Rare earths are back in focus because supply chain control, not just demand, is now driving the investment story. China accounts for nearly 70% of the world’s rare earth mining and roughly 90% of global rare earth processing, keeping a tight grip on materials used in everything from EVs to consumer electronics, so even a “delay” can move markets. However, China’s promise to delay its newest rare earth export restrictions for a year has created a narrow window for the U.S. and allies to build alternatives faster.
That temporary opening is why investors are hunting for non‑Chinese exposure heading into 2026. Neo Performance Materials (NOPMF) has become one of the clearest public-market proxies, with a year-to-date (YTD) gain of 108%. After a run like that, should investors keep buying for the new year, or is the easy upside already gone? Let's find out.
