Core Insights - MP Materials Corp has achieved a significant breakthrough due to a $400 million investment from the Pentagon aimed at strengthening the U.S. supply chain for rare earth magnets, leading to a stock price surge of over 50% in one day [3][6] - The Department of Defense is now the largest shareholder of MP Materials, owning approximately 15% of the company's stock, indicating strong governmental support for rare earth independence [4] - The investment includes a 10-year price floor guarantee and a long-term supply contract, providing MP with a strategic advantage in a market largely influenced by China [5] Company Performance - Year-to-date, MP's stock has risen over 180%, reflecting a transformation from a specialized miner to a critical component of U.S. national security [6][7] - The financing will enable MP to complete its new "10X" magnet facility in Texas and increase production at its Mountain Pass mine in California, enhancing its operational capacity [5] Market Reaction - Investors view the Pentagon's investment as a pivotal turning point for MP, prompting analysts to adjust their forecasts in light of the company's new role in the industrial and defense strategy of the U.S. [6][7]

Financial independence isn’t about yachts or private jets. It’s about waking up and doing whatever you want—every day.Save more. Spend less. Invest early. Freedom comes from the boring stuff. ...

Core Insights - First Phosphate Corp. has achieved a significant milestone in establishing a North American supply chain for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries [1][5] - The company successfully produced commercial-grade LFP battery cells using 100% North American-sourced critical minerals, emphasizing domestic manufacturing independence in the energy storage sector [2][5] Company Developments - The production of LFP battery cells has been a three-year pilot project, starting with igneous phosphate rock from the company's property in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec [6] - The company plans to develop a phosphate mine by 2029, with a feasibility study currently underway [6] - The process involves producing phosphate concentrate, which is reacted with sulfuric acid to yield purified phosphoric acid, crucial for industrial applications [6] Supply Chain and Partnerships - The iron phosphate used in the batteries is sourced from the Bégin-Lamarche property, while lithium carbonate is obtained from Century Lithium in Nevada, and graphite is provided by Nouveau Monde Graphite in Quebec [7] - The company has partnered with Ultion Technologies in Nevada for the manufacturing of LFP battery cells, which are suitable for small mobility applications and can scale for large energy storage and electric vehicles [8] Future Plans - The company aims to transition from pilot to commercial scale production, with the LFP cathode plant expected to be operational by late 2026 or 2027, and the mine and phosphoric acid plant by 2029 or 2030 [8] - The goal is to produce fully North American LFP battery cells primarily from Quebec on a commercial scale by the end of the decade [8] Industry Context - The development of LFP technology originated in North America, with historical partnerships involving universities and research centers, but production shifted to China over the past two decades [9] - The recent achievement marks a reclaiming of energy storage independence for North America, showcasing the potential for domestic manufacturing using local critical minerals [9]

What our top state study taketh away, it giveth. Massachusetts, the Bay State, surges 18 spots after dropping 23 places last year. Massachusetts still has issues.The second most expensive state to do business in and one of the least businessfriendly, but also among the least dependent on a shrinking federal government that helps insulate the economy. Still, Massachusetts is a major recipient of federal research grants under fire by the Trump administration. The state is trying to fund some of its own resear ...

Group 1 - Economists have been predicting a recession for an extended period, but recent factors such as massive layoffs, immigration deportations, and the government's national deficit may lead to a recession engineered by the government [1] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the importance of individual due diligence in investment decisions, highlighting that the author is not a registered investment professional or financial advisor [2] - The author expresses a focus on dividend investing in quality blue-chip stocks, BDCs, and REITs, aiming to help lower and middle-class workers build investment portfolios [2]

Market Trends & Bitcoin - Bitcoin reached a new all-time high just shy of $112,000 [1] - Bitcoin ETFs are seeing billions of dollars flowing in [1] - Bitcoin-related companies like Block and MicroStrategy are rising [1] Currency & Dollar Weakness - The dollar has declined over 10% year-to-date [3] - Lower front-end interest rates, reallocation out of the US, and hedging are driving dollar weakness [4][5] - The dollar's decline may continue due to allocation shifts and historical trends [6][7] - The dollar is at roughly fair value, but currencies never stop at fair value [6] Federal Reserve & Interest Rates - Expectation of less Fed independence is causing a change in Fed funds expectations next year, with the market expecting significantly lower interest rates around May/June [10] - Less Fed independence is causing slightly higher longer-term inflation expectations [10] - Foreign investors holding US treasuries in very short tenor bonds (three years and less) may let them expire, impacting demand [12] Treasury & Stablecoins - Relaxing the SLR (supplementary leverage ratio) could help Treasury demand [14] - Increased demand for stablecoins, backed by Treasury bills, could help short-end demand but steepen the yield curve [14][15] - The long end of the yield curve, impacting mortgage rates and business loans, will be hard for the Treasury to control [15] Equity Markets & Valuation - US stocks are fairly richly valued at 22 times 12-month forward price earnings, especially versus peers overseas [17] - Concentration and bullishness are increasing in equity markets [18] - Higher inflation and significantly slower growth are expected later this year [19]

So if the US economy came to you as a patient and you were looking over all the data, the jobs, inflation, all of it, what would you tell this economy. What kind of checkup does it get. The economy is like a middle-aged man who's really smart and well earning and has a lot of good years ahead of him, but maybe could lose 10 pounds or maybe even 15 or 20 pounds.This is hitting very close to home, Alison. You got a lot of potential. There's still a lot of great things you're going to do.You're pretty much lik ...

Group 1 - The article discusses various strategies for achieving financial independence through investing [1] - Roberts Berzins has over a decade of experience in financial management, focusing on corporate financial strategies and large-scale financings [2] - Berzins has contributed to the institutionalization of the REIT framework in Latvia to enhance liquidity in pan-Baltic capital markets [2] Group 2 - Berzins has developed national SOE financing guidelines and frameworks to channel private capital into affordable housing [2] - He holds a CFA Charter and an ESG investing certificate, and has experience with the Chicago Board of Trade [2] - Berzins is actively involved in thought-leadership activities to support the development of pan-Baltic capital markets [2]

Core Insights - LPL Financial LLC has announced the launch of Bell Wealth Partners, an independent practice by financial advisors Robert Bell, II and Keegan Bell, with approximately $450 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets [1][2][3] Company Overview - Bell Wealth Partners is headquartered in Fairbanks, Alaska, with an additional office in Medford, Oregon, and has built a strong reputation for providing holistic and personalized financial services [2] - The team includes managing partners Robert and Keegan Bell, along with advisor Tom Cook and client associates [2] Client-Centric Approach - The firm emphasizes a deep personal connection with clients to understand their financial aspirations and collaborates with their accountants and attorneys to create customized financial plans [3] - The goal is to enhance client experiences and cater to the next generation of wealth [3][4] Transition to LPL Financial - The move to LPL Financial is driven by the desire to add more value to client experiences and to provide comprehensive financial services [4] - LPL's Strategic Wealth Services offers a supported independence model that combines entrepreneurial freedom with operational support, allowing advisors to focus on client needs [4][5] Strategic Benefits - The transition allows Bell Wealth Partners to collaborate with a niche group at LPL and access specialists in high-net-worth and trust consulting, enhancing their planning capabilities [5] - LPL Financial supports nearly 29,000 financial advisors and manages approximately $1.8 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets, providing a robust platform for growth [7]

unpopular opinion: you don’t need to “love” your 9-5 job.you just need to not hate it enough that it burns you out. suck it up for a few years to stack what you need (bitcoin) to bankroll what what you love.the job funds the dream. nothing more. don’t confuse the two. ...