SYDNEY, Feb 1, 2026, 17:15 AEDT — The market has closed.
- Lynas closed the week down, weighed down by a steep, policy-fueled sell-off in rare earth miners.
- Canberra indicated it plans to move forward with its critical minerals strategy, regardless of any changes in Washington’s approach.
- Traders enter Monday looking for clearer signals on price support, tariffs, and stockpiling.
Lynas Rare Earths Limited shares closed Friday down 4.5% at A$14.90, after fluctuating between A$14.54 and A$15.945 during the session. Trading volume hit around 11.6 million shares. The stock has dropped about 8% over the past two days. With markets closed over the weekend, all eyes turn to Monday’s open. (Investing)
The drop came after reports surfaced that U.S. officials told mining executives that individual “price floors”—guaranteed minimum prices—are no longer on the table for future critical minerals deals. This comes as a Senate committee reviews last year’s price floor granted to MP Materials. The Department of Energy pushed back, calling the report false. MP Materials also stated its contract and government commitments remain intact. Analyst Reg Spencer at Canaccord Genuity described the sell-off as “overdone,” suggesting Washington might still support an ex-China supply chain through other avenues. (Reuters)
Australia’s Resources Minister Madeleine King brushed off the U.S. price floor move, saying it “won’t stop Australia” from pushing ahead with its critical minerals strategy. That plan includes a strategic reserve valued at A$1.2 billion ($840 million). Speaking to Sky News Australia, King suggested a floor price might be set through offtake agreements—long-term contracts securing supply. This reserve, focused on minerals like rare earth elements, is slated to come online in the latter half of 2026. (Reuters)
Investors are keeping an eye on alternative measures. One option is Section 232 tariffs, a U.S. trade law allowing duties based on national-security concerns, which could push prices up across a whole market instead of targeting individual deals.
For Lynas, the focus remains squarely on policy headlines and rare-earth prices, not drill results. Any official word from Washington or clarity on Canberra’s stance on reserves and pricing could steer sentiment once the ASX opens again.
Company filings have stayed routine. The latest ASX notice for Lynas showed a change in substantial holding on Jan. 23. (Market Index)
Lynas last updated investors on Jan. 21, reporting a 43% jump in December-quarter revenue. That rise came despite a production hiccup caused by power outages at its Kalgoorlie plant in Western Australia. CEO Amanda Lacaze attributed the boost to policy on floor prices, which she said pushed rare-earth prices up to “sustainable levels.” She also confirmed ongoing discussions with governments. (Reuters)
The downside risk remains: if rare-earth prices drop and China maintains heavy supply, projects could stall and existing producers might face tighter margins. For Lynas, any fresh operational issues would heighten that vulnerability.
Rare earths, crucial for magnets in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defence systems, operate within niche markets. Yet their prices can swing sharply.
The ASX kicks off trading again Monday, Feb. 2. Early moves will reveal if Friday’s drop sparks bargain hunting or more selling pressure. The next key trigger will be any new sign of U.S. support—whether that’s tariffs, stockpiling, or something more like a price guarantee.
