Core Viewpoint - Alcoa Corp is planning to sell 10 of its closed or curtailed sites to the data centre industry, with the first sale expected by the end of June [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - Alcoa's CEO, Bill Oplinger, stated that the company is focused on maximizing value and minimizing liabilities when selling assets [1] - The company is exploring the potential impact of AI on the valuations of its individual sites [1] Group 2: Market Context - Aluminium producers face competition for electricity supplies from data centres, which are energy-intensive [1] - High aluminium prices have not diminished demand in the U.S., but low alumina prices have resulted in 50% of global refineries being cash negative [1] - This situation is expected to lead to cutbacks in alumina production, although Alcoa does not plan to reduce its output [1]

Stocks to watch as Trump's new tariffs spell more uncertainty | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]A trader works on the floor, as a screen displays U.S. President Donald Trump during a press briefing at the White House following the Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs, at the New York Stock... [Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab] Read more- Companies[Alcoa Corp]Follow[Alibaba Group Holding Ltd]Follow[Best Buy Co Inc ...

Core Insights - U.S. stocks exhibited mixed performance, with the Dow Jones index declining approximately 0.1% on Thursday [1] - Las Vegas Sands Corp. reported third-quarter results that exceeded expectations, leading to an 11.8% surge in its share price to $56.64 [1][2] Company Performance - Las Vegas Sands achieved third-quarter revenue of $3.33 billion, surpassing analyst estimates of $3.03 billion [2] - The company reported adjusted earnings of 78 cents per share, exceeding the expected 60 cents per share [2] - Las Vegas Sands also raised its dividend and announced a $2 billion increase to its stock buyback program [1] Other Notable Stock Movements - Garrett Motion Inc. shares increased by 24.7% to $15.60 after reporting third-quarter results that beat estimates and raising FY2025 sales guidance [4] - Kaiser Aluminum Corp. saw a 22.7% rise to $95.59 following positive earnings [4] - D-Wave Quantum Inc. gained 18.4% to $32.29 amid reports of potential equity stakes from the Trump administration in quantum-computing firms [4] - Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. shares rose 18% to $7.82 after strong quarterly sales [4] - Core Laboratories Inc. gained 17.1% to $14.98 after reporting better-than-expected third-quarter results and issuing optimistic fourth-quarter sales guidance [4] - Other companies such as Carpenter Technology Corp., LendingClub Corp., Alcoa Corp., and CACI International Inc. also reported significant gains following positive earnings [4]

Summary of Key Points from the Rare Earths Conference Industry Overview - The conference focused on the **Metals & Mining** industry, specifically the **Rare Earth Elements (REE)** sector in North America [1][7]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Price Bifurcation**: There is a likelihood that price bifurcation in the REE market will persist, with the U.S. government laying groundwork for above-market pricing for critical minerals, influencing pricing strategies among producers [2][3]. 2. **Government Guarantees**: Discussions revolved around whether Western governments will provide price floor guarantees similar to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) deal, which could impact how REE producers approach the market [2][3]. 3. **China's Export Restrictions**: China's restrictions on exporting REE permanent magnets and heavy rare earths have highlighted the critical nature of this market, giving producers some pricing power as Western countries seek to diversify their supply chains [4][5]. 4. **Financing and Permitting Challenges**: New entrants in the REE market face hurdles related to financing and permitting, despite government support. Public funding has been beneficial, but private investment remains cautious [5][9]. 5. **Future Demand Drivers**: Technologies such as robotics, humanoids, and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are expected to drive future demand for REE permanent magnets, alongside traditional drivers like electric vehicles (EVs) and wind turbines [10][11]. Additional Important Insights 1. **OEMs' Willingness to Pay Premiums**: Some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are willing to pay a premium for non-Chinese supply, although there are concerns about reverting to cheaper Chinese materials if supply stabilizes [4]. 2. **Long-term Demand Projections**: The global NdPr market is not expected to face deficits until 2035+, indicating that traditional demand drivers will need to sustain the market in the interim [11]. 3. **Regional Demand Variations**: While demand for EVs and wind turbines has stagnated in the U.S., it remains solid in the EU and China, with significant growth in motor strength per vehicle and offshore wind turbine installations [11]. 4. **Investment Drivers**: The company MP Materials Corp is developing a domestic mine-to-magnet supply chain, with a focus on critical military and green energy applications, which could significantly boost its business model if successful [19]. Risk Factors 1. **Market Risks**: Risks include lower-than-expected EV sales growth and the development of alternatives for rare earth permanent magnet motors, which could negatively impact demand [27]. 2. **Execution Risks**: The successful execution of projects remains a significant risk for companies in the REE sector, particularly for MP Materials Corp [19]. Conclusion The conference underscored the evolving landscape of the REE market, driven by geopolitical factors, technological advancements, and the need for supply chain diversification. The insights gathered indicate a complex interplay of opportunities and risks that stakeholders in the Metals & Mining industry must navigate.

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "In-Line" [6]. Core Viewpoints - The waiver of certain requirements in the Defense Production Act (DPA) by President Trump aims to boost production capacity for critical minerals, including uranium, copper, potash, and gold, as well as munitions and missiles [2][3]. - Waiving the "terms of sales" requirement could allow the US government to offer above-market pricing for critical minerals, potentially incentivizing new projects and contributing to a bifurcation of pricing in certain commodities, particularly rare earths [3][4]. - The report highlights the potential for a mining boom in the US driven by a push to on-shore supply chains, with the recent DPA changes seen as a step towards this goal [4]. Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The report discusses the implications of the DPA changes on the critical minerals market, suggesting that it could lead to higher pricing and increased domestic production [3][4]. Company Focus - MP Materials (EW, PT $23) is identified as well-positioned to benefit from potential above-market pricing for critical minerals [3]. Market Dynamics - The report notes that the changes could accelerate the development of domestic and allied rare earth element supply chains, which are critical for both commercial and national security [3].

Core Insights - The implementation of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum has created significant market volatility, particularly affecting major metal producers Nucor Corp and Alcoa Corp [1][2] Company Performance - Nucor Corp's stock is currently down 0.6% at $129.12, but it has seen a year-to-date increase of 10.6%, with its 50-day moving average providing support [2] - Alcoa Corp's stock is up 2.7% at $32.82, although it has struggled this year, down 13% year-to-date, and recently hit its lowest level since early September before today's increase [2]