The Week That’s Done: The Rare Earth Conundrum
February 26, 2023Australian rare earth miner Lynas hits roadblocks in Malaysia, just as the red carpet is rolled out for its Chinese competitors. Meanwhile, battery giant CATL wants to lock in business with cut-rate prices—but only to select EV makers. Plus, natural gas prices tumble and a manufacturing slowdown in Japan.
The Week That’s Done: August 28
August 28, 2022Moscow toys with global energy markets and LNG prices surge – with second-order consequences for Beijing’s international influence, global food supply, US inflation. Plus: Drought compounds agricultural crisis, the SPR sits at its lowest level since 1985, Japan eyes nuclear, and China launches a new wave of stimulus. And, of course, Powell says tighten your seatbelts.
The Week That’s Done: July 31
July 31, 2022Rare movement in DC offers a glimmer of hope for industrial investment – or at least a signal to the private sector. The bad news: This challenge is above government's pay grade; recession (word choice be damned) looms, and not just in the US; everywhere from energy to grain to space, Russia is adeptly playing spoiler. Plus: scandium, tritium, fixed-price forward contracts, and more.
The Week That’s Done: July 10
July 10, 2022From disruption in personality politics to cascading social (and economic) disruption, this week has it all. Plus, natural gas soars even if oil shows relief; China doubles down on lithium; dollar-euro parity nears; and the US continues to waffle on tariffs.