New York, Jan 23, 2026, 13:17 EST — Regular session
- Critical Metals shares dipped roughly 0.5% on Friday, pulling back after soaring 20.9% the previous day.
- A recent SEC filing revealed a non-binding MoU with Saudi Arabia alongside four non-binding offtake term sheets from Tanbreez.
- Investors are focused on binding contracts and more precise timelines for processing and project execution.
Shares of Critical Metals Corp slipped roughly 0.5% to $18.37 on Friday, pulling back after a strong jump the previous session. Early trades saw the stock fluctuate between $16.90 and $19.32, with volume remaining robust.
The pullback follows a disclosure that thrusts Saudi Arabia and Greenland back into the spotlight, leaving many questions unanswered. For a small rare-earth developer whose stock can jump sharply on news, this is a critical moment.
Critical Metals announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding — a non-binding deal — with Saudi Arabia’s Tariq Abdel Hadi Abdullah Al‑Qahtani & Brothers Co. The aim: explore joint ventures to build and operate a rare-earth processing and refining plant in the kingdom. Additionally, the company revealed it inked four non-binding term sheets for “offtake” agreements, covering future rare-earth concentrate from its Tanbreez project in Greenland. Still, Critical Metals cautioned there’s no certainty any of these deals will turn binding or favorable. SEC
The stock jumped 20.89% on Thursday, finishing at $18.46 after hitting a high of $20.00 and a low of $15.25. About 48 million shares traded hands, according to Yahoo Finance.
Geopolitical tensions around Greenland, where Tanbreez operates, have fueled recent interest. CEO Tony Sage told Fortune, “We don’t want to be used as a political football,” highlighting the company’s efforts to maintain relationships with Washington, Europe, and local stakeholders without getting dragged into political conflicts. Fortune
Global stocks climbed and the dollar eased on Thursday, reacting to a fresh Greenland-related development: U.S. President Donald Trump stepped back from threats concerning Greenland and the European tariffs scheduled for Feb. 1, Reuters reported.
Rare-earth stocks saw selective gains amid recent headlines. USA Rare Earth shares climbed Thursday, drawing fresh investor interest despite varying company-specific catalysts.
Investors in Critical Metals remain focused on one pressing issue: will management convert non-binding agreements into signed contracts with clear terms and a viable processing plan? The filing stops short of detailing concrete economics, timelines, or financing for a Saudi facility.
There’s also the risk side. Non-binding MoUs and term sheets can fall apart, while projects in Greenland might face permitting hurdles, political resistance, or delays from logistics and cost issues — all before a single ton ships. Rare-earth markets can flip quickly if China changes pricing or export rules, pulling the rug out from under marginal projects.
Next up for traders: execution and paperwork. The company has said the pilot-plant facilities at Tanbreez should be ready by May 2026 at the latest—a key milestone investors are watching to gauge progress. Any definitive joint-venture deal or binding offtake contract will likely surface first in an SEC filing.
Related articles: NASDAQ:CRML
