Alvin Chow’s Post

As #China tightens its grip on rare-earth materials—likely a response to growing trade restrictions and tariffs on Chinese products—global supply chains are bracing for impact. The recent surge in antimony prices is a stark warning. This essential material for batteries, solar panels, and even nuclear weapons has seen prices skyrocket to over $25,000 per tonne, more than double last year's levels. For a comprehensive look at the rare earth sector and the key players driving it, check out WireScreen's latest infographic: "The Top Companies Behind the Rare Earth Industry." This resource offers valuable insights into the leading entities shaping this crucial sector. Explore it now at https://lnkd.in/gU2agVgY. #RareEarth #SupplyChain #CriticalMaterials #EnergyTransition

Batteries, solar panels and nuclear weapons all have one material in common: antimony. As Beijing tightens its grip on rare-earth materials — seen as retaliation for growing trade restrictions and tariffs on Chinese-made products — global supply chains won’t be able to avoid the fallout. Rare metals prices have surged in recent months as China has started to increase restrictions on exports of the critical materials. But few have spiked like antimony. https://lnkd.in/dn8pvZ_n

S&P Futures are falling this morning as global tensions rise following Russia's modification of its nuclear doctrine. The changes to Russia's nuclear policy have created a more uncertain geopolitical environment, which is creating this morning's bearish sentiment. The Biden Administration is looking to deliver billion of promised chip grants and the FTC is preparing action on GOOG & MSFT before his term ends. Kansas City Fed Jeffery Schmit is schedule to speak today. Shares of SMCI are gaining as they have announced BDO as their auditor. Walmart shares are 4% higher after delivering a beat and raising FY guidance. In Europe, stocks have reversed direction and are now lower due to concerns on an expansion of the Russia Ukraine war. Oil prices falling after rising more than 3% on Monday. #stockmarket #economy #businessnews #businesspodcast #stockstowatch #stockstotrade #daytrading #investing https://lnkd.in/ekENmZdJ

Ban on Russian uranium supplies to have negative effect on US economy — investor "It will be very hard to replace such volumes within a very short period of time," Navigator Principal Investors CEO Kyle Shostak said NEW YORK, May 3/ The US government’s ban on uranium supplies from Russia will have a negative effect on the economy of the United States because it will be very hard to substitute it overnight, Navigator Principal Investors CEO Kyle Shostak has told TASS. "I would like to mention the legislative ban on deliveries of enriched uranium from Russia for the needs of the US nuclear industry. It is worth mentioning that Russia is a major supplier of enriched uranium to the US market, accounting for nearly one quarter of all deliveries. Clearly, it will be very hard to replace such volumes within a very short period of time. It is not for nothing that the bill contains exemptions until 2028, which the US Department of Energy will refer to when justifying the need to continue purchases," he said. "I see a clear negative effect for the US economy here, because the search for comparable volumes of enriched uranium will take a lot of time and will entail large transaction costs," the US investor added. The US Senate unanimously approved a bill banning the import of enriched uranium from Russia on April 30, after it was passed by the House of Representatives. The document is yet to be signed by US President Joe Biden, but the White House has already signaled its support for the bill. It envisages a ban on Russian uranium imports to be introduced 90 days after the bill comes into force. Temporary exemptions will be in force until January 2028. #business #finance #financialservices

🇨🇳 #China has announced it will limit #exports of #antimony (#stibium) and superhard materials starting September 15, according to a statement from China's Commerce Ministry on August 16, following last year's export restrictions on #gallium and #germanium—two metals essential for computer chips and solar cells. As the world's largest supplier of over 30 #criticalminerals, China accounts for 56% of the global supply of antimony ore, according to a 2023 EU study. Antimony plays a vital role in #military applications, including ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons, and night vision goggles, as well as in #batteries and #photovoltaic devices. China's dominant position as the leading producer of antimony, coupled with declining output, has raised concerns among U.S. policymakers about the heavy reliance on Chinese supplies. The prices of gallium and germanium have already surged since the introduction of export controls, and antimony prices have also spiked this year, driven by limited supply and increasing demand, particularly in the photovoltaic sector where the metal enhances #solarcell performance. The new restrictions will cover six types of antimony-related products, including antimony ore, antimony metals, and antimony oxide. Additionally, the export of gold-antimony smelting and separation technology will be prohibited without authorization. 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘕𝘕 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 & 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘨 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 

Investors fled FTSE 100 stocks and European markets for safe-haven assets this morning amid fears of a fresh escalation in Russia’s war in Ukraine. Markets were spooked by Vladimir Putin’s move to approve an updated Russian nuclear doctrine, which could pave the way for the Kremlin to consider using nuclear weapons if it is subject to a missile attack supported by a nuclear power. While the doctrine has reportedly been in the works for some months, the decision to finalise the plans followed the first attack on Russian territory by Ukraine with US-made missiles. The developments triggered a flight toward assets like gold and sparked falls across global markets. Read the full story here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ePMYtjYq

US has 3-4 years to stand up new capacity to replace Russian uranium imports The imports ban would also unlock $2.7 bln from previous legislation for building out the domestic uranium industry, Kathryn Huff noted WASHINGTON DC, May 3/ The US has "just about enough time" or about three or four years, to stand up new uranium conversion and enrichment capacity and replace Russian imports, Kathryn Huff, the Department of Energy’s assistant secretary for nuclear, told Reuters. "The reality is this: over the last few years there has been a very real and present possibility that Russia could stop abruptly sending enriched uranium to the United States," she said, adding that countries including Canada, France and Japan will help the US deal with an "allied alternative" to Russian uranium. The imports ban would also unlock $2.7 bln from previous legislation for building out the domestic uranium industry, Huff noted. The US Senate passed legislation on April 30 that bans uranium imports from Russia. The ban, which is expected to be signed by US President Joe Biden, starts 90 days after enactment, although it allows the Department of Energy to issue waivers in case of supply concerns. #business #finance #financialservices

Orano CEO Nicolas Maes: Refusal to buy uranium from Russia will require huge investments and guarantees. To refuse uranium from Russia, new capacities and large investments will be needed, which are possible with guaranteed demand, believes the head of the French Orano Nicolas Maes. The West can theoretically replace Russian jet fuel, but to achieve this goal by 2030, huge investments are needed with guaranteed demand. This opinion was expressed by the head of the largest French uranium supplier Orano Nicolas Maes in an interview with FT. He believes that this will require a decision from above. In his opinion, the stronger the sanctions, the more investments there will be in new Western capacities. If there are no restrictions at all, then a number of electricity producers will continue to import fuel from Russia. According to the World Nuclear Industry Status Report (WNISR), Russia remains the leader in the supply of nuclear power plants and services for the nuclear fuel sector for Europe. And the West's attempts to get away from dependence on Russia can only increase global prices. In August, Washington imposed a ban on the purchase of Russian unirradiated low-enriched uranium. However, if there are no other alternatives, then import is permissible. The law allows a maximum of 476.5 tons of fuel to be purchased from Russia this year, 470.4 tons in 2025, 464.2 tons in 2026, and 459.1 tons in 2027. Content Author: https://lnkd.in/e_h9wrp6 Source: https://lnkd.in/ef9HB-UZ #butov #oilgasmarket #oilgasworld #innovation #management #humanresources #technology #digitalmarketing #entrepreneurship #careers #socialmedia #socialnetworking #futurism #startups #branding #advertisingandmarketing #creativity #marketing #sales #motivation #energy #money #sustainability #productivity #gettingthingsdone #leadership #education #strategy #business #europe #mindfulness #inspiration #engineering #africa #india #europeanunion #china #smallbusiness #success #production #oilandgas #collaboration #contentmarketing #research #globaltrade #onlineadvertising #dubai #kenya #abudhabi #socialmediamarketing #manufacturing #climatechange #oilandgas #work #oilgas #science #logistics #hydrocarbons #shipping #growth #uae #marketresearch #oil #oilindustry #oilandgasindustry #agriculture #designer #oilfield #oilindustry #petroleum #trading #gas #chemistry #chemical #petrochemical #agro #refinery #import #export #industrial #agribusiness #quality 

Uranium prices surge after Russia’s ban on exports to the US Uranium spot prices have risen by five percent to $84 per pound. Experts interviewed by Rossiyskaya Gazeta believe that the market has reacted to the Russian government’s move to limit the export of low-enriched uranium in response to the US restrictions on Russian nuclear fuel imports that took effect in late summer. The market’s reaction seems quite logical, Maxim Maximov, an associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian Economic University, said. "Russian nuclear fuel accounts for about 20% of US consumption. It’s going to be difficult to replace these volumes quickly," he explained. Many sellers are in no hurry to close the deficit, waiting for uranium prices to rise even further. In this regard, Maximov believes that we will see attempts to evade sanctions. Logistics routes via China are likely to be employed, with intermediaries demanding additional charges. "As a result, one can say that the overall upward trend in nuclear fuel prices will persist at least in the short and medium term," Maximov noted. Russian exports meant for the Americans may be redirected to Asia and the Middle East, where the Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation has strong ties and nuclear fuel demand is on the rise. India, China, and Iran will be the most likely destinations. Clearly, the Russian budget should not be expected to suffer major losses due to the country’s refusal to export uranium to the US, Maximov said. The analyst believes that identifying the drivers that will set the trends in the nuclear fuel market requires assessing how much the strongest economies will depend on nuclear power generation. In this regard, the situation in India and China—the most powerful economies of the Global South—looks crucial, along with the outcome of the US presidential election. Donald Trump's return to the White House and his ambitious plans imply an increase in the US economy’s energy intensity. Meanwhile, nuclear power accounts for over 20% of total power generation in the US, which means that global demand for nuclear fuel will at least remain steady. #business #finance #financialservices

#China has made several moves to reinforce its stranglehold on the rare minerals market. New export restrictions came into effect that require US companies to submit detailed reports on how they use these rare earth materials in their supply chains. This gives #Beijing unprecedented control over which companies receive these critical supplies, amplifying its already considerable market dominance. China's restrictions are not limited to just one or two #minerals. Recent export controls targeted a variety of elements, including: Gallium, Germanium, Antimony. Reason for such a restriction – dual use elements and this is actually true, these obscure but vital materials play critical roles in defence industry and other high-tech applications: #Gallium – optics, IR sights, NVGs, optical fiber, nuclear physics;  #Germanium – nuclear weapons and semiconductors; batteries, weapons, NVGs; #Antimony - optoelectronics (including elements for solar panels). China is one of the biggest producers of this triad: 48% of words production of antimony, 59.2% of germanium and more than 98% of purified gallium. The #USA in turn is the biggest importer of the above triad. Ban from China obviously will not immediately ruin the #American #defence (and not only defence) #industry, but this is a serious challenge.  As tensions between China and the U.S. intensify, rare earths are becoming a focal point in the broader struggle for technological supremacy however, at the same time it also look like an invitation for a dialogue for #Trump and one of the methods to slightly calm his bellicose rhetoric down. So, the conversation will take place and most likely this conversation will touch the sensitive  area of distribution of spheres of #influence and thus, reduction in the number of global #conflicts which present risks to all parties. In this context, the Ukrainian case will be certainly a subject of negotiations. So, in our opinion, any initiatives regarding freezing or continuing the conflict in #Ukraine will eventually be based on the results of #Trump-#Xi negotiations.