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7 Best Rhodium Stocks to Buy for Investors

Alina Haynes

Nov 15, 2022 21:58

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The price of rhodium, one of the six platinum group metals, reached a new all-time high of $29,800 per troy ounce on March 23 due to increased demand from the automotive industry in reaction to harsher worldwide pollution regulations. Since August 2016, when the precious metal cost $625 per ounce, its price has multiplied by forty.

 

Since Europe, China, and the United States decided to strengthen their pollution restrictions as part of the Paris Agreement on global warming, rhodium has been in high demand as a critical component in producing automobile catalytic converters. The COVID-19 epidemic and months of strikes in South Africa significantly affected rhodium production, contributing to the element's price surge, which is expected to continue.

 

Therefore, now is the optimal time to invest in rhodium mining stocks. These companies have excellent business strategies and healthy financial statements and are in an enviable position to boost their sales volume and profit from rising rhodium prices. 

What is Rhodium? 

Rhodium has the chemical symbol Rh and the atomic number 45. It is an unusual, stiff, corrosion-resistant, silvery-white, chemically inert, and rigid transition metal. It is an element of the platinum group and a noble metal that naturally includes the isotope 103Rh. Rhodium occurs naturally in minerals such as bowieite and rhodplumsite, typically as the free metal, alloyed with other similar metals, and exceptionally rare as a chemical compound. It is among the most rare and expensive precious metals.

 

In addition to the other members of the platinum group, rhodium can be found in nickel or platinum ores. William Hyde Wollaston discovered it in one of these ores in 1803. It was named for the rose color of one of its chlorine compounds, produced when interacting with the strong acid mixture aqua regia.

 

Approximately 80% of the world's rhodium output is used as a catalyst in three-way catalytic converters for automobiles, which is the element's primary purpose. Rhodium is frequently alloyed with platinum or palladium and utilized in high-temperature and corrosion-resistant coatings due to its inertness against corrosion and the vast majority of harmful substances. Rhodium is widely used to improve white gold's appearance and strengthen sterling silver's resistance to tarnishing.

 

Rhodium is utilized in nitrogen oxide to nitrogen catalytic converters. As with platinum and palladium, automobiles account for most of the rhodium demand, and rhodium is produced as a byproduct of platinum mining. Consequently, similar to platinum, the Bushveld Complex in South Africa is responsible for the great majority (80%) of the world's rhodium supply. It is difficult and costly to extract rhodium from other elements found on the Earth.

 

In recent years, rhodium's price has changed significantly. Between 2004 and 2008, the price increased by 2,112%, from $452 per ounce to $10,000 per ounce, before plunging in less than a year to under $1,000 per ounce. From 2012 to 2016, the price of rhodium fluctuated between $1,800 and $600 per ounce, but remained relatively stable at around $1,000 per ounce. The price of rhodium increased by more than 150 percent from 2017 to 2018, hitting about $2,500 per ounce. The cost of rhodium surpassed $5,000 per ounce at the end of 2019. Rhodium had the highest first-quarter performance of all commodities in 2020 due to rising demand from China for vehicle production and a decline in South African supply. Beginning in 2021, the price of rhodium has reached an all-time high of $21,900/oz.

Why Invest in Rhodium?

As stated before, rhodium is an expensive precious metal. It is utilized in jewelry, the glass sector, catalytic converters, and even specific medical devices. However, its availability is restricted. We shall address it shortly, but first, let's compare the price of rhodium to gold.

 

Currently, an ounce of gold costs approximately $1,850. Despite being costly, this expense is negligible in comparison. An ounce of rhodium costs considerably more than ten thousand dollars. In addition, for a brief period in 2021, it approached $30,000. Why is rhodium so much more expensive than platinum?

 

Rhodium is a rare member of the platinum family. Its rarity in the Earth's crust is estimated to be 0.0002 parts per million, making it one of the most occasional elements. Rhodium is challenging to extract industrially due to the scarcity of Rhodium-bearing minerals and the ore's combination with other metals.

 

Consequently, there are regional limits on the purchase of rhodium stocks. Most deposits are acknowledged and widely accessible in South Africa, Russia, and the United States, and Russia has been the second largest exporter after South Africa. In addition, it helps to explain why rhodium prices rose in light of the Ukraine war.

 

In the previous few years, there have been significant supply disruptions. Nonetheless, every crisis presents a fresh opportunity. The United States and other nations are taking measures to reduce their reliance on particular countries. Remember this as we analyze the top rhodium companies.

7 Best Rhodium Stocks to Buy Now

1. Impala Platinum Holdings Limited

IMPUY, headquartered in Illovo, South Africa, produces nickel, chrome, platinum, and palladium ores, mines, refines and sells platinum group metals. It operates on the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, while the Lac des Iles Mine is situated in the Thunder Bay region of Canada.

 

In February, IMPUY received an "A" performance rating for its 2020 CDP Water Disclosure Project for the second consecutive year. In terms of transparency, this rate places the business in the top 15 percent of a small group of enterprises.

 

IMPUY's revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2020, increased by 107 percent year-over-year to R58.12 billion. The company's gross profit climbed by 263% to R22,4 billion compared to last year. Profits grew by 328 percent year-over-year to R14.4 billion, while EBITDA increased by 231 percent to R25.1 billion. During this period, IMPUY generated a free cash flow of R20,1 billion.

 

A consensus EPS estimate of $4.52 for the quarter ending June 30, 2021, is an increase of 222.6 percent over the same period last year. The anticipated $8.76 billion in sales is an increase of 110.1% compared to the same period last year. The stock price has surged by 396.4 percent during the past year.

2. Sibanye Stillwater Limited

SBSW was founded in 2002 as a precious metals mining company with activities in South Africa, the United States, Zimbabwe, Canada, and Argentina. It produces gold and platinum group metals (PGMs), including palladium and rhodium projects. The company is engaged in multiple projects, including the Marathon PGM project in Canada, the Altar copper-gold project in the Andes of northwest Argentina, and the Rio Grande copper-gold project.

 

In March, Johnson Matthey, a leader in sustainable technologies, worked with SBSW to develop strategies for reducing carbon footprints and discovering more efficient ways to utilize the essential metals required for battery technology. Therefore, SBSW should be able to meet the growing customer demand for products sourced ethically.

 

In February, the business invested €30 million in Keliber Oy to advance its advanced lithium project in Finland. SBSW should be able to enter the battery metals industry and strengthen its leadership position in PGM with this strategic investment.

 

The profit attributable to SBSW's shareholders for the six months ending December 31, 2020, climbed to R29,312 million from R62 million for the same period in 2019. The business achieved a record-breaking R19.9 billion in adjusted free cash flow and R3.1 billion in net cash at the end of 2020.

 

Over the next five years, analysts estimate that SBSW's EPS will increase by 53.6% annually. For the fiscal year ending in 2021, revenue is anticipated to increase by 37.9 percent.

3. Anglo American Platinum

Anglo American Platinum is the world's largest producer of platinum, accounting for approximately one-third of the annual supply. As indicated previously, rhodium is a rare member of the platinum group, and this company is a significant producer of rhodium.

 

In 2021, the price of rhodium hit an all-time high, which helped the company achieve record sales. Nearly 43% of the company's net income was generated from rhodium, which marks a growth of 32% in 2020. As a result of its extensive mining operations, Anglo American Platinum has one of the best rhodium inventories on the market.

4. BHP Group

BHP Group is a varied resources organization. Its fully integrated mining operations extract and refine copper, coal, iron ore, nickel, zinc, and potash. The corporation owns global mining properties. In a merger consummated in 2022, BHP Group merged its oil and natural gas holdings with Woodside Petroleum's (NYSE: WDS). Following the merger, BHP became a premier mining company.

 

Although BHP Group manufactures a wide range of products, its primary purpose is to be efficient. It efficiently operates large mines containing valuable materials and implements cost-saving technologies such as driverless trucks. The mining company's emphasis on cost reduction mitigates the impact of inflation.

 

BHP Group combines low-cost operations with a solid balance sheet, which it frequently maintains by selling off non-core assets and less lucrative mines.

 

Even when commodity prices are low, mining businesses are in an excellent position to invest in high-return expansion plans. Its production output is consistent. Even though BHP's cash flow is somewhat unpredictable, the company's minimal expenses enable it to generate free cash flow that can be relied upon for stock purchases and dividend payments.

 

Similar to Barrick, the dividend of BHP Group fluctuates slightly. In each reporting period, the company pays out at least half its profits as dividends; hence, its dividend expenditure will fluctuate with cash flow.


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5. Zimplats Holdings

Zimplats Holdings' efforts are more concentrated as one of the lesser rhodium stocks. The Great Dyke in Zimbabwe produces platinum group and associated metals; however, it remains one of the most important sources of metal.

 

In 2021, rhodium sales accounted for approximately 33 percent of the company's total revenue. In addition, there was an increase from the 2020 total of 18%. As long as the price of rhodium remains high, a significant portion of Zimplats Holdings' total revenue should continue to be derived from this product.

6. Rio Tinto 

Rio Tinto is a broad mining firm. Iron ore, aluminum, and copper are the three most often consumed industrial metals. Rio Tinto mines various metals and minerals, including boron, salt, diamonds, titanium, and other elements.

 

Like BHP Group, Rio Tinto strives to be a low-cost producer of metals and minerals. Operating considerable, integrated mining assets can reduce expenses. Rio Tinto invests in cutting-edge technology, such as autonomous vehicles and renewable energy, increasing production and saving expenses.

 

Rio Tinto has proved its ability to generate a profit despite economic difficulties. Thanks to its robust balance sheet, it periodically sells non-core mines to transfer cash to more attractive opportunities. For example, the company has just exited the coal mining industry due to its diminishing prospects in light of climate change concerns. In addition, the company promised to acquire any further shares of copper miner Turquoise Hill Resources (NYSE: TRQ) that it did not own in 2022. The agreement would make it easier for Mongolia to use its substantial copper reserves and gigantic Oyu Tolgoi mine.

 

While actively pursuing debt payback, the firm consistently expands its most profitable mines. Rio Tinto is another mining company that gives dividends to shareholders and repurchases its stock throughout an economic cycle. It strives to pay rewards ranging from 40 to 60 percent of its cash flow, with the amount paid varying from quarter to quarter based on its profitability.

7. Barrick Gold

Barrick Gold, one of the major gold miners in the world, operates in more than a dozen nations. In addition, it is a significant producer of copper.

 

In part, Barrick Gold is distinguished from other precious metals companies by its emphasis on Tier One mining sites. Tier One mines produce gold and copper at a relatively consistent rate and low cost, allowing Barrick to continue to profit even when these commodities are down.

 

Due to the significant cash flow generated by its Tier One mines, Barrick Gold can make an attractive base dividend payment and a quarterly performance dividend payment that changes with its cash position.

Should You Invest in Rhodium? 

The mining industry is capital-intensive and cyclical. During times of economic growth, rhodium mining companies have more capital to invest in new mines and expansion plans. However, mining companies frequently encounter difficulties due to the long lead times required to implement projects. Returns are impacted when projects conceived during periods of expansion are delayed until the cycle has shifted.

 

The rhodium company's debt should also be of particular concern to stock investors. When the economy is poor, businesses with high levels of debt sometimes suffer. However, those with low production costs are the most successful and less likely to rely heavily on the obligation to finance expansion.

 

In light of these obstacles, investors should prioritize the top rhodium mining companies, as they have proved their ability to generate a profit regardless of the situation of the economy. Including high-quality rhodium stocks in your portfolio may be prudent if you tolerate some volatility and place a premium on dividends.

Is Rhodium an Attractive Investment?

Instead of purchasing the actual metal, there are various advantages to holding rhodium stocks. Due to the fact that rhodium mining companies may expand their operations and revenues as the price of rhodium rises, they are anticipated to generate greater overall returns than investments in genuine rhodium. Consequently, their stocks should do higher than the price of gold. However, not all rhodium stocks outperform the growth in the precious metal's price. Therefore, investors must use caution while choosing rhodium stocks.

Final Thoughts

Several of the best rhodium stocks are currently available. However, there are numerous other stocks to consider. Moreover, portfolio diversification can help reduce risk.

 

Consider nickel stocks for other choices. Due to the proliferation of electric vehicles, the demand for all metals has surged, and EV charging station supplies are precious.

 

Due to the volatility of the markets, the most lucrative investment opportunities fluctuate. Feel free to investigate Top1 Markets more. We strive diligently to deliver the most excellent investment ideas and data.