Can MP Materials Stock Beat the Market in 2026?

Core Insights - MP Materials is outperforming the S&P 500, with a gain of nearly 11% in 2026 compared to the S&P 500's 1% increase, and a remarkable 224% gain in 2025 compared to the S&P 500's 18% increase [1][2] Group 1: Market Position and Performance - Over a five-year period, an investment in MP Materials would have outperformed the same investment in the S&P 500 [2] - MP Materials is a key player in the U.S. effort to rebuild its domestic supply of rare-earth elements, controlling one of the richest deposits at the Mountain Pass mine in California [4] Group 2: Strategic Developments - In 2025, MP Materials secured a $400 million deal with the Department of Defense and a $500 million long-term agreement with Apple for recycled magnets, indicating strong confidence in its future [5][6] - These agreements have transitioned MP from a pure mining business to a fully integrated company with a growing magnetics segment, which generated approximately $21.9 million in revenue last quarter [6] Group 3: Production Capabilities - Despite its strategic importance, MP Materials is not yet capable of producing magnets at scale and is still reliant on Chinese producers for high-performance magnets [3][7] - The company anticipates ramping up magnet production from its Fort Worth facility in 2026, but it is still a newcomer in this sector [7]