When it comes to the stock market, timing is critical. You might have seen a big market trend, but if you invest in it too early or too late, your portfolio might not do well. A few years ago, when sales of electric vehicles (EVs) were going up, many investors saw a trend in lithium mining stocks. Now, the price of lithium is at a record high, and lithium stocks have done better than the stock market as a whole.
Some people think the trend could go on for decades, while others think the prices are too high and need to go down. Here’s what you need to know if you want to bet on this trend.
Clean energy transition is speeding up
We know that the switch to cleaner energy sources is picking up speed. In recent years, governments have set higher goals for reaching net-zero emissions. That means that some big countries have set up programs to encourage the use of electric cars and large-scale battery storage.
This change is getting urgent, because of the ongoing energy crisis and the conflict in Ukraine. The International Energy Agency says two million electric vehicles were sold worldwide in the first quarter of 2022. This is 75% more than the same time the year before (IEA). The agency thinks that by the end of the year, sales of electric vehicles will hit a “record high.” The IEA thinks that the amount of energy stored in grid-scale batteries will increase 44-fold between 2021 and 2030.
Both of these changes need lithium, a key part of electric batteries. This important material is in short supply, which is a problem.
Lithium production hasn’t kept up with the need for batteries. The world will need 1.4 million tonnes of lithium by 2025 to meet the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale batteries. However, only 1.8 million tonnes will be available that year. By 2030, demand will reach 4.6 million, while supply will only be 3.5 million.
Simply put, we don’t have enough lithium to reach the energy goals of the world. Experts think the lithium shortage could cause its price to go through the roof.
One of the best lithium stocks to buy now
The next 10 years will likely be a good time to mine for lithium.
Sigma Lithium (NASDAQ:SGML) is a leading supplier of battery-grade lithium and one of the top lithium battery stocks to invest in. This Canadian mining company is focused on lithium deposit exploration and development in Brazil. The company is heavily invested in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Its products are in a wide range of EV applications, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial vehicles.
The Grota do Cirilo, Genipapo, Santa Clara, and So José properties are wholly owned by the company and consist of 27 mineral rights spanning approximately 191 square kilometres in the Araçua and Itinga regions of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.
Sigma stock has gained more than 280% year to date, and the company is valued at $4.85 billion.
