7 Best Basic Materials Stocks to Buy Now While balancing your portfolio with the best basic materials stocks to buy has always been a solid strategy, geopolitical rumblings now make the concept almost a necessity. Just days prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration released a statement noting that critical minerals form the building blocks of modern technologies. Therefore, securing their access and supply chains is vital. Indeed, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently sounded the alarm , declaring that critical mineral shortages could further disrupt the flow of commerce in the globalized economy. In particular, commodities like aluminum, cobalt and lithium are crucial to properly develop the infrastructures of tomorrow. By logical deduction, the best basic materials stocks to buy enjoy a long-term upside narrative. Moreover, it’s also worth stating that this segment doesn’t have to be so high-brow. Some of the commodities that we take for granted — such as paper — are absolutely crucial for the daily functioning of the economy.