Why Critical Metals Stock Is Plummeting Today

Source The Motley Fool

Key Points

  • NATO announced it will perform military exercises in Greenland.

  • Conservative investors may prefer an alternative rare earrth investment to Critical Metals.

  • 10 stocks we like better than Critical Metals ›

After spending more than a month trading above $10 per share, Critical Metals (NASDAQ: CRML) has returned to single-digit price territory. Shares were priced at $10.50 when the market opened today, but as of this writing, the stock is trading below $10 per share. Those concerned about today's dip may be even more alarmed by the fact that the company hasn't reported any negative news that could explain the stock's decline -- though there is an explanation.

As of 1:42 p.m. ET, shares of Critical Metals are down 8.3%.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »

confused investor looks at smartphone.

Image source: Getty Images.

NATO action in Greenland has investors rattled

In response to President Trump's aggressive tone regarding the acquisition of Greenland, NATO is fortifying its presence in the autonomous territory of Denmark with the launch of a new mission, Arctic Sentry.

Sweden announced today that it will send fighter jets and ground troops to participate in military exercises, contributing to the other nations that are taking part in the mission.

Reuters reported yesterday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte commented on the military operation: "We will not only be able to leverage what we are doing much more effectively. We will also be able to assess the gaps we need to fill. And, of course, we will fill them."

Critical Metals is currently developing the Tanbreez Rare Earth Project in Greenland. A preliminary economic assessment completed in March 2025 found that the project has a before-tax net present value of $2.7 billion to $3.4 billion.

Should investors avoid Critical Metals stock with Operation Arctic Sentry set to begin?

With the rift between President Trump and NATO widening, it's unsurprising that investors are cautious about Critical Metals stock right now. At this point, it seems unlikely that the escalating tensions will impede Critical Metals from developing the Tanbreez Rare Earth Project. Nonetheless, more conservative investors who are uninterested in enduring the volatility in Critical Metals stock may prefer a lower-risk rare earth opportunity such as MP Materials stock.

Should you buy stock in Critical Metals right now?

Before you buy stock in Critical Metals, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Critical Metals wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $429,385!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,165,045!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 913% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 196% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of February 12, 2026.

Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends MP Materials. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Is SaaS Dead? The Truth Behind the Software Meltdown, the Missing Floor, and the Peak That’s Not Coming BackOver the past few weeks, you’ve probably seen the same refrain everywhere: “SaaS has crashed this much, valuations must have bottomed, time to buy the dip.”On the surface, that sounds tempting. A lot
Author  TradingKey
11 hours ago
Over the past few weeks, you’ve probably seen the same refrain everywhere: “SaaS has crashed this much, valuations must have bottomed, time to buy the dip.”On the surface, that sounds tempting. A lot
placeholder
Bitcoin Realized Losses Rival Luna Crash Levels as Market Absorbs $2 Billion HitBitcoin network realizes $1.99 billion in losses, rivaling the 2022 Luna crash, though analysts view the $67,000 flush as a cyclical cleanse rather than a structural breakdown.
Author  Mitrade
13 hours ago
Bitcoin network realizes $1.99 billion in losses, rivaling the 2022 Luna crash, though analysts view the $67,000 flush as a cyclical cleanse rather than a structural breakdown.
placeholder
Financial Markets 2026: Volatility Catalysts in Gold, Silver, Oil, and Blue-Chip Stocks—A CFD Trader's OutlookThe financial world is perpetually in motion, but the landscape for 2026 seems to be shaping up to be particularly dynamic. For CFD traders navigating global markets, this heightened volatility could present a distinctive set of challenges and opportunities.
Author  Rachel Weiss
16 hours ago
The financial world is perpetually in motion, but the landscape for 2026 seems to be shaping up to be particularly dynamic. For CFD traders navigating global markets, this heightened volatility could present a distinctive set of challenges and opportunities.
placeholder
AUD/USD lurches into highs after NFP beats expectationsThe Australian Dollar surged to its highest level since August 2022 on Wednesday after the delayed US Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report came in stronger than expected at 130K, well above the 70K consensus, though massive downward revisions to 2025 payroll data (898K lower for March 2025 alone) painted
Author  FXStreet
20 hours ago
The Australian Dollar surged to its highest level since August 2022 on Wednesday after the delayed US Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report came in stronger than expected at 130K, well above the 70K consensus, though massive downward revisions to 2025 payroll data (898K lower for March 2025 alone) painted
placeholder
Should You Buy Bitcoin Now or Buy Tesla Which Holds Bitcoin? In 2026, Bitcoin (BTC) suffered a Waterloo-style sell-off, with prices quickly retreating to around $60,000 from a period high of nearly $98,000 at the start of the year. Bitcoin is once
Author  TradingKey
Yesterday 10: 14
In 2026, Bitcoin (BTC) suffered a Waterloo-style sell-off, with prices quickly retreating to around $60,000 from a period high of nearly $98,000 at the start of the year. Bitcoin is once
goTop
quote