Volato Group shares surge 23.58% after-hours as merger with M2i Global aligns with U.S. critical minerals policy initiatives.

Volato Group surged 23.58% in after-hours trading following the announcement of its proposed merger with M2i Global, positioning the combined entity to align with U.S. policy on critical minerals. The companies highlighted their enhanced logistics, technology, and operational execution capabilities as directly supportive of the White House’s January 14, 2026, Section 232 actions targeting secure, resilient supply chains for processed critical minerals. The merger aims to create a platform addressing national security priorities, including tracking, processing, and storage of materials like titanium and gallium, while leveraging U.S. initiatives to counter Chinese dominance in the sector. The stock’s sharp rise reflects investor optimism about the strategic alignment with federal policies and the $320 billion annual U.S. critical minerals market opportunity.