International Stocks Outperform U.S. Markets: Is It Time to Increase Your Overseas Investments?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 18 2026
0mins
Source: Barron's
U.S. Stock Performance: The S&P 500 has had a challenging year, remaining flat due to high valuations, concentration in certain indices, and a weaker dollar.
Foreign Equities Outperforming: The iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF has outperformed the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust by eight percentage points in 2025 and continues to lead by over seven points this year.
Shift in Market Dynamics: This marks a significant shift after nearly two decades of U.S. stock market dominance, raising questions about the sustainability of this trend.
Investment Professionals' Perspectives: Investment professionals are being surveyed on whether they will continue to allocate more resources to foreign markets amidst these changes.
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Analyst Views on USAR
Wall Street analysts forecast USAR stock price to rise
5 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 22.560
Low
15.00
Averages
22.75
High
28.00
Current: 22.560
Low
15.00
Averages
22.75
High
28.00
About USAR
USA Rare Earth, Inc. is a supplier of sintered neo magnets and other rare earth metals. The Company is engaged in developing a NdFeB magnet manufacturing plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and intends to establish domestic rare earth and critical minerals supply, extraction, and processing capabilities to both supply its magnet manufacturing plant and market surplus materials to third parties. It is focused on developing domestic rare earth production that offers sustainable and secure domestic supply of materials critical to key industries. Its vertically integrated approach consists of sourcing rare earth elements (REEs), in addition to other critical minerals such as gallium, to producing finished NdFeB magnets. The Company serve a variety of industries, such as defense, robotics, electric vehicles, wind power, appliances, cordless tools and computing and semiconductors. The Company owns, Less Common Metals Ltd., which is a scaled ex-China rare earth metal and alloy manufacturer.
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.
USA Rare Earth Commissions New Facility in Colorado
- Facility Commissioning: USA Rare Earth has officially commissioned its hydrometallurgical demonstration facility in Colorado, with the first production of separated oxides targeted for Q3, marking a significant advancement in the company's operations.
- Market Positioning: This facility will position USA Rare Earth as one of the few companies capable of producing heavy rare earth oxides, including dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium, thereby enhancing its competitiveness in a market largely dominated by China.
- Risk Management: The company has launched initial campaigns to de-risk three processing flowsheets, including ore from Round Top in Texas, third-party mixed rare earth carbonate feedstock, and rare earth magnet swarf recycling, aimed at optimizing production processes.
- Future Planning: Insights gained from these campaigns are expected to support the definitive feasibility study for Round Top, on track for completion in Q4 2026 and publication in Q1 2027, guiding future commercial engineering and facility development.
See More
USA Rare Earth Invests $1.2 Billion in New Facility to Boost Production
- Strategic Investment: USA Rare Earth has selected a site in Cherokee County, South Carolina, for a new manufacturing facility with a $1.2 billion investment, expected to produce 6,400 metric tons of NdFeB permanent magnets and 5,000 metric tons of rare-earth metals by 2028, significantly enhancing U.S. production capabilities and reducing reliance on China.
- Government Support: The U.S. government has invested $1.6 billion in USA Rare Earth through the CHIPS and Science Act, including $1.3 billion in secured loans and $277 million in direct incentives, in exchange for 16.1 million shares and approximately 17.6 million warrants, further solidifying the company's position in the critical minerals supply chain.
- Acquisition Expansion: Over the past year, USA Rare Earth has acquired Serra Verde Group for $2.8 billion and Less Common Metals for about $220 million, bridging the timing gap for its resource-rich Round Top mine in Texas, which is set to begin commercial production in 2028.
- Sales Projections: Analysts project USA Rare Earth will achieve $79 million in sales this year, increasing to $550 million next year, and reaching $1.4 billion by 2028, positioning the company as a key player in the U.S.'s ongoing
See More
REalloys Secures Rare Earth Resource Agreement
- Priority Resource Access: REalloys has signed an agreement with Patriot Exploration & Mining, granting it preferential access to 30% of a 2 billion-ton rare earth resource in the Appalachian region, which is crucial for supporting the domestic supply chain ahead of the Pentagon's 2027 ban on Chinese materials.
- Production Capacity Enhancement: The company is investing approximately $20.6 million in Saskatchewan, expected to increase neodymium-praseodymium output by 25% and double dysprosium and terbium production, thereby solidifying its leadership in the North American rare earth processing market.
- Strategic Partnership Expansion: A 15-year offtake agreement with Critical Metals Corp. secures REalloys 15% of production from the Tanbreez project in Greenland, enhancing its competitive edge in the global rare earth supply chain, particularly in heavy rare earths.
- Increased Policy Support: The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated $67 million this week for rare earth extraction projects, reflecting the government's commitment to building a domestic supply chain, as REalloys actively positions itself to meet defense demands and secure future market share.
See More
Ares Strategic Mining: The Only Permitted Fluorspar Miner in the U.S.
- Mineral Significance: Fluorspar is a critical raw material in the modern industrial economy, used in refrigerants, fluoropolymers, and aluminum smelting, with nearly all of the 445 tons consumed in the U.S. in 2024 being imported, highlighting the vulnerability of domestic supply chains.
- Mining Development Progress: Ares Strategic Mining has commenced operations at its Lost Sheep mine in Utah, with several thousand tons of fluorspar ore mined and stockpiled in preparation for processing, marking a significant transition from development to production.
- Financing and Expansion Plans: The company filed a US$100 million base shelf registration with the SEC in June 2026 to support its mine construction and production expansion, while also planning to list on Nasdaq to enhance market visibility.
- Government Contract Support: Ares secured a five-year contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, potentially worth up to US$250 million, which not only boosts the company's market position but also reflects the government's increasing focus on domestic fluorspar supply chain security.
See More
Ares Strategic Mining: The Only Permitted Fluorspar Miner in the U.S.
- Fluorspar Market Potential: The U.S. consumes about 445 tons of fluorspar annually, relying almost entirely on imports, while Ares Strategic Mining operates the only permitted fluorspar mine at Lost Sheep in Utah, addressing a critical gap in the domestic supply chain with significant strategic implications.
- Capital Raising Plans: On June 8, 2026, the company filed a $100 million base shelf registration with the SEC to support its transition from development to sustained production, reflecting its ambitious growth strategy.
- Defense Department Contract: Ares secured a five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, potentially worth up to $250 million in future orders, enhancing its market position in the critical minerals sector.
- Production Targets: The company aims for an annual output of approximately 45,400 to 54,500 tons of final products, and while it has not yet achieved commercial production, these targets offer investors long-term growth potential.
See More
U.S. Faces Critical Vulnerability in Rare Earth Supply Chain
- Market Control: Research by The Motley Fool indicates that China controls up to 90% of rare earth element processing, creating significant vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain, prompting government action to enhance domestic mining and processing capabilities.
- Government Investment: The U.S. government has invested in MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, with the former securing a 10-year agreement with the Department of Defense to purchase neodymium-praseodymium products at $110 per kilogram, providing price protection and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Production Capacity Growth: In Q1, MP Materials produced 917 metric tons of NdPr and sold 1,006 metric tons, representing year-over-year increases of 63% and 117%, while adjusted EBITDA improved from negative $2.7 million to positive $36.6 million, indicating strong business growth potential.
- Strategic Acquisition Moves: USA Rare Earth recently acquired Serra Verde Group for $2.8 billion and plans to develop the Round Top deposit in Texas, which, despite being in early stages, could provide significant growth opportunities due to its rich heavy rare earth element resources.
See More
USA Rare Earth Commissions New Facility in Colorado
- Facility Commissioning: USA Rare Earth has officially commissioned its hydrometallurgical demonstration facility in Colorado, with the first production of separated oxides targeted for Q3, marking a significant advancement in the company's operations.
- Market Positioning: This facility will position USA Rare Earth as one of the few companies capable of producing heavy rare earth oxides, including dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium, thereby enhancing its competitiveness in a market largely dominated by China.
- Risk Management: The company has launched initial campaigns to de-risk three processing flowsheets, including ore from Round Top in Texas, third-party mixed rare earth carbonate feedstock, and rare earth magnet swarf recycling, aimed at optimizing production processes.
- Future Planning: Insights gained from these campaigns are expected to support the definitive feasibility study for Round Top, on track for completion in Q4 2026 and publication in Q1 2027, guiding future commercial engineering and facility development.
See More
USA Rare Earth Invests $1.2 Billion in New Facility to Boost Production
- Strategic Investment: USA Rare Earth has selected a site in Cherokee County, South Carolina, for a new manufacturing facility with a $1.2 billion investment, expected to produce 6,400 metric tons of NdFeB permanent magnets and 5,000 metric tons of rare-earth metals by 2028, significantly enhancing U.S. production capabilities and reducing reliance on China.
- Government Support: The U.S. government has invested $1.6 billion in USA Rare Earth through the CHIPS and Science Act, including $1.3 billion in secured loans and $277 million in direct incentives, in exchange for 16.1 million shares and approximately 17.6 million warrants, further solidifying the company's position in the critical minerals supply chain.
- Acquisition Expansion: Over the past year, USA Rare Earth has acquired Serra Verde Group for $2.8 billion and Less Common Metals for about $220 million, bridging the timing gap for its resource-rich Round Top mine in Texas, which is set to begin commercial production in 2028.
- Sales Projections: Analysts project USA Rare Earth will achieve $79 million in sales this year, increasing to $550 million next year, and reaching $1.4 billion by 2028, positioning the company as a key player in the U.S.'s ongoing
See More
REalloys Secures Rare Earth Resource Agreement
- Priority Resource Access: REalloys has signed an agreement with Patriot Exploration & Mining, granting it preferential access to 30% of a 2 billion-ton rare earth resource in the Appalachian region, which is crucial for supporting the domestic supply chain ahead of the Pentagon's 2027 ban on Chinese materials.
- Production Capacity Enhancement: The company is investing approximately $20.6 million in Saskatchewan, expected to increase neodymium-praseodymium output by 25% and double dysprosium and terbium production, thereby solidifying its leadership in the North American rare earth processing market.
- Strategic Partnership Expansion: A 15-year offtake agreement with Critical Metals Corp. secures REalloys 15% of production from the Tanbreez project in Greenland, enhancing its competitive edge in the global rare earth supply chain, particularly in heavy rare earths.
- Increased Policy Support: The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated $67 million this week for rare earth extraction projects, reflecting the government's commitment to building a domestic supply chain, as REalloys actively positions itself to meet defense demands and secure future market share.
See More
Ares Strategic Mining: The Only Permitted Fluorspar Miner in the U.S.
- Mineral Significance: Fluorspar is a critical raw material in the modern industrial economy, used in refrigerants, fluoropolymers, and aluminum smelting, with nearly all of the 445 tons consumed in the U.S. in 2024 being imported, highlighting the vulnerability of domestic supply chains.
- Mining Development Progress: Ares Strategic Mining has commenced operations at its Lost Sheep mine in Utah, with several thousand tons of fluorspar ore mined and stockpiled in preparation for processing, marking a significant transition from development to production.
- Financing and Expansion Plans: The company filed a US$100 million base shelf registration with the SEC in June 2026 to support its mine construction and production expansion, while also planning to list on Nasdaq to enhance market visibility.
- Government Contract Support: Ares secured a five-year contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, potentially worth up to US$250 million, which not only boosts the company's market position but also reflects the government's increasing focus on domestic fluorspar supply chain security.
See More
Ares Strategic Mining: The Only Permitted Fluorspar Miner in the U.S.
- Fluorspar Market Potential: The U.S. consumes about 445 tons of fluorspar annually, relying almost entirely on imports, while Ares Strategic Mining operates the only permitted fluorspar mine at Lost Sheep in Utah, addressing a critical gap in the domestic supply chain with significant strategic implications.
- Capital Raising Plans: On June 8, 2026, the company filed a $100 million base shelf registration with the SEC to support its transition from development to sustained production, reflecting its ambitious growth strategy.
- Defense Department Contract: Ares secured a five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, potentially worth up to $250 million in future orders, enhancing its market position in the critical minerals sector.
- Production Targets: The company aims for an annual output of approximately 45,400 to 54,500 tons of final products, and while it has not yet achieved commercial production, these targets offer investors long-term growth potential.
See More
U.S. Faces Critical Vulnerability in Rare Earth Supply Chain
- Market Control: Research by The Motley Fool indicates that China controls up to 90% of rare earth element processing, creating significant vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain, prompting government action to enhance domestic mining and processing capabilities.
- Government Investment: The U.S. government has invested in MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, with the former securing a 10-year agreement with the Department of Defense to purchase neodymium-praseodymium products at $110 per kilogram, providing price protection and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Production Capacity Growth: In Q1, MP Materials produced 917 metric tons of NdPr and sold 1,006 metric tons, representing year-over-year increases of 63% and 117%, while adjusted EBITDA improved from negative $2.7 million to positive $36.6 million, indicating strong business growth potential.
- Strategic Acquisition Moves: USA Rare Earth recently acquired Serra Verde Group for $2.8 billion and plans to develop the Round Top deposit in Texas, which, despite being in early stages, could provide significant growth opportunities due to its rich heavy rare earth element resources.
See More
