3 Reasons MP Materials Stock Is a Buy in 2026

By Reuben Gregg Brewer – Mar 13, 2026 at 8:15PM ESTKey PointsMP Materials now has its rare-earth metals mine and processing assets operational.The company is well positioned to benefit from the continued demand for rare-earth metals.MP Materials (MP 4.81%) hit an important inflection point in 2025, as it built out its rare-earth metals business. It is now a vertically integrated business, with both a rare-earth metals mine and processing assets. For more aggressive investors, there are three big reasons to consider buying MP Materials in 2026 as it executes on its long-term business plan. 1. MP Materials operates in the U.S.A. Motley Fool research shows that China is the dominant global source for rare-earth metals. That's a problem given that China has proven more than willing to use access to its rare-earth metals as a bargaining chip with other countries. Rare-earth metals are used in everything from electronics to missile defense systems. They are vital materials, and reliable access to rare-earth metals is an economic and geopolitical necessity. Image source: Getty Images. MP Materials operates in the United States. That geographic location makes it a strong partner for domestic companies and the U.S. government, which is providing financial assistance to the company. But it may also become a preferred provider for U.S. allies looking for a reliable source of rare-earth metals. The opportunity to be a key supplier to Western nations makes MP Materials an attractive stock. 2. Rare-earth metals are going to become more important The second big reason to buy MP Materials in 2026 is long-term in nature. There is already strong demand for rare-earth metals. However, the world is increasingly digital. That means that demand for rare-earth metals is highly likely to rise over time. Buying MP Materials now lets you get in early as the company and its market grow. Notably, the company is already working on a new rare-earth magnet processing facility in Texas to capitalize on the growth opportunity ahead. ExpandNYSE: MPMP MaterialsToday's Change(-4.81%) $-2.89Current Price$57.14Key Data PointsMarket Cap$11BDay's Range$56.64 - $60.9752wk Range$18.64 - $100.25Volume184KAvg Vol7.5MGross Margin-280.15% 3. MP Materials is finally getting all the pieces together The final reason to like MP Materials in 2026 is that it now has both its rare-earth metals mine and its rare-earth metals processing assets up and running. In the fourth quarter of 2025, it generated adjusted earnings of $0.09 per share. There's still more spending to be done as the company builds its business out, but it is clearly moving in the right direction from a financial perspective. If 2026 is also an earnings inflection point, it could be a very good year for the business and the stock. Investors should think long term The problem with MP Materials is that it is hard to place a valuation on the stock, given its still early stage of development. And the stock has roughly doubled in value over the past year. Conservative investors probably won't be interested. But if you are a growth investor, buying in 2026 could get you in at the beginning of what increasingly looks like an attractive long-term growth story.Read NextMar 9, 2026 •By Rich SmithMP Materials Aims to Eliminate America's Dependence on Rare-Earth Imports After 2028Feb 11, 2026 •By Steven PorrelloIs MP Materials Stock a Buy Now?Jan 31, 2026 •By Steven PorrelloCan MP Materials Stock Beat the Market in 2026?Jan 16, 2026 •By James HiresWill MP Materials Stock Have Room to Run in 2026?​Jan 11, 2026 •By Manali Pradhan, CFAPrediction: Industrial Stocks Could Take the Lead in the Next Market Cycle. Here's 1 to Watch.Dec 11, 2025 •By Steven PorrelloWill MP Materials Stock Have Room to Run in 2026?About the AuthorReuben Gregg Brewer is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering energy, utilities, REITs, and consumer staples. He is the former director of research at Value Line Publishing, where he rose from mutual fund analyst to equity analyst before leading all research operations. Reuben holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Purchase, a master’s in social work from Columbia University, and an MBA from Regis University. He has been featured as a financial expert on CNBC and in the Financial Times, Barron’s, and InvestmentNews.TMFReubenGBrewerStocks MentionedMP MaterialsNYSE: MP$57.14(-4.81%)-$2.89*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.