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Robin Hartill, CFP has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Demand also dropped for several reasons, including the development of low-cobalt batteries and concerns about human rights and environmental abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 70% of cobalt was mined in 2024. By mid-2024, the spot price of cobalt was down more than 60% from the highs it reached about two years prior.
Facing an oversupply and tanking prices, the Democratic Republic of Congo announced a temporary cobalt export ban in early 2025. The ban increased the price of cobalt by a little more than one-third in the first half of 2025. The ban ended in October 2025, but it's been replaced by an export quota that will restrict DRC cobalt exports in 2026 and 2027 to roughly half of 2024 levels.
Like any other commodity, cobalt prices can be highly volatile. Additionally, since cobalt is a byproduct, there aren't really any pure-play cobalt stocks within the metal mining industry. Many cobalt stocks aren't listed on a U.S. exchange.
Here are five stocks to watch in 2026 that are involved in the production of cobalt:

Cobalt is a base material used in manufacturing. Usually a byproduct of refining copper or nickel, this element is used in items that include electric vehicle (EV) batteries, industrial equipment parts, and paints.
Particularly due to rising demand for lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices and electric cars, cobalt prices rose steadily in 2021 and 2022. Mining companies increased output in response, leading to a cobalt surplus.
If you're considering an investment in a cobalt stock, here are some features to look for:
Investing in cobalt stocks could pay off in the long run, but it's best suited for those with a high risk tolerance and a long time horizon. If you need more predictable returns or steady dividends, you're better off putting your money elsewhere.
Commodity prices can fluctuate wildly; supply and demand change from month to month and year to year. Stocks of companies that produce such commodities can also fluctuate wildly in price.
Focus on investing in established businesses with a track record of generating healthy profit margins, especially if you are an investor seeking more stable returns or investment income.
To diversify a cobalt investment portfolio, look for companies that mine cobalt as a byproduct of other metals for protection against a major drop in cobalt prices. Consider investing in multiple mining companies or mining ETFs to reduce company-specific investment risks. Also look for geographic diversity, given the troubled history of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is the world's largest cobalt supplier.
Although there's still strong demand for cobalt, particularly in the EV industry, many battery makers are shifting toward lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which don't require cobalt. That creates a fair degree of uncertainty about cobalt prices in the long term.
Keep in mind, though, that very few pure-play cobalt mining companies exist. Cobalt is typically a byproduct of copper or nickel refining and usually accounts for a small share of revenue for most mining companies. Changes in cobalt prices or global demand are unlikely to be a game changer, particularly for well-diversified companies.



One of the world's largest mining companies, BHP Group (BHP -0.43%) is an Australian-based company with operations worldwide. Copper and nickel are among its top products, so cobalt (one of the byproducts of refining these two metals) is naturally mined by BHP. The company is consistently profitable and tends to generate operating profit margins well into double digits.
Vale (VALE +0.87%) is another top producer of metals and base materials. Based in Brazil, it is one of Latin America's largest companies. It is the world's top producer of iron and nickel, as well as a top producer of other metals used in battery manufacturing, such as manganese and copper. As a miner of nickel and copper, Vale is also an ancillary supplier of cobalt, though it isn't a significant source of revenue for the company.
Switzerland-based Glencore (GLNCY -1.12%) is another global mining operation. Among its energy, recycling, and mining assets is the production of base metals, including copper, nickel, and, of course, cobalt. In fact, Glencore is one of the world's top cobalt producers, primarily as a byproduct of its copper mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As its name suggests, Wheaton Precious Metals (WPM -0.91%) is an investment in elements like gold and silver. In addition to precious metals, Wheaton acquires significant amounts of cobalt. Although not directly involved in the production of base materials like cobalt, Wheaton harbors a valuable niche in the global mining space. It's also very profitable and pays dividends for investors seeking income.
China is the world’s largest market for electric vehicles. It is a top user of cobalt as well, and CMOC Group Ltd. (CMCLF -2.22%) (formerly China Molybdenum) is a top producer of the element. In fact, through its copper mining assets in the Democratic Republic of Congo, CMOC Group Ltd. is the world’s second-largest producer of cobalt (which it derives as a byproduct of copper refining).

| Market cap | Current price | Dividend yield |
|---|---|---|
| $186.0 billion | $73.24 | 3.63% |
| $69.1 billion | $16.19 | 0.91% |
| $86.7 billion | $14.83 | 1.35% |
| $61.5 billion | $135.56 | 0.51% |
| $46.8 billion | $2.20 | 1.61% |