---
title: "U.S. Stock Market Midday Update: Dual Impact of Middle East Conflict and Rating Pressure, USA Rare Earth Stock Price Plummets 12.71%"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/286805174.md"
description: "USA Rare Earth fell 12.71%; MP Materials fell 8.54%, with a transaction volume of USD 366 million; Rio Tinto fell 0.21%, with a transaction volume of USD 125 million; BHP fell 0.15%, with a transaction volume of USD 118 million; Teck Resources fell 1.68%, with a market value of USD 29.4 billion"
datetime: "2026-05-18T17:57:48.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/286805174.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286805174.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/286805174.md)
---

# U.S. Stock Market Midday Update: Dual Impact of Middle East Conflict and Rating Pressure, USA Rare Earth Stock Price Plummets 12.71%

**U.S. Stock Market Midday Update**

USA Rare Earth fell 12.71%. Based on recent news,

1.  On May 18, the Middle East conflict led to rising energy prices, exacerbating inflationary pressures, prompting a global bond market sell-off, and strengthening the dollar, which put pressure on the rare earth stock market. The U.S.-China rare earth supply chain issue became the focus, and although the White House stated that China would address U.S. concerns, the actual situation has not improved, highlighting the fragility and dependency of global supply chains.
    
2.  On May 16, analyst ratings showed that USA Rare Earth was not included in the recommended buy list, despite its rating being a moderate buy, leading to insufficient market confidence and putting pressure on its stock price.
    
3.  On May 14, Cantor Fitzgerald and Wedbush raised the target price to $35, but the stock price still fell, indicating a lack of overall market confidence in the rare earth industry. The rare earth sector faces geopolitical and inflation challenges.
    

**Top Stocks by Industry Trading Volume**

MP Materials fell 8.54%. Based on recent key news:

1.  On May 18, the Middle East conflict led to high energy costs, triggering inflation concerns, pushing global bond yields up and strengthening the dollar, resulting in a sell-off of U.S. rare earth stocks. The decline in MP Materials' stock price reflects a cooling of overly optimistic market sentiment rather than damage to the supply chain fundamentals;
    
2.  On May 18, MP Materials reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure a price floor of $110 per kilogram for NdPr oxides, stabilizing its long-term commercial contracts, maintaining the structural foundation of its supply chain despite market volatility;
    
3.  On May 19, rare earth mining companies faced widespread liquidation pressure in the metal market, with copper and gold miners also severely impacted, further exacerbating the sell-off of rare earth stocks. The rare earth industry faces macroeconomic pressures and increased volatility.
    

Rio Tinto fell 0.21%, with increased trading volume. Based on recent key news:

1.  On May 18, Rio Tinto announced the appointment of Matthew Whyte as Group Company Secretary, a personnel change that may affect the company's governance structure, with mixed market reactions leading to slight stock price fluctuations. Source: Company announcement
    
2.  On May 17, Carlyle Group strategist Jeff Currie pointed out that the commodity market has entered a super cycle, with strong metal demand benefiting major miners like Rio Tinto, but low capital expenditures limit growth potential. Source: Global Times Finance
    
3.  On May 16, Fitch confirmed Rio Tinto's rating at "A," with a stable outlook, enhancing investor confidence, but failing to significantly boost the stock price. Source: Fitch Ratings, strong metal demand, significant impact of the super cycle.
    

BHP fell 0.15%. Based on recent key news:

1.  On May 18, China Aluminum Group held talks with BHP to discuss mineral resource exploration and development and industrial collaboration, aiming to promote green and low-carbon development in global mining. This cooperation may affect BHP's long-term strategic layout, leading to slight stock price fluctuations Source: People's Financial News
    
2.  On May 17, Jeff Currie, an energy strategist at Carlyle Group, pointed out that the market is at the starting point of a super cycle for commodities, with strong metal demand and low capital expenditures, which may lead to volatility in the metal sector. This view may affect BHP's market expectations. Source: Global Times Finance
    
3.  On May 16, crude oil futures surged significantly, while non-ferrous metals collectively declined, with capital flows causing market fluctuations. This phenomenon may impact BHP's stock price performance. Source: Jinshi Data, strong metal demand, high market volatility risk.
    

**Stocks ranked at the top of the industry by market capitalization**

Teck Resources fell 1.68%. Based on recent news,

1.  On May 18, Teck Resources' merger partner Anglo American agreed to sell its Australian steel coal business to Dhilmar for up to $3.88 billion. This transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027, and the cash proceeds will be used to reduce net debt. This news caused Teck Resources' stock price to drop nearly 1% in pre-market trading on Monday.
    
2.  On May 15, Goldgroup released news emphasizing the risks of uninsured exposure and insufficient insurance coverage, as well as potential legal litigation risks. These risk factors may negatively impact Teck Resources' stock price.
    
3.  On May 16, the macroeconomic backdrop indicates that de-globalization, electrification, and redistribution are the main driving forces in the current market. These structural changes may affect multiple industries, including Teck Resources. The trends of market de-globalization and electrification are evident

### Related Stocks

- [USAR.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/USAR.US.md)
- [MP.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MP.US.md)
- [RIO.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/RIO.US.md)
- [BHP.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BHP.US.md)
- [TECK.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/TECK.US.md)

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