BATT Charges Ahead as Storage Steals the Spotlight
•February 13, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Why It Matters
BATT’s broader, policy‑backed approach signals a shift toward diversified battery‑related investments, offering investors higher upside and lower lithium‑price volatility. The fund’s performance highlights the growing importance of stationary storage and strategic mineral reserves in the clean‑energy transition.
Key Takeaways
- •BATT up 14.5% YTD, beating LIT's 10.9%.
- •Diversified holdings include copper, nickel, battery manufacturers.
- •Project Vault provides valuation floor for battery metals.
- •BESS demand drives CATL, Tesla Megapack gains.
- •0.59% expense ratio lures cost‑conscious investors.
Pulse Analysis
Battery‑technology ETFs have become a barometer for the broader clean‑energy shift, and BATT is leading the pack. While many funds concentrate on lithium miners, BATT’s index captures the full ecosystem—copper and nickel producers, cell manufacturers, and grid‑scale storage firms. This holistic exposure has translated into double‑digit returns, even as lithium prices wobble, positioning the fund as a more resilient play for investors seeking growth in the electrification narrative.
Three forces are propelling BATT’s outperformance. First, its metal mix taps into copper and nickel price rallies driven by AI‑powered grid modernization, giving a tailwind to giants like BHP and Freeport‑McMoRan. Second, the U.S. Project Vault—a $12 billion strategic mineral reserve—acts as a buyer of last resort, de‑risking supply chains and anchoring valuations for battery metals. Third, the explosion of battery energy storage systems (BESS) for data centers and utilities fuels demand for manufacturers such as CATL and Tesla’s Megapack, both sizable BATT holdings. These catalysts combine to create a valuation floor and upside that pure‑play lithium ETFs lack.
For institutional and retail investors, BATT illustrates how diversification across the battery value chain can mitigate commodity‑specific shocks while capturing secular growth. The fund’s modest expense ratio enhances net returns, and its exposure to policy‑driven demand suggests continued momentum. However, investors should monitor metal price volatility and geopolitical risks that could affect mining operations. Overall, BATT’s strategy aligns with the accelerating transition to grid‑scale storage, making it a compelling addition to thematic portfolios focused on sustainable energy infrastructure.
BATT Charges Ahead as Storage Steals the Spotlight
Amplify Lithium & Battery Technology ETF (BATT) Outperforms Peer Funds
As of Friday, February 13, the Amplify Lithium & Battery Technology ETF (BATT) has jumped 14.5% year‑to‑date, according to YCharts. It holds a slight edge over the Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT), which is up 10.94% in the same period.
By comparison, the more pure‑play mining‑focused entrants are trailing BATT’s diversified approach. For example, the iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF (ILIT) is up 9.7%. Meanwhile, the Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) has gained 4.65% and the Themes Lithium & Battery Metal Miners ETF (LIMI) is seeing a modest 3.77% rise.
Why BATT Is Outperforming
BATT’s strong start to 2026 may be attributed to its total‑ecosystem approach, which captures broader industrial drivers that are currently outperforming pure‑play mining. The $117 million fund, which charges 0.59%, provides exposure across the battery value chain — from diversified miners to cell manufacturers and grid‑storage leaders.
While LIT remains heavily concentrated in the lithium mining and refining cycle, BATT is benefiting from several distinct performance drivers including:
Diversified Metal Exposure
Unlike the pure‑play lithium funds, BATT’s index includes significant weights in copper and nickel. Copper prices hit new highs in early 2026 due to AI‑driven grid modernization. BATT’s exposure to diversified giants like BHP and Freeport‑McMoRan has provided a steady tailwind that pure lithium funds (like LITP and LIMI) lack.
The Project Vault Catalyst
The official launch of Project Vault, a $12 billion U.S. strategic mineral reserve has provided a massive valuation floor for the sector. By acting as a buyer of last resort for battery metals, the U.S. government has effectively de‑risked Western supply chains. That fueled a rally in the domestic and “Free Trade” miners that BATT favors.
Surging Demand for BESS
The explosion of AI data centers has created a massive need for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Companies in BATT’s portfolio, such as Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), are reporting record shipments for stationary storage, which is currently growing at a faster pace than the automotive segment.
Top Holdings Fueling BATT’s Performance
As of mid‑February 2026, the following holdings have been among the largest contributors to BATT’s gain:
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BHP Group Ltd. (BHP) — 7.62% weight. The world’s largest miner has benefited from a rise in nickel prices and steady demand for copper, positioning it as a foundational winner in the electrification trade.
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Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) — 5.71% weight. The battery titan continues to dominate the LFP (lithium iron phosphate) market, which has become the preferred chemistry for the surging utility‑scale storage sector.
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Freeport‑McMoRan Inc. (FCX) — 5.24% weight. As a primary copper producer, Freeport is a direct beneficiary of the AI‑driven grid upgrades that are just as vital as the batteries themselves.
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Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) — 4.77% weight. Tesla’s “Megapack” business has become a major margin driver in 2026, helping the stock decouple from broader EV price wars and contribute to BATT’s performance.
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BYD Co. Ltd. (BYD) — 4.17% weight. BYD’s vertical integration — owning everything from the lithium mines to the battery cells — has allowed it to maintain high margins while competitors struggle with fluctuating raw‑material costs.
Key Themes to Watch
The stationary‑storage story stands out as the major performance driver of 2026. Yes, the EV market remains competitive, but the massive shift toward grid‑scale batteries is providing a second growth narrative that resonates with institutional investors.
At the same time, diversified mining is proving to be a safer bet than pure‑play lithium. By including copper and nickel leaders, BATT has been able to generate double‑digit gains even during periods of lithium‑price volatility.
Finally, the impact of U.S. industrial policy cannot be overstated. With Project Vault and new tax‑rebate adjustments in China front‑loading global demand, the battery arms race is entering its most active phase yet. For now, a diversified approach to battery technology is setting the pace for the natural‑resources sector.
VettaFi Disclosure: vettafi.com is owned by VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”). VettaFi is the index provider for BATT, for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, BATT is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi. VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of BATT.
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