Benzinga·2026-01-12 18:41Core Insights - The rare earth stocks have experienced a bull run in early 2026, driven by geopolitical tensions and aggressive industrial policies, with potential for continued upward momentum as the U.S. moves towards mineral sovereignty [1] Company Performance - Critical Metals Corp. (NASDAQ:CRML) has seen its stock price increase by 100% since the beginning of 2026, largely due to investor interest in its Tanbreez project in Greenland [2] - MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP) has risen by 27% in 2026, being the only major U.S. producer in the rare earth sector [2] - USA Rare Earth, Inc. (NASDAQ:USAR) has climbed 45% year-to-date, attributed to progress at its Round Top heavy rare earth site [3] - Trilogy Metals Inc. (AMEX:TMQ) is up 22% this year following a direct U.S. government equity investment in 2025 [3] - Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC) has rallied 32% in 2026, reflecting the growing importance of critical minerals [3] - The VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (NYSE:REMX) is up 20% year-to-date, tracking the sector's overall momentum [3] Geopolitical Factors - President Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland is seen as a catalyst for the rare earth rally, with the White House confirming that discussions about the purchase are ongoing [4] - Secretary of State Marco Rubio's upcoming meeting with Danish and Greenlandic officials highlights the complexities of this potential acquisition, as leaders assert that "Greenland has never been for sale and never will be for sale" [5] - China's recent tightening of export restrictions on dual-use rare earth materials to Japan has heightened tensions in global tech and defense sectors, indicating China's willingness to leverage its dominance in refined rare earths [6] Market Outlook - The rally in rare earth stocks underscores the minerals' critical role in U.S. national security, as the government seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, positioning the sector as a potential hot trade for 2026 [7]