MP Materials Corp. stock surged 13.49% in post-market trading, continuing a trend of significant gains for the rare earths producer. The movement follows increased investor focus on companies backed by U.S. government strategic investments in critical minerals.

The price increase is directly linked to the confirmed acquisition of a 15% stake in MP Materials by the U.S. Department of Defense, making Washington the largest shareholder in the company. This investment is part of a broader Trump administration pivot to secure domestic supply chains by taking equity positions in critical sectors, specifically to reduce reliance on China.

MP Materials operates the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility, the only rare earth mining and processing site of scale in North America. The company's strategic value as a linchpin in building a domestic rare earth supply chain has been highlighted by the government's direct investment, which previously sparked a 60% intraday surge last July and has contributed to the stock gaining over 100% since then.