Benzinga·2025-10-07 07:32Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration has taken direct ownership stakes in five major publicly traded companies as part of a national security strategy aimed at securing domestic supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, and steel [1]. Group 1: Government Acquisitions - The government acquired a 10% stake in Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC), a 15% stake in MP Materials (NYSE: MP), a 10% stake in Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE: LAC), a 10% stake in Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE: TMQ), and a "golden share" in US Steel Corporation [2]. - The investment in Intel was facilitated by converting previously awarded CHIPS Act grants into a $5.7 billion investment, aimed at preventing a potential spinoff of Intel's unprofitable foundry business [9]. - The Department of Defense acquired a 15% stake in MP Materials, which operates the only fully integrated rare earth mining and processing facility in the U.S. [9]. Group 2: Company Performance - Intel's stock rose nearly 47.54% from $24.80 on August 22 to $36.59 by October 6 [9]. - MP Materials' stock increased by 64.77%, from $45.11 to $74.33, since the acquisition on July 11 [9]. - Lithium Americas' stock advanced by 20% from $7.04 to $8.45 following the government's stake acquisition on October 1 [9]. - Trilogy Metals' stock surged 215.30% in after-hours trading following the announcement of a $35.6 million investment [10]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The acquisition of a "golden share" in US Steel grants the U.S. government permanent veto authority over key corporate decisions, reflecting a unique arrangement in corporate governance [13]. - The administration is considering further investments in major defense contractors, indicating a potential expansion of this strategy [11].