Last Update October 2026
Disclaimer: We are not financial advisors, and nothing here is investment advice.
If you’ve decided you want some exposure to rare earths, the first practical problem isn’t which stock to pick. It’s where to buy it.
That sounds trivial until you notice that the sector is spread across exchanges. MP Materials trades on the NYSE. Energy Fuels is listed in the US. Lynas Rare Earths, one of the biggest names outside China, has its main listing on the Australian exchange (ASX), and Iluka Resources is listed there too. Plenty of the smaller names trade over the counter. A broker that’s perfect for buying Apple shares may not let you touch half of this list.
So instead of ranking brokers on generic criteria, we looked at them through one lens: how well do they work for someone building a rare earth position?
Quick answer
- If you want the widest access, including Australian stocks: a global broker such as Interactive Brokers is usually the first place to look.
- If you only plan to buy US-listed names and ETFs: any large, established US broker will do the job. Pick the one whose app and fees you like best.
- If you want to hold these stocks in a retirement account: look for a broker that offers an IRA and check which securities it allows inside it.
Now the details.
What to look for in a broker for rare earth stocks
Most “best broker” lists compare the same five things: fees, app design, customer service, and so on. Those matter, but for this sector a few other questions matter more.
1. Can you actually buy the stocks you want?
Check whether the broker supports US exchanges, OTC markets, and foreign exchanges like the ASX. This is the single biggest dividing line between brokers for this theme.
2. What does trading a foreign stock really cost?
Buying an ASX-listed company isn’t just a commission. You may face currency conversion costs, foreign-market fees, and sometimes a minimum charge per trade. On a small order, these can eat a surprising share of your money.
3. How does it handle OTC and thinly traded stocks?
Many smaller rare earth companies trade over the counter, where the gap between the buying and selling price (the spread) can be wide. Some brokers restrict OTC trading or charge extra for it. If you’re interested in juniors and explorers, read our guide on [how to evaluate junior rare earth exploration stocks] first. These are high-risk companies and many never reach production.
4. Can you buy ETFs commission-free?
If you’d rather skip single-stock risk, a thematic fund is a simpler route. We compare the main options in our guide to the [best rare earth ETFs]. Most large brokers let you trade US-listed ETFs, but commission and availability vary.
5. Retirement account options.
Not every broker offers IRAs, and not every IRA lets you hold every security. If that’s your plan, see our walkthrough on [how to buy rare earth stocks in an IRA].
6. Research tools and reliability.
A good stock screener, filings access, and a platform that doesn’t freeze when the market gets busy are worth more than a flashy app. And rare earth stocks do get busy: they tend to jump on headlines about export controls or government deals.
Brokers worth a look
We’re not going to hand you a single “winner.” The right choice depends on what you’re buying. Here’s how the main types of broker stack up for this theme.
| Broker | Best for | US stocks & ETFs |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | Global access | Yes |
| Fidelity | Simple US investing | Yes |
| Charles Schwab | Research + service | Yes |
| Moomoo | Active traders, data | Yes |
| Webull | Mobile trading | Yes |
Data as of october 2026. Features and fees change, so confirm everything on the broker’s own website before opening an account.
Interactive Brokers: best for international access
If you want to buy Lynas or Iluka directly on the Australian exchange, a global broker is the cleanest way to do it. Interactive Brokers is known for giving retail clients access to many foreign markets from a single account. The trade-off is that the platform can feel intimidating at first, and you’ll want to read the fee schedule carefully, since costs depend on the market and order size.
Fidelity and Schwab: best for straightforward US investing
If your plan is to buy MP Materials, Energy Fuels and a thematic ETF, a big US broker is often all you need. Both are well established, offer retirement accounts, and provide solid research. Check whether either supports the foreign or OTC securities you want, because that’s where limits tend to show up.
Moomoo and Webull: best for active traders
These platforms lean toward charting tools, real-time data and a mobile-first experience, which some traders like. Availability, features and account rules can depend on where you live, so read the terms for your region before you commit.
Buying a rare earth stock listed overseas: what to expect
Take Lynas as an example. You generally have two ways in:
- Buy the ASX shares directly through a broker that supports that exchange. You’ll trade in Australian dollars, so currency conversion comes into play.
- Buy an OTC-traded version in the US, if one is available through your broker. It’s easier to access, but it may be less liquid, with wider spreads.
A few mistakes we see beginners make
Chasing headlines. A stock can jump 20% on a news story and fall back the next week. If you buy after the jump, you’re often paying for the excitement. Decide your plan before the news hits.
Ignoring the trading costs. A $3 fee on a $100 order is a 3% hit before the stock has moved at all. Always compare the full cost, not just the headline commission.
Putting too much in one small company. Many rare earth juniors have no revenue, rely on raising new money, and may dilute existing shareholders. This is a sector where position size matters.
Forgetting this is a volatile theme. Rare earth prices, export policies and government support can all shift quickly. Never invest money you can’t afford to see fall in value.
Which broker should you choose?
Work backwards from what you want to own:
- Only US-listed stocks and ETFs? Choose on fees, platform and support.
- Australian or other foreign stocks? Start with brokers that clearly list those markets, then compare the real cost of a trade.
- Retirement account? Confirm both the account type and the securities allowed.
- Small, speculative names? Check the broker’s OTC rules and expect wider spreads.
Open an account only after you’ve read the broker’s fee page and terms. If you can, start with a small amount and place a test trade before committing more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy rare earth stocks with any broker?
Not necessarily. US-listed companies are widely available, but foreign-listed and OTC stocks depend on the broker.
Are rare earth ETFs easier than individual stocks?
They spread your money across many companies, which can reduce single-company risk. They still carry sector risk and charge an annual fee, so check the expense ratio.
Can I hold rare earth stocks in an IRA?
Often yes for US-listed stocks and ETFs, but rules vary by broker and by security. Check with your provider.
Is it expensive to buy Australian stocks from the US?
It can be. Currency conversion, foreign-market fees and minimum charges all add up, particularly on small orders.
Do I need a lot of money to start?
No, but trading costs hit small accounts harder, which is why fee structure matters.
Final thoughts
There’s no universal “best brokerage” for rare earth stocks. There’s the best one for the stocks you plan to buy and the account you plan to hold them in. Sort out access and total cost first, then worry about the app.
And remember that picking the broker is the easy part. Understanding what you’re buying is harder, and it’s worth doing before you put money in.
Disclosure: We are not registered investment advisors, and this article is for educational purposes only. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.