Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF)

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is the largest flat-rolled steel producer and the largest manufacturer of iron ore pellets in North America, led by Chairman, President, and CEO Lourenco Goncalves. The company’s mission is to be "the most self-sufficient, vertically integrated steel company in the world," controlling everything from mining to finishing. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. stock is a premier "American Reshoring" play, representing a company that is the primary supplier of specialized high-strength steel to the North American automotive industry. By late 2025, Cliffs has solidified its leadership in the "Green Steel" transition, utilizing its Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) technology to lower carbon emissions.

The company’s business operations are characterized by an "Aggressive Consolidation" strategy, having acquired AK Steel and the majority of ArcelorMittal USA. In late 2025, Cliffs reported record shipments of electrical steel, a critical component for the ongoing modernization of the US power grid and the expansion of EV charging infrastructure. The company’s future strategy involves "Vertical Dominance," focusing on the domestic production of grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) to replace foreign imports. For 2026, the firm is prioritizing the expansion of its scrap metal recycling capabilities to further reduce its environmental footprint. Its competitive moat is its ownership of its iron ore supply and its dominant market share in the automotive steel segment, which allows it to maintain superior pricing power compared to non-integrated competitors.

Cleveland-Cliffs is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CLF stock. It is a favorite for investors who seek a "Pure-Play American Industrial" holding with a strong focus on domestic manufacturing. Financial analysts and industrial sector experts monitor the CLF stock price as a leading indicator of US auto production and the health of the domestic manufacturing sector. By December 2025, Cleveland-Cliffs remains a vital and powerful leader, utilizing its vertical integration to secure the future of American steel.