Advanced Performance Materials business president to help guide SEMI's efforts supporting North America's semiconductor innovation and supply chain resilience WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --The Chemours Company (Chemours) (NYSE: CC), a global chemistry company, today announced that Gerardo Familiar, President of the company's APM business, has been appointed to the SEMI North America Advisory Board (NAAB). SEMI is a global industry association serving thousands of member companies across the ...

By Allison Lampert and Mike Stone Feb 20 (Reuters) - New U.S. cybersecurity rules for the defense sector are leading some small suppliers to rethink military work due to high compliance costs, raising production risks at a time when the Trump administration ‌is pressuring contractors to boost output and diversify the supply base. The Defense Department's long-delayed U.S. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification started last November ‌to protect sensitive information, known as controlled unclassified ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The second fiscal quarter of 2026 marked a transformational period for the company, with significant progress in financing, customer engagement, and project readiness [3][4] - The pre-feasibility study confirmed a strong economic foundation for the Fort Cady project, indicating a nearly 40-year mine life based on proven and probable mineral reserves [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company successfully completed a full-scale glass trial, which has advanced commercial discussions with future customers [4][11] - Engagement with additional customers has expanded, particularly in specialty applications such as Ferroboron, a critical component in permanent magnet manufacturing [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The global borates market remains tight, with Turkey controlling approximately 70% of global reserves and 65% of global production [5] - Demand for boron-based materials is increasing across various sectors, including energy transition technologies and advanced manufacturing [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on progressing customer engagement towards structured offtake agreements and executing pre-FID and FEED work streams [11][12] - The strategic positioning of Fort Cady as a long-life, scalable U.S.-based asset aligns with national supply chain priorities and enhances its competitive advantage [5][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management emphasized the importance of security of supply and jurisdiction diversification in the current market, which plays to Fort Cady's strengths [5] - The company is positioned to become a major U.S. boron producer, creating long-term value for shareholders [12][15] Other Important Information - The company is engaged with various federal financing pathways, leveraging the critical minerals designation to access larger pools of capital [8][9] - An omnibus patent has been filed covering the in-situ leaching mining process, which is expected to enhance the company's competitive position [10] Q&A Session Summary - There were no questions from participants during the Q&A session, indicating a lack of immediate inquiries from investors or analysts [14]

Core Viewpoint - Raytheon, a business unit of RTX, has been awarded a contract to develop domestic production capabilities for thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) wafers, which are critical for high-speed communications and advanced sensing systems, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign sources [1] Group 1: Contract and Production - The contract is awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory to establish a domestic supply of TFLN wafers, essential for both defense and commercial applications [1] - Raytheon will collaborate with US-based company G&H to develop the manufacturing process for high-quality TFLN wafers, with production expected to transition to G&H in early 2026 [1] Group 2: Supply Chain and Market Impact - The initiative aims to create a secure, independent U.S. supplier of TFLN, addressing vulnerabilities in the supply chain due to foreign market dominance [1] - The establishment of G&H as a domestic supplier is seen as crucial for enhancing supply chain resilience for both defense and commercial sectors [1] Group 3: Company Background - Raytheon has over 100 years of experience in developing defense solutions, including advanced technologies in air and missile defense, smart weapons, and sensors [1] - RTX employs more than 180,000 people globally and reported sales exceeding $88 billion in 2025, focusing on advancing technology and integrated defense systems [1]

Core Insights - The merger between REalloys and Blackboxstocks Inc. aims to establish North America's first industrial-scale heavy rare-earth processing and metallization platform, crucial for the U.S. defense supply chain [7][8][15] - REalloys has secured long-term agreements to access significant heavy rare earth outputs, positioning itself to meet the growing demand for defense and high-performance applications while avoiding reliance on Chinese sources [2][5][10] Group 1: Supply Chain and Production - SRC has secured feedstock for five years, with plans to further lock down upstream supply as commercial operations scale [1] - REalloys is set to secure 80% of SRC's expanded annual production, projected to include approximately 45 tonnes of dysprosium and terbium oxide, and 400-600 tonnes of high-purity NdPr metal by early 2027 [2] - The industrial core of this effort is REalloys' metallization facility in Euclid, Ohio, which will process rare-earth oxides into finished metals and alloys domestically [3] Group 2: Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives - REalloys has formed alliances with various companies to secure rare-earth feedstock from projects in Brazil, Greenland, and Kazakhstan, enhancing its supply chain diversity [9][10][11][12] - The U.S. Export-Import Bank has launched a $10 billion critical minerals initiative, with REalloys already securing a letter of interest for up to $200 million, indicating strong governmental support for domestic supply chains [5] Group 3: Defense and Industrial Applications - The production of rare-earth metals and alloys is critical for U.S. defense systems, underpinning various technologies such as magnets, motors, and guidance systems [6] - Retired General Jack Keane's appointment to the REalloys board highlights the strategic importance of rare-earth metallization in U.S. defense planning [8][15] Group 4: Market Context and Competitors - MP Materials Corp. is a key player in the North American rare earth market, focusing on vertical integration and securing long-term agreements to support its operations [16][17][18] - Other companies like Albemarle Corporation and Freeport-McMoRan are also positioning themselves strategically within the critical minerals space, emphasizing the importance of supply chain resilience and diversification [19][22][27]

Core Insights - Newell Brands faced challenges in fiscal 2025 due to tariff-related disruptions and multiple pricing actions, which hindered expected sales growth despite improvements in margins, productivity, and supply chain resilience [6][5][11] Financial Performance - Fourth-quarter net sales were reported at $1.9 billion, a decrease of 2.7% year-over-year, with core sales down 4.1% [11] - For the full year, net sales totaled $7.2 billion, down 5%, and core sales decreased by 4.6% [14] - Normalized gross margin for Q4 was 33.9%, down 70 basis points year-over-year, but would have increased significantly without tariff-related headwinds [12] - Normalized operating margin in Q4 was 8.7%, up 160 basis points year-over-year, although slightly below expectations due to higher promotional activity [13] Strategic Initiatives - The company implemented a global productivity plan in Q4 aimed at enhancing competitiveness and simplifying operations, with significant progress reported in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia [2] - Newell reduced its sourcing exposure from China to below 10%, down from approximately 35% a few years ago, which improved supply chain resilience [3] Segment Performance - The Learning & Development segment was noted as the most resilient, with brands like Sharpie and Expo contributing to its performance [7] - The Baby segment showed strong performance despite tariff challenges, with Graco achieving a 160-basis-point increase in market share for the full year [7] - The Kitchen segment faced pressure due to soft demand and distribution losses, but pricing and promotional levels were adjusted to meet market needs [8] 2026 Outlook - Management anticipates a category decline of about 2% in 2026 but expects to outperform and grow market share for the first time since the Jarden acquisition [16] - Guidance for 2026 includes net sales expected to decline 1% to increase 1%, with core sales ranging from down 2% to flat [17] - The company projects normalized EPS of $0.54 to $0.60 for 2026, with operating cash flow expected to be between $350 million and $400 million [19]

Core Insights - SAGA Metals Corp. is strategically positioned to benefit from the U.S. government's "Project Vault," which aims to enhance domestic supply chains for critical minerals, particularly titanium, in alignment with national security priorities [1][3][4] Group 1: Project Vault and U.S. Strategic Initiatives - Project Vault establishes the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve as a public-private partnership to store essential raw materials across U.S. facilities [2] - The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has approved a Direct Loan of up to USD 10 billion to support Project Vault, aimed at strengthening U.S. production and processing capacity [3] - The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to counter China's dominance in critical minerals, particularly in refining [4] Group 2: Titanium's Strategic Importance - Titanium is recognized as a critical mineral for defense and aerospace applications due to its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance [11] - Over 90% of mined titanium is processed into pigment, highlighting a significant supply chain gap for aerospace-grade titanium [12] - The defense sector consumes a substantial portion of titanium, with some aircraft, like the F-15, comprising up to 40% titanium by weight [13] Group 3: SAGA Metals' Project Focus - SAGA's flagship Radar Ti-V-Fe Project in Labrador has achieved a 100% drilling success rate in 2025, with exceptional grades of titanium, vanadium, and iron [13] - The project is strategically located near existing infrastructure, enhancing its potential for supporting secure supply chains for defense and aerospace [14] - The evolving policy environment emphasizes the importance of North American critical minerals projects, reinforcing SAGA's focus on supply-chain security and advanced manufacturing [14] Group 4: Implications of Project Vault - SAGA Metals identifies key implications from Project Vault, including the rising strategic value of titanium and other critical metals in defense readiness and aerospace manufacturing [17] - There is potential for increased investment in North American exploration and processing capacity as governments prioritize secure supply [17] - Enhanced public-private cooperation is expected to create resilient supply chains and mitigate market disruption risks [17]

Core Insights - Aerospace and defense (A&D) organizations are investing in AI-driven solutions, additive manufacturing, and workforce upskilling to prepare for rapid growth in 2026 [1][2] Investment Trends - 41% of A&D leaders expect significant acceleration in 2026, surpassing general industry expectations [2] - 90% of A&D leaders consider reshoring essential for success, emphasizing domestic capacity and resilient supply chains [3] - 47% of leaders identify compliance as a primary supply chain vulnerability, highlighting the importance of adhering to standards like AS9100, ITAR, and CMMC [4] Technology Adoption - 85% of A&D leaders prioritize AI-driven solutions for enhanced pricing visibility and streamlined sourcing workflows, compared to 63% in general industry [7] - Additive manufacturing is projected to be the fastest-growing manufacturing process in 2026, driven by the need for rapid prototyping and access to advanced materials [7] Workforce Development - Nearly half (47%) of the A&D workforce is expected to be upskilled or reskilled due to increased use of AI-enabled tools [7] Company Positioning - Xometry's marketplace is ITAR-registered and CMMC Level 2-certified, providing access to AS9100D-certified facilities and comprehensive quality assurance [5]

Disney - Disney shares are declining due to a tepid growth outlook and concerns about international visitor numbers to parks [1][4][6] - The company reported record sales of $10 billion in parks for the previous quarter but has concerns about the current quarter's outlook [5][6] - The board is expected to vote on Bob Iger's successor, with Josh D'Amaro, head of parks, being a leading candidate [6][9][14] Oracle - Oracle is planning to raise between $45 billion to $50 billion in a mix of equity and debt to finance AI infrastructure [1][47][48] - The company is expected to experience negative free cash flow in the coming years as it builds massive data centers [48][49] - Investors are concerned about Oracle's ability to maintain its investment grade amid these financing efforts [49][51] SpaceX and XAI - Elon Musk is in advanced talks to combine SpaceX with XAI, potentially creating a significant conglomerate [2][38][39] - SpaceX is valued at approximately $800 billion, while XAI has a valuation of $200 million [38][39] - The merger discussions are happening behind the scenes, with little public information available [42][43] Cryptocurrency Market - Bitcoin has seen a significant decline, dropping nearly 11% in January, marking its longest streak of monthly declines since 2018 [74][75] - The bearish sentiment in the crypto market is affecting exchanges, with trading volumes decreasing [71][72] - Investors are becoming increasingly unhappy with Bitcoin, leading to a wave of liquidations [73][74] AI and Tech Sector - Companies are tapping into various debt markets to finance AI infrastructure, with Oracle's deal being a notable example [55][56] - The cost of data center buildout is expected to exceed $3 trillion, prompting many tech companies to seek financing [55] - There is a growing concern about transparency in off-balance-sheet borrowing, which could lead to market unease [61][62]

Core Insights - The U.S. is undergoing a fundamental shift in supply chain resilience, particularly in response to China's export control measures in 2025, focusing on creating a strategic reserve of rare earth metals for the digital economy [2] - There is a significant concern regarding the bottlenecks in delivering the anticipated benefits of AI and other technologies, which are driving stock valuations higher [3][4] - The sustainability of current valuations in 2026 will depend on the realization of productivity gains from AI investments [5][9] Supply Chain and Economic Factors - The supply chain issues are not limited to rare earths but extend to various sectors, including energy and land, impacting overall market sentiment [3] - The U.S. is also addressing supply chain efforts through trade deals, such as the recent U.S.-Taiwan agreement, which emphasizes workforce development and supply chain improvements [15] AI and Productivity - The expectation is for a discontinuous jump in productivity data due to AI advancements, particularly in industries like healthcare, consulting, and finance, with early signals anticipated by 2026 [8] - Companies are currently facing challenges in demonstrating the ROI from AI investments, which is crucial for maintaining market valuations [10][11] Labor Market Dynamics - The current job cuts observed do not clearly correlate with AI advancements, indicating a complex labor market situation [7] - There is a bottleneck in high-powered tech jobs related to AI and machine learning, which could impact overall economic performance [14] Investment and Market Risks - The narrative around circular investing is seen as a potential positive, but there are risks associated with valuations being artificially inflated without substantial productivity gains [11][13] - Ongoing geopolitical tensions, such as tariffs and international relations, particularly with South Korea and China, pose additional headwinds for the market [13]