Market Overview - The stock market experienced a significant rally due to positive developments in international trade, particularly the suspension of planned tariffs on EU countries by President Trump [1] - Major U.S. stock indexes saw notable gains, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 1.2% to 49,077.23, the S&P 500 rising by 1.16% to 6,875.62, and the Nasdaq adding 1.18% to 23,224.82 [1] Company Highlights - **Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)**: - Intel's stock rose by 11.72% to close at $54.25, nearing its 52-week high of $54.41, with an after-hours gain of 1.2% to $54.92 [2] - Anticipation builds for Intel's fourth-quarter earnings report, expected to show earnings per share of 8 cents and revenue of $13.38 billion, following a previous quarter where revenue was $13.65 billion and earnings per share were 23 cents [3] - **Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA)**: - Moderna shares surged by 15.84% to $49.81, reaching a 52-week high of $50, with an after-hours increase of 4.4% to $52 [4] - Investor enthusiasm is driven by a recent update on a cancer therapy study in collaboration with Merck & Co, which showed significant improvements in recurrence-free survival for melanoma patients [5] - **The Metals Company Inc (NASDAQ:TMC)**: - TMC's stock climbed by 13.31% to $8.17, with an after-hours increase of 9.4% to $8.94 [6] - The company welcomed a new rule from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that modernizes regulations for deep seabed mining permits, aligning with TMC's strategy for transitioning to commercial production [7] - **Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)**: - Microsoft's stock fell by 2.29% to $444.11, remaining below its 52-week high of $555.45 [8] - CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the need for artificial intelligence to deliver tangible benefits to maintain public trust, particularly in sectors like healthcare and education [8] - **Lucid Group Inc (NASDAQ:LCID)**: - Lucid's stock jumped by 17.88% to $11.47, with an expansion of its manufacturing partnership in Saudi Arabia enhancing its growth outlook [9] - The collaboration with Rockwell Automation aims to implement advanced manufacturing systems at Lucid's plant, providing real-time visibility and control over production lines [10]

Core Viewpoint - The Metals Company (TMC) welcomes the new NOAA rule that modernizes regulations for deep seabed mineral exploration and recovery, which is expected to enhance operational efficiency and support the company's long-term strategy [1][3][5]. Regulatory Updates - NOAA's final rule titled "Deep Seabed Mining: Revisions to Regulations for Exploration License and Commercial Recovery Permit Applications" became effective on January 21, 2026, updating the federal permitting framework for U.S. companies [2][5]. - The new rule allows for a consolidated application process, enabling qualified applicants to submit exploration and commercial recovery information together, thus streamlining the regulatory process [2][5]. Industry Impact - The updated regulations reflect significant advancements in environmental science, seafloor mapping, and offshore mineral-collection technologies, which have improved the industry's readiness for commercial recovery [3][5]. - NOAA has emphasized the importance of the new rule in light of decades of technological improvements and the substantial data gathered from deep seabed exploration activities [3][4]. Company Strategy - TMC plans to submit a consolidated application under the new regulations, anticipating that the streamlined review process will reduce the time required to secure a commercial recovery permit [3][5]. - The updated regulatory framework aligns with TMC's strategy to transition from exploration to commercial production, supporting the company's dual mission of supplying critical metals with lower environmental impact [6].

Core Insights - Rising geopolitical trade tensions have highlighted the importance of critical minerals and rare-earth elements for national security and energy independence [2] - TMC The Metals Company aims to meet the growing demand for domestically sourced critical minerals through deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules [3][5] - The stock of TMC has experienced significant volatility, surging as much as 1,576% from its low last year due to increased investor interest in rare-earth companies [3] Industry Overview - Deep-sea mining is positioned as a potential new frontier for sourcing critical minerals, with TMC targeting the Clarion-Clipperton Zone for polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese [5][6] - The seabed mining industry could play a crucial role in building domestic reserves of critical minerals, as highlighted by TMC's CEO during a testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources [6] Regulatory Environment - TMC faces significant regulatory hurdles before commencing deep-sea mining operations, including the need to obtain necessary permits [7][9] - An executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump emphasizes the administration's commitment to developing a domestic supply of critical minerals and aims to expedite the permitting process under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act [8]

Company Overview - TMC The Metals Company (NASDAQ: TMC) is a deep-sea mining specialist aiming to become a major mineral-sourcing player, having gone public through a SPAC merger in 2021 [1] - The company's share price has decreased by 15.5% since its market debut, despite a significant rally of 627% over the last year [2][4] - TMC is currently in a pre-revenue state, focusing on tests and obtaining regulatory approvals necessary for commercial operations [2] Industry Context - The U.S. heavily relies on China for mineral sourcing, particularly for rare-earth minerals, creating economic and national security concerns amid deteriorating U.S.-China relations [3] - TMC's strategy primarily involves collecting nodules containing base minerals, but there is growing investor interest in its potential to enter the rare-earth minerals market [4] Competitive Landscape - Kraken Robotics (OTC: KRKN.F) is highlighted as a company with exposure to the deep-sea mining space, providing technologies that could help reduce reliance on Chinese mineral sourcing [5] - Kraken specializes in deep-sea battery systems and synthetic aperture sonar (SAS), enabling uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) to operate at significant depths and for extended periods [6] - The demand outlook for Kraken's technologies in deep-sea mining appears promising, contrasting with TMC's current pre-revenue status [7]

Company Overview - TMC The Metals Company is primarily a mining business focused on developing an undersea mining operation to extract critical metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese, which are essential for high-tech batteries and renewable energy infrastructure [2][4][6] - The company aims to be the first public entity to operate an undersea mine, which significantly increases the capital investment required compared to traditional mining operations [3][4] Technological and Regulatory Challenges - TMC has made advancements in mining technology but has yet to construct the proposed mine, with expectations that it may take years before operations commence [4] - The company is currently awaiting approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to proceed, facing major regulatory hurdles in the undersea mining sector [5]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgent need for energy to support its growth [1][2][3] - A specific company is highlighted as a key player in the AI energy sector, owning critical energy infrastructure assets that are essential for meeting the increasing energy demands of AI technologies [3][7] Investment Opportunity - Wall Street is investing heavily in AI, with hundreds of billions directed towards developing smarter technologies, but there is a looming question regarding the energy supply needed to sustain this growth [2] - The company in focus is positioned to benefit from the surge in demand for electricity driven by AI data centers, making it a potentially lucrative investment opportunity [3][8] Company Profile - The company is described as a "toll booth" operator in the AI energy boom, collecting fees from energy exports and poised to capitalize on the onshoring trend driven by tariffs [5][6] - It owns significant nuclear energy infrastructure, which places it at the center of America's future power strategy, and is capable of executing large-scale engineering projects across various energy sectors [7][8] Financial Position - The company is noted for being debt-free and holding a substantial cash reserve, which is approximately one-third of its market capitalization, providing it with a strong financial foundation [8][10] - It also has a significant equity stake in another AI-related company, offering investors indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities without the associated premium costs [9][10] Market Trends - The article discusses the broader trends of AI, energy, tariffs, and onshoring, indicating that this company is well-positioned to leverage these interconnected developments [6][14] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive continuous innovation, further solidifying the importance of energy infrastructure in supporting this growth [12]

Core Insights - The Metals Company (TMC) has shown significant stock performance, surging 450% in 2025 and up 17% in early 2026, indicating strong market interest and potential growth [1][2] - TMC's stock price was around $1 per share last year, but a pivotal announcement in April 2025 regarding a commercial recovery permit under U.S. law has drastically changed its trajectory [2][3] - The company currently has a market cap of approximately $2.9 billion, with a project value of its exploration area estimated at $23.6 billion, suggesting a substantial upside potential if the project materializes [3][5] Company Overview - TMC is focused on mining polymetallic nodules, which are critical minerals needed in various industries, including defense and technology [1][7] - The company is navigating regulatory challenges, as it seeks to operate independently of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), which has not finalized a framework for deep-sea mining [3][4] - Current market valuation suggests that TMC's stock is trading at a fraction of its estimated project value, indicating a modest probability assigned by the market for the nodules to enter commercial production [5][6] Market Potential - If TMC can successfully demonstrate the viability of deep-sea mining, it could potentially expand operations to other regions and secure long-term supply contracts with industrial clients [7] - The current stock price of $7 implies a potential upside of about 700% if the market valuation aligns with the project value [6][8] - The path to achieving commercial production is uncertain and may involve political friction, but the long-term prospects remain promising for patient investors [4][8]

Core Viewpoint - The Metals Company (TMC) has experienced significant stock performance in 2025, with a hypothetical investment of $10,000 growing to approximately $58,600, indicating a substantial gain atypical for mining stocks, especially given its pre-revenue status and absence of a commercial license [1] Group 1 - TMC's future is contingent upon obtaining a commercial license for deep-sea mining, which is currently pending regulatory approval from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) [3] - The ISA is expected to create a rulebook that would allow TMC to commence operations, potentially transforming its substantial reserves of polymetallic nodules into revenue [4] - TMC reported a $55.4 million operating loss in Q3 2025, with a net loss of $184.5 million, highlighting the financial pressures the company faces [5] Group 2 - TMC is exploring alternative commercialization routes through the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with potential support from the Trump administration for deep-sea mining [5] - Despite the promising stock performance, there are uncertainties surrounding TMC's future, necessitating cautious investment strategies [6] - TMC's operational success is heavily reliant on regulatory approval for commercial mining, which remains a critical factor for investors [7]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgency to invest now [1][13] - The energy demands of AI technologies are highlighted, indicating a looming crisis in power supply as AI continues to grow [2][3] Investment Opportunity - A specific company is noted as a potential "backdoor play" in the AI sector, possessing critical energy infrastructure assets that are essential for supporting the anticipated surge in energy demand from AI data centers [3][6] - This company is positioned to benefit from the increasing need for electricity, which is becoming the most valuable commodity in the digital age [3][8] Energy Infrastructure - The company owns significant nuclear energy infrastructure assets, making it a key player in America's future power strategy [7] - It is capable of executing large-scale engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects across various energy sectors, including oil, gas, and renewables [7][8] Financial Position - The company is noted for being debt-free and having a substantial cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization [8] - It also holds a significant equity stake in another AI-related company, providing investors with indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities without the associated premium costs [9][10] Market Trends - The company is benefiting from the onshoring trend driven by tariffs, which is expected to boost domestic manufacturing and energy infrastructure [5][14] - The U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export sector is anticipated to grow significantly under the current administration's energy policies, positioning the company favorably [7][14] Investor Sentiment - There is a growing interest from hedge funds in this company, which is considered undervalued and off the radar compared to other AI and energy stocks [9][10] - The company is trading at less than 7 times earnings, making it an attractive investment option in the current market [10]

Company Overview - The Metals Company (TMC) has seen its stock price increase by over 440% this year, currently priced at $6.19 with a market capitalization of $2.6 billion [1][3] - TMC operates in the mining sector but focuses on harvesting polymetallic nodules from the seabed using robotic technology, rather than traditional mining methods [1] Industry Context - The polymetallic nodules contain enough battery metals to support approximately 280 million electric vehicles, which is nearly equivalent to the projected U.S. passenger car fleet of about 300 million by 2025 [2] - The deep-sea mining industry is still in its infancy, with regulatory frameworks being developed, particularly by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) [4] Regulatory Challenges - TMC is currently facing a regulatory impasse that requires a commercial license for its operations, which has not yet been established due to the nascent nature of deep-sea mining [4] - Concerns exist regarding the potential environmental impact of seabed mining on marine ecosystems, which are not fully understood [5] Financial Position - TMC is exploring alternative routes to commercialization, including potential operations under U.S. mining laws, as the U.S. is not a member of the ISA [7] - The company has approximately $116 million in cash and equivalents, but it currently has no commercial revenue [7][8]