We recently published a list of 8 Most Profitable Lithium Stocks to Invest In. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) stands against other most profitable lithium stocks to invest in.
The lithium market has proven to be a crucial driver as the world moves toward clean energy. Lithium is an essential component for rechargeable batteries, powering electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage systems, and electronics. Due to technological improvements in batteries and a commitment to carbon reduction, demand for lithium has escalated over the last decade. Fortune Business Insights valued the global lithium market at $22.19 billion in 2023, which is projected to reach $134.02 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 22.1%. Despite this promising long-term scope, the lithium industry has faced significant volatility due to supply and demand imbalance and price fluctuations.
Reuters reported that, despite strong demand, lithium prices dropped 86% in the last two years from their peak in November 2022, primarily due to global oversupply that forced many mining operations to pause. Furthermore, the restart of a Chinese lithium carbonate refinery after a five-month pause could further weaken the case for any price recovery in the near future. As a result of this resumption, the oversupply issue could get worse and therefore, shares of big lithium companies in Asia and Australia have seen a decline.
However, analysts predict market stabilization by 2025 as supply and demand rebalance. With China leading the EV market and implementing vigorous policies, excess supply should be absorbed, potentially reversing price drops in the past two years. In addition, EV battery demand continues to grow, with global consumption reaching over 750 GWh in 2023, 40% higher than in 2022. The IEA posted that the U.S. and European EV markets had the fastest growth, each exceeding 40% year-over-year. As transportation electrification accelerates, so does the demand for lithium, establishing its crucial role in the battery metals industry. However, the industry faces production and sustainability challenges even as lithium demand surges. According to McKinsey & Company, battery producers struggle to secure raw materials, scale production, and meet sustainability targets, making supply chain resilience critical.
Meanwhile, lithium extraction raises environmental concerns, including water depletion and toxic waste, drawing increased attention from environmentalists and regulators. Companies are exploring technologies like Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), offering better recovery rates and reduced environmental impact. Simultaneously, alternative battery chemistries like lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and sodium-ion batteries could diversify the market. However, these alternatives are still in early development and are not likely to replace lithium metal in the near future.
Looking forward, the lithium industry is poised to undergo a structural change. After years of oversupply, Fastmarkets projects a tighter market in 2025. By 2026, the market might face a deficit, with oversupply dropping from 154,000 metric tons in 2024 to just 10,000 metric tons, driven by continued EV adoption and battery storage demand. Through these short-term uncertainties, long-term fundamentals remain strong as analysts predict sustained lithium consumption growth and increased investments in mining and refining. With companies navigating these hurdles, lithium’s role remains essential to the global energy transition and investors seeking green energy resources.
Methodology
To compile our list of the Most Profitable Lithium Stocks to Invest In, we first identified companies with significant operations in the lithium sector. We then ranked these companies based on their latest trailing twelve-month net income, while ensuring that they had a strong market capitalization at the time of writing. Additionally, we analyzed hedge fund sentiment for these stocks, as high hedge fund interest often signals strong financial positioning and growth potential. The hedge fund data was derived from Insider Monkey’s database of Q4 2024.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
A solar panel array stretched across a large open field, its glimmering panels reflecting the sun.
Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH)
Last Year’s Net Income: $102.66 million
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39
Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) produces home energy solutions, focusing on microinverters, solar batteries, and energy management software. The company is a key player in the solar industry and has been growing its product line globally, making it one of the most profitable lithium stocks.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) reported $382.7 million in revenue. The company shipped about two million microinverters and 152 megawatt-hours of batteries. Enphase’s gross margin stayed strong at 53%, and it generated $159 million in free cash flow. Meanwhile, U.S. sales grew 6% from the previous quarter, aided by an 11% increase in microinverter sales. However, due to unsteady market trends, the company faced a 25% drop in European sales. Nevertheless, Enphase is focusing on expansion with the launch of new products like the IQ Battery 5P and IQ8 Microinverters, which should boost growth in 2025.
On January 17, 2025, Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) integrated its Enphase Energy System with Octopus Energy’s smart tariffs in the U.K. This allowed customers to optimize energy use by charging batteries during cheaper hours and selling excess energy at higher rates. Octopus Energy serves over nine million homes while providing real-time management for Enphase customers through its Kraken platform. This move adds value to Enphase’s solar energy systems and strengthens its position in the U.K.
Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) is also expanding in India, where power outages are common. On December 17, 2024, the company started shipping its IQ Battery 5P to Indian customers. This powerful home battery offers a scalable capacity of up to 40 kWh and uses advanced lithium iron phosphate chemistry, ensuring safe and efficient operation. Enphase has teamed up with several installers to support deployment and meet the growing need for reliable energy solutions in India. Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) is enhancing its position in the market through these partnerships and global rollouts.
Overall, ENPH ranks 5th on our list of most profitable lithium stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of ENPH, our conviction lies in the belief that certain AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ENPH but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
