The Trump administration is looking to take some equity ownership of another large publicly traded company. The decision comes after the administration began re-evaluating a $2.3 billion loan approved by President Biden for the development of a Nevada lithium deposit. As Bloomberg reports, the record-high loan to Lithium Americas Corp., finalized in 2024, would have provided most of the capital for the construction of a processing plant adjacent to the company’s Thacker Pass mine, on one of country’s lar ...

Key Points Reuters reports the U.S. government may take a 10% stake in Lithium Americas. That stock nearly doubled when the news broke, and investors are hoping for something similar from Standard Lithium stock. 10 stocks we like better than Standard Lithium › Lithium Americas (NYSE: LAC) stock exploded Wednesday morning after Reuters reported that the start-up miner of lithium for electric car batteries may be in line for a big investment from the U.S. government. No sooner had this happened than ...

Core Viewpoint - Shares of Lithium Americas surged over 97% following the Trump administration's interest in acquiring an equity stake while negotiating a multibillion-dollar loan for the Thacker Pass mine, which is the largest lithium source in the U.S. [1][2] Group 1: Stock Performance and Market Capitalization - Lithium Americas' stock increased approximately 97% to around $6, nearly doubling its market capitalization from $674 million to about $1.32 billion [1]. Group 2: Loan Negotiations and Stake Acquisition - The Trump administration has requested up to a 10% equity stake in Lithium Americas as part of renegotiating a $2.2 billion loan for the Thacker Pass mine [2]. - The company, along with General Motors, is seeking to renegotiate terms established under the Biden administration, with the Energy Department agreeing to minor modifications to protect taxpayers [3]. Group 3: Production Capacity and Economic Impact - The Thacker Pass facility is expected to produce 40,000 metric tons of battery-quality lithium annually, sufficient to power approximately 800,000 electric vehicles [4]. - The project is anticipated to create over 2,000 jobs and significantly reduce gasoline consumption by an estimated 317 million gallons per year [5]. Group 4: Government Interest in Critical Minerals - The Trump administration's strategy includes seeking equity in companies involved in mining critical minerals to reduce import dependence, as evidenced by previous government interventions in companies like MP Materials and Intel [6].

Core Insights - The Biden administration approved a $2.26 billion loan for the development of the Thacker Pass lithium project, which is expected to be the largest lithium supplier in the Western Hemisphere by 2028 [4] - Shares of Lithium Americas (LAC) surged over 90% following reports that the Trump administration may acquire up to a 10% stake in the company [1][6] - General Motors (GM), in partnership with Lithium Americas, is involved in the Thacker Pass project to enhance domestic lithium production, crucial for rechargeable batteries [2][6] Company Developments - Lithium Americas is in discussions with the Department of Energy and General Motors regarding the first draw on the DOE loan [5] - The company’s stock was up approximately 3% year-to-date before the recent surge [5] - Concerns were raised by Trump officials about the company's ability to repay the loan due to low lithium prices, leading to renegotiations of the agreement [4] Industry Context - The Thacker Pass project is seen as vital for increasing U.S. lithium production, reducing reliance on China as a major supplier [2] - The move to potentially acquire a stake in Lithium Americas aligns with previous investments by the administration in companies deemed critical to U.S. national security, such as Intel and MP Materials [5]

Core Viewpoint - Lithium Americas' stock experienced a significant increase of over 90% following news of the Trump administration seeking a 10% equity stake in the company, along with renegotiated terms for a $2.3 billion Department of Energy loan [1][5]. Group 1: Stock Performance - The stock price of Lithium Americas rose from $3.07 to $5.85, reflecting a dramatic turnaround in market sentiment [4]. - As of September 23, 2025, there were 27.58 million shares shorted, with a short interest of 13.29% of the float, indicating potential for a short squeeze [2][4]. Group 2: Government Involvement - The Trump administration's involvement is seen as a strategic move to gain control over critical raw material supply chains, similar to previous actions with companies like Intel and MP Materials [5]. - A White House official emphasized that while the administration supports the project, it is not providing "free money," indicating a focus on fair taxpayer treatment [5]. Group 3: Strategic Partnerships - The project is crucial for General Motors, which holds a 38% stake in Lithium Americas, and GM's shares rose nearly 2.5% following the news [6]. - The administration's involvement could accelerate Lithium Americas' strategic positioning and provide necessary capital for operations at the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine, the largest known lithium deposit in North America [5].

Core Insights - Lithium Americas (LAC) stock surged by 95% following reports that the Trump administration is interested in acquiring a stake in the company, which operates the largest lithium mine in the U.S. [1] - The administration is seeking up to a 10% stake in Lithium Americas as part of renegotiations for a $2.26 billion loan for the Thacker Pass lithium mine [1][2] - General Motors (GM), which holds a 38% stake in the project, saw its shares increase by over 2% [2] Company Developments - Lithium Americas has proposed offering the administration no-cost warrants on up to 10% of its common shares [2] - The administration is also looking for purchase guarantees from GM, which has invested $625 million in the project [2] - The Thacker Pass project is expected to produce over 40,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate annually, enough to manufacture 800,000 electric vehicles, with production set to begin in 2028 [3] Industry Context - Currently, Albemarle's Silver Peak project is the only operational lithium mine in the U.S., producing less than 5,000 metric tons per year [4] - The U.S. aims to enhance domestic supply chains for lithium and other critical metals, as China is the world's third-largest lithium producer, generating over 40,000 metric tons annually [4][5] - China refines over 65% of the world's lithium, while the U.S. accounts for less than 3% of global refining capacity [5] Government Strategy - The Trump administration's interest in Lithium Americas reflects a broader strategy to secure stakes in domestic mining companies, similar to previous actions with MP Materials and Intel [5][6] - MP Materials shares have risen over 50% since a multibillion-dollar deal with the Department of Defense, making the government the largest shareholder [6] - Intel's shares have increased by more than 25% following discussions with the administration [6]

Market Overview - US stock futures are rebounding after a sell-off, with major averages still near record highs, particularly the S&P 500, which has not dropped by at least 2% in 107 sessions, the longest stretch since July 2024 [1][2] - Tech stocks, which experienced significant selling, are seeing a rebound driven by renewed optimism in AI, particularly following positive earnings from Micron [2][6] Company Highlights - Micron reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $11.3 billion, exceeding expectations, and adjusted earnings of $3.3, also above forecasts. The CEO indicated that trillions of dollars will be invested in AI, with a significant portion allocated to memory products [15][16] - Alibaba's stock surged to a four-year high after announcing plans to increase AI spending beyond an initial target of $50 billion and a partnership with Nvidia to develop AI infrastructure. The stock rose over 9% following the announcement [3][9][10] Industry Trends - The AI sector is experiencing fluctuating sentiment, with investors oscillating between excitement and skepticism. Recent developments from companies like Alibaba and Micron are contributing to renewed optimism [8][29] - Asian stocks are trading near four-year highs, with the Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite indices showing significant gains, indicating a strong performance in the region [12][13] Federal Reserve Insights - Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that equities are highly valued, contributing to a slight market pullback. However, there is optimism regarding potential interest rate cuts later this year [7][20] - Fed Governor Michelle Bowman expressed concerns about the labor market's fragility and suggested that the Fed may need to adjust policy more aggressively if conditions worsen [22][23]

Group 1 - Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC) shares surged over 70% following reports that the Trump Administration may acquire up to a 10% stake in the company as part of a renegotiation of a $2.3 billion loan for a lithium mining project in Nevada [2][4] - The Thacker Pass project, if completed on schedule by 2028, is set to become the largest lithium facility in the Western Hemisphere, which would help reduce the US reliance on China for lithium, a critical component for electronics and electric vehicles [4] - The federal government has been increasing its involvement with Corporate America, taking stakes in various companies, including Intel Corp. (INTC) and MP Materials Corp. (MP) [4] Group 2 - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA) announced plans to significantly increase its AI spending beyond the previously stated $50 billion, resulting in an over 8% rise in its US-traded shares [5] - The company operates cloud computing facilities in multiple countries and is expanding its data center presence to Brazil, France, and the Netherlands [5] Group 3 - A new wave of cryptocurrency ETFs is expected to enter the US markets due to updated SEC guidelines, which will expedite the launch process and likely lead to a variety of new products targeting lesser-known cryptocurrencies [6]

Group 1: U.S. Government's Strategic Moves - The U.S. government is negotiating for a potential 10% equity stake in Lithium Americas Corporation (LAC) as part of efforts to reduce reliance on China for lithium supply [2][10] - This move aligns with the government's broader strategy to secure control over critical minerals essential for electric vehicle (EV) production and national security technologies [6][16] - The Thacker Pass lithium project is seen as a cornerstone for building a domestic supply chain for EV batteries, with an expected annual production of 40,000 metric tons of battery-quality lithium carbonate [4][10] Group 2: Market Reactions and Implications - Following the news of the potential government stake, shares of Lithium Americas surged approximately 80% in after-hours trading [2] - The government's involvement in companies like LAC is expected to strengthen investor confidence and align corporate strategies with national security priorities [6][13] - The pattern of government equity stakes in critical industries, such as semiconductors and rare earths, suggests a consistent strategy to bolster U.S. production and reduce foreign influence [16][17] Group 3: Comparisons with Other Industries - The recent acquisition of a 10% stake in Intel Corporation by the government highlights a precedent for similar investments in strategic sectors [7][8] - MP Materials, the only vertically integrated rare earth producer in the U.S., has also benefited from government backing, which has turned it into a national champion [12][13] - The strategy extends to smaller players like United States Antimony Corporation, indicating a willingness to support niche minerals critical for defense and technology [14][15]

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures are showing modest gains as investors react to mixed corporate earnings and economic signals, with a focus on Federal Reserve commentary [1] - S&P 500 futures are up approximately 0.1% to 0.3%, while Nasdaq 100 futures have climbed between 0.2% and 0.4%, indicating a potential recovery after a previous session's profit-taking [2] Federal Reserve Commentary - Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks about stock prices being "fairly highly valued" contributed to a cautious market sentiment, leading to a dip in major indexes [3] Upcoming Economic Data - Key economic data releases include the final reading on second-quarter GDP growth and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, which are critical for future interest rate policy [4] Earnings Reports - Companies reporting earnings include Cintas Corporation, Thor Industries Inc., and KB Home, with Baker Hughes scheduled to release third-quarter results on October 23 [5] Corporate Developments - Micron Technology's shares rose after better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and a strong revenue forecast, driven by demand from AI developers [6] - Alibaba's U.S.-listed shares surged nearly 10% following plans to increase investment in AI infrastructure and a partnership with Nvidia [7] - Lithium Americas shares skyrocketed 60% due to news of potential investment from the Trump administration, with General Motors shares also advancing approximately 3% [8] Notable Movers - SHF Holdings shares increased by 150% after securing a stock purchase deal, while Cyclerion Therapeutics rose 39% following a licensing agreement with MIT [9] - Aytu BioPharma fell 14% postmarket after reporting disappointing revenue and losses, while Cohu declined 10% after-hours due to plans to offer convertible senior notes [9] Commodities Market - Gold prices are near recent record highs, while oil prices have edged higher due to falling U.S. crude inventories and geopolitical concerns [10]