A precious metal with increasing demand — what you should know before you invest.
Lithium has multiple applications from consumer to military. But investors should be wary of lithium’s delicate supply and demand levels before diving into this stock.
What is Lithium?
Lithium is a chemical element on the periodic table. This metal is soft and white, giving it the nickname “white petroleum.” While lithium has been traditionally used in ceramic and glass production, it’s now more popularly used in rechargeable batteries in smartphones, laptops and electric cars. Lithium also strengthens other metals. For example, lithium alloys, such as aluminum-lithium, are used in bicycle frames and aircrafts. And in the pharmaceutical industry, lithium is used to balance neurotransmitters in the brain to treat bipolar disorder. Chile, Australia and Argentina are the three largest lithium producers in the world, according to a 2020 US Geological Survey.
Trajectory of the lithium market
There are two main ways to invest in lithium: lithium producers and companies that rely on lithium as a raw material. Companies that produce lithium can either mine hard rock or harvest lithium-brine deposits. Mining removes lithium from a mineral using a drill, while harvesting brine deposits extracts lithium that has dissolved in groundwater through evaporation. The brine technique takes approximately 18 months, which is slower than traditional mining. On the other hand, companies that use lithium generally focus on lithium-ion batteries and devices. For example, electric vehicles rely on lithium as the basis for its green technology. So price fluctuations and changes in the lithium market can directly affect company stocks that use lithium as a raw material.
Why invest in lithium stocks?
The world is progressively more technology-driven. Rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have multiple applications — from consumer smartphones and laptops to military voice and data radios. Lithium plays an essential role across mobile technologies, with the demand for lithium-ion batteries set to triple by 2025, according to S&P Global. And as the global market for electric vehicles grows, the annual lithium demand for batteries is expected to skyrocket. According to Global EV Outlook’s technology report from June 2020, the global electric vehicle stock is set to grow by 36% every year, totaling 245 million vehicles by 2030 — or 30 times more than in 2020.
Risks of investing in lithium
Although the demand for lithium is soaring, lithium stocks have been drowning in a surge of new lithium producers from Chile, Argentina and Australia. When supply grows faster than the demand, it can trigger a sharp price drop and cause stocks to become undervalued. Lithium-ion batteries also require cobalt to produce. Unfortunately, two-thirds of the world’s cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, making its supply susceptible to political instability. And since global cobalt mine supplies are also at risk to disappear in 2020, there may not be enough cobalt to manufacture these batteries. And it doesn’t help that there’s no benchmark price for lithium. So investors can only base the value of the industry on a handful of companies. You’re flying blind without a full sense of the global market, leaving investors and banks struggling to manage risk.
Lithium stocks
You can invest in lithium stocks by purchasing shares of a specialty chemical company that produces lithium or a business that uses lithium technology.
See how the following stocks are performing, and view details like market capitalization, the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, price/earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio and dividend yield.
Company summary
Albemarle Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets engineered specialty chemicals worldwide. It operates through three segments: Energy Storage, Specialties and Ketjen. The Energy Storage segment offers lithium compounds, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and lithium chloride; technical services for the handling and use of reactive lithium products; and lithium-containing by-products recycling services. The Specialties segment provides bromine-based specialty chemicals, including elemental bromine, alkyl and inorganic bromides, brominated powdered activated carbon, and other bromine fine chemicals; lithium specialties, such as butyllithium and lithium aluminum hydride; develops and manufactures cesium products for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries; and zirconium, barium, and titanium products for pyrotechnical applications that include airbag initiators. The Ketjen segment offers clean fuels technologies (CFT), which is composed of hydroprocessing catalysts (HPC) together with isomerization and akylation catalysts; fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts and additives; and performance catalyst solutions (PCS), which is composed of organometallics and curatives. The company serves the energy storage, petroleum refining, consumer electronics, construction, automotive, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, and crop protection markets. Albemarle Corporation was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. operates as a mining company worldwide. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers under Ultrasol, Qrop, Speedfol, Allganic, Ultrasoline, ProP, and Prohydric brands. It also provides iodine and its derivatives for use in medical, agricultural, industrial, and human and animal nutrition products comprising x-ray contrast media, biocides, antiseptics and disinfectants, pharmaceutical intermediates, polarizing films for LCD and LED screens, chemicals, organic compounds, and pigments, as well as added to edible salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. In addition, the company produces lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide which are used in the production of cathode material for secondary batteries; lithium chloride; and basic lithium chemicals and lithium derivatives used in lubricating greases for heat-resistant glass, chips for the ceramic and glazing industry, and air conditioning chemicals, as well as other pharmaceutical syntheses and metal alloys. Further, it produces potassium sulfate; and potassium chloride which is used as a fertilizer for the application of potassium to different crops. Additionally, the company produces and markets industrial chemicals, such as sodium nitrate mainly used in the production of glass and explosives, metal processing and recycling, and production of insulating materials and adhesives; potassium nitrate used as a raw material to produce frits and special glass, as well as in the enamel, metal treatment, and pyrotechnic sectors; solar salts used as a thermal storage medium in solar power generation plants; and potassium chloride as an additive in oil drilling and food processing sectors. Furthermore, it is involved in the commercialization of third-party fertilizers; and exploration of copper, gold, and silver deposits. The company was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Santiago, Chile.
Livent Corporation manufactures and sells performance lithium compounds primarily used in lithium-based batteries, specialty polymers, and chemical synthesis applications in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers lithium compounds for use in applications that have specific performance requirements, including battery-grade lithium hydroxide for use in high performance lithium-ion batteries; and butyllithium, which is used in the production of polymers and pharmaceutical products, as well as a range of specialty lithium compounds, including high purity lithium metal, which is used in non-rechargeable batteries and the production of lightweight materials for aerospace applications. It also provides lithium phosphate, pharmaceutical-grade lithium carbonate, high purity lithium chloride, and specialty organics; and lithium carbonate and lithium chloride for use as feedstock in the process of producing performance lithium compounds. The company was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Automotive, and Energy Generation and Storage. The Automotive segment offers electric vehicles, as well as sells automotive regulatory credits; and non-warranty after-sales vehicle, used vehicles, body shop and parts, supercharging, retail merchandise, and vehicle insurance services. This segment also provides sedans and sport utility vehicles through direct and used vehicle sales, a network of Tesla Superchargers, and in-app upgrades; purchase financing and leasing services; services for electric vehicles through its company-owned service locations and Tesla mobile service technicians; and vehicle limited warranties and extended service plans. The Energy Generation and Storage segment engages in the design, manufacture, installation, sale, and leasing of solar energy generation and energy storage products, and related services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers and utilities through its website, stores, and galleries, as well as through a network of channel partners; and provision of service and repairs to its energy product customers, including under warranty, as well as various financing options to its solar customers. The company was formerly known as Tesla Motors, Inc. and changed its name to Tesla, Inc. in February 2017. Tesla, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Power Metals Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of resource properties in Canada. It primarily explores for lithium, cesium, and tantalum metal deposits. The company holds 100% interests in the Case Lake property that consists of 475 cell claims located in Steele and Case townships, Ontario. It also has an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Winsome's Decelles and Mazerac projects located in Quebec. The company was formerly known as Aldrin Resource Corp. and changed its name to Power Metals Corp. in December 2016. Power Metals Corp. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
Historical performance
Stock information
Market capitalization: $47733440
Dividend yield: N/A%
Company summary
Lithium Americas Corp. engages in the exploration and development of lithium properties in the United States and Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Thacker Pass project located in northern Nevada, as well as investments in exploration properties in the United States and Canada. Lithium Americas Corp. was incorporated in 2023 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
Some ETFs follow the full lithium cycle from mining through battery production, while others specialize in the battery industry.
Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT)
First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Green Energy ETF (QCLN)
Amplify Advanced Battery Metals and Materials ETF (BATT)
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We can find lithium products in our everyday lives. The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries in mobile devices and electric vehicles keeps this stock on investors’ radars. But to invest in lithium, you’ll need a brokerage account. Weigh a few trading platforms to find a brokerage firm that best fits your investing needs.
Frequently asked questions
Albemarle (ALB) is considered the largest lithium supplier and miner in the world.
Unlike most metals, there is no traded price for lithium. Many companies sell their lithium on long-term contracts.
Although the supply for lithium either exceeds or matches the demand in recent years, lithium is a comparatively rare element because you can only find it in low concentrations, according to the Handbook of Lithium and National Calcium.
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Kimberly Ellis is a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in banking and financial literacy. After teaching in public and private schools, Kimberly zeroed in on personal financial education to help families and kids develop lifelong money skills. She hails from New York City, graduating summa cum laude from Queens College with a BA in elementary education and mathematics, as well as a New York State teaching certificate. She’s also an aspiring polyglot, always in a book and forever on the hunt for the perfect classic red lipstick. See full bio
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