Lithium miners the most-traded in 2022

Australians are putting their money where their electric vehicles are, as lithium investment continues to soar.

A review from share-trading platform Superhero has found four of the top five most-traded Australian shares among its customers this year were in the resources sector.

Lithium producers were the most traded stocks in all states and territories from January to November, with Core Lithium leading the pack, followed by Pilbara Minerals and Fortescue Metals Group.

Superhero chief executive John Winters said the growing electric vehicle market has made shares in lithium producers a valuable portfolio addition. 

"It's a proxy to electric vehicles and a proxy to cleaner energy," he said.

The price of lithium per tonne has risen 144 per cent in 2022, because it is the core component of virtually all electric vehicle batteries.

"There's a significant amount of profitable returns that these companies can start spitting out as they go into production," Mr Winters said.

The review also found Zip, the buy-now, pay-later company that topped 2021 as the most-traded share, had fallen out of the top five this year.

Mr Winters said rising inflation and interest rates meant that Zip's interest-free loan model was becoming riskier for organisations adopting it.

"There are additional revenue lines that these companies have and there is a view that they will be able to push through, but it's the rising cost of living, rising interest rates and rising inflation that is really impacting the share price at the moment," he said.

Mr Winters said younger investors were also diversifying their portfolios this year, making more conservative but long-term investments.

"They are perceived to be riskier investors, mainly from the (baby) boomer category, but it's quite the opposite," he said.

The Superhero data revealed younger investors were buying more exchange-traded funds, a basket of assets that can lower risks and help diversify portfolios.

Mr Winters said that for the next trading year, investors need to ensure they do their own research and not fall for get rich quick schemes.

"We've seen a lot of 'flashes in the pan' this year and last year when it comes to some of the main stocks, but time in the market always outperforms timing the market," he said.