Morgan Stanley upgrades MP Materials stock rating citing supply chain focus

Published 05/06/2025, 17:52
Morgan Stanley upgrades MP Materials stock rating citing supply chain focus

On Thursday, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) analysts upgraded the stock rating of MP Materials (NYSE: MP) from Equalweight to Overweight. The analysts raised the price target to $34 from $23, representing potential upside from the current price of $25.68. The stock has already shown strong momentum, gaining over 24% in the past week. According to InvestingPro data, analyst targets for MP Materials range from $18 to $32. This decision comes as geopolitical and trade tensions highlight the importance of critical mineral supply chains.

MP Materials is recognized as the most vertically integrated rare earths company outside of China. The analysts emphasized the company’s strategic positioning in the rare earths sector amid growing global supply chain concerns.

The upgrade reflects Morgan Stanley’s positive outlook on MP Materials’ ability to capitalize on these market dynamics. The analysts believe that the company’s vertical integration provides a competitive advantage in the industry.

This rating change is part of a broader trend where analysts and investors are increasingly focusing on companies with robust supply chain strategies in the face of international trade uncertainties.

In other recent news, MP Materials reported its Q1 2025 earnings, which revealed a slight miss on both earnings per share (EPS) and revenue forecasts. The company posted an EPS of -0.12 against a forecast of -0.11, with revenue reaching $60.81 million, below the expected $64.44 million. Despite this, MP Materials achieved record production levels of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide, with sales surging by 246%. Additionally, the company has begun shipping commercial-grade NdPr, marking a significant milestone as Stage III operations now contribute positively to its EBITDA. In a strategic move, MP Materials decided to halt shipments of Stage I concentrate to China, as part of its efforts to strengthen its supply chain and production capabilities. Analyst firm DA Davidson reaffirmed a Buy rating for MP Materials, maintaining a price target of $32.00, reflecting confidence in the company’s strategic initiatives. The firm noted MP Materials’ strong balance sheet and its advantageous position in light of current U.S. policies. These developments underscore MP Materials’ strategic importance in the rare earth market amid geopolitical shifts.

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