USA Rare Earths jumps on proposed federal backing as investors brace for Fed decision and tech earnings

Wall Street started the week in a holding pattern on Monday, January 26, 2026, as investors waited for a Federal Reserve interest-rate decision and a wave of earnings from major technology companies. Stock futures were little changed, reflecting a market that is still digesting tariff-related headlines and geopolitical uncertainty while looking for clearer signals on rates, growth, and corporate margins.

In early trading, one standout move came from USA Rare Earths, which surged after the company announced plans involving proposed federal funding and a major government-backed loan, alongside a sizable private fundraising round. The proposed financing highlighted how strategic-material supply chains have become a central business story, as the U.S. tries to expand domestic capacity in minerals and industrial manufacturing.

Another theme shaping investor behavior was safe-haven demand. Gold futures broke through $5,000 an ounce for the first time and extended gains, a signal that many investors are still pricing elevated risks into the outlook. Meanwhile, Treasury yields drifted lower, consistent with a defensive tilt ahead of the Fed’s next decision and guidance about the path of interest rates.

Airlines also remained in focus due to operational disruption from a sweeping winter storm that forced mass flight cancellations across the United States. The weather shock is the type of near-term real-economy stress that can quickly show up in earnings commentary, particularly in sectors tied to travel, freight, and consumer discretionary spending.

Investors are now looking for two things to help set direction: first, whether the Fed signals any shift in its rate trajectory; and second, whether the biggest companies in technology deliver results strong enough to justify valuations after a volatile stretch in markets. Until then, trading conditions may stay choppy, with sharp moves concentrated in policy-sensitive stories such as rare earths, defense, and critical manufacturing.

Business watchlist this week

• Federal Reserve rate decision and outlook guidance.
• Major technology-company earnings and forward projections.
• Industrial-policy and supply-chain deals tied to rare earths and advanced manufacturing.
• Ongoing winter-storm impacts on airlines and logistics.