Close menu




May 23rd, 2022 | 10:36 CEST

Long on war with Rheinmetall, Defense Metals, BYD

  • RareEarths
  • Defense
Photo credits: pixabay.com

Armaments are booming! As early as 2021, global military spending reached USD 2.113 trillion, according to the Stockholm-based peace research institute SIPRI. That was followed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the West's surprisingly united response. Currently, numerous weapons are arriving in Ukraine from many countries around the world. A high-ranking Russian military observer recently even said on TV that almost the whole world was against Russia. At the same time, Sweden and Finland are striving to join NATO. Additional billions for the armament sector are inevitable. We present three stocks that are booming.

time to read: 4 minutes | Author: Nico Popp
ISIN: RHEINMETALL AG | DE0007030009 , BYD CO. LTD H YC 1 | CNE100000296 , DEFENSE METALS CORP. | CA2446331035

Table of contents:


    Rheinmetall: Where the peace dividend goes

    When the invasion of Ukraine became public, everyone in Germany stopped. Some people with roots in Russia and Ukraine could not keep their phones ringing off the hook. For the first few days, people were in a state of shock. Resourceful investors, however, were quick to lay in wait for shares like Rheinmetall - and rightly so. At the latest, since Chancellor Scholz's "turn of the times" speech, armaments have also been booming again in Germany. In times of wars of aggression on the European continent, the motto "peace without weapons" is considered naïve and outdated. Instead, deterrence is celebrating a chilling comeback.

    Like a party at which Duran Duran or the Pet Shop Boys are unexpectedly playing, investors can come to terms with the current situation - provided there is no further escalation. According to current theories of conflict research, the balance of power certainly has the potential to create stability. And this is what people around the world want. While the peace dividend, i.e. free budgets in national budgets due to the absence of a military threat, is not forthcoming, investors can take a kind of call on conflicts into their portfolios with shares such as Rheinmetall. The share price fluctuates between EUR 175 and EUR 220, and a decision on the share price direction has yet to be made. The fundamental outlook is good, but the timing for an entry is becoming increasingly difficult.

    Defense Metals: Lead, location and momentum as good arguments

    Naming Defense Metals was also increasingly difficult - at least until February 24. Defense Metals has the Wicheeda rare earths project in Canada. Because these elements are also needed in the defense industry, among others, and are therefore considered strategically important within North America, the makers of Defense Metals chose this logical name. In Europe, investors sometimes had a hard time with the name - after all, until months ago, armaments and defense were almost universally associated with negative connotations. In the meantime, however, these irritations have faded away. European investors now also realize that Defense Metals may have hit the mark with the location and potential of the Wicheeda project.

    About a month ago, Defense Metals reported 3.81% TREO (Total Rare Earth Oxides) over 116.8 meters, including two separate higher-grade intercepts averaging 4.33% TREO over 38.8 meters and 4.87% TREO over 37.5 meters. Luisa Moreno, President and Director of Defense, commented, "A key objective of the 2021 drill program was to upgrade the existing suspected mineral resources to the indicated category. We are pleased that resource delineation drilling in the south of the Wicheeda deposit has confirmed and locally expanded the size of the high-grade dolomite carbonatite mineralization." Recently, it became known that other exploration companies have discovered the area around the Wicheeda property and cite the April results as one of the reasons for their investments. Defense Metals, however, should continue to have advantages as a first-mover as rare earths play an important role not only in defense, but also around renewable energies, e-cars and electronics. Elements of the rare earths group stand for the future. The current spirit of the times can only be positive for Defense Metals. However, investors should keep in mind that this is a growth company.

    BYD: The devil is in the details

    If investors now think of rare earths as stealth bombers and the latest military technology, that is true. But it is equally true that the elements surrounding the auto industry play an important role. Companies like BYD have benefited from China's raw materials policy for years. About 20 years ago, strategic decisions were already being made in Beijing, and preparations were being made for the impending hunger for raw materials in the wake of China's growth phase. But in the meantime, the situation has changed. Today, it is no longer just the raw materials that matter but also how they come out of the ground. In addition to environmental influences, social criteria and the quality of corporate governance also count. China is not exactly a pioneer when it comes to ESG. At the same time, the EU is planning to make supply chains transparent and sustainable. In other words, an electric car containing rare earths that have not been sustainably mined will be considered less green in the future. Although BYD is well positioned with its chip division and battery know-how, ESG risks lie dormant in the value.


    Ultimately, the beneficiaries could be producers of raw materials that mine sustainably - like Defense Metals. The Company has long been committed to ESG. In addition, the location in Canada promises high standards. Rare earths from Canada could thus enjoy a further advantage on the world market. Since even the former "bad boys" Rheinmetall are being measured against ESG criteria, the chances for the small growth company from Canada are good. Armaments and sustainability are trends that are here to stay.


    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 hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies in the future or may bet on rising or falling prices and thus a conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the right to buy or sell shares or other financial instruments of the Company at any time (hereinafter each a "Transaction"). Transactions may, under certain circumstances, influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.

    In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual relationships.

    For this reason, there is a concrete conflict of interest.

    The above information on existing conflicts of interest applies to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH for publications on companies.

    Risk notice

    Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and the like on news.financial. These contents are exclusively for the information of the readers and do not represent any call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price developments. The contents do not replace individual expert investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the discussed share(s) or other financial instruments, nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

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

    The acquisition of financial instruments involves high risks, which can lead to the total loss of the invested capital. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors is based on careful research. Nevertheless, no liability is assumed for financial losses or a content-related guarantee for the topicality, correctness, appropriateness and completeness of the content provided here. Please also note our Terms of use.


    Der Autor

    Nico Popp

    At home in Southern Germany, the passionate stock exchange expert has been accompanying the capital markets for about twenty years. With a soft spot for smaller companies, he is constantly on the lookout for exciting investment stories.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by André Will-Laudien on May 13th, 2025 | 07:20 CEST

    Defense out - Time to buy commodities! Hensoldt, Globex Mining, Barrick, Mutares, and Steyr

    • Mining
    • Gold
    • Defense
    • Investments

    That is how quickly market darlings can fall out of favor. Just last week, Rheinmetall & Co. were hitting record highs, but as of Monday, the euphoria came to a sudden halt. Trump agreed with China on lower tariffs, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Turkey on Thursday to sit down with Russia's aggressor, Vladimir Putin. At the moment, this is still hard to believe. For the capital markets, however, this means a shift: out of defense and into high-tech and automotive stocks, the biggest winners of recent hours. The whole thing could be seen as a healthy rotation, as the major indices are at record levels, while tech and automotive stocks have corrected significantly in recent weeks. Once again, the cards are being reshuffled. For Globex Mining, the setback is suitable for medium-term follow-up purchases.

    Read

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on May 13th, 2025 | 07:15 CEST

    Stocks are taking off! Nel, RENK, Walmart partner MiMedia! Is the tariff chaos coming to an end?

    • Digitization
    • Technology
    • Defense
    • renewableenergies

    Will MiMedia's stock break through resistance and shoot to a new all-time high? The chances are good, as the cloud insider tip has navigated the tariff chaos of recent weeks surprisingly well. Now, the Company is set to scale up in Latin America with retail giant Walmart. With gross margins of 80% and above, the upside is substantial. Could new momentum come from the CEO soon? Things are already heating up at Renk - tomorrow's update will be crucial. Can the high-flyer's order backlog and outlook convince investors? Analysts remain cautious, and the potential downside for the stock should not be underestimated. And what is Nel doing? For shareholders, it is a rollercoaster once again. An order cancellation is followed by new hopes that the EU might completely cut off the Russian gas tap.

    Read

    Commented by Armin Schulz on May 13th, 2025 | 07:00 CEST

    When returns meet security: Why Almonty Industries is suddenly everyone's darling!

    • Mining
    • Tungsten
    • Defense
    • Investments

    In 2025, the world looks at a map full of conflicts: tensions are escalating in Ukraine, the Middle East, and along new geopolitical fault lines in Asia and Africa. Hopes for peace are giving way to a reality of rearmament and militarization. This dynamic is fueling the defense industry. But its boom depends on an inconspicuous metal: tungsten. With its unique heat resistance and density, it is irreplaceable for armor-piercing ammunition, missiles, and high-performance alloys. While China dominates the global market, a Canadian company is stepping into the spotlight: Almonty Industries. With the revival of the legendary Sangdong mine in South Korea and strategic partnerships, Almonty could become a key player for the West.

    Read