MP Materials Corp DE

Liquidity refers to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of our business operations, including working capital and capital expenditure needs, contractual obligations, debt service and other commitments. Our principal sources of liquidity have been financing through the consummation of the business combination with Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. in November 2020, the issuance of the 2026 Notes in March 2021, and net cash from operating activities. In addition, we issued the 2030 Notes in March 2024, resulting in net proceeds of $731.4 million prior to the use of a portion of these funds to repurchase the 2026 Notes, repurchase shares of our common stock, and purchase Capped Call Options, as discussed below. As of June 30, 2024, we had $937.0 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and $957.5 million principal amount of long-term debt.

Our results of operations and cash flows depend in large part upon the market prices of REO and particularly the price of rare earth concentrate. Rare earth concentrate is not quoted on any major commodities market or exchange and demand is currently constrained to a relatively limited number of refiners, a significant majority of which are based in China. Although we believe that our cash flows from operations and cash on hand are adequate to meet our liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future, uncertainty continues to exist as to the market price of REO, as evidenced by the volatility experienced in 2022 and the significant decrease in the market price of REO subsequently experienced, primarily due to concerns over the global economic conditions and actual or perceived concerns over increases in the supply of and/or decreases in demand for rare earth products. The significant decrease in the market price of rare earth products negatively impacted our cash flows from operations and liquidity.

Our current working capital needs relate mainly to our mining, beneficiation, and separation operations. As we began the transition to selling separated rare earth products in 2023, our working capital needs increased materially, portions of which we expect to continue in 2024 as we ramp up the production and sales of separated rare earth products and advance our Stage III magnetics initiatives.

The completion of our mission to become a fully integrated domestic magnetics producer is expected to be capital intensive. With the construction portion of our Stage II optimization project complete, our principal capital expenditure requirements relate mainly to further investment in Mountain Pass, including the development of the HREE Facility, Upstream 60K, and other growth and investment projects, completing the buildout of the Fort Worth Facility, as well as periodic repairs and maintenance of mining and rare earth processing equipment. We expect to spend between $200 million and $250 million of capital costs in 2024, with further costs for all of these identified projects in 2025. Our future capital requirements will also depend on several other factors, including market conditions, decisions regarding downstream production capability, and future acquisitions.

Our estimated costs or estimated time to complete and commission these projects may increase, potentially significantly, due to factors outside of our control. While we believe that we have sufficient cash resources to fund these initiatives and operating working capital in the near term, we cannot assure this. If our available resources prove inadequate to fund our plans or commitments, we may be forced to revise our strategy and business plans or could be required, or elect, to seek additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings; however, such funding may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any delays in our ongoing capital projects or substantial cost increases, including construction costs and related materials costs related to their execution, could significantly impact our ability to maximize our revenue opportunities and adversely impact our business and cash flows.

Debt and Other Long-Term Obligations

2026 Notes: In March 2021, we issued $690.0 million aggregate principal amount of 0.25% unsecured convertible senior notes at a price of par. Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable on April 1 st and October 1 st of each year, beginning on October 1, 2021.

Contemporaneous with the pricing of the 2030 Notes, we entered into privately negotiated transactions with certain holders of the 2026 Notes to repurchase $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes, using $358.0 million of the net proceeds from the offering of the 2030 Notes. The price we paid to repurchase the 2026 Notes, 89.5% of par value, was the same for each lender and approximated the trading price of the 2026 Notes at the time of the repurchases. Subsequent to the issuance of the 2030 Notes, we repurchased an additional $80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes in open market transactions for $70.6 million. As a result of the repurchases of 2026 Notes, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded a $46.3 million gain on early extinguishment of debt.

The remaining 2026 Notes outstanding mature, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased, on April 1, 2026. The initial conversion price of the remaining 2026 Notes is approximately $44.28 per share, or 22.5861 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. As of June 30, 2024, the maximum number of shares that could be issued to satisfy the conversion feature of the 2026 Notes was 5,999,994 shares.

In March 2024, we provided a written notice to the trustee and the holders of the 2026 Notes that we have irrevocably elected to fix the settlement method for all conversions that may occur subsequent to the election date, to a combination of cash and shares of our common stock with the specified dollar amount per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes of $1,000. As a result, for any conversions of 2026 Notes occurring after the election date, a converting holder will receive (i) up to $1,000 in cash per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes and (ii) shares of our common stock for any conversion consideration in excess of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes converted. Prior to the election being made, we could have elected to settle the 2026 Notes in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof.

2030 Notes: In March 2024, we issued $747.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.00% unsecured convertible senior notes that mature, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased, on March 1, 2030, at a price of par. Interest on the 2030 Notes is payable on March 1 st and September 1 st of each year, beginning on September 1, 2024. In connection with the issuance, we recorded debt issuance costs of $19.9 million, of which $3.7 million was settled through the issuance of shares of our common stock.

The 2030 Notes are convertible into cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, at an initial conversion price of approximately $21.74 per share, or 45.9939 shares per $1,000 principal amount of 2030 Notes, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. As of June 30, 2024, the maximum number of shares that could be issued to satisfy the conversion feature of the 2030 Notes was 48,132,646 shares.

Prior to December 1, 2029, at their election, holders of the 2030 Notes may convert their outstanding notes under the following circumstances: i) during any calendar quarter commencing with the third quarter of 2024 if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; ii) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period (the “Measurement Period”) in which the trading price (as defined in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of 2030 Notes for each trading day of the Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; iii) if we call any or all of the 2030 Notes for redemption, the notes called for redemption may be converted at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; or iv) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events set forth in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes. On or after December 1, 2029, and prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of the 2030 Notes, holders may convert their outstanding notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.

We have the option to redeem for cash the 2030 Notes, in whole or in part, beginning on March 5, 2027, if certain conditions are met as set forth in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes. The redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

If we undergo a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes), holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their outstanding 2030 Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date of the 2030 Notes or if we deliver a notice of early redemption, holders may, at their election, convert their outstanding 2030 Notes in connection with such event or notice, as applicable, and we will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate but not to exceed 64.3915 shares per $1,000 principal amount of any converted 2030 Notes, subject to further adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

Capped Call Options: In March 2024, in connection with the offering of the 2030 Notes, we entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (the “Capped Call Options”) with certain financial institutions (“Counterparties”). The Capped Call Options cover, subject to anti-dilution adjustments substantially similar to those in the 2030 Notes, 34.4 million shares of our common stock, the same number of shares that initially underlie the 2030 Notes. The Capped Call Options have an expiration date of March 1, 2030, subject to earlier exercise.

The Capped Call Options are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to our common stock upon conversion of the 2030 Notes and/or offset cash payments we are required to make in excess of the principal amount of the converted 2030 Notes, as the case may be, in the event that the market price per share of our common stock, as measured under the terms of the Capped Call Options, is greater than the strike price of the Capped Call Options, which initially corresponds to the initial conversion price of the 2030 Notes, or approximately $21.74 per share of common stock, with such reduction and/or offset subject to an initial cap of $31.06 per share of our common stock.

The Capped Call Options are separate transactions, entered into by the Company with each of the Counterparties, and are not part of the terms of the 2030 Notes. Holders of the 2030 Notes will not have any rights with respect to the Capped Call Options. We paid $65.3 million for the Capped Call Options.

Equipment Notes: We have financing agreements for the purchase of certain equipment, including trucks, tractors, loaders, graders, and various other machinery. As of June 30, 2024, we had $3.7 million in principal (and accrued interest) outstanding under the equipment notes. See Note 10, “Debt Obligations,” in the notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Leases: We have lease arrangements for certain equipment and facilities, including office space, vehicles and equipment used in our operations. As of June 30, 2024, we had future expected lease payment obligations totaling $9.5 million, with $1.7 million due within the next 12 months. See Note 11, “Leases,” in the notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations: See Note 8, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for our estimated cash requirements to settle asset retirement and environmental obligations.

Repurchases of Common Stock

In March 2024, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program under which we are authorized to repurchase up to $300.0 million of our outstanding common stock. The program is effective until March 1, 2025, and does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares.

We may purchase shares from time to time at the discretion of management through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated or other structured share repurchase programs, or other means. The manner, timing, pricing and amount of any transactions will be subject to our discretion and may be based upon market conditions, regulatory requirements and alternative opportunities that we may have for the use or investment of our capital.

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we repurchased 13.0 million shares of our common stock under the program at an aggregate cost of $200.8 million. See Note 16, “Stockholders’ Equity and Stock-based Compensation,” in the notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows:

N/M = Not meaningful.

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities: Net cash used in operating activities was $10.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $65.5 million in the prior year period. The change in cash flows from operating activities was primarily driven by a decrease in revenue and an increase in inventories to support commissioning of our Stage II separations facilities and the related change in working capital as we increase production of separated products. These decreases were partially offset by the receipt of a $50.0 million initial prepayment pursuant to the long-term supply agreement with GM for magnetic precursor materials.

Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities: Net cash provided by investing activities decreased by $717.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the prior year period. The change in cash flows from investing activities was primarily driven by the net cash flow impact, which was $749.2 million, of a year-over-year decrease in proceeds from short-term investments, offset by year-over-year increases in purchases and maturities of short-term investments. Also, additions to property, plant and equipment for the six months ended June 30, 2024, decreased by $32.0 million when compared to the prior year period, and related primarily to a decrease in construction spend on our Stage II optimization project given the timing of completion.

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities: Net cash provided by financing activities was $31.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $7.6 million in the prior year period. The change in cash flows from financing activities was driven by the net cash flow impact, which was $36.7 million, of the issuance of the 2030 Notes, the payments of debt issuance costs associated with the 2030 Notes, the payments made to retire a significant portion of the 2026 Notes, the purchase of the Capped Call Options, and the payments made to repurchase our common stock, all of which occurred during the six months ended June 30, 2024.