Wall Street Says This 1 Little-Known Stock Could Be a Rare Earth ‘Winner’

Core Viewpoint - Ramaco Resources has seen a significant stock price increase of 283% year-to-date, driven by its strategic expansion into rare earth elements (REE) and critical minerals following the discovery of substantial deposits at its Brook Mine in Wyoming [1][4]. Company Overview - Ramaco Resources has a market capitalization of $2.48 billion and focuses on the development, operation, and sale of metallurgical coal, emphasizing high-quality, low-cost production [2]. - The company operates several mining complexes across southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and southwestern Pennsylvania, and is developing the Brook Mine in northeastern Wyoming, which spans approximately 16,000 acres [2]. - The Brook Mine is expected to produce REEs such as neodymium and praseodymium without generating radioactive waste, aligning with U.S. efforts to enhance critical mineral supply chains [2]. Market Context - The U.S.-China trade war has heightened the importance of rare earth minerals, which are essential for advanced technologies like electric vehicles and wind turbines [5]. - As China tightens its control over REE exports, the U.S. government is prioritizing the development of secure domestic supply chains [5]. Analyst Coverage - Baird initiated coverage of Ramaco Resources with a "Buy" rating and a price target of $63, the highest on Wall Street, indicating strong potential for the company in the U.S. rare earth economy [3][6]. - Analyst Ben Kallo highlighted the Brook Mine project as a significant opportunity for Ramaco and the U.S. rare earth sector [8]. Financial Performance - In Q2 of fiscal 2025, Ramaco reported a revenue decline of 1.5% year-over-year to $153 million, exceeding Wall Street estimates by $21.45 million [11]. - The company achieved an 18% year-over-year increase in tons sold, reaching over 1 million tons, driven by growth in both North American and export markets [11]. - The non-GAAP cash cost per ton sold was $103, positioning Ramaco within the first quartile of the U.S. cash cost curve [12]. Future Outlook - Ramaco's Brook Mine is fully permitted for an initial production capacity of 1,200 tons of REEs and 2 million tons of coal, with plans to increase output to 3,400 tons of REEs and 5 million tons of coal [8]. - Analysts expect the company to face a net loss of $0.97 per share in fiscal 2025, with full-year revenue projected to drop 12.72% year-over-year to $581.57 million, although investor focus remains on the Brook project [18].