Could Buying The Metals Company Today Set You Up for Life?

By Steven Porrello – Dec 17, 2025 at 11:05AM ESTKey PointsThe Metals Company is trying to mine polymetallic nodules from the Pacific seafloor. These nodules are rich in nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese. The company lacks a commercial license, and the timeline for getting one is unknown. These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›NASDAQ: TMCTMC The Metals CompanyMarket Cap$2.8BToday's Changeangle-down(1.31%) $0.09Current Price$6.97Price as of December 17, 2025 at 11:30 AM ETThe Metals Company has skyrocketed over 500% on the year. Could this stock be a millionaire-maker?The Metals Company (TMC +1.31%) is a deep-sea mining exploration firm that wants to vacuum polymetallic nodules from the Pacific seafloor and turn them into battery-grade metals. The company believes that if it can secure permits soon, it could begin commercial production in the fourth quarter of 2027. It also believes it can generate some attractive margins on the nodules in its possession. Indeed, a recent feasibility study pegged its combined project value at about $23.6 billion. Taken together, those numbers sound impressive, but they also raise the blunt question: Is TMC for real, or is this story more of a mirage than a sure thing? Let's take a quick look at the facts. ExpandNASDAQ: TMCTMC The Metals CompanyToday's Change(1.31%) $0.09Current Price$6.97Key Data PointsMarket Cap$2.8BDay's Range$6.75 - $7.1152wk Range$0.72 - $11.35Volume3.1MAvg Vol10M TMC: A moonshot, or a deep-sea mirage? Let's start with the hard truth.Advertisement TMC is still pre-revenue, meaning it's not bringing in money, and it's burning significant cash. It reported roughly $165 million in total liquidity for the third quarter and a net loss of about $185 million. TMC Cash and Short Term Investments (Quarterly) data by YCharts On top of that, no company has ever operated a commercial deep-sea project before, and regulators are still arguing over the rules. Meanwhile, scientists and oceanographers are worried that deep-sea mining could cause irreversible damage to ocean life. True, TMC has demonstrated in tests that its nodule collector can bring nodules up from the seafloor. But scaling that into a commercially viable operation is a much harder leap. Image source: The Metals Company. Other factors could derail TMC's long-term potential, too, such as a change in battery technology or a slide in nickel and cobalt prices. None of this means TMC won't last as a business, only that it isn't a straight shot to riches. If the stock does set you up for life, the ride will likely be long and bumpy, especially in these early pre-revenue days. For most investors, that makes TMC a tiny position at most, sized as money you can afford to lose. More conservative investors will likely want to look elsewhere for their next investment.About the AuthorSteven Porrello is a contributing writer at The Motley Fool covering publicly traded companies in the materials, energy, and industrials sectors. Prior to The Motley Fool, Steven worked in the personal finance space and wrote for other financial publications. He holds a dual B.A. in English and Religion & Philosophy from LaGrange College and is pursuing an MFA from Rutgers University-Newark.TMFsaporrelloRead NextDec 14, 2025 •By Steven PorrelloWhy The Metals Company's Share Price Is PoppingDec 13, 2025 •By Steven PorrelloWhat to Know Before Buying The Metals Company StockDec 12, 2025 •By Reuben Gregg BrewerCould Buying TMC The Metals Company Stock Today Set You Up for Life?Dec 10, 2025 •By Steven PorrelloShould You Buy The Metals Company Stock While It's Under $10?Dec 9, 2025 •By Steven PorrelloIf You Had Invested $1,000 in The Metals Company Stock 1 Year Ago, Here's How Much You Would Have TodayDec 8, 2025 •By Steven PorrelloIs It Too Late to Buy The Metals Company Stock?