Market Reaction to TMC the Metals Company Inc. on January 27, 2026
The shares of TMC the Metals Company Inc. (TMC), a Vancouver‑based supplier of battery metals for electric vehicles, experienced a dramatic swing on the Nasdaq during the morning of January 27, 2026. Within a span of fewer than two hours, the stock surged by nearly 451 % before falling 17.7 %. The volatility reflects investor sentiment around a pending deep‑sea mining decision that could reshape the company’s resource base.
Early‑Morning Rally: A 451 % Surge
At 11:31 UTC, The Motley Fool reported that TMC’s shares had “ripped 450.9 % higher in 2025 and can continue flying higher in 2026.” The headline emphasized the company’s record performance during the previous calendar year, when the stock climbed from a low of $1.55 in February 2025 to an all‑time high of $11.35 in October 2025. With the share price trading at $8.41 on January 27, the 451 % jump indicates a sharp reassessment of the company’s growth prospects, possibly tied to the expectation that new deep‑sea mining operations will unlock additional supply of critical battery metals such as nickel, cobalt, and lithium.
Midday Pullback: 17.7 % Decline
By 10:02 UTC, Yahoo! Finance noted a 17.7 % decline as investors awaited a decision on the deep‑sea mining project. The drop was attributed to uncertainty over regulatory approval and the environmental impact of extracting polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor. The Motley Fool followed up at 01:31 UTC with an analysis of the day’s drop, highlighting that the market’s reaction was driven by concerns over the feasibility and timing of the project, as well as broader geopolitical pressures on critical‑materials supply chains.
Context: Company Fundamentals
- Sector: Materials
- Primary Exchange: Nasdaq
- Currency: USD
- Market Capitalisation: $3.48 billion
- Recent Performance: 52‑week high of $11.35 (Oct 2025) and low of $1.55 (Feb 2025)
- Current Price: $8.41 (Jan 27 2026)
TMC specialises in producing battery‑grade metals from polymetallic rocks, positioning itself as a global supplier for the clean‑energy transition. The company’s operations, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, are publicly listed and traded on the Nasdaq. Its focus on clean‑energy storage aligns with the accelerating demand for electric‑vehicle batteries worldwide.
Implications for Investors
The sharp rise followed by a significant pullback underscores the volatility inherent in the critical‑materials sector, especially for companies that rely on large‑scale, environmentally sensitive projects. Investors should monitor:
- Regulatory developments surrounding deep‑sea mining, including permits from national and international bodies.
- Environmental assessments and public‑opinion shifts that could influence project timelines.
- Strategic partnerships with battery manufacturers that may secure long‑term supply agreements.
Given TMC’s recent track record of growth and its substantial market capitalisation, the company remains a focal point for stakeholders interested in the future of electric‑vehicle batteries and the broader shift toward sustainable energy solutions.
