Three Rare Earth Stocks to Monitor After Washington's Recent Trade Actions
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 26 2026
0mins
Source: Marketbeat
Trade Developments: The push for Greenland and rare-earth mining stocks is gaining traction, with government support helping to insulate these stocks from broader economic concerns, particularly as they are positioned for growth in 2026.
Market Performance: MP Materials is experiencing a rebound, with analysts bullish on its stock, predicting significant revenue growth and a potential move to all-time highs in early 2026.
Energy Fuels Stock Surge: Energy Fuels' stock is leading the rare-earth group, having doubled from late 2025 lows and is on track to reach all-time highs in early 2026, driven by critical asset acquisitions and a strong domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.
Investment Recommendations: Analysts are recommending five specific stocks for investors to buy now, emphasizing their potential for significant returns as the broader market catches up.
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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: 54.280
Low
55.27
Averages
76.13
High
94.00
Current: 54.280
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.
Analysis of Investment Opportunities in Rare Earth Metals
- MP Materials Progress: MP Materials operates a rare earth metals mine in California and has processing facilities, achieving adjusted profits in Q1 2026, indicating its potential for sustainable profitability, which attracts long-term investor interest.
- USA Rare Earth Acquisition Moves: USA Rare Earth recently acquired a rare earth metals mine in South America and is building a new mine in Texas; while currently unprofitable, its aggressive acquisition strategy and processing capabilities in the U.S. and Europe show promising development prospects.
- The Metals Company Risks and Potential: The Metals Company plans to build an undersea mine, facing high risks and regulatory approval challenges, but its unique business model may attract investors seeking high growth potential, despite likely ongoing losses in the short term.
- Rare Earth Market Outlook: With increasing global demand for rare earth metals, particularly in electric vehicles and defense sectors, the developments of MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, and The Metals Company will provide crucial supply for the U.S. market, although investment risks remain high.
See More
Analysis of Investment Opportunities in Rare Earth Metals
- Current Market Situation: Rare earth metals primarily come from China, and their importance in electric vehicles and the defense industry means that supply restrictions could severely impact automotive production, particularly in the electric vehicle sector, with far-reaching consequences.
- MP Materials' Leading Development: As a frontrunner in the rare earth metals industry, MP Materials operates a mine in California and has processing capabilities, with an expected adjusted profit in Q1 2026, indicating potential for sustainable profitability.
- Challenges for USA Rare Earth: USA Rare Earth is building a mine in Texas, which will take several years to complete and is currently unprofitable; however, it is aggressively acquiring assets, including an operating mine in South America, showing promising progress.
- High-Risk Profile of The Metals Company: The Metals Company plans to build an undersea mine, facing regulatory approvals and high costs; while it has significant growth potential, it is only suitable for investors with a high-risk tolerance, as it may continue to incur losses in the short term.
See More
Analysis of Investment Opportunities in Rare Earth Metals
- Importance of Rare Earth Metals: Rare earth metals are crucial in various applications, including cellphones and automobiles, particularly in electric vehicle production, where supply constraints could severely impact overall market performance.
- MP Materials' Leading Position: As a frontrunner in the rare earth metals sector, MP Materials operates a mine in California and has processing facilities, with expectations of achieving adjusted profitability in Q1 2026, indicating potential for sustainable profits.
- USA Rare Earth Development Challenges: USA Rare Earth is building a mine in Texas, and while its acquisition strategy has bolstered material processing capabilities in the U.S. and Europe, its current lack of profitability may deter conservative investors.
- The Metals Company High-Risk Potential: The Metals Company aims to establish an undersea mine, facing regulatory approvals and high construction costs, presenting significant risks but potentially offering substantial growth opportunities for aggressive investors.
See More
MP Materials Stock Declines Due to China Export Controls
- Stock Price Decline: MP Materials' stock fell 13.4% in June, primarily due to its addition to China's export control list, which heightened investor concerns about the company's future prospects and market stability.
- Diverse Political Risks: Despite facing export controls from China, MP Materials has substantial upside potential as U.S. government support aims to reduce reliance on Chinese rare earth materials, presenting significant market opportunities for the company amid geopolitical tensions.
- Defense Department Investment: The U.S. Department of Defense invested $400 million in MP Materials last summer and provided a $150 million loan while facilitating $1 billion in financing, which not only strengthened the company's financial position but also enabled investment in its 10X facility in Northlake, Texas.
- Long-term Agreement with Apple: MP Materials secured a $500 million long-term supply agreement with Apple, ensuring access to domestically sourced rare earth magnets, which not only enhances MP Materials' market position but also lays a solid foundation for future revenue growth.
See More
China's Export Blacklist Poses Risks to MP Materials
- Stock Price Decline: MP Materials' stock fell 13.4% in June primarily due to being added to China's export control list, which directly impacted investor confidence and cooled market enthusiasm for the stock.
- Diverse Political Risks: Despite the challenges posed by the export blacklist, MP Materials has substantial upside potential, particularly with U.S. government support aimed at reducing reliance on Chinese rare earth materials, presenting strategic growth opportunities for the company.
- Defense Department Investment: The U.S. Department of Defense's $400 million investment and $150 million loan, along with a 10-year pricing agreement, not only solidified MP Materials' financial position but also ensured its competitiveness in the rare earth magnet market.
- Supply Chain Risks: Given China's dominance in rare earth materials and magnet production, the export ban could have significant indirect effects on MP Materials, especially through companies using Chinese components, potentially limiting its production capabilities and market supply.
See More
Copper Mining Investment Outlook Surpasses Rare Earth Materials
- Metals Supercycle Argument: Long-term spending on decarbonization, electrification, renewable energy, and AI infrastructure is expected to boost demand for miners, particularly benefiting companies like Freeport-McMoRan, which presents a more favorable risk/reward profile compared to MP Materials.
- Risks of MP Materials: While MP Materials is a strong player in the rare earth sector, the execution risks associated with its Northlake, Texas facility and the controversial partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense may deter investors, especially in light of recent Chinese export controls.
- Growing Demand for Copper: Copper's extensive use in data centers and electric vehicles, where it is utilized multiple times more than in internal combustion engines, underscores its critical role in the electrification trend, suggesting potential price increases in the future.
- Freeport-McMoRan's Production Outlook: The company forecasts copper sales to rise from 3.1 billion pounds in 2026 to 4.1 billion pounds by 2028, while its cost-effective leaching initiative aims to add 800 million pounds annually by 2030, indicating strong growth potential and lower downside risk compared to MP Materials.
See More
Analysis of Investment Opportunities in Rare Earth Metals
- MP Materials Progress: MP Materials operates a rare earth metals mine in California and has processing facilities, achieving adjusted profits in Q1 2026, indicating its potential for sustainable profitability, which attracts long-term investor interest.
- USA Rare Earth Acquisition Moves: USA Rare Earth recently acquired a rare earth metals mine in South America and is building a new mine in Texas; while currently unprofitable, its aggressive acquisition strategy and processing capabilities in the U.S. and Europe show promising development prospects.
- The Metals Company Risks and Potential: The Metals Company plans to build an undersea mine, facing high risks and regulatory approval challenges, but its unique business model may attract investors seeking high growth potential, despite likely ongoing losses in the short term.
- Rare Earth Market Outlook: With increasing global demand for rare earth metals, particularly in electric vehicles and defense sectors, the developments of MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, and The Metals Company will provide crucial supply for the U.S. market, although investment risks remain high.
See More
Analysis of Investment Opportunities in Rare Earth Metals
- Current Market Situation: Rare earth metals primarily come from China, and their importance in electric vehicles and the defense industry means that supply restrictions could severely impact automotive production, particularly in the electric vehicle sector, with far-reaching consequences.
- MP Materials' Leading Development: As a frontrunner in the rare earth metals industry, MP Materials operates a mine in California and has processing capabilities, with an expected adjusted profit in Q1 2026, indicating potential for sustainable profitability.
- Challenges for USA Rare Earth: USA Rare Earth is building a mine in Texas, which will take several years to complete and is currently unprofitable; however, it is aggressively acquiring assets, including an operating mine in South America, showing promising progress.
- High-Risk Profile of The Metals Company: The Metals Company plans to build an undersea mine, facing regulatory approvals and high costs; while it has significant growth potential, it is only suitable for investors with a high-risk tolerance, as it may continue to incur losses in the short term.
See More
Analysis of Investment Opportunities in Rare Earth Metals
- Importance of Rare Earth Metals: Rare earth metals are crucial in various applications, including cellphones and automobiles, particularly in electric vehicle production, where supply constraints could severely impact overall market performance.
- MP Materials' Leading Position: As a frontrunner in the rare earth metals sector, MP Materials operates a mine in California and has processing facilities, with expectations of achieving adjusted profitability in Q1 2026, indicating potential for sustainable profits.
- USA Rare Earth Development Challenges: USA Rare Earth is building a mine in Texas, and while its acquisition strategy has bolstered material processing capabilities in the U.S. and Europe, its current lack of profitability may deter conservative investors.
- The Metals Company High-Risk Potential: The Metals Company aims to establish an undersea mine, facing regulatory approvals and high construction costs, presenting significant risks but potentially offering substantial growth opportunities for aggressive investors.
See More
MP Materials Stock Declines Due to China Export Controls
- Stock Price Decline: MP Materials' stock fell 13.4% in June, primarily due to its addition to China's export control list, which heightened investor concerns about the company's future prospects and market stability.
- Diverse Political Risks: Despite facing export controls from China, MP Materials has substantial upside potential as U.S. government support aims to reduce reliance on Chinese rare earth materials, presenting significant market opportunities for the company amid geopolitical tensions.
- Defense Department Investment: The U.S. Department of Defense invested $400 million in MP Materials last summer and provided a $150 million loan while facilitating $1 billion in financing, which not only strengthened the company's financial position but also enabled investment in its 10X facility in Northlake, Texas.
- Long-term Agreement with Apple: MP Materials secured a $500 million long-term supply agreement with Apple, ensuring access to domestically sourced rare earth magnets, which not only enhances MP Materials' market position but also lays a solid foundation for future revenue growth.
See More
China's Export Blacklist Poses Risks to MP Materials
- Stock Price Decline: MP Materials' stock fell 13.4% in June primarily due to being added to China's export control list, which directly impacted investor confidence and cooled market enthusiasm for the stock.
- Diverse Political Risks: Despite the challenges posed by the export blacklist, MP Materials has substantial upside potential, particularly with U.S. government support aimed at reducing reliance on Chinese rare earth materials, presenting strategic growth opportunities for the company.
- Defense Department Investment: The U.S. Department of Defense's $400 million investment and $150 million loan, along with a 10-year pricing agreement, not only solidified MP Materials' financial position but also ensured its competitiveness in the rare earth magnet market.
- Supply Chain Risks: Given China's dominance in rare earth materials and magnet production, the export ban could have significant indirect effects on MP Materials, especially through companies using Chinese components, potentially limiting its production capabilities and market supply.
See More
Copper Mining Investment Outlook Surpasses Rare Earth Materials
- Metals Supercycle Argument: Long-term spending on decarbonization, electrification, renewable energy, and AI infrastructure is expected to boost demand for miners, particularly benefiting companies like Freeport-McMoRan, which presents a more favorable risk/reward profile compared to MP Materials.
- Risks of MP Materials: While MP Materials is a strong player in the rare earth sector, the execution risks associated with its Northlake, Texas facility and the controversial partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense may deter investors, especially in light of recent Chinese export controls.
- Growing Demand for Copper: Copper's extensive use in data centers and electric vehicles, where it is utilized multiple times more than in internal combustion engines, underscores its critical role in the electrification trend, suggesting potential price increases in the future.
- Freeport-McMoRan's Production Outlook: The company forecasts copper sales to rise from 3.1 billion pounds in 2026 to 4.1 billion pounds by 2028, while its cost-effective leaching initiative aims to add 800 million pounds annually by 2030, indicating strong growth potential and lower downside risk compared to MP Materials.
See More
