Nickel may not be a household name like gold or oil, but it plays a crucial role in the clean energy future — especially in electric vehicle batteries and renewable infrastructure.
As the global push toward decarbonization accelerates, many investors are eyeing the best nickel stocks to tap into this essential but underappreciated resource.
If you’re curious about nickel investing, this guide covers the top stocks to watch, how the market works and what risks you should know before diving in.
Best Nickel Stocks in 2025
Here’s a list of the six best nickel stocks for May 2025:
| Stock | Ticker | Market Cap | Dividend Yield | Current Share Price | P/E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vale S.A. | VALE | $39.36 Billion | 8.96% | $9.22 | 7.89 |
| Glencore | GLNCY | $39.85 Billion | 3.05% | $6.64 | 10.91 |
| Rio Tinto Group | RIO | $97.51 Billion | 6.72% | $60.02 | 8.76 |
| BHP Group | BHP | $122.73 Billion | 5.08% | $48.37 | 10.18 |
| Allegheny Technologies Incorporated | ATI | $9.85 Billion | N/A | $69.76 | 25.38 |
| South 32 Ltd. | SOUHY | $8.10 Billion | 3.54% | $9.01 | 28.21 |
Note: Nickel stocks can be volatile. Returns listed are based on year-over-year performance as of Q2 2025.
Why Invest in Nickel Stocks?
There are certain advantages to investing in nickel stocks. Here are a few pros to investing in nickel stocks:
- Rising demand from EV industry: Nickel is crucial to the EV industry. It will be in high demand as the EV industry continues to grow.
- Diversification of portfolio: Nickel stocks add exposure to the materials and mining sector, offering diversification from tech and financial stocks.
- Emphasis on clean energy: To support a low-carbon economy, nickel is a good investment.
- A hedge on inflation: Like other precious metals, nickel retains its value during inflation. If commodity stocks rise, mining stocks may benefit.
As nations push for cleaner energy, nickel’s value proposition becomes even stronger.
Nickel Stocks vs. Other Investment Options
How do nickel stocks compare to other investments? Check out this chart that compares nickel stocks with other investment options.
| Investment Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel stocks | -High demand from EV and battery industries -Hedge against inflation -Long-term industrial use |
-Can be volatile -Subject to economic regulation -Environmental and political risks |
| Healthcare stocks | -Stable -Doesn’t rely on economic cycles -Many healthcare stocks pay dividends |
-Sensitive to political changes -Regulatory risks |
| Index funds | -Historically strong returns -Low fees -Diversified exposure |
-Market dependent -Lower short-term gains -Lacks specific sector upside |
| Gold | -Highly liquid -Safe haven asset -Hedge against inflation |
-No income generation -Stagnant in a bull market |
| Real Estate (REITs) | -Stable income -Inflation hedge |
-Speculative -Regulatory concerns |
Risks of Investing in Nickel Stocks
Any investment comes with its own unique risk. Investing in nickel stocks has the following disadvantages:
- Price volatility: Nickel prices are highly cyclical. The prices are influenced by geopolitical tensions and global supply-demand shifts.
- Highly regulated: Nickel mining can be impacted by an increase in economic regulations.
- Dependence on global markets: Nickel is tied heavily to markets in China. A downturn in the Chinese market can impact prices.
- Battery substitutions: Improvements in new battery technology can reduce the reliance on nickel as a battery source for EV vehicles.
Mitigate risks by mixing large, established companies with smaller, growth-focused plays.
Trends Shaping Nickel Stocks
By some accounts, nickel is expected to grow to $60.69 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The surge is expected because of the growing market and demand for electric vehicles.
Companies are currently trying to build new products with nickel to help strengthen their position in the market. Companies like Atlas Materials in the United States are developing a new processing plant to develop waste-free technology to process low-grade nickel.
Although nickel innovation seems to be occurring at the moment, keep in mind nickel prices can be volatile and experience price fluctuations.
Several key trends are influencing the nickel investment landscape:
- EV Battery Growth: Tesla, Ford and GM are driving demand for nickel-rich cathodes.
- China’s Influence: China dominates battery manufacturing and nickel processing.
- Nickel Recycling: Demand for sustainable sourcing is fueling innovation in metal recovery.
- Indonesian Production: Indonesia’s output surge affects global nickel prices and competition.
These shifts offer long-term opportunities — but also require staying updated.
How to Buy Nickel Stocks
Here’s how to move forward with buying nickel stocks:
- Step 1. Decide how you want to invest – Do you want an ETF, stock or mutual fund?
- Step 2. Choose a brokerage platform and fund your account – Choose a platform that allows you to buy nickel stocks and link a bank account.
- Step 2. Do your research – Review nickel stocks. Which companies have strong balance sheets and diversified options? Check recent earning reports.
- Step 3. Find the company ticker – Locate the company ticker on the platform.
- Step 4. Decide how much you want to invest – You may want to evaluate your full portfolio before investing.
- Step 5. Place your trade – Choose your order type and submit.
Final Take to GO: Should You Invest in Nickel Stocks?
Nickel is shaping up to be one of the most important metals of the next decade, powering everything from electric vehicles to smart appliances.
If you’re looking to diversify into green commodities, investing in the best nickel stocks or a mining ETF can offer exposure to a fast-evolving global market.
Ready to get started? Compare brokerage platforms, dive into mining research or explore our beginner’s guide to investing to build your resource-based portfolio today.
FAQs About Nickel Stocks
Nickel stocks tend to be more speculative, so here are the answers to some common questions about nickel stocks to help you decide if they're an investment opportunity for you. Here are some of the best nickel stocks to invest in ASAP:- What are the best nickel stocks for beginners?
- Vale S.A. (VALE), BHP Group ( BHP) and Glencore plc ( GLNCY) are the best nickel stocks for beginners.
- Should I invest in nickel stocks in 2025?
- Yes, there's demand for electric vehicles (EV). Nickel is a component of EV cars. Nickel also supports global decarbonization efforts as well as the transition to clean energy.
- Which nickel stocks pay dividends?
- Eramet ( ERA), Vale S.A. (VALE) and BHP Group ( BHP) are nickel stocks that pay dividends.
- Are nickel stocks good for long-term growth?
- Nickel stocks are good for long-term growth. Supply constraints could boost the price. Rising demand for EV batteries and the global push for clean energy will help the long-term growth of nickel stocks.
Information is accurate as of May 9, 2025.
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