Japan’s key economic gauges sit at multi year highs in 2026, and investors are again looking closely at the building blocks of advanced manufacturing. Rare earth related stocks tap directly into this story because these materials are embedded in everything from high performance motors to precision electronics. This article highlights three rare earth focused stocks from our screener that offer different ways to gain exposure to this theme.
The three rare earth stocks in this article are just a starting sample, and the full screen surfaced 28 more companies with equally detailed narratives that are not covered here. To go deeper into this theme, head straight to the Rare Earth Metal Stocks screener to identify, filter and analyze the rare earth metal stocks that best fit your own view on risk and opportunity.
Critical Metals (CRML)
Overview: Critical Metals Corp. is a mining exploration and development company focused on identifying lithium and rare earth element deposits in Austria and Southern Greenland, with its rare earth exploration in Greenland providing the clearest link to the Rare Earth Metal Stocks theme. The company offers investors early stage exposure to potential future supplies of rare earths used in high tech devices, electric vehicles and defense systems.
Operations: Critical Metals currently generates about US$1 million in revenue, almost entirely from mineral exploration activities.
Market Cap: US$1.1 billion
Investors looking at Critical Metals are largely evaluating the potential of its Greenland Tanbreez rare earth project and related exploration work in a world that is searching for new non Chinese supply. Recent drilling campaigns, infrastructure moves such as acquiring the Ocean Endeavour vessel, and updates on camp construction all indicate a company working to turn early stage assets into a possible future rare earth source. On the other hand, revenue is minimal, the business is unprofitable and funding has relied on fresh equity, which brings dilution risk. In addition, board and management turnover, plus deal uncertainty around the proposed European Lithium acquisition, contribute to a high risk, high potential profile that may warrant close monitoring of project and financing milestones.
Critical Metals looks like a classic high risk project story, where early stage assets and fresh funding raises leave big questions about long term outcomes. To see how those trade offs show up in the numbers and capital structure, review the Critical Metals financial health report
MP Materials (MP)
Overview: MP Materials owns and operates the Mountain Pass mine in California and processes rare earth oxides such as NdPr that feed directly into magnets for electric vehicles, clean energy technology, and defense systems, while its Magnetics segment turns those materials into NdFeB magnets and related products. For investors, MP Materials offers direct exposure to the rare earth supply chain from ore to finished magnet, which is relatively rare outside China.
Operations: MP Materials generates most of its revenue from the Materials segment at about US$286 million, with around US$79 million coming from its Magnetics segment and a segment adjustment of roughly US$9 million.
Market Cap: US$9.7 billion
MP Materials may be worth a closer look if you want direct exposure to rare earths that feed into EVs, wind turbines, and high end defense systems, rather than just broad metals exposure. The company combines a producing rare earth mine with growing magnet manufacturing capacity, backed by long term contracts with the US Department of Defense and large customers such as Apple that are designed to give price floors and predictable demand. The flip side is real execution risk around new plants such as the 10X magnet facility, heavy spending, and reliance on a tight group of big buyers. The outcome of its vertical integration strategy and government backed projects could materially influence how MP Materials compares with a typical miner, which is one reason many investors are watching the company closely.
MP Materials is working to turn rare earths into a full magnet supply chain, supported by major contracts and substantial investment. To see how that story appears in the numbers and contract details, review the analysis report for MP Materials
USA Rare Earth (USAR)
Overview: USA Rare Earth is a critical minerals company focused on mining and processing rare earth elements in the United States and abroad, anchored by its Round Top Mountain project in Texas that targets neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium, yttrium and other key REEs used in electric motors and defense systems. Alongside this, the company is building a broader portfolio of critical minerals and services that reach into sectors such as aerospace, semiconductors, data centers, energy and healthcare.
Market Cap: US$4.3 billion
USA Rare Earth may interest you if you want direct exposure to efforts to build a mine to magnet rare earth supply chain outside Asia, backed by projects like Round Top and the recently completed Serra Verde combination. Federal support is building, including a Department of Energy award of up to US$19.3 million for a pilot scale REE separations project and CHIPS Act related funding pathways that point to strong policy backing for domestic processing capacity. On the other side, the company remains unprofitable, has a history of heavy cash burn and dilution, and is concentrating a lot of value in a small group of capital intensive projects. For investors able to handle that mix of policy support and execution risk, USA Rare Earth is a story worth deeper research.
USA Rare Earth is working to connect mine to magnet growth backed by US policy support, yet heavy cash burn and project concentration raise hard questions. Get the 1 key reward and 3 important warning signs (2 are major!)
Seeking Alternatives Beyond Rare Earths
Fresh stock ideas can move quickly once momentum builds and prices start flying. Use this window before the crowd catches on while it matters most, act now.
- Spot cash rich companies before they attract headlines by running the list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (53 results) that filters for resilient business models and cleaner balance sheets.
- Ride potential AI adoption waves early and scan the 72 profitable AI stocks that aren't just burning cash to focus on businesses already turning revenue into real earnings instead of constant cash burn.
- Position ahead of possible infrastructure build outs by checking the 39 power grid technology and infrastructure stocks that highlights companies tied to grid upgrades and long term electrification demand.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com