today. It's up 30% for the week. Joining us now in a first on CNBC interview is USA Rare Earth CEO Barbara Humpton.It is her second day in the role. And Barbara, it's great to have you on the show. I've known you as the Seaman's US CEO.Uh so maybe we start right there with why you made the transition to Rare Earths. Well, Morgan, first of all, it's fantastic to be with you and I'm speaking to you from Stillwater, Oklahoma, where we are standing up this permanent magnet factory. And yes, I love my time at Se ...

Company Overview - MP Materials is an American rare-earth materials firm based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has seen an increase of nearly 8% in stock price recently due to plans by the Trump Administration to acquire a 10% equity stake in Lithium Americas [2] - The company operates the Mountain Pass mine, the only operational rare earth mine and processing facility in the United States, focusing on producing Neodymium-Praseodymium (NdPr) essential for high-strength permanent magnets used in various applications [3] Stock Performance - The stock has increased approximately 370% year-to-date, trading at over 45 times forward revenue, which is notably high for a mining company [3][7] - The U.S. Department of Defense became MP's largest stakeholder after a $400 million stock acquisition in July, aimed at enhancing the magnets business and securing the domestic supply chain [5] Market Dynamics - Geopolitical tensions, particularly U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, have significantly impacted the rare earth materials market, with China's rare earth magnet exports dropping 74% year-over-year and shipments to the U.S. falling by 93% [4] - The need for a secure domestic supply chain positions MP as a crucial player in reducing U.S. dependence on China, which currently supplies 90% of the world's most powerful rare-earth magnets [4] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, MP exceeded expectations with NdPr oxide production rising 119% year-over-year, sales volumes tripling to 443 metric tons, and revenue increasing 84% to $57.4 million [6] - The company aims to scale production of permanent magnets to 10,000 metric tons annually by 2028, with sales for this segment reaching $20 million [7] Future Outlook - Management anticipates a further sequential increase in NdPr oxide production of 10% to 20% in Q3 2025, indicating strong growth potential [6] - The company has nearly $2 billion in cash reserves, providing a solid financial foundation for future expansion [7]

Core Insights - MP Materials has seen a significant stock increase of over 350% this year, driven by its role in the production of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), essential for various technologies including electric vehicles and wind turbines [1][2] - The company is the only rare-earth metal mine and processing site in the U.S., positioning itself as a key player in the domestic supply of rare metals [2] Financial and Strategic Developments - MP Materials generates revenue by selling rare-earth concentrates and producing permanent magnets, with recent strategic partnerships enhancing its market position [4] - A notable $400 million investment from the Department of Defense includes a commitment to purchase NdPr oxide at a price floor of $110 per kilogram over the next decade [4] - A partnership with Apple worth $500 million will see MP supply magnets for "hundreds of millions" of devices starting in 2027, indicating strong future demand [5] Valuation and Market Position - Currently, MP Materials trades at nearly 83 times forward earnings, reflecting a high valuation typically associated with technology companies rather than mining [7] - To achieve further stock price growth, the company will need to complete its 10X facility, which is crucial for meeting anticipated demand [7]

Summary of Neo Performance Materials Conference Call Company Overview - **Company Name**: Neo Performance Materials (NOPM.F) - **Industry**: Rare Earth Materials and Permanent Magnets - **Stock Symbols**: OTCQX: NOPMF, TSX: NEO - **History**: Over 30 years in the rare earth processing and permanent magnet space [6][3] Core Industry Insights - **Geopolitical Context**: - China has restricted exports of heavy rare earths in response to US tariffs, impacting global supply chains, particularly for permanent magnets [4][13] - 93% of the world's permanent magnets are produced in China, creating a need for supply chain diversification [13][21] - **Market Demand**: - Significant growth expected in electric vehicles, robotics, and clean technology, with a projected demand of 75,000 metric tons for permanent magnets by 2025, while current capacity outside China is only 20,000 metric tons [19][13] - **Government Support**: - The EU and US governments are enacting policies to localize supply chains, including the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act [18][52] Company Positioning and Strategy - **Vertical Integration**: Neo is involved in the entire value chain from rare earth separation to magnet making, which positions the company uniquely against competitors [22][51] - **New Facility**: A new permanent magnet facility in Europe is set to begin commercial production in 2026, with an initial capacity of 2,000 metric tons, aiming to expand to 20,000 metric tons in the long term [32][33] - **Financial Strength**: The company has $80 million in cash and $93 million in debt, with a strong operating cash flow and a history of paying dividends [26][27] Growth Opportunities - **Market Expansion**: The European facility is expected to cater to automotive and renewable energy sectors, with increasing interest from various industries due to supply chain risks [49][50] - **Heavy Rare Earth Free Technology**: Neo has developed a heavy rare earth free magnetic powder for traction motors, which is a significant growth area given the constraints on heavy rare earths from China [54] Financial Performance - **EBITDA Guidance**: The company raised its full-year EBITDA guidance from $55-60 million to $64-68 million, indicating strong performance in the first half of the year [46] - **Capital Projects**: Two major capital projects are nearing completion, with a focus on reducing earnings volatility and enhancing return on capital [45][56] Additional Insights - **Customer Relationships**: Neo has established strong relationships with key customers in automotive and robotics, which will support future growth [25][39] - **Emerging Applications**: The company is exploring new applications for rare earths, including wastewater treatment solutions, which have shown strong customer retention and growth potential [40][41] Conclusion - Neo Performance Materials is well-positioned to capitalize on macro and geopolitical trends affecting the rare earth materials industry, with a strong financial base and strategic growth initiatives in place [57][58]

Core Viewpoint - Leading Edge Materials Corp. has announced a change in its Certified Adviser to Svensk Kapitalmarkadsgranskning (SKMG) for the Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Stockholm, effective June 16, 2025 [1][2]. Company Overview - Leading Edge Materials is a Canadian public company focused on developing critical raw material projects in the European Union, which are essential for high-growth technologies such as lithium-ion batteries and permanent magnets [3]. - The company's portfolio includes the 100% owned Woxna Graphite mine in Sweden, the 100% owned Norra Kärr Heavy Rare Earth Elements project in Sweden, and a 51% owned Nickel Cobalt exploration alliance in Romania [3]. Transition Details - SKMG will take over the role of Certified Adviser from Mangold Fondkommission AB, which has been serving in this capacity since June 2018 [2]. - The company expressed gratitude to Mangold for their support during this period [2]. Additional Information - The announcement was made public on June 9, 2025, at 14:30 AM Vancouver time [4]. - Leading Edge Materials is listed on multiple exchanges, including TSXV under the symbol "LEM", OTCQB under "LEMIF", and Nasdaq First North Stockholm under "LEMSE" [4].