Trilogy Metals soars 240% on Trump administration stake

It is no longer a penny stock.

For the second time in recent months, the Trump Administration has taken a 10% investment stake in a stock.

On Monday, the White House announced a $35.6 million investment in metal exploration and development company Trilogy Metals (NYSE: TMQ) to support mining exploration in Alaska’s Ambler Mining District to advance exploration in the firm’s Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (UKMP). The UKMP is held by Ambler Metals LLC – Trilogy’s 50/50 joint venture with Australian mining company South32.

As part of the deal, the U.S. Department of War (DOW) intends to invest approximately $17.8 million in Trilogy Metals in exchange for 8,215,570 units at a price of $2.17 per unit. It also intends to pay $17.8 million to South32 in exchange for 8,215,570 common shares of Trilogy Metals that South32 currently holds.

Combined, the investment makes the U.S. government a 10% shareholder in Trilogy Metals. The deal also includes warrants to purchase an additional 7.5% of the company.

Also, the DOW is allowed to appoint one independent third-party director to the Trilogy Metals board for three years. 

In return, Trilogy Metals and South32 are committed to use the funds to advance the exploration and development of the UKMP.  The region contains large deposits of copper, cobalt, gallium, germanium, silver, gold, lead, and other rare earth materials that are used for technology, electronics, clean energy applications, and other critical needs. The mining district will be accessible after construction of the 211 mile highway through the Alaskan wilderness.

Penny stock skyrockets

Trilogy Metals, based in Vancouver, quickly appeared on investors radar as the penny stock soared some 240% on Tuesday.

The stock price jumped from about $2.09 per share at Monday’s close to around $7.13 per share on Tuesday afternoon.

“This proposed partnership with the U.S. Government represents a significant milestone for Trilogy Metals and for the development of a secure, domestic supply of critical minerals for America in Alaska,” Tony Giardini, president and CEO of Trilogy Metals, said.

In August, the federal government made an $8.9 billion investment in Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), or roughly a 10% stake. The funding came mostly from not yet paid grants from the Chips and Science Act and other government grant programs.

Trilogy Metals stock got a slew of price target upgrades on Tuesday, including from Cantor Fitzgerald, which called it a buy with a $10 price target.

In the most recent quarter, Trilogy Metals had a net loss of 1 cent per share and it has not been profitable in recent years.