Top lithium stocks to watch in 2025

What are lithium stocks?

Lithium stocks are the shares of companies that have operations in the mining and refining of lithium, and the production of lithium-based products. Lithium is a metal (the lightest of all metals) used in batteries – notably in electric vehicles (EVs).

Lithium is highly reactive, meaning it can easily form compounds with other elements. It’s never found naturally in its purest form; rather, it’s frequently discovered in spodumene, petalite and eucryptite, as well as in brines and ocean water.

Why invest in lithium stocks in the UAE?

Due to the lack of lithium stocks on the Dubai Financial Market (DBM) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) (which primarily focus on banking, energy, real estate and telecommunications), it’s worth considering lithium shares. This provides stock traders with international diversification.

As you’ll see on our list, we’ve included lithium stocks from the US, Australia, South America, Canada and China, providing a decent mix of global companies for UAE stock traders.

Advantages of lithium stocks

Here are a few pros to stock trading lithium shares:

• Future demand: Due to the anticipated demand for EVs in the future, lithium stocks can make for good long-term investments as the metal will likely be used broadly in the coming years. Similarly, solar and wind energy (which are often paired with lithium-ion batteries) demand is growing
• Clean energy exposure: By trading lithium shares, you’re investing in clean energy for the present and future
• Long-term contracts: Some of the lithium stocks on our list have long-term agreements and joint ventures to ensure future cash flows
• Diversification: Because there are lithium miners and producers all over the globe, you can diversify your portfolio by stock trading any number of them, from Chile to China

Diversification is paramount for a well-balanced portfolio, particularly for stock traders. Investing in one region (or asset class) can lead to higher risk. Consider this: If geopolitical tensions arise in the region where the bulk of your investments sit, your entire portfolio could be at risk of losing substantial value. 

Risks of lithium stocks

Now for the downsides:

• Market volatility: Despite the demand for EVs and batteries, the lithium market is volatile – it’s been in a bearish descent in 2025. This makes it harder to realise profits and easier to lose your capital
• Regulatory changes: As the production and demand of lithium grow, so will regulatory challenges surface
• Geopolitical tensions: Prices can change drastically depending on geopolitical instability – Australian stocks, for example, might be more stable than Chinese stocks

Top 5 lithium stocks to watch in 2025

We selected these five lithium stocks to watch for a few reasons:

• Market positioning: These companies represent different strategic approaches to the lithium market – from Ganfeng Lithium’s Chinese dominance to SQM's cost expertise
• Approach to challenges: Global lithium is facing a price downturn,¹ and each company is responding differently. Some are cutting costs, whereas others are pursuing strategic mergers
• Outlook: Despite current headwinds, each company looks solid for the future, with an anticipated increase in demand for EVs and energy storage
• Geographic diversification: Our selection provides exposure to different regions – Chile, the US, Australia, Canada and China

About the stocks in this article

You can trade the following stocks listed in this article via CFDs with us:

• Jindalee Lithium
• Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile
• Ganfeng Lithium
• Lithium Americas

And you can stock trade these companies with us (and many more):

• Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile
• Lithium Americas

1. Jindalee Lithium (ASX: JLL)

Market cap: A$45.52 million²

YTD growth: 179.07%³

Jindalee Lithium is an Australian exploration/development company. Its flagship project is the McDermitt Lithium Project, on the Oregon-Nevada border in the USA. The deposit is one of the largest by contained lithium in the United States.

The company emphasises sustainable/ethical operations and community engagement (including with Tribal Nations), given its location. Because it’s still in the development/exploration phase, it’s not yet gone into the production phase.

Because McDermitt is large and in the US, there’s potential to become a major domestic supplier. In an environment where supply chain security for EV battery materials is getting increasing attention, US projects can get a premium.

Being a developer, JLL’s share price is susceptible to exploration updates, permitting progress and funding milestones – conditions that often create volatility for CFD traders.

Highlights:

• Extraction, processing and regulatory hurdles remain, particularly around land use, water rights and indigenous consultation. These could delay or increase costs, which stock traders need to factor in
• For long-term stock traders, the prize is potentially huge if JLL successfully develops McDermitt. For traders, the frequent swings around resource upgrades, government support or permitting decisions create opportunities
• JLL will likely need further capital raises, which may dilute existing shareholdings. CFD traders and stock traders alike should watch announcements carefully

2. Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SSE: SQM)

Market cap: CLP$11.77 trillion⁴

YTD growth: 14.17%⁵

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM) represents nearly a century of mining expertise in Chile's mineral-rich landscape. The company has grown from a local Chilean chemical company into the world's second-largest lithium producer, with exclusive access to some of the planet's highest-grade lithium resources in the Atacama Desert.

The company's strategic location in Chile's lithium triangle provides cost advantages, with brine-based extraction methods that are significantly more economical than hard rock mining alternatives.

SQM’s lithium production is focused on battery-grade carbonate and hydroxide, making it a key supplier for EV and energy storage demand.

In recent years, the company has also signed long-term offtake agreements with automakers, strengthening revenue visibility.

The non-lithium parts of SQM (fertilisers, iodine etc) cushion downturns in the lithium cycle. This can better level out the stock value compared to pure-play lithium companies.

Highlights:

• SQM already produces, so revenues and cash flows are more predictable (though, of course, subject to lithium price swings). This makes it more attractive for longer-term stock traders who prefer lower risk
• Chile has tightened scrutiny on water use and taxation in the Atacama Desert. Regulatory changes often spark significant price moves, which CFD traders can target

3. Ganfeng Lithium (SZSE: 002460)

Market cap: C¥94.32 billion⁶

YTD growth: 73.84%⁷

Starting as a small lithium processing company in Jiangxi Province, Ganfeng has expanded through acquisitions and partnerships to become China’s largest lithium producer.⁸ The company's growth story mirrors China's rise as the global centre of lithium battery manufacturing, with Ganfeng playing a crucial role in supplying Chinese EV manufacturers and battery producers.

The company's integrated business model spans upstream lithium extraction (through mines in China, Australia and Argentina), midstream lithium processing and downstream battery material production.

Recent milestones include the start of production at the Mariana brine project in Argentina and the expansion of the Goulamina hard-rock mine in Mali.

Ganfeng also continues to invest in battery recycling and new lithium technologies, which broaden its market exposure.

Highlights:

• Exposure to both raw extraction and refining gives Ganfeng multiple profit levers, which is good news for stock traders
• Projects across continents spread regional risk, though they add operational complexity
• As a Chinese company, it’s sensitive to changes in domestic subsidies, export restrictions and environmental rules. These can cause sharp share price reactions – conditions that are suitable for CFD traders

4. Lithium Americas (NYSE: LAC)

Market cap: US$1.39 billion⁹

YTD growth: 91.33%¹⁰

Lithium Americas is developing the Thacker Pass project in Nevada, which is the largest known lithium resource in the US. The first phase of the project targets production of around 40,000 tons of lithium carbonate per year, with a mine life of more than 40 years.

The company has secured significant financing support, including a conditional US$2.26 billion loan from the US Department of Energy and a major investment from General Motors, which has also signed off-take agreements. Construction is underway, though the project has faced environmental opposition and permitting challenges.

As a US-based project, Thacker Pass aligns with government goals of domestic lithium supply, which could attract policy support, spelling good news for stock traders.

Highlights:

• It has high growth potential – successful development could make Lithium Americas a cornerstone producer in the US market
• Share prices react strongly to updates on permitting, government involvement and construction milestones, offering CFD trading opportunities
• By the same token, if executed as planned, the project could deliver decades of production, appealing to long-term stock traders

5. NOA Lithium Brines (TSXV: NOAL)

Market cap: C$78.58 million¹¹

YTD growth: 43.14%¹²

NOA Lithium Brines is a Canadian junior explorer focused on lithium brine projects in Salta Province, Argentina, within the Lithium Triangle.

Its flagship Rio Grande Project hosts a mineral resource estimate of 4.7 million tons of lithium carbonate equivalent, with average grades of 525 mg/L. The company also holds large land positions at the Arizaro and Salinas Grandes salars, giving it a sizeable exploration footprint.

However, its most advanced project is Rio Grande, where it has 100% ownership over ~37,000 hectares of claims.

NOA is still in the exploration stage, running drilling and geophysical surveys. It has raised funds through private placements to advance its projects and has signalled its intention to explore direct lithium extraction technologies.

Highlights:

• The Rio Grande Project now has ~4.7 million tonnes LCE (lithium carbonate equivalent) at an average concentration of 525 mg/L Li, following an increase of ~24% over the previous estimate
• NOA drilled and completed a fresh water well at Rio Grande. This can significantly reduce costs and red tape, because transporting water is expensive, and negotiating water rights can be time-consuming

How to trade lithium stocks with IG UAE

CFDs

1. Open a CFD trading account with IG UAE
2. Search for lithium stocks on the IG platform
3. Decide whether to go long (buy) or short (sell)
4. Choose your position size
5. Set stop-loss and limit orders
6. Place your trade and monitor it 

Stock trading

1. Open a stock trading account with IG UAE
2. Search for lithium stocks
3. Choose the stock you want to buy
4. Determine how many stocks you want to purchase
5. Place your order
6. Monitor your investment 

FAQs about lithium stocks

Footnotes
 

1. Trading Economics, June 2025
2. TradingView, September 2025
3. TradingView, September 2025
4. TradingView, September 2025
5. TradingView, September 2025
6. TradingView, September 2025
7. TradingView, September 2025
8. Ganfeng Lithium, June 2025
9. TradingView, September 2025
10. TradingView, September 2025
11. TradingView, September 2025
12. TradingView, September 2025