Strip away the rhetoric, and the U.S. rare earth landscape collapses fast. Most companies are still upstream, with mines, oxides, separation pilots, and PowerPoint roadmaps. REalloys is firmly downstream, where supply chains either function or fail.That makes heavy rare earths absolutely vital to things like precision-guided missiles and missile-defense interceptors. Dysprosium and terbium are non-negotiable inputs for these weapons systems.Heavy rare earths keep modern missile and aerospace systems operati ...

Market Performance - The S&P/ASX 200 closed at 8,708.80, down 180.40 points or 2.03%, marking a new 20-day low [1] - The index has lost 1.81% over the last five days but remains virtually unchanged year-to-date [1] Top Gainers and Losers - WEB TRAVEL GROUP LIMITED and DEEP YELLOW LIMITED were the bottom performers, down 29.52% and 12.00%, respectively [1][10] - Among the top gainers, Brambles Limited rose 3.477% to $23.510, while ResMed Inc. increased by 1.228% to $37.920 [10] Sector Performance - All 11 sectors ended lower, with the Health Care sector declining by 1.16%, continuing a 2.39% decline over the last five days [7][10] - The resources index fell 4.6% for the week, its largest drop since late March, with BHP Group down 3% [8][10] Investor Sentiment - The S&P ASX volatility index increased by 21%, indicating heightened investor anxiety and expectations of market volatility [6][10] - Concerns over global growth and commodity volatility have negatively impacted investor confidence [6][10]

Core Insights - U.S. rare earth and critical miner stocks experienced a rally due to renewed discussions in Washington about expanding federal support for domestic supply chains, boosting investor sentiment across the sector [1][10] - The U.S. government signed a non-binding deal through the Commerce Department's CHIPS Act program to provide approximately $1.6 billion in funding and loans to USA Rare Earth, Inc. (USAR), which resulted in a 7.9% increase in USAR's shares [2][10] - The reliance of the U.S. on foreign suppliers for critical minerals poses a vulnerability, prompting policymakers to consider incentives to strengthen domestic mining and processing capabilities [3][4] Industry Developments - Investors are optimistic about potential expanded tax credits, direct funding, and regulatory support that could enhance project economics and shorten development timelines for U.S. producers [4][11] - Geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions have underscored the strategic importance of securing reliable domestic access to key raw materials, essential for both industrial growth and defense readiness [5][11] - Long-term trends related to clean energy, electrification, and advanced technologies continue to support the investment case for critical minerals, indicating that policy signals from Washington can significantly influence the sector [6][11] Company Highlights - Coeur Mining, Inc. (CDE) is a gold and silver miner with exposure to critical minerals, showing an expected earnings growth rate of 355.6% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank of 1 [7] - Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. (IDR) focuses on rare earths and other critical minerals, with an expected earnings growth rate of 6% for the current year and a Zacks Rank of 2 [8] - IperionX Limited (IPX) specializes in rare earth and critical mineral production, with an expected earnings growth rate of 95% for the current year, also holding a Zacks Rank of 2 [9]

Company Performance - IperionX Limited (NASDAQ:IPX) experienced a significant share price increase of 28.4% week-on-week, nearing its all-time high [1] - The stock reached a peak price of $60.35, just $0.55 below its all-time high of $60.90 recorded on October 15 [2] New Deal and Financial Impact - IperionX secured a deal with the US Army valued at $300,000 for the supply of 700 lightweight titanium components for heavy ground combat systems, with potential for significant increases upon successful delivery [3] - The replacement of steel components with titanium is projected to reduce the weight of combat systems by 40 to 45%, enhancing performance metrics such as acceleration, agility, operational range, and survivability [4] Strategic Importance - IperionX is recognized as the only domestic US producer of commercial-scale primary titanium metal, a material deemed strategic and critical by the US Government [5] - The deal aligns with US government priorities to reshore and secure critical materials supply chains, reduce dependence on foreign titanium sources, and expand domestic manufacturing capacity using recycled feedstocks [5]

Limited and S&P/ASX 200 top gainers and losers Worldwide Corporation Limited was the day’s worst performer, dropping 5.06% to $3.750. Iluka Resources Limited followed with a 4.58% decline to $5.840. Pro Medicus Limited also retreated, falling 4.06% to $237.490. Breville Group Limited slipped 3.25% to $28.560, and Temple & Webster Group Ltd dipped 3.03% to close at $13.120.Live EventsHow the sector performedSectors ended mixed on Wednesday, with 9 of the 11 sectors finishing lower alongside the S&P/ASX 200 ...

Core Points - U.S. stock futures are lower, with Dow futures down approximately 200 points [1] - Helmerich and Payne Inc reported a fourth-quarter loss of 1 cent per share, with quarterly sales of $1.012 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $973.678 million [1] - Helmerich and Payne shares fell 7% to $25.69 in pre-market trading [1] Company Movements - Alpha Technology Group Ltd shares decreased by 19% to $17.50 after a significant surge of 132% on Monday [4] - Invivyd Inc shares fell 13.4% to $2.46 following the announcement of a $125 million public offering [4] - Nice Ltd shares dropped 7.3% to $112.00 after a 9% decline on the previous day [4] - H World Group Ltd shares fell 6.7% to $41.95 despite reporting better-than-expected third-quarter results [4] - Fulcrum Therapeutics Inc shares decreased by 6.6% to $9.01 after a 12% gain on Monday [4] - Rocket Pharmaceuticals Inc shares declined 6% to $2.86 [4] - OBOOK Holdings Inc shares fell 5.6% to $7.53 [4] - Iperionx Ltd shares decreased by 5% to $33.00 [4] - Home Depot Inc shares slipped 2% to $351.01 after reporting worse-than-expected third-quarter adjusted EPS and lowering FY25 adjusted EPS outlook [4]

Market Overview - The Australian share market experienced modest gains across major indexes, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing at 8818.80, down 0.2% from 8835.90 [1][7] - The S&P/ASX 20, S&P/ASX 50, and S&P/ASX 100 also saw declines of 0.8%, 0.4%, and 0.3% respectively [1][7] - The broader S&P/ASX 300 fell 0.2% to finish at 8769.90 from 8784.60 [1][7] Top Gainers - Light & Wonder Inc. (LNW) led the S&P/ASX 200 gainers, rising $13.75, or 10.99%, to close at $138.82 [2][7] - Liontown Resources Limited (LTR) climbed $0.09, or 7.83%, finishing at $1.24 [2][7] - Pilbara Minerals Limited (PLS) added $0.24, or 7.50%, reaching $3.44 [2][7] - Bega Cheese Limited (BGA) advanced $0.35, or 6.55%, closing at $5.69 [2][7] - Mineral Resources Limited (MIN) rose $2.64, or 5.96%, ending at $46.92 [2][7] Top Decliners - Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (BEN) saw the largest decline, dropping $1.08, or 8.49%, to $11.64 [3][7] - Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) fell $11.52, or 6.59%, closing at $163.40 [3][7] - Life360 Inc. (360) slid $2.52, or 5.22%, to $45.80 [3][7] - IperionX Limited (IPX) declined $0.19, or 3.20%, to $5.74 [3][7] - Breville Group Limited (BRG) slipped $0.69, or 2.28%, to $29.58 [3][7] Futures Market - The S&P/ASX 200 Futures for December 2025 fell 48.0 points, or 0.54%, to 8,843.5, indicating a softer market outlook [5][7]

Core Insights - Rare earth stocks are experiencing significant growth due to renewed trade tensions with China and strong support from the Trump administration for the industry [1][2] - China has implemented additional export restrictions on rare earth materials, leading the U.S. and other nations to seek independent supply chains for these critical resources [1] Rare Earth Producers - Notable companies in the rare earth sector include MP Materials Corp., Trilogy Metals Inc., and Lithium Americas Corp., which have gained attention following investments from the Trump administration [2] - Lesser-known companies such as ASP Isotopes Inc., Aqua Metals, Inc., and Ramaco Resources, Inc. are also positioned to benefit from increased investor interest in the rare earth market [2] Thematic Highlights - Companies like ASP Isotopes, Idaho Strategic Resources, and Texas Mineral Resources are actively exploring or processing rare earths in North America, contributing to supply chain diversification [3] - Specialized recyclers such as Aqua Metals are innovating in refining technologies for battery metals, which are essential for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions [3] Strategic Exposure - Lesser-known stocks provide strategic exposure to the booming rare earth sector and related themes like artificial intelligence and tech sovereignty [4] - Firms like NioCorp and IperionX are focusing on materials crucial for aerospace and advanced manufacturing, including niobium, scandium, and titanium [5] - Diversified mining companies such as American Resources and United States Antimony are integrating rare earth and battery metals into their growth strategies [5]

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures are stable as investors await a significant phone call between U.S. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which may address trade issues and TikTok's U.S. operations [1][5] - Major U.S. indexes reached record highs, driven by optimism in the technology sector and expectations of further monetary policy easing from the Federal Reserve [1][3][6] Premarket Trading Activity - Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are around 46,496 points, showing a slight decrease of 0.04% or about 20 points [2] - S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures are mostly flat to slightly positive, with both up 0.2% [2] - This muted premarket activity indicates a consolidation phase as markets digest recent gains [2] Current Performance of Major Market Indexes - On Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.27% higher at 46,142.42, S&P 500 rose 0.48% to 6,631.96, and Nasdaq Composite increased 0.94% to 22,470.72 [3] - The small-cap Russell 2000 surged 2.51% to 2,467.70, marking its first all-time high since November 2021, largely due to a rise in semiconductor stocks, particularly Intel [3] Economic Indicators - U.S. initial jobless claims fell by 33,000 to 231,000, outperforming expectations [4] - The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index rose to +23.2 in September, the highest since January [4] Corporate Earnings Reports - MoneyHero Limited is expected to report a loss of 2 cents per share, with a premarket jump of 10.36% [7] - Other companies reporting include Cantaloupe, IperionX Limited ADR, and Insig AI, among others [7] Major Stock News - Intel shares, after a 22% surge, slipped 0.5% to $30.42 in premarket trading [8] - Nvidia confirmed a $5 billion investment in Intel, which has generated optimism about a strategic partnership [9] - FedEx stock advanced 2.5% in premarket trading after reinstating its full-year outlook and reporting better-than-expected earnings, despite anticipating a $1 billion hit from U.S. tariffs [10] - Lennar shares fell 3% after reporting lower third-quarter profit and revenue forecasts [11] - Apple shares rose 1% as new iPhone 17 models went on sale globally [12] - Oracle shares increased approximately 0.4% as it is reportedly part of a consortium to control TikTok's U.S. operations [12] International Developments - Adani Group stocks are in focus after SEBI dismissed allegations of stock manipulation [13] - Yes Bank completed a strategic acquisition of a 20% stake by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation [13] - JK Tyre & Industries anticipates double-digit growth due to rising automobile sales [13] - Vedanta emerged as the preferred bidder for a manganese block in Andhra Pradesh [13]

Group 1 - U.S. stock futures are higher, with S&P 500 futures gaining approximately 0.2% [1] - Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc reported second-quarter revenue of $557.41 million, missing analyst estimates of $562.78 million [2] - The company reported adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share, falling short of estimates of 92 cents per share [2] - Shares of Dave & Buster's fell 17.7% to $19.92 in pre-market trading [2] Group 2 - Monte Rosa Therapeutics Inc shares dipped 10% to $6.24 in pre-market trading after a significant 44% increase on Monday due to a collaboration announcement with Novartis [4] - Adtran Holdings Inc fell 9.1% to $9.49 following a $150 million convertible senior notes offering [4] - Iperionx Ltd declined 5.2% to $45.00 after a 6% gain on Monday [4] - Oscar Health Inc fell 5% to $17.79 after proposing an offering of convertible senior subordinated notes [4] - Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Ltd declined 4.2% to $15.65 in pre-market trading [4] - Red Cat Holdings Inc fell 4% to $10.10 after filing for a mixed shelf of up to $300 million [4] - Amber International Holding Ltd fell 3.5% to $4.21 despite reporting a year-over-year increase in second-quarter sales [4]