemes of arrangement under Australian law and is expected to strengthen Critical Metals’ position in the rare earth sector. Upon completion, the company aims to consolidate full ownership of the Tanbreez Rare Earth Project in Greenland, reduce share dilution related to cross-holdings, and improve its balance sheet. The acquisition is expected to provide additional financial flexibility to accelerate Tanbreez development and support future growth opportunities.
Critical Metals Corp. (NASDAQ:CRML) is a mining company focused on developing strategic minerals for clean energy, advanced technology, and defense applications.
While we acknowledge the potential of CRML to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CRML and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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