Close menu




July 18th, 2022 | 14:57 CEST

Where scarcity turns to yield: TUI, Defense Metals, K+S

  • RareEarths
  • Inflation
Photo credits: pixabay.com

Long lines at baggage check-ins, sold-out fan heaters and expensive sunflower oil: everything is in short supply at the moment. Given the shortages, many economists anticipate that it could become a nail in the coffin for the economy. As the economic survey by the Institute for Economic Research (IER) shows, the construction industry, in particular, is heading for a recession. Many developers simply no longer feel like planning unpredictable projects. We highlight other sectors and companies characterized by scarcity and point out opportunities.

time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Nico Popp
ISIN: TUI AG NA O.N. | DE000TUAG000 , DEFENSE METALS CORP. | CA2446331035 , K+S AG NA O.N. | DE000KSAG888

Table of contents:


    TUI with comeback fantasy: Things are going better here than the share price suggests

    One industry that is currently being hit hard by the general shortage is tourism. There is a shortage of staff both at the airport and in the restaurant at the destination. The share of the travel provider TUI has already marked its all-time low in the past week, which is actually a crisis signal, but people at TUI are quite optimistic. In the fall, Sebastian Ebel, the previous chief financial officer, will take the helm at the tourism group. TUI expects bookings in 2022 to be almost at pre-Corona levels. In the medium term, TUI wants to strengthen its balance sheet further and grow again.

    While flights upon flights are being cancelled at Lufthansa, TUI is confident. Despite a high level of sick leave and thin staffing, almost all travellers should be able to fly for vacation. To this end, TUI has expanded its fleet in good time and booked new capacities. At the end of the Corona winter, TUI had shown itself optimistic in this respect. Since TUI turned dynamically into the plus immediately after its all-time low last Friday, the value could become attractive for traders - after a 50% loss in three months, an upward thrust could follow. Also, fundamentally it does not look so bad for TUI. However, the value is not a long-term investment.

    Defense Metals: Rare earths are more in demand than ever before

    Defense Metals is less dependent on economic speculation and employee sick leave. The Canadian Company is exploring its Wicheeda rare earths project in the Canadian District of British Columbia, where a 5,000m drilling program began in June. "Given the success of last year's 5,349m diamond drill program, we look forward to further defining the Wicheeda deposit. Particularly the high-grade northern area, testing near-resource exploration targets, and commencing our pre-feasibility level geotechnical studies," said President and Director Luisa Moreno. "As announced last week, metallurgical optimizations at the SGS Lakefield site are progressing rapidly and we look forward to releasing the results of this test work as information becomes available." The project is considered very promising and already has a Preliminary Economic Feasibility Assessment (PEA), which was released in January of this year and attests to the project's robust key data.

    Rare earths are in demand for many future technologies: displays, batteries, and high technology for armaments and regenerative energies. Since China has played a dominant role in the rare earths market for many years, projects in other economies are rare. At the latest, since the discussion about de-globalization in the wake of the war in Ukraine and higher arms spending, even Japan has sworn off rigorous pacifism, rare earth projects are exciting. The Defense Metals share, like many growth stocks, has come down significantly. However, both the project and the Company are worth taking a closer look at. In the long term, there could be great potential here.

    K+S: What does the crash mean?

    The K+S share has been hot for months. Once criticized as a problem child, K+S now benefits from inflation and high food prices. The fertilizer company is in demand to keep agricultural production high and offset the consequences of the Ukraine war and climate capers. Although the share recently fell from EUR 36 to below EUR 20, the investment story remains intact. K+S remains a stock that is benefiting from the general shortage. However, the fall in the share price shows that the air to the upside is becoming thinner and thinner.


    If investors want to invest in scarcity, they should keep a few things in mind: It is essential that companies with an operating business also have the capacity to profit from scarcity. This is the case with TUI, for example. Anyone who books here has a good chance of also being able to take off on vacation. K+S can also supply fertilizers. The already ambitious valuation of the Kassel-based Company is a negative factor. Defense Metals also offers an exciting niche: As an exploration company, Defense is not measured by quarterly or sales figures. The only thing that matters is the economic potential of the Wicheeda project. In a time when anything can happen, it can be an advantage that Defense is not thinking about becoming a producer for several years.


    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 Nico Popp on October 22nd, 2025 | 07:10 CEST

    Hype and day-to-day business – What matters now: European Lithium, BMW, Mercedes-Benz

    • Mining
    • Lithium
    • CriticalMetals
    • Electromobility
    • RareEarths

    European Lithium shares have recently caused quite a stir. But what is behind the surge that has multiplied its value within just a few days? What role does the Company actually play - for the US and also for Europe? We sort through the many reports on European Lithium and show where the Company could be headed in the medium term. One thing seems certain: Without European Lithium, the outlook for the automotive industry on both sides of the Atlantic looks bleak. Reason enough to take a closer look at the background.

    Read

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on October 21st, 2025 | 07:30 CEST

    Raw materials alert for defense and technology! Almonty, MP Materials, and Rheinmetall!

    • Mining
    • Tungsten
    • Defense
    • RareEarths
    • CriticalMetals

    Europe faces a growing raw materials challenge. Whether it is rare earths, tungsten, or other critical metals, these resources are essential not only for defense, but for countless industries, including AI. The FAZ recently spoke to Almonty CEO Lewis Black about this, dedicating almost an entire page to the issue. Conclusion: Europe must act. The US has long since taken decisive action, securing access for its industry by investing in raw materials companies such as MP Materials and Lithium Americas. Europe's hesitation could pose a risk for Rheinmetall, even if investors are currently overlooking it - especially as the Company is also expanding in the US. Hopefully, Defense Minister Pistorius will have this issue on his radar during his visit to Canada.

    Read

    Commented by Stefan Feulner on October 14th, 2025 | 07:05 CEST

    Tilray, Graphano Energy, Arafura Rare Earths – Battle for raw materials intensifies

    • Mining
    • graphite
    • rawmaterials
    • RareEarths
    • Cannabis

    While the US appeared to be heading for a trade war with China on Friday, US President Donald Trump posted a message on his social media platform, "Truth Social", on Sunday, giving a slight all-clear. But is this really the end of the dispute between the world's two largest economies? Hardly. In fact, the battle for critical raw materials is likely to intensify in the coming months, if not years, meaning Western producers could benefit disproportionately.

    Read