Kohl's Corp. Stock Rises 43.2% Amid Geopolitical Risks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 21 2026
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Stock Performance: Kohl's Corp. has seen a 43.2% increase in stock price over the past year, despite a 5.7% decline in the last week, indicating investor confidence in its long-term growth potential amidst rising geopolitical risks.
- Industry Context: President Trump's proposal to acquire Greenland has led to a broader decline in U.S. equity markets, with several EU countries deploying military support, potentially escalating tensions and affecting market sentiment and investment decisions.
- Investment Strategy: Momentum investing is viewed as an effective strategy to navigate market volatility, particularly when value or growth investing fails to yield expected returns, leading investors to favor momentum stocks in the current uncertain economic environment.
- Market Outlook: Despite facing short-term price pullbacks, momentum stocks like Kohl's, Albemarle, and Alcoa are seen as potential investment opportunities, expected to continue attracting investors seeking stable returns.
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Analyst Views on AA
Wall Street analysts forecast AA stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
4 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 57.470
Low
38.00
Averages
57.63
High
78.00
Current: 57.470
Low
38.00
Averages
57.63
High
78.00
About AA
Alcoa Corporation is a vertically integrated aluminum company comprised of bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminum production (smelting and casting), and energy generation. The Company’s operations are comprised of two business segments: Alumina and Aluminum. The Alumina segment primarily consists of its bauxite mines and alumina refineries, which generally include the mining of bauxite and other aluminous ores, as well as the refining, production, and sale of smelter grade and non-metallurgical alumina. The alumina produced by this segment is sold to internal and external aluminum smelter customers; a portion of the alumina is sold to external customers who process it into industrial chemical products. The Aluminum segment consists of the Company’s aluminum smelting and casting operations along with the Company’s energy production assets in Brazil, Canada, and the United States. It has direct and indirect ownership of 26 operating locations across nine countries on six continents.
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.
Alcoa Partners with Australian Government to Modernize Mining Approvals Framework
- Strategic Assessment Initiative: Alcoa has partnered with the Australian Federal Government to conduct a strategic assessment of its mining activities in Western Australia, expected to extend to 2045, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of potential impacts on significant flora and fauna, thereby enhancing stakeholder confidence in the future of mining operations.
- Strengthened Environmental Commitments: Alcoa commits to limiting clearing to 800 hectares annually and plans to increase annual rehabilitation rates to 1,000 hectares by 2027, demonstrating the company's ongoing efforts in environmental protection and aiming to enhance its sustainability image within the industry.
- Significant Economic Contribution: In 2024, Alcoa's investments in Australia reached A$2.7 billion, supporting approximately 5,500 direct and indirect jobs, with over 70% of revenue generated remaining in Australia, indicating the company's positive impact on the local economy.
- Future Development Outlook: Despite the strategic assessment, Alcoa plans to commence mining activities in the new Myara North and Holyoake regions by 2029, which is expected to further bolster the company's role in critical minerals production and enhance its competitive position in the market.
See More
Alcoa Partners with Australian Government to Modernize Mining Approvals
- Environmental Agreement: Alcoa has reached an agreement with the Australian Federal Government to modernize its mining approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, aiming for a comprehensive assessment of environmental impacts in current and potential mining areas through 2045, thereby enhancing operational transparency and sustainability.
- Annual Clearing Limits: The company commits to limiting clearing to 800 hectares per year while planning to increase rehabilitation efforts to 1,000 hectares annually by 2027, reflecting its strong commitment to environmental sustainability, and will continue operations at the Huntly and Willowdale mines during the assessment period.
- Financial Implications: Alcoa has agreed to pay $36 million AUD (approximately $55 million AUD) under enforceable undertakings, despite asserting compliance with the EPBC Act, with the full cash payment expected in 2026, and an additional $19 million charge to adjust environmental reserves tied to these undertakings will impact the previously reported fourth-quarter 2025 cost of goods sold.
- Stock Performance: Alcoa shares rose 5.18% to $60.44 on Wednesday, indicating strong market performance with a 55.28% increase over the past 12 months, despite mixed short-term trends, reflecting investor confidence and potential growth opportunities.
See More
Alcoa to Pay A$55M for Unauthorized Forest Clearing in Australia
- Environmental Compensation Agreement: Alcoa has agreed to pay A$55 million (approximately $38.9 million) to restore native forests cleared without approval in Western Australia, covering nearly 2,100 hectares, highlighting the company's pressure regarding environmental compliance.
- Acknowledgment of Historical Clearing: Although Alcoa claims its operations comply with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, it has agreed to pay A$36 million through enforceable undertakings, indicating recognition of past clearing actions and their ecological impacts.
- Financial Impact: The company will record an incremental charge of $19 million ($13 million after-tax, or $0.05 per share) in Q4 2025, affecting its cost structure and potentially having a negative impact on shareholder returns.
- Future Strategic Assessment: Alcoa plans to conduct a strategic assessment of current and potential future mining areas through to 2045, demonstrating the company's adaptability to changes in environmental regulations and commitment to sustainability.
See More
Alcoa Partners with Australian Government to Modernize Mining Approvals
- Environmental Charge: Alcoa will incur a $19 million charge in Q4 2025 primarily for environmental obligations, impacting financial performance with related cash outflows expected in 2026, which could affect investor sentiment.
- Mining Operations Continuation: Mining at Huntly and Willowdale will proceed under federal exemptions, with annual clearing capped at 800 hectares and rehabilitation efforts increasing to 1,000 hectares by 2027, ensuring compliance and operational continuity in resource extraction.
- Historical Land Clearing Compensation: The company will pay $36 million (A$55 million) to address past land clearing issues, supporting conservation efforts in the Northern Jarrah Forest, which not only mitigates regulatory risks but also enhances its sustainability profile.
- Stock Price Fluctuation: On February 18, 2026, Alcoa's stock fell by $2.48 (4.14%) to close at $57.47, but rebounded to $57.97 in after-hours trading, gaining $0.50 (0.87%), indicating mixed market reactions to the company's strategic decisions.
See More
Alcoa Partners with Australian Government to Modernize Mining Approvals Framework
- Strategic Assessment Initiated: Alcoa has partnered with the Australian Federal Government to conduct a Strategic Assessment of its mining activities in Western Australia, expected to last until 2045, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of potential impacts on significant flora and fauna, thereby offering stakeholders clearer long-term operational insights.
- Enhanced Environmental Commitments: Alcoa commits to limiting clearing to 800 hectares annually and plans to increase annual rehabilitation rates to 1,000 hectares by 2027, demonstrating the company's ongoing efforts in environmental protection and commitment to sustainability.
- Significant Economic Contribution: In 2024, Alcoa invested A$2.7 billion in Australia, directly and indirectly employing approximately 5,500 people, supporting local economic development, with over 70% of revenue remaining in Australia through wages, local spending, taxes, and royalties, further solidifying its economic position.
- Clear Future Outlook: While the Strategic Assessment is underway, Alcoa will continue operations at the Huntly and Willowdale mines and does not anticipate commencing mining in new major mine regions before 2029, ensuring stability and predictability for the company in the coming years.
See More
Alcoa Partners with Australian Government for Mining Modernization
- Strategic Assessment Initiative: Alcoa has partnered with the Australian Federal Government to conduct a strategic assessment of its Western Australian mining areas through 2045, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of potential impacts on significant flora and fauna, thereby enhancing stakeholder confidence in the future of mining operations.
- Strengthened Environmental Commitments: Alcoa commits to limiting clearing to 800 hectares annually and plans to increase annual rehabilitation rates to 1,000 hectares by 2027, demonstrating its ongoing efforts in environmental protection and aiming to enhance the company's reputation in sustainability.
- Significant Economic Contribution: In 2024, Alcoa invested A$2.7 billion in Australia, supporting approximately 5,500 direct and indirect jobs, with over 70% of revenue generated remaining in Australia, indicating a positive impact on the local economy.
- Future Mining Development: Despite the strategic assessment, Alcoa plans to commence development in the Myara North and Holyoake mining regions by 2029, which is expected to further enhance its role in critical minerals production and strengthen its competitive position in the market.
See More
Alcoa Partners with Australian Government to Modernize Mining Approvals Framework
- Strategic Assessment Initiative: Alcoa has partnered with the Australian Federal Government to conduct a strategic assessment of its mining activities in Western Australia, expected to extend to 2045, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of potential impacts on significant flora and fauna, thereby enhancing stakeholder confidence in the future of mining operations.
- Strengthened Environmental Commitments: Alcoa commits to limiting clearing to 800 hectares annually and plans to increase annual rehabilitation rates to 1,000 hectares by 2027, demonstrating the company's ongoing efforts in environmental protection and aiming to enhance its sustainability image within the industry.
- Significant Economic Contribution: In 2024, Alcoa's investments in Australia reached A$2.7 billion, supporting approximately 5,500 direct and indirect jobs, with over 70% of revenue generated remaining in Australia, indicating the company's positive impact on the local economy.
- Future Development Outlook: Despite the strategic assessment, Alcoa plans to commence mining activities in the new Myara North and Holyoake regions by 2029, which is expected to further bolster the company's role in critical minerals production and enhance its competitive position in the market.
See More
Alcoa Partners with Australian Government to Modernize Mining Approvals
- Environmental Agreement: Alcoa has reached an agreement with the Australian Federal Government to modernize its mining approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, aiming for a comprehensive assessment of environmental impacts in current and potential mining areas through 2045, thereby enhancing operational transparency and sustainability.
- Annual Clearing Limits: The company commits to limiting clearing to 800 hectares per year while planning to increase rehabilitation efforts to 1,000 hectares annually by 2027, reflecting its strong commitment to environmental sustainability, and will continue operations at the Huntly and Willowdale mines during the assessment period.
- Financial Implications: Alcoa has agreed to pay $36 million AUD (approximately $55 million AUD) under enforceable undertakings, despite asserting compliance with the EPBC Act, with the full cash payment expected in 2026, and an additional $19 million charge to adjust environmental reserves tied to these undertakings will impact the previously reported fourth-quarter 2025 cost of goods sold.
- Stock Performance: Alcoa shares rose 5.18% to $60.44 on Wednesday, indicating strong market performance with a 55.28% increase over the past 12 months, despite mixed short-term trends, reflecting investor confidence and potential growth opportunities.
See More
Alcoa to Pay A$55M for Unauthorized Forest Clearing in Australia
- Environmental Compensation Agreement: Alcoa has agreed to pay A$55 million (approximately $38.9 million) to restore native forests cleared without approval in Western Australia, covering nearly 2,100 hectares, highlighting the company's pressure regarding environmental compliance.
- Acknowledgment of Historical Clearing: Although Alcoa claims its operations comply with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, it has agreed to pay A$36 million through enforceable undertakings, indicating recognition of past clearing actions and their ecological impacts.
- Financial Impact: The company will record an incremental charge of $19 million ($13 million after-tax, or $0.05 per share) in Q4 2025, affecting its cost structure and potentially having a negative impact on shareholder returns.
- Future Strategic Assessment: Alcoa plans to conduct a strategic assessment of current and potential future mining areas through to 2045, demonstrating the company's adaptability to changes in environmental regulations and commitment to sustainability.
See More
Alcoa Partners with Australian Government to Modernize Mining Approvals
- Environmental Charge: Alcoa will incur a $19 million charge in Q4 2025 primarily for environmental obligations, impacting financial performance with related cash outflows expected in 2026, which could affect investor sentiment.
- Mining Operations Continuation: Mining at Huntly and Willowdale will proceed under federal exemptions, with annual clearing capped at 800 hectares and rehabilitation efforts increasing to 1,000 hectares by 2027, ensuring compliance and operational continuity in resource extraction.
- Historical Land Clearing Compensation: The company will pay $36 million (A$55 million) to address past land clearing issues, supporting conservation efforts in the Northern Jarrah Forest, which not only mitigates regulatory risks but also enhances its sustainability profile.
- Stock Price Fluctuation: On February 18, 2026, Alcoa's stock fell by $2.48 (4.14%) to close at $57.47, but rebounded to $57.97 in after-hours trading, gaining $0.50 (0.87%), indicating mixed market reactions to the company's strategic decisions.
See More
Alcoa Partners with Australian Government to Modernize Mining Approvals Framework
- Strategic Assessment Initiated: Alcoa has partnered with the Australian Federal Government to conduct a Strategic Assessment of its mining activities in Western Australia, expected to last until 2045, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of potential impacts on significant flora and fauna, thereby offering stakeholders clearer long-term operational insights.
- Enhanced Environmental Commitments: Alcoa commits to limiting clearing to 800 hectares annually and plans to increase annual rehabilitation rates to 1,000 hectares by 2027, demonstrating the company's ongoing efforts in environmental protection and commitment to sustainability.
- Significant Economic Contribution: In 2024, Alcoa invested A$2.7 billion in Australia, directly and indirectly employing approximately 5,500 people, supporting local economic development, with over 70% of revenue remaining in Australia through wages, local spending, taxes, and royalties, further solidifying its economic position.
- Clear Future Outlook: While the Strategic Assessment is underway, Alcoa will continue operations at the Huntly and Willowdale mines and does not anticipate commencing mining in new major mine regions before 2029, ensuring stability and predictability for the company in the coming years.
See More
Alcoa Partners with Australian Government for Mining Modernization
- Strategic Assessment Initiative: Alcoa has partnered with the Australian Federal Government to conduct a strategic assessment of its Western Australian mining areas through 2045, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of potential impacts on significant flora and fauna, thereby enhancing stakeholder confidence in the future of mining operations.
- Strengthened Environmental Commitments: Alcoa commits to limiting clearing to 800 hectares annually and plans to increase annual rehabilitation rates to 1,000 hectares by 2027, demonstrating its ongoing efforts in environmental protection and aiming to enhance the company's reputation in sustainability.
- Significant Economic Contribution: In 2024, Alcoa invested A$2.7 billion in Australia, supporting approximately 5,500 direct and indirect jobs, with over 70% of revenue generated remaining in Australia, indicating a positive impact on the local economy.
- Future Mining Development: Despite the strategic assessment, Alcoa plans to commence development in the Myara North and Holyoake mining regions by 2029, which is expected to further enhance its role in critical minerals production and strengthen its competitive position in the market.
See More
