Core Viewpoint - TMC the metals company Inc. has submitted a consolidated application to NOAA for an exploration license and commercial recovery permit for polymetallic nodules in the Clarion Clipperton Zone, marking a significant step in the company's efforts to expand its critical minerals project [1][2][3] Group 1: Application Details - The application covers an area of approximately 65,000 km² for exploration and commercial recovery, an increase from the previous 25,000 km² area applied for in April 2025 [2][6] - The estimated resource includes over 800 million tonnes of nodules containing high-grade nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese, with a metal grade of approximately 3.2% nickel equivalent and 7% copper equivalent [3][6] Group 2: Scientific and Environmental Basis - The application is supported by extensive prior work, including multi-year environmental baseline studies and resource assessments, as well as data from 27 offshore resource and environmental research cruises [3][4][6] - Newly published peer-reviewed research indicates that biodiversity and sediment plume impacts are confined to the mined area, providing a scientifically grounded basis for scaling commercial operations [4][6] Group 3: Development Approach - The application outlines a phased development approach, starting with recovery activities in areas where nodules and habitats have been characterized, and where test mining has been completed [5][6] - Previous activities include the successful collection of 3,000 tonnes of polymetallic nodules and comprehensive environmental monitoring [5][6] Group 4: Regulatory Context - NOAA has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of deep seabed mining impacts since the 1970s, and the new consolidated application process is expected to reduce permitting timelines for companies with completed exploration programs [6][7] - The application aligns with Executive Order 14285, which aims to enhance the recovery of critical offshore minerals [6]

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures rose on Thursday following a more than 1% gain in major indices on Wednesday after President Trump withdrew tariff threats against the EU [1] - The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.24%, while the two-year bond was at 3.59%, with a 95% likelihood of unchanged interest rates projected for January [2] Index Performance - Dow Jones increased by 1.21% to 49,077.23 - S&P 500 rose by 1.16% to 6,875.62 - Nasdaq Composite gained 1.18% to 23,224.82 - Russell 2000 saw a 2.00% increase to 2,698.17 [10] Stocks in Focus - Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) was up 1.60% in premarket trading, projected to post quarterly earnings of 8 cents per share on revenue of $13.38 billion [7] - Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) rose 1.06% after announcing a multiyear partnership with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team to integrate cloud and AI technologies [7] - Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA) jumped 5.64% following positive updates on a cancer therapy study in collaboration with Merck & Co. Inc. [7] - The Metals Company Inc. (NASDAQ: TMC) gained 5.51% after a new rule by NOAA modernized regulations for deep-seabed mining permits [16] - Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) increased by 2.73% as CEO highlighted a memory chip shortage due to rising AI demand [16] Analyst Insights - BlackRock maintains a "pro-risk" investment stance for early 2026, driven by AI's transformative power and a supportive macroeconomic backdrop [11] - They expect the Federal Reserve to continue cutting interest rates, supported by a softening labor market and declining inflation [11] - BlackRock prefers equities over government bonds, keeping an underweight position on long-term U.S. Treasuries due to fiscal sustainability concerns [13]

Group 1: Core Insights - TMC the metals company Inc. experienced a 9.18% increase in after-hours trading, reaching $8.92, following the NOAA's updated regulations for deep seabed mineral exploration and recovery [1] - The new rule allows qualified applicants to submit exploration and commercial recovery information in a consolidated application, modernizing the U.S. regulatory framework for deep seabed nodule collection [2][3] Group 2: Company Metrics and Performance - TMC has a market capitalization of $3.38 billion and a 52-week stock price range of $1.42 to $11.35, with a notable 404.32% increase in stock price over the past 12 months [4] - The stock is currently positioned at 68% of its 52-week range, indicating a strong bullish phase and appealing to traders seeking upward momentum [5] - TMC's Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 60.34, and it has a strong momentum ranking in the 98th percentile, suggesting a positive price trend across all time frames [4][5]

Market Overview - The stock market experienced a significant rally due to positive developments in international trade, particularly the suspension of planned tariffs on EU countries by President Trump [1] - Major U.S. stock indexes saw notable gains, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 1.2% to 49,077.23, the S&P 500 rising by 1.16% to 6,875.62, and the Nasdaq adding 1.18% to 23,224.82 [1] Company Highlights - **Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)**: - Intel's stock rose by 11.72% to close at $54.25, nearing its 52-week high of $54.41, with an after-hours gain of 1.2% to $54.92 [2] - Anticipation builds for Intel's fourth-quarter earnings report, expected to show earnings per share of 8 cents and revenue of $13.38 billion, following a previous quarter where revenue was $13.65 billion and earnings per share were 23 cents [3] - **Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA)**: - Moderna shares surged by 15.84% to $49.81, reaching a 52-week high of $50, with an after-hours increase of 4.4% to $52 [4] - Investor enthusiasm is driven by a recent update on a cancer therapy study in collaboration with Merck & Co, which showed significant improvements in recurrence-free survival for melanoma patients [5] - **The Metals Company Inc (NASDAQ:TMC)**: - TMC's stock climbed by 13.31% to $8.17, with an after-hours increase of 9.4% to $8.94 [6] - The company welcomed a new rule from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that modernizes regulations for deep seabed mining permits, aligning with TMC's strategy for transitioning to commercial production [7] - **Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)**: - Microsoft's stock fell by 2.29% to $444.11, remaining below its 52-week high of $555.45 [8] - CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the need for artificial intelligence to deliver tangible benefits to maintain public trust, particularly in sectors like healthcare and education [8] - **Lucid Group Inc (NASDAQ:LCID)**: - Lucid's stock jumped by 17.88% to $11.47, with an expansion of its manufacturing partnership in Saudi Arabia enhancing its growth outlook [9] - The collaboration with Rockwell Automation aims to implement advanced manufacturing systems at Lucid's plant, providing real-time visibility and control over production lines [10]

Core Viewpoint - The Metals Company (TMC) welcomes the new NOAA rule that modernizes regulations for deep seabed mineral exploration and recovery, which is expected to enhance operational efficiency and support the company's long-term strategy [1][3][5]. Regulatory Updates - NOAA's final rule titled "Deep Seabed Mining: Revisions to Regulations for Exploration License and Commercial Recovery Permit Applications" became effective on January 21, 2026, updating the federal permitting framework for U.S. companies [2][5]. - The new rule allows for a consolidated application process, enabling qualified applicants to submit exploration and commercial recovery information together, thus streamlining the regulatory process [2][5]. Industry Impact - The updated regulations reflect significant advancements in environmental science, seafloor mapping, and offshore mineral-collection technologies, which have improved the industry's readiness for commercial recovery [3][5]. - NOAA has emphasized the importance of the new rule in light of decades of technological improvements and the substantial data gathered from deep seabed exploration activities [3][4]. Company Strategy - TMC plans to submit a consolidated application under the new regulations, anticipating that the streamlined review process will reduce the time required to secure a commercial recovery permit [3][5]. - The updated regulatory framework aligns with TMC's strategy to transition from exploration to commercial production, supporting the company's dual mission of supplying critical metals with lower environmental impact [6].

Core Insights - Rising geopolitical trade tensions have highlighted the importance of critical minerals and rare-earth elements for national security and energy independence [2] - TMC The Metals Company aims to meet the growing demand for domestically sourced critical minerals through deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules [3][5] - The stock of TMC has experienced significant volatility, surging as much as 1,576% from its low last year due to increased investor interest in rare-earth companies [3] Industry Overview - Deep-sea mining is positioned as a potential new frontier for sourcing critical minerals, with TMC targeting the Clarion-Clipperton Zone for polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese [5][6] - The seabed mining industry could play a crucial role in building domestic reserves of critical minerals, as highlighted by TMC's CEO during a testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources [6] Regulatory Environment - TMC faces significant regulatory hurdles before commencing deep-sea mining operations, including the need to obtain necessary permits [7][9] - An executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump emphasizes the administration's commitment to developing a domestic supply of critical minerals and aims to expedite the permitting process under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act [8]

Company Overview - TMC The Metals Company (NASDAQ: TMC) is a deep-sea mining specialist aiming to become a major mineral-sourcing player, having gone public through a SPAC merger in 2021 [1] - The company's share price has decreased by 15.5% since its market debut, despite a significant rally of 627% over the last year [2][4] - TMC is currently in a pre-revenue state, focusing on tests and obtaining regulatory approvals necessary for commercial operations [2] Industry Context - The U.S. heavily relies on China for mineral sourcing, particularly for rare-earth minerals, creating economic and national security concerns amid deteriorating U.S.-China relations [3] - TMC's strategy primarily involves collecting nodules containing base minerals, but there is growing investor interest in its potential to enter the rare-earth minerals market [4] Competitive Landscape - Kraken Robotics (OTC: KRKN.F) is highlighted as a company with exposure to the deep-sea mining space, providing technologies that could help reduce reliance on Chinese mineral sourcing [5] - Kraken specializes in deep-sea battery systems and synthetic aperture sonar (SAS), enabling uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) to operate at significant depths and for extended periods [6] - The demand outlook for Kraken's technologies in deep-sea mining appears promising, contrasting with TMC's current pre-revenue status [7]

Company Overview - TMC The Metals Company is primarily a mining business focused on developing an undersea mining operation to extract critical metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese, which are essential for high-tech batteries and renewable energy infrastructure [2][4][6] - The company aims to be the first public entity to operate an undersea mine, which significantly increases the capital investment required compared to traditional mining operations [3][4] Technological and Regulatory Challenges - TMC has made advancements in mining technology but has yet to construct the proposed mine, with expectations that it may take years before operations commence [4] - The company is currently awaiting approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to proceed, facing major regulatory hurdles in the undersea mining sector [5]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgent need for energy to support its growth [1][2][3] - A specific company is highlighted as a key player in the AI energy sector, owning critical energy infrastructure assets that are essential for meeting the increasing energy demands of AI technologies [3][7] Investment Opportunity - Wall Street is investing heavily in AI, with hundreds of billions directed towards developing smarter technologies, but there is a looming question regarding the energy supply needed to sustain this growth [2] - The company in focus is positioned to benefit from the surge in demand for electricity driven by AI data centers, making it a potentially lucrative investment opportunity [3][8] Company Profile - The company is described as a "toll booth" operator in the AI energy boom, collecting fees from energy exports and poised to capitalize on the onshoring trend driven by tariffs [5][6] - It owns significant nuclear energy infrastructure, which places it at the center of America's future power strategy, and is capable of executing large-scale engineering projects across various energy sectors [7][8] Financial Position - The company is noted for being debt-free and holding a substantial cash reserve, which is approximately one-third of its market capitalization, providing it with a strong financial foundation [8][10] - It also has a significant equity stake in another AI-related company, offering investors indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities without the associated premium costs [9][10] Market Trends - The article discusses the broader trends of AI, energy, tariffs, and onshoring, indicating that this company is well-positioned to leverage these interconnected developments [6][14] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive continuous innovation, further solidifying the importance of energy infrastructure in supporting this growth [12]

Core Insights - The Metals Company (TMC) has shown significant stock performance, surging 450% in 2025 and up 17% in early 2026, indicating strong market interest and potential growth [1][2] - TMC's stock price was around $1 per share last year, but a pivotal announcement in April 2025 regarding a commercial recovery permit under U.S. law has drastically changed its trajectory [2][3] - The company currently has a market cap of approximately $2.9 billion, with a project value of its exploration area estimated at $23.6 billion, suggesting a substantial upside potential if the project materializes [3][5] Company Overview - TMC is focused on mining polymetallic nodules, which are critical minerals needed in various industries, including defense and technology [1][7] - The company is navigating regulatory challenges, as it seeks to operate independently of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), which has not finalized a framework for deep-sea mining [3][4] - Current market valuation suggests that TMC's stock is trading at a fraction of its estimated project value, indicating a modest probability assigned by the market for the nodules to enter commercial production [5][6] Market Potential - If TMC can successfully demonstrate the viability of deep-sea mining, it could potentially expand operations to other regions and secure long-term supply contracts with industrial clients [7] - The current stock price of $7 implies a potential upside of about 700% if the market valuation aligns with the project value [6][8] - The path to achieving commercial production is uncertain and may involve political friction, but the long-term prospects remain promising for patient investors [4][8]