ProShares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF

ION

Market cap $16.7M

Oil shock and geopolitical tensions sank stocks, but shipping, volatility, and niche ETFs rallied, emerging as winners amid the S&P 500???s five-week slide.

In 2025, top-performing exchange-traded funds (ETFs) often capitalized on an angle related to innovation or to metals. With demand for data centers to power AI applications surging, funds focused on the infrastructure and materials necessary to fuel this industry thrived.

The season for ETF renewal is here as investors prepare their portfolios for the new year. The ETF ecosystem offers an ever-growing list of options to consider, but within that list can be found hidden gems that may be worth consideration.

Lithium-themed ETFs touched 52-week highs last week, prompting questions on if the rally is driven more by political tailwinds than commodity fundamentals.

This summer has brought a renewed focus on alternative assets. Investors are rotating into gold, other precious metals, bitcoin, and option-based strategies.

Lithium prices were flat the past month. Lithium market news - The US government is reportedly examining price support mechanisms for domestic critical mineral projects. BloombergNEF forecasts lithium deficits may begin in 2025. Lithium company news - Arcadium Lithium confirms takeover offer from Rio Tinto. Bikita Minerals has shut down one of its production plants, citing weak global prices.

Lithium carbonate spot prices were generally flat the past month. Lithium market news - Fastmarkets forecast a tentatively balanced lithium market in 2024. US moves to restore stockpiling ‘panic button' in EV metals fight with China. Lithium company news - Albemarle plans to reduce capital expenditures, costs to unlock >US$750M of cash flow. Tianqi Lithium issues large negative profit warning.

Lithium chemical spot prices and spodumene prices were lower the past month and are now below the marginal cost of production. Lithium market news - China Futures Co. analyst, Zhang Weixin, forecasts lithium carbonate to bottom out between CNY80-90,000/t. Milei looks to cut costs for Argentina's miners in broader deregulation push. Lithium company news - SQM and Hancock enter into implementation deed with Azure Minerals. Livent and Allkem shareholders approve merger of equals, new company name to be Arcadium Lithium.

Lithium chemical spot prices and spodumene prices were significantly lower the past month. Lithium market news - Australia's largest lithium mine flags output cut on weak China demand. SQM announces acquisition offer for Azure Minerals for ~US$900m. Lithium company news - Allkem and Livent receive all required regulatory approvals globally to close merger of equals. Sayona Mining announces new high-grade zones encountered in NAL drilling.