BioNTech, Defense Metals, Bayer: Earn money countercyclically

The USA versus China enters the next round

Trade relations between the two great powers fell to a historic low in the Trump era. In the media, one could read about sanctions against the smartphone manufacturer Huawei or the ban on the Chinese social media platform TikTok. The consequences of the swelling trade dispute, however, affect far more industries, including raw material producers.

Rare earths used as a tool in the trade dispute

In early November, the Chinese government passed a law that allows you to prohibit the export of strategic materials and advanced technology to selected international companies. As a result, the country could take action against a nation or region that abuses export control procedures. This list should include rare earth elements (REE), where China's market share is around 80 percent. Such a ban is likely to have far-reaching consequences at a global level. Rare earth elements are needed for all devices, from the iPhone to the electric vehicle, to the fighter jet.

Alternatives to be sought

To reduce dependence, the US has been trying for years to locate resources around the world, outside of China, and establish partner programs. The Trump administration finally declared a national state of emergency in the mining industry and called for an increase in rare earth minerals.

Signs of life from Canada

The Canadian mineral exploration Company, Defense Metals, meets precisely this need and should be able to benefit from the situation. Founded in 2016, the Company focuses on the acquisition of mineral deposits containing metals and elements used in the production of renewable energy technologies, such as rare earth magnets.

The main focus is on the Wicheeda project in the province of British Columbia. According to the Company, the mineral resources are 4.9 million tonnes at an average grade of 3.02% LREO (light rare earth oxides) and inferred mineral resources are 12.1 million tonnes at an average grade of 2.90% LREO.

Successful financing round

At the end of October, the Canadians completed a private placement of 2,525,000 units for gross proceeds of CAD 505,000. The inflow will allow the Company to work towards a preliminary economic evaluation of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project. The assessment is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2021. The current market capitalization is only EUR 6.0 million. The topic of rare earths remains hot, especially concerning the excess demand in the electric car industry.

Buying on the ground

After the sometimes heavy price losses of recent weeks, the first insiders dared to take to the floor and bought shares in the pharmaceutical and agricultural giant, Bayer, on a grand scale. In addition to Company director Werner Baumann, two other top managers were spotted on the buy-side. After Baumann and his wife acquired shares with an equivalent value of around EUR 2.45 million, CFO Wolfgang Nickl and Heiko Schipper, who is responsible for the health products business, treated themselves to securities for EUR 154,000 and EUR 309,000 respectively. Although the glyphosate settlement is still pending, this is not a bad sign that the seriously shaken Bayer share price has bottomed out.

Just before the explosion

In a few days, the data of the final clinical study series on the corona vaccine program of the Mainz-based Company, BioNTech, will be available. The technical analysis looks as if this will be a complete success. After the share price plunged and the support zone tested at just under EUR 75.00, the share price moved north again with significant momentum. Currently, the share is trading at USD 92.00, not far from the all-time high of USD 97.26. Thus, the reporting runs almost parallel to the market technique. One success report and the share price marches into the three-digit territory.