Wall Street is grappling with U.S.-China trade tensions, as the two struggle for control over rare earths metals and seek to gain an edge in the AI race. We have covered the sector extensively, but Critical Metals Corp (NASDAQ:CRML) and Ramaco Resources (NASDAQ:METC) deserve another look, especially after bank giant JPMorgan Chase (JPM) unveiled a $1.5 trillion plan to address national security needs, including critical minerals.
CRML is up 36.2% to trade at $31.70 at last check, hitting record highs while looking to extend its win streak to five sessions. The shares blasted through a ceiling at the $8 level earlier this month, and are now on track for their best day since February 2024. Over the last six months, CRML added a whopping 1,316.7%.
Options traders are targeting CRML today, with 59,000 calls and 32,000 puts exchanged so far. The most active contract is the October 10 call, where positions being bought to open.
METC was last seen up 4.1% to trade at $54.55, a much more modest gain than its peer, but still headed for a 12th-straight gain. The stock earlier scored a record high of $55.05, and sports a 444.2% year-to-date lead, with support at several long- and short-term moving averages.
Options are an attractive way to bet on METC's next moves. This is per the equity's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 1.22% that sits lower than all other annual readings, meaning traders are pricing in low volatility expectations
