Rare earths quietly sit behind everything from missiles to electric motors, and the new US$375 million Phoenix Tailings facility in New York suddenly puts that backstage story on center stage for investors. Fresh supply, government backing, and a push to reduce reliance on China all change the risk and reward mix. This article walks through three U.S. stocks closely exposed to that news and explains why their current setups may warrant closer attention.
The three stocks below are only a starter pack, and the full screen on this theme surfaced 10 more U.S. defense and advanced manufacturing companies with equally interesting rare-earth or onshoring angles that are not covered here.
To go straight to the full list and sharpen your own shortlist, analyze the U.S. Defense & Advanced Manufacturing Onshoring Beneficiaries screener .
Astec Industries (ASTE)
Overview:Astec Industries builds heavy equipment and systems for road construction, aggregates, and materials processing that underpin U.S. infrastructure and onshoring projects.
Operations:Astec generated about US$913.9 million from Infrastructure Solutions and US$676.8 million from Materials Solutions, with roughly US$1.25 billion coming from U.S. customers.
Market Cap:US$880 million
Astec Industries plugs neatly into the onshoring story because its asphalt, concrete, and materials handling equipment is what actually turns rare earth projects and large capital programs into physical roads, plants, and terminals.
"Passage of U.S. infrastructure bills, increased state and local transportation contract awards, and ongoing multi-year federal funding are set to drive sustained, visible demand for Astec's core road construction and materials equipment, supporting long-term revenue growth."
What ultimately matters for Astec now is how one less visible pressure shapes the gap between solid demand signals and actual margin progress.
That pressure point is where Astec's story really gets interesting, and the full narrative for Astec Industries shows how demand visibility, pricing power, and execution risks are actually colliding.
SunCoke Energy (SXC)
Overview:SunCoke Energy produces coke and runs industrial services and logistics operations that support steelmakers and heavy manufacturing customers in the U.S. and abroad.
Operations:SunCoke generates about US$1.53b from Domestic Coke and US$355.8 million from Industrial Services, with roughly US$1.79b from U.S. customers.
Market Cap:US$870 million
SunCoke Energy matters for this onshoring theme because coke is the fuel and carbon source that keeps domestic steel projects and equipment builds moving, especially when policy support is pushing more critical production back inside U.S. borders.
"Fully sold out domestic coke capacity for 2026 at facilities such as Indiana Harbor, Middletown, Jewell Foundry, Haverhill II and Granite City, combined with improved coal to coke yields, provides a contracted base of volumes that can underpin revenue and Domestic Coke EBITDA per ton."
What really could shift the SunCoke Energy equation now is how one unresolved pressure on its customer mix ultimately feeds through to pricing power.
That pricing question is exactly what the full narrative for SunCoke Energy unpacks. It reveals how contract visibility, customer concentration and onshoring tailwinds could be quietly reshaping SunCoke Energy's risk profile.
Transcat (TRNS)
Overview:Transcat provides calibration, testing, and equipment rentals that help keep high spec manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and healthcare operations compliant and reliable.
Operations:Transcat generates about US$230.6 million from Service and US$117.8 million from Distribution, with roughly US$326 million coming from U.S. customers.
Market Cap:US$755 million
Transcat is relevant to this onshoring theme because every new high tech plant, lab, or defense facility needs instruments that are constantly checked and certified.
"Reshoring of pharmaceutical manufacturing and continued investment in defense, energy, and related infrastructure, including data centers and EV charging, are adding to the installed base of complex equipment that requires calibration and rentals. This can support sustained Service and Distribution revenue growth for Transcat."
A key factor that could reshape the Transcat story is how a quiet shift in pricing discipline affects margins and tests investor patience.
That quiet shift is already in motion, and the full narrative for Transcat shows how Transcat's pricing discipline, calibration demand, and capital intensity could be decoupling faster than the headline story implies.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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