In this article, we will look at the 8 Best Rare Earth Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Rare earth mineral stocks are on the spot amid growing demand for critical minerals used in clean energy and advanced electronics. Geopolitical tensions are also fueling demand as nations move to secure supplies and reduce reliance on other nations.
The transition to renewable energy also requires vast stores of critical minerals.
“Wind turbines, solar batteries and ESS units, as well as consumer goods like electric vehicles, need minerals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earths to function. Demand for many critical minerals is being shaped by the energy transition.” noted Virginia Martin Heriz, global coordinator of Sustainable Investing Research at J.P. Morgan.
China dominates the rare earth industry, accounting for about 60% of global production. It also controls nearly 90% of the world’s processing capacity. The monopoly gives Beijing tremendous power and control over key industries.
Early last year, China imposed restrictions on the export of seven key rare-earth elements, citing national security concerns. It also added another five earth elements to the list and issued restrictions on the export of refining equipment. The restrictions are part of a retaliatory response to US trade restrictions.
Similarly, the US rare earth sector is rapidly expanding amid a push to break dependence on China, driven by government funding and new domestic demand. The government has already purchased stakes in some of the largest rare-earth companies in response to Chinese export controls.
The US Pentagon is also ramping up the procurement of rare earths and specialized minerals. The Defense Logistics Agency plans to establish a $1 billion reserve of essential minerals, including cobalt, antimony, tantalum, and scandium, all of which are necessary for the development of defense systems.
As clean tech buildout and supply chain restoration look set to remain multiyear themes, rare earth exposure stands to benefit from durable tailwinds. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best rare earth stocks to buy now.
Our Methodology
To compile the list of rare earth stocks to buy now, we scanned ETFs to compile a list of mining companies focused on rare earth minerals. Next, we selected stocks with upside potential of more than 5% as of April 22, 2026. Additionally, we checked the Insider Monkey database to identify stocks that are favored by hedge funds as of Q4 2025. Finally, the stocks are ranked in ascending order based on price upside potential.
While not all companies on this list are pure-play rare earth producers, we included select critical minerals companies with meaningful exposure to strategically important materials used in electrification, defense, and domestic supply chains
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research shows we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
Best Rare Earth Stocks to Buy Right Now
8. Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:UUUU)
Stock Upside Potential: 9.43%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32
Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:UUUU) is one of the best rare earth stocks to buy right now. On April 18, Energy Fuels Inc. announced that directors J. Birks Bovaird and Alexander G. Morrison will not seek re‑election at the June 24, 2026, annual meeting. The company noted their decision was unrelated to any disagreements, and the board thanked them for their service.
On March 25, Energy Fuels Inc. announced a significant milestone in producing the first kilogram of terbium oxide at its White Mesa Mill in Utah. It marks the company’s first production of the heavy rare earth material in decades.
The production process achieved 99.9% terbium oxide purity at pilot scale using monazite ore sourced from Florida and Georgia. The milestone also comes on the heels of the company producing 30 kilograms of 99.9% pure dysprosium oxide, a key rare earth metal used in permanent magnets. According to Chief Executive Officer Mark Chalmers, the milestone underscores the company’s ability to process and produce high-purity heavy rare earth oxides.
Consequently, Energy Fuels remains focused on producing terbium oxide at about 1 kilogram per week through the pilot circuit. It also plans to expand its rare-earth element production capacity while aiming for commercial-scale recovery of dysprosium, terbium, samarium, europium, and gadolinium.
Energy Fuels Inc. is a leading U.S.-based critical minerals company primarily focused on mining and processing uranium to supply carbon-free nuclear energy. They operate the White Mesa Mill in Utah—the only conventional uranium mill in the U.S.—along with several uranium mines and ISR projects.
7. MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP)
Stock Upside Potential: 16.24%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 53
MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP) is one of the best rare earth stocks to buy right now. On April 20, analysts at Wedbush initiated coverage of MP Materials Corp. with an Outperform rating and a $90 price target.
The coverage comes as MP Materials is the only fully integrated rare earth producer in the US, backed by its Mountain Pass Mine in California. It acquired the mine out of bankruptcy in 2018 for $20.5 million and has expanded downstream through midstream separation. The company also owns an independent magnet manufacturing facility in Texas.
Wedbush has touted the company’s long-term prospects, noting that Mountain Pass is a low-cost producer of rare-earth concentrate outside China. The mine consists of the highest-grade bastnaesite deposit in the Western world. The research firm expects the company to become a national champion amid renewed efforts to reduce the US’s reliance on China for rare-earth supplies.
MP Materials Corp. is the leading American producer of rare earth materials, focused on restoring the full supply chain to the U.S. by mining, refining, and manufacturing high-strength neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets. It supplies critical materials for electric vehicles, defense systems, robotics, and clean energy technologies.
6. Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC)
Stock Upside Potential: 16.55%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19
Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC) is one of the best rare-earth stocks to buy right now. On April 20, Wedbush initiated coverage of Lithium Americas Corp. with a Neutral rating and a $8 price target. According to the research, the company’s flagship Thacker Pass project has evolved from a mining development project into a national security asset. That’s in part because the project boasts of the world’s largest known measured lithium resource.
Additionally, the Thacker Pass project is supported by a $2.23 billion Department of Energy Loan and a General Motors joint venture. According to Wedbush, 2026 will be a key year for the Thacker Pass build-out, given the favorable geopolitical backdrop for domestic lithium production.
Lithium Americas has made significant progress on the development of the Thacker Pass project, with a target for mechanical completion in 2027. Peak construction is expected in 2026 as Lithium Americas Corp positions Thacker Pass to play a central role in securing the US’s national security and future energy needs.
Lithium Americas Corp. is a North American-focused resource company developing the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada, which is the largest known lithium resource in the US. It aims to supply battery-quality lithium carbonate for electric vehicles and renewable energy, with a major project phase scheduled for completion around 2027.
5. Lithium Argentina (NYSE:LAR)
Stock Upside Potential: 19.26%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 8
Lithium Argentina (NYSE:LAR) is one of the best rare earth stocks to buy right now. On March 24, analysts at BMO Capital touted Lithium Argentina’s improving cost performance, which offsets the challenges of not achieving a battery-grade product. Consequently, the research firm raised its price target of the stock to $7 from $6 while reiterating a Market Perform rating.
According to the research firm, Lithium Argentina is benefiting from improving conditions in the Lithium market, which continue to support its cost profile. In addition, it should capitalize on battery applications that can leverage its technical-grade lithium.
Pixabay/Public Domain
BMO Capital is also confident that strong fundamentals will allow Lithium Argentina to secure funding for the Cauchari Stage 2 project in Jujuy province, Argentina. The project is expected to cost the company about $1 billion in combination with Ganfeng. The Updated Estimate at Cauchari-Olaroz, combined with Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes, represents the largest-scale and highest-quality lithium brine portfolios globally.
Lithium Argentina is a resource company specializing in the development and operation of lithium brine projects in Argentina’s “Lithium Triangle”. It produces lithium carbonate for electric vehicle batteries, primarily operating the large-scale Cauchari-Olaroz project in partnership with Ganfeng.
4. United States Antimony Corp. (NYSE:UAMY)
Stock Upside Potential: 24.56%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18
United States Antimony Corp. (NYSE:UAMY) is one of the best rare earth stocks to buy right now. On April 2, United States Antimony Corp. restarted mining operations at its property holdings on Stibnite Hill in Thompson Falls, Montana. Operations at the site ceased last year due to winter weather.
Prior to halting operations on Stibnite Hill, United States Antimony had successfully moved over 800 tons of antimony ore down the mountain to its Radersburg Flotation Facility for processing. The company has already implemented changes to its mining program, including the use of a chipper to process smaller brush and branches into mulch.
On the other hand, the company delivered impressive fiscal 2025 results, with revenue increasing 163% to $39.26 million from $14.94 million in 2024. The increase was driven by a 219% increase in Antimony revenue to $35.4 million, due to a higher average selling price per pound and strong market demand. Zeolite revenue was up 14% to $3.4 million.
United States Antimony Corp. is a fully integrated mining, smelting, and refining company that produces antimony, zeolite, and precious metals (gold and silver). They operate the only significant antimony smelter in the United States, based in Montana, and have mining/milling operations in Mexico.
3. Iperionx Ltd. (NASDAQ:IPX)
Stock Upside Potential: 73.37%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 7
Iperionx Ltd. (NASDAQ:IPX) is one of the best rare-earth stocks to buy right now. On March 27, BTIG initiated coverage of IperionX Ltd with a Buy rating and a $40 price target. The positive stance comes on the heels of the company kick-starting commercial production at its Virginia facility.
The company plans to ramp up initial production at the Virginia facility, targeting 200 tons per annum before year’s end. It has also set its sights on achieving 1,400 tons per annum next year. The push to ramp up production comes as the company seeks to capitalize on its annual imports of about 40,000 tons of titanium sponge.
IperionX plans to displace about 5% of US imports next year, as the country imports roughly 70% of its titanium sponge from Japan, with China and Russia as the top three suppliers. With US titanium demand poised to grow by about 5% over the next decade, the company plans to achieve annual production of about 10,000 tons.
Iperionx Ltd. is a US-based critical materials company focused on producing high-performance, low-carbon titanium metal and powders using patented technologies. They aim to rebuild a sustainable, 100% domestic American titanium supply chain, utilizing recycled scrap titanium and material from their Tennessee mineral project.
2. Standard Lithium Ltd (NYSEAMERICAN:SLI)
Stock Upside Potential: 104.49%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14
Standard Lithium Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:SLI) is one of the best rare earth stocks to buy right now. On March 31, analysts at Raymond James raised their price target for Standard Lithium Ltd. to $5.75 from $5.25 and reiterated an Outperform rating.
The price target hike underscores the research firm’s confidence in the company’s ability to offer solid exposure to lithium, an important mineral in battery development. The company owns a 55% stake in its flagship South West Arkansas Project. It also owns 55% of the East Texas project, which is less developed than SWA.
Raymond James views the projects as premier, well-poised to generate significant value. That’s in part because Standard Lithium Ltd is a leader in Direct Lithium Extraction DLE focused on advancing a portfolio of Lithium brine projects.
The company has already achieved significant milestones at its large-scale Demonstration Plant in El Dorado, Arkansas. Since its inception in 2020, the plant has processed 1 million barrels of real brine pumped in real time. It has also completed 15,000 DLE cycles.
Standard Lithium Ltd is a near-commercial-stage company focused on producing sustainable, battery-grade lithium from brine in the United States. It uses innovative Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology to extract lithium from industrial brine in Arkansas. The company aims to become a leading domestic supplier of low-cost, sustainable lithium.
1. American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC)
Stock Upside Potential: 115.79%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 11
American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) is one of the best rare earth stocks to buy right now. On March 31, American Resources Corporation’s minority holding unit, ReElement Technologies Corporation, entered into a strategic collaboration with Mitsubishi Materials.
The two are joining forces to develop integrated, scalable solutions that can enhance supply chain resilience. They also intend to support domestic and local manufacturing capabilities. The collaboration will also focus on enhancing ReElement’s refining operations through feedstock sourcing. It should also support tolling and uptake of offtake opportunities that can enable continued expansion of domestic refining capacity.
In Japan, Mitsubishi Materials and the American Resources Corporation unit are to evaluate and commercialize rare-earth and critical-mineral recycling solutions. The partnership is to leverage MMC’s recycling infrastructure and ReElement’s proprietary chromatographic refining platform.
ReElement’s innovative chromatography-focused separation and purification technology enables the effective processing of various feedstocks, including recycled materials, mining waste, and primary ores, into high-purity critical mineral products.
On the other hand, American Resources Corporation regained compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rule by filing a timely proxy statement and holding an annual meeting of stockholders. The matter regarding compliance with the rule is now closed.
American Resources Corporation is a raw materials provider focusing on the extraction, processing, and recycling of critical minerals and carbon for the infrastructure and electrification markets. The company produces rare earth elements (REE), critical minerals, and metallurgical coal, while developing sustainable, low-cost technologies for high-demand, non-Chinese supply chain alternatives.
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