Palantir, First Phosphate, BYD – AI, battery raw materials, and e-mobility are driving growth

Palantir share price rises to new record high after quarterly results - AI business drives share price

The US data analysis company Palantir has impressed with its recently published quarterly figures. Its revenue rose to USD 827.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to expectations of USD 776 million. Adjusted earnings per share of USD 0.14 also exceeded forecasts of USD 0.11. Investors are rewarding this excellent result: the share price has risen by 23.31% to EUR 98.59 since the publication of the latest figures.

One reason for the strong performance is the unabated demand for AI solutions, faster data analysis, and process optimization. 43% more customers than in the previous quarter are rewarding this. The focus here is on the Company's own AIP platform, which is used to test and debug code in order to optimize AI scenarios. CEO Alex Karp explains: "Our business results continue to amaze and prove that we are increasingly at the center of the AI revolution". Palantir is a prime example of what the digital revolution can achieve when working hand in hand with government organizations and commercial enterprises. In the US alone, revenues in the fourth quarter rose by 64% year-on-year and 20% quarter-on-quarter to USD 214 million.

Palantir remains optimistic about the coming quarter. For Q1/25, the Company expects revenue of between USD 858 and 862 million. For the full year 2025, Palantir could generate revenue of between USD 3.74 and 3.76 billion. This outlook is well above the average analyst estimates of USD 3.52 billion.

Karp is optimistic about the DOGE planned by President Trump in cooperation with Elon Musk. Creative destruction and disruption of outdated structures are needed to truly create something new. Whether this will also activate the scenario conjured up in the movie Skynet, in which machines take control over humanity, remains unanswered as a theory.

600 tons per day: First Phosphate plans large-scale production of battery raw materials

Increasing digitalization calls for solutions for energy storage and its production. This is where the Company First Phosphate is positioning itself, with a focus on lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP). The global market for LFP is in a strong growth phase. The market size was already estimated at USD 10.9 to 16.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 17.2 to 124.4 billion by 2032.

In October 2024, the LFP share of 47.0 GWh even accounted for 79.4% of China's entire battery market, corresponding to a year-on-year growth of 75%. BYD's growth strategy underscores this demand for LFP.

LFP batteries impress automobile manufacturers with their combination of durability and cost-effectiveness. With over 2,000 charging cycles and their ability to withstand severe temperature fluctuations, they are ideally suited for particularly cold or warm regions. The production costs are about 20% lower than those of comparable lithium-ion batteries. By avoiding critical raw materials such as nickel and cobalt, they meet modern sustainability requirements, which the EU is currently placing particular emphasis on.

Now, the Company First Phosphate has submitted a positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its Bégin-Lamarche phosphate project in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Canada. The project, located 75 km northwest of the city of Saguenay, has a lifespan of 23 years and is expected to produce 900,000 tons of phosphate concentrate and 380,000 tons of magnetite annually. The special quality of the rock, with minimal impurities, makes it ideal for the production of high-quality phosphoric acid. With a planned daily capacity of 600 tons of P2O5 (phosphorus pentoxide, the standardized unit of measurement for phosphate products in industry) and secured offtake agreements, the Company is excellently positioned in the growing market for battery materials.

A cooperation agreement with the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation, which ensures the sustainable development of the project, also strengthens the sustainable growth of First Phosphate. The agreement ensures jobs and economic opportunities for the indigenous community and guarantees the protection of their traditional territory. The partnership follows the principle of indigenous self-determination and sustainable resource use.

Due to the first-class quality of the processing, the production will take place in Canada. According to CEO John Passalacqua, possible US tariffs could positively impact the industry and lead to increased investment in the Canadian mining sector. In an interview with Proactive Investors, Passalacqua expects the tariffs to accelerate the reduction of red tape, which should benefit critical mineral projects. He emphasizes the need for domestic investment by pension funds and financial institutions to further expand Canada's leading position in the critical minerals market.

BYD continues on growth path: 1st Sales Director for Germany appointed

While Porsche dismisses two board members and Volkswagen is struggling under its own bureaucracy, the Chinese battery and automobile manufacturer BYD has appointed Patrick Schulz as its first Sales Director for Germany. This strategic move is part of a sales strategy specifically for the German market. BYD aims to sell around 50,000 electrified passenger vehicles this year in Germany.

Patrick Schulz has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry. Most recently, he was head of sales at MG Motor Germany. Before that, he worked at Hyundai Motor Germany as head of sales strategy and deputy sales director, where he was responsible for further developing the sales strategy. With the appointment of Schulz and the possible takeover of two VW plants in Dresden and Osnabrück, BYD is not only avoiding EU punitive tariffs but is also strengthening Germany as a business location. This is accompanied by the expansion of a sales network to at least 120 sales locations throughout Germany.

Analysts at Deutsche Bank predict that BYD will achieve global sales of 5.52 million vehicles in 2025, corresponding to a growth of around 29% over the previous year. Golden times, not only for automakers BYD but also related industries, such as mining and commodity producers.

Palantir impresses investors with its quarterly figures. The jump in revenue to USD 827.5 million shows the unbroken demand for AI solutions and successful market positioning. In particular, the AIP platform is driving growth. The number of customers increased by 45% in the last quarter alone. The optimistic outlook for 2025, with expected revenues of up to USD 3.76 billion, including the DOGE project by Trump and Musk, points to further gains. First Phosphate is positioning itself in the booming market for LFP batteries, which promises enormous growth potential until 2032. The Bégin-Lamarche phosphate project in Canada offers excellent investment opportunities with a 23-year lifespan and planned production of 600 tons of P2O5 per day. The cooperation with the indigenous community will create new jobs, and the possible US tariffs could even be an accelerator for the entire raw materials industry. BYD continues to grow in Germany and has appointed Patrick Schulz as its first Sales Director. With 25 years of industry experience, he will implement the ambitious plan to sell 50,000 electric vehicles in the German market. With the expansion to 120 sales locations, the brand's visibility will also increase, making it quite likely that this plan could succeed with the current pricing strategy.