U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
The United States government is preparing to invest $1.6 billion in Oklahoma-based miner USA Rare Earth, securing a 10% ownership stake as part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic production of critical minerals and reduce reliance on China, according to a report by the Financial Times citing people familiar with the matter. The government funding, alongside a separate $1 billion private financing round, is expected to be officially announced on Monday.
Under the proposed agreement, the U.S. government would receive 16.1 million shares in USA Rare Earth, along with warrants for an additional 17.6 million shares, both priced at $17.17 per share. This move follows a series of similar actions by Washington, which last year took equity stakes in MP Materials, Lithium Americas, and Trilogy Metals as part of its effort to secure supply chains for minerals vital to national defense, semiconductors, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing.
Officials have emphasized that the USA Rare Earth deal is focused on onshoring critical and strategic minerals essential to U.S. national security and the semiconductor supply chain. The investment reportedly involves the U.S. Commerce Department’s CHIPS office, which oversees incentives aimed at expanding domestic manufacturing capacity and reducing geopolitical risk tied to overseas supply dependencies.
USA Rare Earth is currently developing a rare earths mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas, and a neodymium magnet manufacturing facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The magnet plant is expected to begin commercial operations in the first half of 2026, positioning the company as one of the largest U.S.-based producers of neo magnets, a key component used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems. The company’s market capitalization currently stands at approximately $3.45 billion.
To support further expansion, USA Rare Earth has engaged Cantor Fitzgerald to lead efforts to raise more than $1 billion in additional equity financing. Neither the White House nor USA Rare Earth has commented publicly on the report, and Reuters noted it was unable to independently verify the details. However, the deal underscores Washington’s growing commitment to rebuilding domestic mineral supply chains and countering China’s dominance in rare earths production.
