Tuesday's ETF with Unusual Volume: PICK
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 28 2024
0mins
Should l Buy MP?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Components of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF:
- Freeport-mcmoran and Alcoa had high trading volumes, up about 4.5% and 4.4% respectively.
- Century Aluminum performed the best, up by about 5%.
- MP Materials lagged behind, trading lower by about 1.1%.
Tuesday's ETF Activity:
- The ETF with unusual volume was PICK.
Disclaimer:
- The views expressed are those of the author and may not reflect Nasdaq, Inc.'s opinions.
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Analyst Views on MP
Wall Street analysts forecast MP stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 59.520
Low
55.27
Averages
76.13
High
94.00
Current: 59.520
Low
55.27
Averages
76.13
High
94.00
About MP
MP Materials Corp. produces specialty materials that are vital inputs for electrification and other advanced technologies. The Company owns and operates the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility (Mountain Pass) located in California. It is also developing a rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas (Independence Facility). The Company’s segments include Materials and Magnetics. The Materials segment operates Mountain Pass, which produces refined rare earth products as well as rare earth concentrate and related products. The Materials segment primarily generates revenue from sales of rare earth concentrate, primarily sold for further distribution to a single, principal customer in China, and sales of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide and metal, primarily sold to customers in Japan, South Korea, and broader Asia. The Magnetics segment operates the Independence Facility, where it produces magnetic precursor products.
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.
MP Materials Achieves Vertical Integration to Boost Profits
- Vertical Integration Advantage: MP Materials has begun producing NdFeB magnets at its Independence facility in Texas, with an initial capacity of 1,000 tons and plans to expand to 3,000 tons, significantly enhancing profit margins, particularly in high-demand markets like electric vehicles and smartphones.
- Stable Cash Flow Assurance: The 10-year deal with the U.S. Department of Defense establishes a price floor of $100 per kilogram for NdPr products, ensuring that 100% of production is purchased, thereby providing stable cash flow and boosting investor confidence.
- Commercial Partnership Expansion: MP Materials has secured a $500 million long-term agreement with Apple to supply magnets made from recycled rare-earth feedstock, further solidifying its position in the premium market and enhancing relationships with top-tier partners.
- Strong Market Demand: The demand for MP Materials' magnets is robust across electric vehicles, drones, and data centers, and as the only large-scale U.S. supplier, the company is poised for significant growth by meeting these needs, despite challenges from global trade policies.
See More
MP Materials' Optimistic Future Outlook
- Vertical Integration Advantage: MP Materials' Independence facility in Texas began producing NdFeB magnets in Q4 2025 with an initial capacity of 1,000 tons, set to expand to 3,000 tons, while the new 10X facility will add another 7,000 tons, significantly enhancing profit margins and transforming the company's profitability model.
- Government Support Assurance: The U.S. Department of Defense signed a 10-year deal with MP Materials establishing a price floor of $100 per kilogram for NdPr products and guaranteeing that 100% of magnets produced at the 10X facility will be purchased, providing stable cash flow that boosts investor confidence.
- High-Demand Partnerships: MP Materials' magnets are in high demand for electric vehicles, drones, and data centers, and as the only large-scale U.S. supplier, the company secured a $500 million long-term deal with Apple, further solidifying its market position and expanding top-tier partnerships.
- Risk-Reward Balance: While MP Materials faces negative impacts from global trade policies, the opportunities presented by vertical integration and government support significantly outweigh these risks, making the stock a solid risk-reward proposition in the current market environment.
See More
Rare Earth Minerals Emerge as Pillars of Global Economy
- Market Growth Potential: The global rare earth elements market was valued at approximately $3.95 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach about $6.28 billion by 2030, implying a solid ~8.6% CAGR, highlighting the industry's strategic importance in electric vehicles and clean energy.
- Geopolitical Impact: With China accounting for roughly 60% of global rare earth production and processing, the U.S. and its allies are aggressively investing in domestic supply chains, creating a multi-year investment cycle that transforms the rare earth sector into a policy-driven growth market.
- SAGA Acquisition Project: SAGA Metals Corp. has signed an agreement to acquire the Wolverine heavy rare earth project in Labrador, which shows mineralization potential similar to Strange Lake and Tanbreez, expected to enhance the company's strategic position in North American supply security and defense priorities.
- Mineralization Potential Confirmation: The 2025 reverse circulation drilling confirmed rare earth mineralization across a 1.7 km × 1.2 km area, with key intercepts showing grades up to 2.03% TREO, indicating significant resource definition potential that supports future drilling and development plans.
See More
Rare Earth Stocks Experience Investment Surge
- Increased Market Attention: Following President Trump's executive orders to secure critical mineral supplies, rare earth stocks like MP Materials and USA Rare Earth have garnered significant attention, highlighting the market's focus on rare earth resources.
- REalloys' Market Debut: Emerging rare earth company REalloys went public in late February through a merger with a SPAC, with its stock surging 19.33% on debut, achieving a market cap of $591 million, reflecting investor optimism about its prospects.
- Diversified Raw Material Sources: REalloys signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Critical Materials to secure up to 10% of mineral production from Sheep Creek, one of the highest-grade rare earth deposits, which mitigates operational disruption risks and enhances its competitive position.
- High-Risk, High-Reward Potential: Although REalloys is in the pre-revenue phase and expected to start production by mid-2027, its business model focusing on both light and heavy rare earth elements positions it as a key North American source, attracting investor interest despite inherent risks.
See More
REalloys' Market Debut Sparks Interest in Rare Earth Stocks
- REalloys Debut: REalloys officially debuted in late February through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, marking its entry into the rare earth sector, although it remains in the pre-revenue phase and is not expected to begin production until the first half of 2027, presenting a high-risk, high-reward opportunity for investors.
- Diverse Raw Material Sources: REalloys plans to source rare earth materials from multiple suppliers, including a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Critical Materials to secure up to 10% of mineral production from Sheep Creek, one of the highest-grade deposits, thereby mitigating the risk of operational disruptions from a single asset.
- Business Model Advantage: Unlike MP Materials, which focuses on light rare earths, and USA Rare Earth, which targets heavy rare earths, REalloys' business model encompasses both light and heavy rare earth elements, aiming to establish itself as a key North American source, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Investment Risk Assessment: While REalloys shows high return potential, investors must carefully evaluate the associated risks, especially given the company's lack of profitability, and are advised to conduct thorough due diligence to ensure alignment with their risk tolerance before investing.
See More
USA Rare Earth Aims to Challenge China's Dominance, But Stock Prices Decline.
- USA Rare Earth's Initiative: The company is taking steps to reduce China's control over the rare earths market.
- Investment in France: A new investment in France is part of their strategy to enhance production and supply chain capabilities.
See More
MP Materials Achieves Vertical Integration to Boost Profits
- Vertical Integration Advantage: MP Materials has begun producing NdFeB magnets at its Independence facility in Texas, with an initial capacity of 1,000 tons and plans to expand to 3,000 tons, significantly enhancing profit margins, particularly in high-demand markets like electric vehicles and smartphones.
- Stable Cash Flow Assurance: The 10-year deal with the U.S. Department of Defense establishes a price floor of $100 per kilogram for NdPr products, ensuring that 100% of production is purchased, thereby providing stable cash flow and boosting investor confidence.
- Commercial Partnership Expansion: MP Materials has secured a $500 million long-term agreement with Apple to supply magnets made from recycled rare-earth feedstock, further solidifying its position in the premium market and enhancing relationships with top-tier partners.
- Strong Market Demand: The demand for MP Materials' magnets is robust across electric vehicles, drones, and data centers, and as the only large-scale U.S. supplier, the company is poised for significant growth by meeting these needs, despite challenges from global trade policies.
See More
MP Materials' Optimistic Future Outlook
- Vertical Integration Advantage: MP Materials' Independence facility in Texas began producing NdFeB magnets in Q4 2025 with an initial capacity of 1,000 tons, set to expand to 3,000 tons, while the new 10X facility will add another 7,000 tons, significantly enhancing profit margins and transforming the company's profitability model.
- Government Support Assurance: The U.S. Department of Defense signed a 10-year deal with MP Materials establishing a price floor of $100 per kilogram for NdPr products and guaranteeing that 100% of magnets produced at the 10X facility will be purchased, providing stable cash flow that boosts investor confidence.
- High-Demand Partnerships: MP Materials' magnets are in high demand for electric vehicles, drones, and data centers, and as the only large-scale U.S. supplier, the company secured a $500 million long-term deal with Apple, further solidifying its market position and expanding top-tier partnerships.
- Risk-Reward Balance: While MP Materials faces negative impacts from global trade policies, the opportunities presented by vertical integration and government support significantly outweigh these risks, making the stock a solid risk-reward proposition in the current market environment.
See More
Rare Earth Minerals Emerge as Pillars of Global Economy
- Market Growth Potential: The global rare earth elements market was valued at approximately $3.95 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach about $6.28 billion by 2030, implying a solid ~8.6% CAGR, highlighting the industry's strategic importance in electric vehicles and clean energy.
- Geopolitical Impact: With China accounting for roughly 60% of global rare earth production and processing, the U.S. and its allies are aggressively investing in domestic supply chains, creating a multi-year investment cycle that transforms the rare earth sector into a policy-driven growth market.
- SAGA Acquisition Project: SAGA Metals Corp. has signed an agreement to acquire the Wolverine heavy rare earth project in Labrador, which shows mineralization potential similar to Strange Lake and Tanbreez, expected to enhance the company's strategic position in North American supply security and defense priorities.
- Mineralization Potential Confirmation: The 2025 reverse circulation drilling confirmed rare earth mineralization across a 1.7 km × 1.2 km area, with key intercepts showing grades up to 2.03% TREO, indicating significant resource definition potential that supports future drilling and development plans.
See More
Rare Earth Stocks Experience Investment Surge
- Increased Market Attention: Following President Trump's executive orders to secure critical mineral supplies, rare earth stocks like MP Materials and USA Rare Earth have garnered significant attention, highlighting the market's focus on rare earth resources.
- REalloys' Market Debut: Emerging rare earth company REalloys went public in late February through a merger with a SPAC, with its stock surging 19.33% on debut, achieving a market cap of $591 million, reflecting investor optimism about its prospects.
- Diversified Raw Material Sources: REalloys signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Critical Materials to secure up to 10% of mineral production from Sheep Creek, one of the highest-grade rare earth deposits, which mitigates operational disruption risks and enhances its competitive position.
- High-Risk, High-Reward Potential: Although REalloys is in the pre-revenue phase and expected to start production by mid-2027, its business model focusing on both light and heavy rare earth elements positions it as a key North American source, attracting investor interest despite inherent risks.
See More
REalloys' Market Debut Sparks Interest in Rare Earth Stocks
- REalloys Debut: REalloys officially debuted in late February through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, marking its entry into the rare earth sector, although it remains in the pre-revenue phase and is not expected to begin production until the first half of 2027, presenting a high-risk, high-reward opportunity for investors.
- Diverse Raw Material Sources: REalloys plans to source rare earth materials from multiple suppliers, including a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Critical Materials to secure up to 10% of mineral production from Sheep Creek, one of the highest-grade deposits, thereby mitigating the risk of operational disruptions from a single asset.
- Business Model Advantage: Unlike MP Materials, which focuses on light rare earths, and USA Rare Earth, which targets heavy rare earths, REalloys' business model encompasses both light and heavy rare earth elements, aiming to establish itself as a key North American source, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Investment Risk Assessment: While REalloys shows high return potential, investors must carefully evaluate the associated risks, especially given the company's lack of profitability, and are advised to conduct thorough due diligence to ensure alignment with their risk tolerance before investing.
See More
USA Rare Earth Aims to Challenge China's Dominance, But Stock Prices Decline.
- USA Rare Earth's Initiative: The company is taking steps to reduce China's control over the rare earths market.
- Investment in France: A new investment in France is part of their strategy to enhance production and supply chain capabilities.
See More
