Close menu




May 5th, 2021 | 09:17 CEST

Defense Metals, Daimler, Siemens Energy: Rare earths facing a new hype?

  • RareEarths
Photo credits: pixabay.com

In 2010, the first hype about rare earths occurred. Even then, it was apparent that digital technology would not be able to do without rare earths. As a result, shares of mining companies increased in price by up to 1,000%.
Currently, there is a lot of talk about e-mobility causing raw material resources to become scarcer. However, the talk is mainly about copper, nickel, lithium and perhaps silver. Rare earths are mostly forgotten, although they are used in many electronic devices, fighter jets and wind turbines.
China controls 80% of the world market and, according to media reports, is considering restricting exports of rare earths. Doing so could have a significant impact on all industries that require rare earths.

time to read: 2 minutes | Author: Armin Schulz
ISIN: CA2446331035 , DE0007100000 , DE000ENER6Y0

Table of contents:


    Defense Metals - NdPr is the trump card

    Defense Metals has already confirmed rare earths at its 17 sq km site, namely the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project, located about 80 km north of Prince George, British Columbia. It is located in the middle of a mining center, offering excellent infrastructure with access to roads, rail lines, power and water. According to CEO Craig Taylor, this sets Defense Metals apart from the other rare earth deposits. The deposit features primarily neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), the price of which has increased by more than 90% in the last year alone.

    Considering the demand for rare earths, one finds that these magnetic rare earths, specifically NdPr, are in high demand. If China does stop the export of rare earths, the remaining resources will be even more valuable.
    Currently, Mountain Pass mine is the only producing mine in North America and is owned by MP Materials. The geological setting of Mountain Pass is very similar to that of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project.

    Defense Metals' highly successful 26-tonne flotation pilot plant yielded approximately 1,200 kilograms of high-grade REE mineral concentrate. The Company is currently exploring agreements with several partners from Japan, the US and Canada. Production is expected to start from the first quarter of 2022 if everything goes as planned.

    If you want to bet on rare earths, Defense Metals is well-positioned. In addition, there is a chance to become an acquisition candidate, knowing that MP Materials entered into a USD 1.5 billion merger deal with Fortress Value Acquisition in 2020 and holds USD 500 million cash to fund growth.

    Daimler - Between chip shortages and new e-models

    After the Corona crash down to EUR 22, Daimler significantly increased in value due to good sales figures in Asia. Since mid-February, the shares of the German carmaker have once again made significant gains. The reason is the focus on e-mobility.

    At Daimler, the slogan is "Electric first." It means that in addition to the EQC and EQA, the EQB, EQE and EQS are now to be launched on the market. The latter two will also be available as SUVs. More rare earths are needed for the e-mobility fleet than for conventional vehicles.

    The Executive Board and Supervisory Board have agreed that a spin-off of the truck division will be evaluated. The basis for this step is to be laid at an Extraordinary General Meeting in the 3rd quarter.

    At present, however, the chip shortage is affecting Daimler just as it is many other automakers. Many employees are working short-time and it is still unclear when the supply of chips will return to normal. Therefore, one should closely monitor the developments before investing.

    Siemens Energy - Taking a breather after a rally

    Siemens Energy is active in energy technology and offers technically advanced services from planning to developing and delivering renewable energy plants. The focus is on wind turbines, and rare earths are needed there.

    Looking at the annual report, one can see that currently, 66% of sales are still generated by gas turbines. 34% comes from the renewable energy sector. The Company wants to change this and is trying to establish itself in the hydrogen sector. The goal of climate neutrality in 2030 has been set. It will be interesting to follow this strategy.

    After a substantial increase, the share is currently in a downward sideways phase. It should end between EUR 25.80 and EUR 24.50. At the end of April, JP Morgan issued an 'Overweight' recommendation, and Goldman Sachs considered the share a 'Buy.'


    Conflict of interest

    Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") may in the future hold shares or other financial instruments of the mentioned companies or will bet on rising or falling on rising or falling prices and therefore a conflict of interest may arise in the future. conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the shares or other financial instruments of the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as a "Transaction"). "Transaction"). Transactions may under certain circumstances influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the of the Company.

    Furthermore, Apaton Finance GmbH reserves the right to enter into future relationships with the company or with third parties in relation to reports on the company. with regard to reports on the company, which are published within the scope of the Apaton Finance GmbH as well as in the social media, on partner sites or in e-mails, on partner sites or in e-mails. The above references to existing conflicts of interest apply apply to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH uses for publications on companies.

    Risk notice

    Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and etc. on news.financial. These contents serve information for readers and does not constitute a call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly. implicitly, they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price be understood. The contents do not replace individual professional investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the share(s) offer to sell the share(s) or other financial instrument(s) in question, nor is it an nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

    The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but rather financial analysis, but rather journalistic or advertising texts. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis decisions or transactions on the basis of the information provided here act completely at their own risk. There is no contractual relationship between between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers. users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the company, but not to the investment decision of the reader or user. or user.

    The acquisition of financial instruments entails high risks that can lead to the total loss of the capital invested. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors are based on careful research on careful research, nevertheless no liability for financial losses financial losses or a content guarantee for topicality, correctness, adequacy and completeness of the contents offered here. contents offered here. Please also note our Terms of use.


    Der Autor

    Armin Schulz

    Born in Mönchengladbach, he studied business administration in the Netherlands. In the course of his studies he came into contact with the stock exchange for the first time. He has more than 25 years of experience in stock market business.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by Armin Schulz on June 24th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST

    Western countries seek rare earth escape route: BYD, European Lithium, and Siemens Energy decoded

    • Mining
    • Lithium
    • Electromobility
    • renewableenergies
    • RareEarths

    Our green future depends on tiny elements: neodymium, dysprosium, and others, which are irreplaceable for e-mobility and wind power. However, since China's export restrictions on rare earths in April 2025, prices have skyrocketed by up to 500%, and looming supply bottlenecks are shaking entire industries. Chinese automaker BYD should have no problems with supplies. European Lithium is a possible alternative for Western countries with its lithium and rare earth projects. At Siemens Energy, the wind power subsidiary Gamesa is particularly dependent on rare earths. We take a closer look at the three companies.

    Read

    Commented by Armin Schulz on June 20th, 2025 | 07:00 CEST

    Critical metals, crisis-proof profits: BYD, Power Metallic Mines, and Nordex are your key

    • Mining
    • RareEarths
    • Electromobility
    • renewableenergies

    The global race for clean mobility and energy is fueling an unprecedented hunger for raw materials. Copper, nickel, lithium, and rare earths are the hidden building blocks of the climate transition and are becoming new, strategically vital cornerstones of the economy. Those who secure these critical metals and use them innovatively will dominate the future. But supply risks and price shocks loom. So how can this race be won? It will take companies that revolutionize the entire value chain, from mining to green technology. This is where the strategies of BYD, Power Metallic Mines, and Nordex come into play.

    Read

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on June 2nd, 2025 | 07:15 CEST

    Alarm bells ringing for rare earths and record highs for hydrogen! Hensoldt, Plug Power, Mercedes, and BMW partner European Lithium

    • Mining
    • Lithium
    • Hydrogen
    • Defense
    • RareEarths

    Rare earths are increasingly being used as a weapon in geopolitics. "The last remaining stocks will likely be used up within four to six weeks. Then parts of production will have to be shut down," warns Christian Grimmelt of the consulting firm Berylls by AlixPartners in Wirtschaftswoche. This could benefit European Lithium's stock. The Company not only aims to supply lithium to BMW but is also developing a rare earths project in Greenland. Is the defense industry also affected by the shortage of raw materials? Perhaps. For now, the FOMO rally is driving defense stocks to new all-time highs. But caution is advised: according to analysts, Hensoldt shares, for example, have a 30% downside risk. Plug Power, on the other hand, has had to cope with many setbacks in recent months. Its shares are at rock bottom. Could a milestone in its home market bring about a turnaround?

    Read