Trump Administration Increases Investments in Critical Minerals
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 07 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Surge in Investments: The Trump administration has made unprecedented equity investments in at least 10 companies over the past year, including critical minerals and chipmakers, aiming to build a domestic supply chain and reduce reliance on China, indicating a proactive government role in economic strategy.
- U.S. Steel Golden Share: The administration secured a golden share in U.S. Steel as a condition for approving Nippon Steel's acquisition, granting the president veto power over key business decisions, which ensures stability and growth in the U.S. steel industry, reflecting direct government intervention in vital sectors.
- Strategic Deal with MP Materials: The Defense Department struck a landmark deal with MP Materials, investing $400 million in preferred stock with rights to purchase additional shares, positioning the Pentagon as the largest single shareholder and further solidifying U.S. dominance in the rare earth mining sector.
- L3Harris and Defense Partnership: L3Harris announced a proposed partnership with the U.S. government, where the Pentagon will invest $1 billion in its rocket motor business, with plans for an IPO in the second half of 2026, allowing the Pentagon's investment to convert into common equity, enhancing the capital base of the defense industry.
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Analyst Views on LMT
Wall Street analysts forecast LMT stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 664.150
Low
430.00
Averages
535.50
High
605.00
Current: 664.150
Low
430.00
Averages
535.50
High
605.00
About LMT
Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global aerospace and defense company. The Company is engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Its segments include Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control (MFC), Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) and Space. Aeronautics segment is engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, sustainment, support and upgrade of advanced military aircraft. MFC segment provides air and missile defense systems, manned and unmanned ground vehicles, energy management solutions, and others. RMS segment designs, manufactures, services and supports various military and commercial helicopters, surface ships, sea and land-based missile defense systems, and others. Its Space segment is engaged in the research and design, development, engineering and production of satellites, space transportation systems, and strategic, advanced strike, and defensive systems.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- New Drone Architecture: The R66 Turbinetruck combines Robinson Unmanned's new cargo UAS airframe with Sikorsky's Matrix autonomy system, becoming the 21st aircraft enabled by Matrix, marking a significant advancement in drone technology.
- Autonomous Flight Capability: The system has logged over 1,000 flight hours across various platforms, showcasing its potential for broad applications from small drones to strategic airlift cargo planes, thereby enhancing cargo transport efficiency.
- Efficient Loading Design: The R66 Turbinetruck features a design without a cockpit or crew stations, equipped with a high-volume fuselage, cargo floor, and a nose-mounted clamshell door that facilitates rapid loading of palletized freight, thus improving logistics operations' flexibility.
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See More
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- Defense Contract Expansion: Palantir secured a $480 million U.S. Department of Defense contract in 2024 to develop the Maven Smart System, which integrates satellite imagery, drone feeds, and battlefield intelligence into decision-making systems, enhancing military operational efficiency.
- Contract Value Surge: In 2025, the U.S. Army added a $795 million contract modification for Palantir, with the broader framework agreement potentially worth up to $10 billion over the next decade, solidifying Palantir's central role in AI-driven military intelligence.
- Space Defense Layer Development: Rocket Lab won an $816 million U.S. Space Force contract in 2025 to design and manufacture 18 satellites equipped with sensors for missile warning and tracking systems, supporting the Pentagon's initiative to build a large constellation of defense satellites.
- Rising Drone Demand: Drone manufacturer AeroVironment, Inc. benefits from increasing demand for unmanned and loitering munitions systems used by U.S. forces and allies, indicating a shift in defense spending towards AI software, satellites, and autonomous systems.
See More
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- Technology Integration: This model combines Robinson's helicopter platform with Sikorsky's Matrix autonomy software, becoming the 21st aircraft type to incorporate this system, which has been tested across various aircraft types for over 1,000 flight hours, showcasing its broad application potential in the unmanned aircraft market.
- Design Optimization: The R66 Turbinetruck eliminates the cockpit, adopting a cargo-focused configuration that includes a flat cargo floor and a front-mounted clamshell door, simplifying the loading of palletized freight and making it suitable for remote resupply, disaster response, and other missions.
- Cost Efficiency: As it is based on a commercially produced helicopter airframe, the system is expected to offer relatively lower acquisition costs, while its modular design allows operators to swap mission software or integrate different payload configurations, thereby reducing operating costs for both government and commercial users.
See More
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- Necessity of War: Israeli President Herzog stated at the Yale CEO caucus that despite the high costs, the war against Iran, initiated jointly with the U.S., is a necessary price for a better future in the Middle East, emphasizing the urgency of countering Iran.
- Regional Unity: Herzog highlighted that Middle Eastern countries are forming a NATO-like cooperative structure for the first time to collectively resist Iranian threats, demonstrating unity among regional nations in the face of a common enemy.
- Military Cooperation: He praised the unprecedented military cooperation between the U.S. and Israel, comparing it to the alliances formed during World War II, indicating that both nations share intelligence and resources on multiple levels, enhancing their capacity to confront Iran.
- Strategic Strikes on Iran: Herzog emphasized that the war is
See More
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- Funding Controversy: Democratic senators expressed strong opposition to President Trump's upcoming supplemental funding request for the Iran war, with Senator Warren stating a firm 'no' on additional funding, highlighting Congress's power to halt such actions and reflecting deep concerns over the war's continuation.
- Escalating War Costs: Reports indicate that U.S. military operations burned through $5.6 billion in munitions within the first two days, with estimated costs reaching approximately $891 million per day, which not only exacerbates fiscal burdens but also risks market volatility and soaring oil prices, impacting economic stability.
- Lack of Strategic Goals: Several senators noted after the briefing that the Trump administration failed to provide clear strategic objectives or timelines, with Senator Kelly remarking that 'they have no plan and no exit strategy,' further clouding the war's outlook.
- Market Reactions: Trump's statements previously led to a market surge and a significant drop in oil prices, yet Democrats warn that the ongoing conflict could lead to renewed market fluctuations, particularly as the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains precarious, affecting global oil prices and economic stability.
See More
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- Denial of Intelligence Sharing: U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated in an interview that Russian leaders denied allegations of sharing intelligence with Iran during a call with Trump, suggesting that this could alleviate concerns regarding the safety of U.S. military assets in the region.
- Reiteration of Call Content: Witkoff mentioned that he and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner had a separate call with Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, who reiterated that Russia is not sharing intelligence with Iran, indicating a firm stance from Russia on this issue.
- Contrasting Intelligence Reports: While Witkoff's statement suggests that Russia is not sharing intelligence, a report from MS Now citing two U.S. officials claims that Russia is indeed providing Iran with information that could assist in attacking U.S. ships and bases, which may impact U.S. foreign policy decisions.
- Trump's Reaction: During a press conference in Florida, Trump expressed that Putin was impressed with the U.S. progress in the war, although he reacted angrily to media inquiries about Russia's alleged assistance to Iran in targeting U.S. forces, reflecting his sensitivity to external criticisms.
See More
