NioCorp Developments Sees Surge in Short Interest

Short interest in the critical minerals company's stock jumped over 500% in January.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NASDAQ:NIOBW), a mineral development company focused on critical minerals, saw a significant increase in short interest on its stock in January. The number of shares sold short rose 534.3% from mid-January to the end of the month, reaching over 11,000 shares.

Why it matters

The sharp rise in short interest suggests increased investor skepticism about NioCorp's prospects, which could impact the company's ability to raise capital and advance its flagship Elk Creek project in Nebraska. Critical minerals like niobium, scandium, and titanium are essential for modern industries, so NioCorp's success is important for the broader supply chain.

The details

NioCorp's short interest jumped from 1,762 shares on January 15th to 11,176 shares by January 30th, based on an average daily trading volume of 55,575 shares. This resulted in the days-to-cover ratio falling to just 0.2 days, indicating the stock could be quickly shorted. Shares of NIOBW traded up slightly on Tuesday, closing at $2.61.

  • As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 11,176 shares.
  • On January 15th, the short interest totaled 1,762 shares.

The players

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

A mineral development company focused on the exploration and advancement of critical minerals essential to modern industry, including niobium, scandium, and titanium.

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The takeaway

The surge in short interest on NioCorp's stock suggests growing investor skepticism about the company's ability to successfully develop its Elk Creek critical minerals project. This could make it more challenging for NioCorp to secure financing and advance the project, which is important for the broader supply of these essential materials.