MP Materials leads materials stocks above $2B market cap with 20% short interest
Short interest across the materials sector reveals a sharp contrast between heavily targeted stocks and names with minimal bearish positioning, highlighting where investors are placing their strongest downside bets.
Among materials stocks with market capitalizations above $2B, MP Materials 
MP has the highest short interest at 20.35% of shares outstanding, followed by USA Rare Earth 
USAR at 13.73%. In contrast, AngloGold Ashanti 
AU has the lowest short interest at 0.74%, followed by Agnico Eagle Mines 
AEM at 1.20%. The figures highlight a wide gap in bearish positioning across the materials sector, with mining and metals companies appearing on both ends of the spectrum.
According to a recent article by an SA analyst, MP Materials MP faces execution and policy risks, making it a sell until further constructive developments emerge. "Key catalysts include progress on Apple and GM deals, the ramp-up of the 10X facility, and updates on China's rare earth policy."
Here are the five most shorted material stocks with market capitalizations ranging from above $2B to over $200B (as a % of shares outstanding):
- MP Materials Corp. MP – Diversified Metals and Mining | Short Interest: 20.35%
- USA Rare Earth, Inc. USAR – Diversified Metals and Mining | Short Interest: 13.73%
- Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
CLF – Steel | Short Interest: 13.32% - Olin Corporation
OLN – Commodity Chemicals | Short Interest: 13.14% - Sonoco Products Company
SON – Paper & Plastic Packaging Products & Materials | Short Interest: 12.06%
Here are the five least shorted materials stocks with market capitalizations ranging from above $2B to over $200B (as a % of shares outstanding):
- AngloGold Ashanti plc AU – Gold | Short Interest: 0.74%
- Agnico Eagle Mines Limited AEM – Gold | Short Interest: 1.20%
- Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.
SQM – Specialty Chemicals | Short Interest: 1.26% - Southern Copper Corporation
SCCO – Copper | Short Interest: 1.26% - Linde plc
LIN – Industrial Gases | Short Interest: 1.35%