Trending Tickers: $UUUU’s Rare Earth Push, $PONY’s Robotaxi Reveal, $OKLO’s Altman Exit
This week, several stocks caught investors’ attention, driven by significant developments and market momentum. Here’s the breakdown of this week’s trending stocks:
$UUUU Expands Capability to Produce Key Rare Earth Oxides
Energy Fuels ($UUUU), a U.S.-based producer of uranium, rare earth elements, and other critical minerals, announced it has developed the technical capability to produce six of the seven rare earth oxides recently restricted by Chinese export controls—positioning itself as a key domestic supplier amid rising geopolitical tensions. The company said production could be scaled at its White Mesa Mill in Utah, which already has commercial output of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide and plans to expand further with government support.
The announcement coincides with President Trump’s April 15 executive order, directing a Section 232 investigation into imports of critical minerals, including the very oxides Energy Fuels produces. The company said this action could accelerate investment and policy support for U.S.-based critical mineral supply chains.
- Key Materials: Energy Fuels says it can now produce samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium, terbium, lutetium, and yttrium oxides, in addition to existing NdPr output.
- Capacity Plans: Current monazite processing capacity is 10,000 tonnes per year, with plans to scale up to 60,000 tpa, enabling significantly higher oxide output.
- Domestic Focus: The company emphasized its role in strengthening U.S. self-sufficiency in key materials needed for electric vehicles, defense, and energy infrastructure.
- White Mesa Mill: The Utah-based facility remains the only fully licensed and operating conventional uranium mill in the U.S., now expanded into rare earth processing.
The development enhances Energy Fuels’ profile as one of the few U.S. companies capable of producing “light,” “mid,” and “heavy” rare earth oxides at scale, with CEO Mark Chalmers calling on the government to support domestic producers already proven at commercial levels.
Stock Price Movement
$UUUU stock jumped 11.7% on the day of the announcement, extending its recent rebound amid rising U.S.-China trade tensions and renewed investor interest in domestic mining firms. The stock had already been gaining traction in the days leading up to the news, fueled by speculation around tariffs and increased focus on U.S.-based critical mineral supply chains.
$PONY Unveils New Robotaxi Lineup
Pony.ai ($PONY), a U.S.-China autonomous driving company developing Level 4 vehicle-agnostic self-driving systems, unveiled its seventh-generation autonomous driving system and next-gen Robotaxi lineup at the Shanghai Auto Show. Developed in partnership with Toyota, BAIC, and GAC, the new Robotaxis are set for mass production starting mid-2025, marking the company’s first full-scale commercial deployment.
According to Pony.ai, the new system features a 100% automotive-grade autonomous driving kit and a modular architecture compatible across multiple vehicle platforms. Hardware improvements have resulted in a 70% cost reduction, including an 80% drop in autonomous computing and a 68% cut in solid-state LiDAR, compared to the previous generation.
- Toyota Collaboration: The bZ4X Robotaxi, developed with Toyota, is the first vehicle to showcase the new system.
- Expanded Fleet: New models from BAIC (ARCFOX Alpha T5) and GAC (2nd-gen Aion V) complete the seventh-gen Robotaxi fleet.
- Focus on Safety: CTO Dr. Tiancheng Lou emphasized safety beyond human-level driving, enabled by Pony.ai’s PonyWorld simulation platform.
CEO James Peng said 2025 marks the “inaugural year” for mass production, built on core pillars of technology readiness, product integration, and operational scalability.
Stock Price Movement
$PONY stock jumped 30% to close at $5.43 following the Robotaxi lineup announcement, marking a sharp reversal after two months of steep decline. The stock had fallen from a February peak of $23.88 to $4.11 just one day prior to the news.
$OKLO Announces Leadership Change as Altman Departs Board
Oklo Inc. ($OKLO), a U.S.-based advanced nuclear technology company developing compact fast fission power plants, announced that Sam Altman has stepped down as Chairman of the Board. Altman, a longtime supporter and early backer of Oklo, said the company is now well positioned to pursue its mission of delivering scalable clean energy—particularly for powering AI infrastructure.
The transition comes as Oklo explores strategic partnerships with AI-focused companies, including the possibility of working with OpenAI, where Altman remains CEO. According to Oklo’s leadership, Altman played a critical role in guiding the company’s trajectory, and his departure reflects a shift into its next operational phase.
- Leadership Update: CEO and Co-founder Jacob DeWitte will take over as Chairman.
- Focus on AI-Energy Nexus: Oklo reiterated its commitment to powering energy-intensive sectors like AI with nuclear energy.
- Altman’s Statement: He called fission “an essential solution” for enabling future technologies and cited energy cost as a fundamental limit to tech progress.
Stock Price Movement
$OKLO stock initially dropped to $18 in pre-market trading following the announcement of Sam Altman’s departure as Chairman. However, the stock reversed course during the day, closing at $23.37 with an 8.55% gain, as investors digested the news. Some market participants speculated that Altman stepping down could signal that a collaboration between Oklo and OpenAI may be nearing, fueling optimism despite the leadership transition.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell securities. The content is based on publicly available information and reflects the author’s opinions as of the publication date, which may change without notice. All investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Forward-looking statements, including references to projected revenues, market trends, or business developments, are based on current expectations and assumptions. Actual results may differ due to various factors, including regulatory changes, economic conditions, competitive pressures, and unforeseen market fluctuations. Readers should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. BBAE holds no position in the securities mentioned, nor are they compensated by the companies mentioned.
