Gabelli Funds will host its 17th Annual Specialty Chemicals Symposium on March 19, 2026, in Midtown Manhattan, featuring discussions with leading specialty chemicals companies on industry dynamics and trends. The event will include one-on-one meetings with management teams and webcast access for remote attendees.

The S&P 500 hit a new intraday high on Dec. 26, 2025, with the index slipping slightly to 6,929.94 in thin post-Christmas trading. Nvidia gained 1.1% following its $20 billion asset acquisition deal with AI startup Groq. Gold and silver prices reached new highs amid geopolitical tensions, while materials stocks showed mixed performance. The market is up 2.3% for the week, with debate ongoing about whether a year-end rally or consolidation phase lies ahead.

China plans to cancel 27 expired lithium mining permits, causing lithium prices to spike by 7.6%. Standard Lithium's stock rose over 5%, though the company has no current revenue and is not expected to produce lithium until 2028.

Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, has received expressions of interest from three major Export Credit Agencies for over $1 billion in senior secured project debt to fund the South West Arkansas lithium project's Phase 1 construction.

Standard Lithium successfully completed a public offering of 29,885,057 common shares at $4.35 per share, raising approximately $130 million. The proceeds will fund capital expenditures for lithium projects in Arkansas and Texas.

U.S. stock futures slumped on Friday, with financial stocks experiencing significant declines following concerns about loan quality and potential broader banking sector issues. Key companies like CSX Corp reported better-than-expected earnings, while others like Standard Lithium and Oracle saw stock price drops.

Standard Lithium announced a public offering of 29,885,057 common shares at $4.35 per share, raising $130 million to fund capital expenditures for its lithium projects in Arkansas and Texas.

Standard Lithium filed a definitive feasibility study for its Southwest Arkansas lithium project, demonstrating economic viability and potential for battery-grade lithium carbonate production, causing its stock to jump 25% in early trading.

The U.S. government invested equity stakes in Trilogy Metals and Lithium Americas, signaling a strategic move to secure domestic critical mineral supply. Standard Lithium's stock rose on speculation it might be the next target for government investment.

Raymond James initiated coverage of Standard Lithium with an outperform rating and a 12-month price target of $2.75, despite the stock already trading above that price. The analyst sees potential in the company's lithium-brine projects in the United States.

Standard Lithium, through its joint venture Smackover Lithium, has won approval for a 2.5% royalty rate on a lithium project in Arkansas. This marks an advancement in the company's business, though the stock price initially declined as the project is still in an early phase.

Standard Lithium's joint venture mining project in South West Arkansas has been designated a 'priority transparency critical mineral project' by the Trump Administration, signaling federal backing for the project. However, the company is still in the start-up phase and has not yet begun producing any lithium, making it a speculative investment.