Rare earth stocks decline amid Trump administration's policy shift
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 4d ago
0mins
Should l Buy LAC?
Source: Fool
Lithium Americas Corp. experienced a decline of 5.16% as it hit a 5-day low amid broader market weakness, with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.56% and the S&P 500 down 0.27%.
The decline in Lithium Americas Corp. shares is part of a broader sell-off in rare earth and critical minerals stocks following the Trump administration's announcement to abandon minimum price guarantees for critical minerals projects. This policy shift raises concerns about the competitiveness and financial viability of U.S. rare earth projects, leading to decreased investor confidence in the sector.
The implications of this policy change could be significant for companies like Lithium Americas Corp., as it may deter investment and affect the overall stability of the rare earth supply chain in the U.S.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy LAC?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on LAC
Wall Street analysts forecast LAC stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LAC is 5.77 USD with a low forecast of 4.73 USD and a high forecast of 8.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
8 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
6 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 4.410
Low
4.73
Averages
5.77
High
8.00
Current: 4.410
Low
4.73
Averages
5.77
High
8.00
About LAC
Lithium Americas Corp. is a Canada-based lithium company. The Company focused on developing, building, and operating lithium deposits and chemical processing facilities. The Company’s flagship asset is Thacker Pass, a sedimentary-based lithium deposit located in the McDermitt Caldera in Humboldt County, in northern Nevada. The Company is focused on developing the 100%-owned Thacker Pass lithium project in northern Nevada, the United States of America. Thacker Pass is approximately 100 kilometers (km) north-northwest of Winnemucca, Nevada, approximately 33 km west-northwest of Orovada, Nevada, and 33 km due south of the Oregon border. The Thacker Pass area encompasses approximately 7,900 hectares (ha) and lies within and is surrounded by public lands. The Company's subsidiaries are LAC Management LLC, Lithium Nevada Ventures LLC, KV Project LLC and others.
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.
Trump Administration Increases Investments in Critical Minerals
- 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.
See More
US Collaborates with Mexico and Others on Critical Mineral Price Floors
- Critical Minerals Collaboration: The U.S. is partnering with Mexico, the EU, and Japan to implement minimum pricing for critical minerals within the next 60 days, addressing global market distortions and enhancing North American supply chain resilience.
- Action Plan Details: The U.S. Trade Representative indicated that the collaboration with Mexico will focus on establishing price floors for critical mineral imports and exploring how to implement these minimum prices in agreements with other nations.
- Strategic Partnerships: The cooperation with the EU and Japan will include a strategic partnership on critical minerals, with a memorandum of understanding on supply chain security expected within 30 days, demonstrating commitment from major market-oriented economies to a new trade paradigm.
- Policy Center Shift: The Trump administration has prioritized critical minerals in its trade and industrial policies to reduce dependence on China, enhancing domestic supply chain security through a national critical mineral stockpile and equity investments in related companies.
See More
MP Stock Plummets Amid Vance and Rubio's Discussion on Critical Minerals
- Event Announcement: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hosting the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
- Focus of the Meeting: The ministerial aims to address issues related to critical minerals, which are essential for various industries and technologies.
- Significance: This event highlights the importance of securing a stable supply of critical minerals for national security and economic growth.
- Participants: The meeting is expected to involve discussions among key stakeholders, including government officials and industry leaders.
See More
U.S. Rare Earth Miners' Shares Rise on New Reserve Plan
- Share Price Surge: Shares of U.S. rare earth miners rose in pre-market trading following President Trump's announcement of a $12 billion critical mineral reserve, indicating a positive market response to the initiative.
- Project Context: Known as Project Vault, this critical mineral reserve aims to counter China's dominance in rare earth minerals, protecting U.S. tech firms and automakers from supply shocks while reducing reliance on Chinese resources.
- Funding Structure: The plan combines $2 billion in private funding with a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, with Trump stating that American taxpayers are expected to profit from the interest on the loan, highlighting the project's potential economic benefits.
- National Security Strategy: The new reserve is modeled after existing strategic petroleum and critical stockpiles, intended to support U.S. industry and prevent future supply disruptions, thereby enhancing national security and economic resilience.
See More
Trump Advocates for a Stockpile of Critical Minerals!
- Investor Confusion: Investors in rare earths and critical minerals are facing uncertainty due to recent developments in the market.
- U.S. Mineral Stockpile Report: A report indicating that the U.S. may initiate a mineral stockpile adds to the complexity of the situation.
See More
Trump Seeks a Stockpile of Critical Minerals: Implications for MP Stock.
- Investor Confusion: Investors in MP Materials and other rare earths and critical minerals are facing uncertainty due to recent developments in the market.
- Mineral Stockpile Plan: A new plan to launch a mineral stockpile adds to the complexity of the situation for investors.
See More
Trump Administration Increases Investments in Critical Minerals
- 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.
See More
US Collaborates with Mexico and Others on Critical Mineral Price Floors
- Critical Minerals Collaboration: The U.S. is partnering with Mexico, the EU, and Japan to implement minimum pricing for critical minerals within the next 60 days, addressing global market distortions and enhancing North American supply chain resilience.
- Action Plan Details: The U.S. Trade Representative indicated that the collaboration with Mexico will focus on establishing price floors for critical mineral imports and exploring how to implement these minimum prices in agreements with other nations.
- Strategic Partnerships: The cooperation with the EU and Japan will include a strategic partnership on critical minerals, with a memorandum of understanding on supply chain security expected within 30 days, demonstrating commitment from major market-oriented economies to a new trade paradigm.
- Policy Center Shift: The Trump administration has prioritized critical minerals in its trade and industrial policies to reduce dependence on China, enhancing domestic supply chain security through a national critical mineral stockpile and equity investments in related companies.
See More
MP Stock Plummets Amid Vance and Rubio's Discussion on Critical Minerals
- Event Announcement: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hosting the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
- Focus of the Meeting: The ministerial aims to address issues related to critical minerals, which are essential for various industries and technologies.
- Significance: This event highlights the importance of securing a stable supply of critical minerals for national security and economic growth.
- Participants: The meeting is expected to involve discussions among key stakeholders, including government officials and industry leaders.
See More
U.S. Rare Earth Miners' Shares Rise on New Reserve Plan
- Share Price Surge: Shares of U.S. rare earth miners rose in pre-market trading following President Trump's announcement of a $12 billion critical mineral reserve, indicating a positive market response to the initiative.
- Project Context: Known as Project Vault, this critical mineral reserve aims to counter China's dominance in rare earth minerals, protecting U.S. tech firms and automakers from supply shocks while reducing reliance on Chinese resources.
- Funding Structure: The plan combines $2 billion in private funding with a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, with Trump stating that American taxpayers are expected to profit from the interest on the loan, highlighting the project's potential economic benefits.
- National Security Strategy: The new reserve is modeled after existing strategic petroleum and critical stockpiles, intended to support U.S. industry and prevent future supply disruptions, thereby enhancing national security and economic resilience.
See More
Trump Advocates for a Stockpile of Critical Minerals!
- Investor Confusion: Investors in rare earths and critical minerals are facing uncertainty due to recent developments in the market.
- U.S. Mineral Stockpile Report: A report indicating that the U.S. may initiate a mineral stockpile adds to the complexity of the situation.
See More
Trump Seeks a Stockpile of Critical Minerals: Implications for MP Stock.
- Investor Confusion: Investors in MP Materials and other rare earths and critical minerals are facing uncertainty due to recent developments in the market.
- Mineral Stockpile Plan: A new plan to launch a mineral stockpile adds to the complexity of the situation for investors.
See More
