Strategic metals, rare and in demand! Rheinmetall, Almonty Industries, JinkoSolar

Rheinmetall - Geopolitical uncertainties impact prices

With the renewed flare-up of the Middle East conflict 10 days ago, investors very quickly recalled the strong performance of Rheinmetall & Co. at the beginning of 2022. Although the Rheinmetall share recently entered a prolonged consolidation, it has been taken back into portfolios ad hoc. Does this promise a long-term perspective in addition to quick trading gains? We look at the fundamentals.

For Rheinmetall, analysts expect sales to increase from EUR 7.7 billion to EUR 11.8 billion in the years 2023 to 2026, compared to EUR 6.4 billion in 2022. Thus, within 5 fiscal years, revenues will roughly double. On the surplus side, the momentum is somewhat higher still. Here, earnings per share will rise from EUR 10.62 to around EUR 24.50 - an increase of a massive 130%. This assumes, of course, that management is able to handle the high operating growth, both in terms of personnel and finance. The Rheinmetall share has already made the leap into the DAX 40 index with a threefold price increase but has been treading water since March 2023. The 16 analysts on the Refinitiv Eikon platform unanimously advise an entry into Rheinmetall and expect an average price target of EUR 300 for the next 12 months. Inclined investors might consider the 10% potential gain at prices around EUR 271 or wait for further developments. Conversely, if geopolitical uncertainties were to dissipate, it could be a rapid trigger for profit-taking.

Almonty Industries - Strategic metals take center stage

A major supplier to Rheinmetall in the international context could also be Almonty Industries. The Canadian company owns four tungsten properties and plans to bring its flagship Sangdong mine in South Korea back into production in the next 6 months. From this site, they will be able to supply 5% of the total world consumption of the ultra-hard metal, which accounts for approximately 70% of the world's deposits outside of China.

The hardening and alloying metal wolfram, or "tungsten" in English, with its extreme heat resistance, is essential for manufacturing high-tech applications in the field of energy systems, IT and armor. In recent studies, tungsten oxide is also said to have good properties for future battery technologies. However, the application range of the metal is complex and unique. Some applications require only a small amount but cannot be used without the rare metal. One major consumer is the US, which has built up a strategic stockpile in recent years, and this reserve is now largely depleted.

CEO Lewis Black is well aware of the strategic importance of their properties. In addition to the development of the Sangdong mine, the reactivation of the Spanish mines is also an option for major customers. In the short term, this could be an interesting option. Among the shareholders of Almonty Industries are the CEO, the Austrian Plansee Group, and the German Deutsche Rohstoff AG. The free float is just under 50%. Things could get exciting if new major investors show interest and want to jump on board in the final phase of the Sangdong reactivation. This could potentially drive the stock price significantly higher. The recent increase in trading volumes suggests that some investors may already be positioning themselves. Analyst firms Sphene Capital and First Berlin expect CAD 1.59 and CAD 1.70, respectively, over the next 12 months. From the current level at CAD 0.56, it is a compelling story with tripling fantasy.

Lewis Black on YouTube discussing Almonty Industries' strategic position at the 8th International Investment Forum: Watch now!

JinkoSolar - Strong correction, and now the turnaround?

Another buyer of strategic metals is JinkoSolar. The Chinese high-tech stock has gone somewhat out of fashion in recent months due to the continuously deteriorating margin situation in the solar industry caused by a substantial increase in manufacturing costs. However, price adjustments to reflect the current times have taken place, making the world leader in solar panels attractive again at a significantly lower level.

The entire company is now valued at only USD 1.6 billion. At the beginning of 2022, JinkoSolar still listed its subsidiary Jiangxi Jinko on the Singapore stock exchange, raising around USD 1 billion. Large portions of this should still be available as cash - 5 of 7 analysts on the Refinitiv Eikon platform rate JinkoSolar as a buy. The average target price is USD 51.40, approximately 70% above the current trading price. After a more than 45% price correction from its high, the title now appears attractively priced. The next figures for the third quarter are expected on October 26. **If the timid buybacks of the last few days are to be believed, a positive surprise could be lurking this time.

**Taking the climate transition seriously also requires considering where the large quantities of strategic metals will come from. The known mines are currently running at full capacity, with Russia and China continuing to be the largest suppliers. However, the energy transition depends on stable jurisdictions and deposits in politically friendly areas. A rethink by Western governments is therefore needed as quickly as possible. Almonty Industries can already deliver what Rheinmetall and JinkoSolar still urgently need.