USA Rare Earth, Inc. USAR continues to make steady progress at the Stillwater magnet manufacturing facility in Oklahoma as it ramps up commercial production. The facility is designed to manufacture Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) magnets, which are critical components for defense, aerospace, automotive, industrial and other high-growth end markets. During the second quarter of 2026, the Stillwater facility began commercial production of NdFeB magnets, although the company has not yet started generating revenues from magnet sales as production continues to ramp up.
Throughout the second quarter of 2026, USAR continued to expand the Stillwater facility by advancing building improvements, installing additional manufacturing equipment and increasing inventories to support production ramp-up. The company also continued investing in construction-in-progress assets and equipment deposits as it prepares the facility for higher production volumes.
To support its progress, USA Rare Earth maintained a strong balance sheet, ending the second quarter of 2026 with approximately $1.53 billion in cash and cash equivalents. The company continues to deploy capital toward the Stillwater facility, equipment purchases and the development of its rare earth manufacturing platform, including the planned Blacksburg refined metals facility in South Carolina.
In November 2025, USAR strengthened its vertical integration through the acquisition of Less Common Metals, a rare earth metals and alloys manufacturer in the United Kingdom. The acquisition continues to support the company’s mine-to-magnet strategy by expanding its capabilities in rare earth metals, alloys and strip-cast production for the Stillwater facility.
Snapshot of USA Rare Earth’s Peers
Among its major peers, Trilogy Metals Inc. TMQ continues to make steady progress at the Ambler mining district. Although Trilogy is not yet in production, it is advancing the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects through Ambler Metals LLC, its joint venture with South32 Limited. In August 2026, Trilogy executed definitive agreements for a roughly $35.6 million strategic equity investment by the U.S. Department of War to support exploration and development of the projects. The Arctic Project is also progressing through federal and state permitting, with a targeted Record of Decision in September 2028.
USAR’s other peer, NioCorp Developments Ltd. NB, is working to move its Elk Creek Project in Nebraska closer to production. In August 2026, NioCorp completed an updated feasibility study that envisions a 40-year mine producing eight critical-mineral products, including niobium, scandium, titanium and several rare earth products. NioCorp's study estimates a pre-tax net present value of $4.1 billion, while ongoing mine-portal construction is establishing the future access point to the underground operation.
USAR’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Shares of USAR have gained 48% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s growth of 29.5%.
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From a valuation standpoint, USAR is trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 8.67X compared with the industry’s average of 1.43X. USA Rare Earth carries a Value Score of F.
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for USAR’s 2026 earnings has declined over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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USA Rare Earth Inc. (USAR): Free Stock Analysis Report
Trilogy Metals Inc. (TMQ): Free Stock Analysis Report
NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NB): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).