Radiopharm Theranostics (RAD:AU) has announced RAD 202 receives approval to start Phase 1 therapeutic trial
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The US Federal Reserve announced an interest rate cut of 25 basis points on Wednesday (December 18), reducing its target range to 4.25 to 4.5 percent in its third reduction of the year.
Policymakers also signaled that only two rate cuts are expected in 2025 versus the four originally forecast.
In comments after the Fed’s meeting, Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that the Fed will remain cautious next year, focusing on labor market strength and further progress in curbing inflation.
‘I think the actual cuts that we make next year will not be because of anything we wrote down today. We’re going to react to data; that’s just the general sense of what the committee thinks is likely to be appropriate,’ he said.
Gold, silver and markets fall post-rate cut
Financial markets experienced significant volatility following the Fed’s announcement.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) dropped by 1,123 points on Wednesday, a 2.58 percent decline, which extended its losing streak to 10 consecutive days — the longest since 1974.
The S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) dropped 178.45 points, or 2.95 percent, ending at 5,872.16.
Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) recorded the steepest decline of the three on Wednesday, losing 716.37 points, or 3.56 percent, to close at 19,392.69.
The selloff was triggered by the Fed’s cautious tone and change in its 2025 rate cut projections. Many market participants had anticipated a more aggressive series of reductions, and took the time to reassess their strategies.
Some experts have described the Fed’s move as a “hawkish cut.’ The Fed’s hesitation about future policy shifts has heightened investor uncertainty, leading to widespread profit taking in the market.
Bond yields also rose sharply as investors now expect tighter financial conditions for an extended period.
The gold price experienced volatility, shedding 2 percent following the rate cut, slipping to US$2,585 per ounce. The decline marked the first time the yellow metal has fallen below US$2,600 since mid-November.
While gold rebounded in after-hours trading, sister metal silver fell 3 percent after the rate cut and is holding in the US$29.20 per ounce range.
Powell talks Trump and Bitcoin after meeting
In a press conference after the Fed’s meeting, Powell addressed questions about how the central bank’s decisions may interact with economic policies proposed by President-elect Donald Trump.
While emphasizing the Fed’s independence, Powell also acknowledged the uncertainty currently surrounding Trump’s proposed tax cuts, tariff increases and immigration measures.
‘It’s very premature to make any kind of conclusions. We don’t know what will be tariffed, from what countries, for how long, in what size,’ Powell explained to reporters on Wednesday.
That said, he noted that Fed officials have started assessing potential scenarios. Powell also said Trump’s policies could have inflationary effects, particularly through increased tariffs and fiscal stimulus measures.
For instance, the Fed’s projections show economic growth remaining slightly above trend in 2025, with inflation staying above target for at least two more years. The jobless rate is expected to remain low, hovering around 4.3 percent.
These conditions, Powell said, will guide future monetary policy decisions, irrespective of changes in fiscal policy.
He also clarified the central bank’s stance on digital assets, responding to Trump’s campaign discussions on creating a strategic reserve for popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin.
Powell was clear that the Fed is not authorized to own Bitcoin under existing laws, and has no plans to advocate for legislative changes to enable such holdings.
‘That’s the kind of thing for Congress to consider, but we are not looking for a law change at the Fed,’ he said.
Following Powell’s comment, Bitcoin dropped below US$100,000, its steepest decline since September of this year.
Moving forward, the Fed reiterated its goal to bring inflation back to its benchmark 2 percent target.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX: CYM, OTC: CYPMF) (Cyprium or the Company) is pleased to announce the successful completion of Tranche 1 of the two-tranche placement to raise in aggregate A$13.5 million (before costs) via the issue of a total of 483,203,140 fully paid ordinary shares in the Company (Placement Shares) at an issue price of A$0.028 per Share, as announced by the Company on 13 December 2024 (Placement).
Highlights:
- Tranche 1 of the Placement raised A$5.2 million (before costs).
- Completion of Tranche 2 of the Placement to raise an additional A$8.3 million is subject to shareholder approval at an extraordinary meeting to be held in January 2025.
- Cyprium intends to undertake a retail entitlement offer to existing eligible shareholders on the same terms as the Placement.
Pursuant to the terms of the Placement, subscribers were offered 1 free-attaching unlisted option for every 2 Placement Shares subscribed for, with an exercise price of A$0.042 per option and expiry date of 31 December 2027 (Placement Options).
Under Tranche 1 of the Placement, the Company confirms that it has today issued:
- 185,714,285 Placement Shares; and
- 92,857,143 Placement Options.
Tranche 2 of the Placement, comprising 297,488,855 Placement Shares and 148,744,427 Placement Options will be issued subject to shareholder approval which will be sought at a meeting of the Company’s shareholders in January 2025. Shareholder approval is also being sought for the issue of 20,000,000 options on the same terms as the Placement Options to the cornerstone investor of the Placement.
Proceeds of the Placement will be used as follows:
- Nifty site costs;
- Permit support and DFS preparation and costs;
- Tenement maintenance and geology work;
- Working capital and costs of the Placement.
Canaccord Genuity acted as Lead Manager to the Placement.
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The uranium market entered 2024 on strong footing after a year of significant price movement, as well as renewed attention on nuclear energy’s role in the global energy transition.
After a hitting a 17 year high in February, the uranium spot price declined and then stabilized for the rest of 2024, highlighting the fragile balance between supply constraints and growing demand.
Uranium ended the year around US$73.75 per pound, down from its earlier heights, but still historically elevated.
Key drivers of 2024’s momentum included geopolitical tensions, particularly US sanctions on Russian uranium imports, and supply-side challenges, such as Kazatomprom’s (LSE:KAP,OTC Pink:NATKY)reduced output. Meanwhile, the energy transition narrative bolstered uranium’s importance as countries sought reliable, low-carbon energy sources. The global push for nuclear energy, amplified by new commitments at COP29, has set the stage for continued growth in demand.
Heading into 2025, questions about long-term supply security, the geopolitical reshaping of the uranium market and the direction the price will take are expected to dominate industry discussions.
Investors, utilities and policymakers alike are navigating an increasingly dynamic market, looking to capitalize on nuclear energy’s pivotal role in a decarbonized future.
Uranium M&A heating up, more expected in 2025
According to the World Nuclear Association, uranium demand is forecast to grow by 28 percent between 2023 and 2030. To satisfy this projected growth, uranium majors will need to increase annual production.
They can do so by expanding current mines — if the economics are viable — or by acquiring new projects.
The market began to see heightened merger and acquisition activity in 2024, and the trend is likely to continue into 2025 and beyond, according to Gerado Del Real of Digest Publishing.
He added, “I think it makes sense for some of these bigger companies to start merging and really create a market for themselves, and then take market share for the next several decades.”
One of 2024’s most notable deals was a C$1.14 billion mega merger that saw Australia’s Paladin Energy (ASX:PDN,OTCQX:PALAF) move to acquire Saskatchewan-focused Fission Uranium (TSX:FCU,OTCQX:FCUUF).
The deal, which was announced in July, is currently undergoing an extended review by the Canadian government under the Investment Canada Act. Canadian officials have cited national security concerns as a reason for the extension.
A key factor is opposition from China’s state-owned CGN Mining, which holds an 11.26 percent stake in Fission Uranium. The review reflects heightened scrutiny over critical uranium resources amid geopolitical tensions and global energy security concerns. The prolonged evaluation is now set to conclude by December 30, 2024.
With no guarantee of approval, both companies are navigating the implications as Canada carefully weighs the acquisition’s potential impact on its domestic uranium sector and national interests.
Although the Paladin deal remains precarious, it hasn’t impeded other uranium sector transactions.
At the beginning of Q3, IsoEnergy (TSX:ISO,OTCQX:ISENF) announced plans to buy US-focused Anfield Energy (TSXV:AEC,OTCQB:ANLDF). The deal will significantly increase the company’s resource base to 17 million pounds of measured and indicated uranium, and 10.6 million pounds inferred.
The acquisition will also position IsoEnergy as a potentially major US producer.
“We’ll be looking toward some pretty robust M&A In 2025,” said Del Real.
Companies weren’t the only dealmakers in 2024. In mid-December, state-owned Russian company Rosatom sold its stakes in key Kazakh uranium deposits to Chinese firms.
Uranium One Group, a Rosatom unit, sold its 49.979 percent stake in the Zarechnoye mine to SNURDC Astana Mining Company, controlled by China’s State Nuclear Uranium Resources Development Company.
Additionally, Uranium One is expected to relinquish its 30 percent stake in the Khorasan-U joint venture to China Uranium Development Company, linked to China General Nuclear Power.
For Chris Temple of the National Investor, the move further evidences the notion that China is using backdoor loopholes to circumvent US policy decisions for its own benefit.
“China is selling enriched uranium to the US that’s actually Russian-enriched uranium — but (China) owns it,” he said. “It’s the same as when China goes and sets up a car factory in Mexico, and Mexico sells the cars to the US.”
Geopolitical tensions to amp up supply concerns
Geopolitical tensions are also anticipated to play a key role in uranium market dynamics in 2025.
In the US, the Biden administration’s Russian uranium ban will continue to be a factor in the country’s supply and demand story. In 2023, the US purchased 51.6 million pounds of uranium, with 12 percent supplied by Russia.
In response to the Russian uranium ban and other sanctions stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin levied its own enriched uranium export ban on the US in November.
With a potential shortfall of 6.92 million pounds looming for the US, strategic partnerships with allies will be crucial.
“If we take a North American — and this includes Canada — (approach), we can find enough supply for the next several years. I am a firm believer that after the next several years of contracts have gobbled up and secured the supply that’s necessary, that we’re just going to be short unless we have much higher prices,” said Del Real.
Canada is home to some of the largest high-quality uranium deposits, making it a plausible source of US supply.
Continental collaboration was an idea that was reiterated by Temple.
“The biggest beneficiaries, if we’re looking at it in the context of North America, are going to be Canadian companies first,’ he said. ‘Secondly, some of the US ones that are going to be adding production that have just been idle for years. You’ve got UEC (NYSEAMERICAN:UEC) and Energy Fuels (TSX:EFR,NYSEAMERICAN:UUUU), two that I follow most closely, and they are starting to ramp back up. It’s going to take a while to get there, but they’re going to do well.”
While Canadian uranium may be the closest and most accessible for the US market, concerns that tariffs touted by Donald Trump could result in a tit-for-tat battle impacting the energy sector have grown in recent weeks.
Despite the incoming president’s tough rhetoric, both Del Real and Temple see it more as a negotiation tactic.
“The cynical part of me doesn’t believe that the tariffs will actually be implemented in any sort of sustainable way, because I’m not a fan. They’re not effective. They’ve been proven to not be effective. They hurt the consumer more than anyone else, and I don’t think that the incoming administration is going to want to start by ramping prices up,” said Del Real, noting that it remains to be seen if the tariff strategy is deployed like a “chainsaw or a scalpel.”
Temple also underscored the need for diplomacy and unification between the US and Canada.
“Trump has made a lot of threats about what he’s going to do as far as tariffs and whatnot. But again, his whole tariff policy is using a sledgehammer in multiple places when a scalpel in fewer places is appropriate,” he said.
He went on to explain that the tariffs are meant to impact China, but the policy is not well targeted. He believes there needs to be more wisdom and nuance in dealing with China, rather than just relying on overarching tariffs.
More broadly, Temple warned of the potential consequences of pushing China too hard and destabilizing the global economy, a concern he sees as a factor that could be very impactful in 2025.
China’s economic troubles, driven by an unprecedented debt-to-GDP ratio, are a looming concern for global markets, Temple added. While much of the focus remains on tariff policies, the bigger issue is China’s fragile economic position, with mounting challenges that require more nuanced strategies than punitive measures like tariffs.
If political tensions escalate — especially under a Trump presidency — market confidence could erode further as businesses look to exit China.
Resource nationalism, jurisdiction and green premiums
Resource nationalism is also seen playing a pivotal role in the uranium market next year.
As African nations like Niger and Mali look to reshape their domestic resource sectors, uranium projects in those jurisdictions will have a heightened risk profile.
“I think (jurisdiction) will be critical,” said Del Real. “I think it has been critical.”
He went on to underscore that with equities currently underperforming, using jurisdiction as a barometer is easier.
“The silver lining that I see as a stock picker and somebody that invests actively in the space, is that it’s so much easier for me to pick the companies that are in great jurisdictions when I’m getting a discount,’ said Del Real.
Africa is an area that Del Real would be cautious about due to a variety of risks, but moving forward supply from the continent is likely to become a key part of the long-term uranium narrative. According to data from the World Nuclear Association, Africa holds at least 20 percent of global uranium reserves.
For Temple, the scramble to secure fresh pounds could lead to a fractured market. “I think there’s going to be a bifurcation in the world, where eastern uranium is going to stay in the east. Western uranium is going to stay in the west. As we ramp back up and some of what’s in between, maybe including Africa, will get bid over,” he said.
Adding to this bifurcation could be a green premium on uranium produced using more sustainable methods such as in-situ recovery. This “green” uranium could demand a higher price than recovery methods that rely on sulfuric acid.
“There is more likely to be a green premium, and beyond a green premium it’s a matter simply of logistics and shipping costs and all of those things — and, of course, resource nationalism,’ said Temple.
He also pointed out that globalization is increasingly being reevaluated, with national security and environmental concerns driving a shift toward regional supply chains and localized production.
Even without recent tariff and trade disputes, the push to reduce dependency on global markets has been growing for years, fueled by legislation like the EU’s distance-based import taxes.
This trend suggests a premium on domestically produced goods and resources.
Experts call for triple-digit uranium prices in 2025
With so many tailwinds building for uranium, it’s no surprise that Del Real and Temple expect the price of the commodity to rise back into triple-digit territory sooner rather than later.
“I think that inevitably, the spot price is going to have some catching up to do with the enrichment prices, as well as the contract prices,” said Temple. “It’s a no-brainer that we get back in triple digits sooner rather than later in 2025, and ultimately I think you’re looking easily in the next few years at US$150 to US$200.”
He cited the rise of artificial intelligence data centers as one of the main price catalysts.
For Del Real, the spot price has found a new floor in the US$75 to US$80 range, with higher levels to come.
“I think we’ll finally be at triple digits in the uranium space,” he said. “(It didn’t take a lot of) time to get from US$20, US$30 to US$70, US$80 and then it was a real straight line past the US$100 mark into consolidation,” he said. “I think the utilities are going to start coming offline. And I absolutely see a sustainable triple-digit price in the uranium space for 2025.”
In terms of investments, both Temple and De Real expressed their fondness for UEC. Del Real also highlighted uranium exploration company URZ3 Energy (TSXV:URZ,OTCQB:NVDEF) as a junior with growth potential.
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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The United Nations has designated 2025 as the year of quantum science and technology, highlighting the profound impact that technological advancements are poised to have on the world.
The increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) across a wide array of industries has spurred significant investment in the sector over the last two years as the world’s largest tech firms jump in. As AI continues to evolve, many investors are wondering if 2025 will be a pivotal year when these investments begin to show significant returns.
How will AI affect the stock market in 2025?
2024 was marked by concerns over the dominance and high valuations of the Magnificent 7, and heading into 2025, investors are keenly watching how these companies will influence the broader stock market.
Citigroup (NYSE:C) analysts have a generally positive outlook for 2025, noting that the Magnificent 7 aren’t trading at unprecedented valuations; rather, the other S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) stocks are at a higher risk.
Essentially, the US stock market is priced for perfection, leaving it susceptible to a correction triggered by rising interest rates, disappointing earnings or a broader economic slowdown.
For its part, BNY asserts that the Magnificent 7 may actually be undervalued relative to their future growth potential. While acknowledging the record-high profit margins in the tech sector, the firm contends that valuations relative to the rest of the market are cheaper than during similar periods of technological advancement in history.
Further, the expectation of continued profit margin expansion and earnings growth fueled by ongoing AI innovation supports the notion of further upside potential for tech stocks.
AI juggernaut NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) sustained profitability underscores its dominant market position and ability to efficiently capitalize on the surging demand for its products.
Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) analysts believe the Magnificent 7 will continue to outperform the rest of the S&P 500 in 2025, but only by 7 percentage points, the lowest amount in seven years. The firm sees various elements, including macro factors like US growth and trade policy, favoring the ‘S&P 493.’
David Rosenberg, founder of independent research firm Rosenberg Research and Associates, expressed to the Globe and Mail on December 5 that he has shifted his perspective on the US stock market.
Rather than focusing on reasons for its overvaluation and bearish indicators, he aims to understand the underlying factors driving the market’s behavior over the past two years.
“The market is telling us that we are in a ‘Model Shift’ when it comes to future growth and profits,” he explained. “Traditional valuation methods, like price-to-earnings ratios, are backward-looking and may not be suitable in this environment. Investors are focused on long-term potential, particularly in areas like AI, and are willing to pay a premium for it. The current surge in AI might resemble the dot-com bubble, but it could take years to confirm.’
He added that interest rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve would support higher valuations.
BNY also points to historical data showing that an environment of easing monetary policy tends to coincide with economic growth, with an average of 16.5 percent growth in the year following initial rate cuts since 1984. It suggests that S&P 500 earnings growth will be between 10 to 15 percent in 2025, with the index reaching around 6,600 in 2025. Although this represents slower growth compared to 2024, it still indicates continued expansion.
While Rosenberg is mindful of near-term risks, such as weakness in the US labor market and the likelihood of profit-taking and early rebalancing, he emphasized the importance of keeping an open mind in 2025.
In his view, it’s key for investors to learn from the mistakes of the past year, such as overreacting to short-term volatility and underestimating the potential of transformative technologies.
Profitability in focus as AI improvement rate slows
While Big Tech pours billions into AI development, the question of profitability in 2025 hangs in the balance.
Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is prioritizing long-term AI dominance over short-term gains. The company’s aggressive AI spending is expected to continue in 2025, potentially impacting immediate revenue growth.
Similarly, Meta (NASDAQ:META) is heavily investing in AI, with a projected US$1 billion increase in capital expenditures for 2024. CFO Susan Li acknowledged in the company’s earnings call for Q3 of this year that both depreciation and operating expenses will grow next year as Meta expands its AI infrastructure and product line.
Overall, the AI landscape in 2025 hinges significantly on whether Big Tech can deliver on its ambitious promises, and recent commentary suggests that the rate of AI improvement may be slowing down. Several AI investors, founders and CEOs told TechCrunch in November that the focus may shift to efficiency and specialized AI solutions.
Test-time compute, which gives AI models more time to “think” before answering a question, emerged as part of the new era of scaling laws toward the end of 2024. Scaling laws are described by TechCrunch as the methods and expectations that labs have used to increase the capabilities of their models.
This development has fueled a growing belief — held by experts like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman — that artificial general intelligence (AGI) may be closer than previously anticipated.
Beyond the evolution of scaling laws, Konstantine Buhler of Sequoia Capital told Bloomberg News that 2025 is poised to be a breakout year for AI agents. These sophisticated programs, capable of independently performing tasks and making decisions, have the potential to revolutionize how we interact with technology and automate complex processes.
While the transformative potential of AI spans countless industries, the scale and timing of substantial returns remain uncertain as we navigate this uncharted technological territory.
AI hardware and infrastructure developments to watch
Regardless of the exact timeline or nature of AGI’s arrival, one thing is certain: the race to develop and deploy advanced AI is driving an insatiable demand for powerful hardware, and key companies are stepping up.
“While the mega-cap cloud companies will capture a lot of future revenue opportunities for AI, they are still in spending mode right now. They’re spending heavily on semiconductors, data center infrastructure, and energy,” Nicholas Mersch, associate portfolio manager at Purpose Investments, wrote in a July market commentary note.
The buildout is ongoing, and Big Tech’s latest round of quarterly reports indicates no immediate slowdown in infrastructure spending. This dynamic positions key hardware players like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM), NVIDIA and Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) for potentially stronger near-term returns.
For its part, Goldman Sachs predicts that investor focus will now shift from AI infrastructure to a wider “Phase 3” of AI application deployment and monetization. Companies of interest include software and services firms.
Lux Research highlights two primary models: the monopoly model and the ‘walled garden’ approach.
Companies like NVIDIA, Meta and Microsoft are pursuing a monopoly strategy, aiming to capture a large market share and maximize value extraction from a broad user base. Challenges include competition and pressure to keep prices low.
Companies can also adopt a ‘walled garden’ approach, similar to Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) ecosystem, which prioritizes a smaller, more engaged user base. By providing premium features and exclusive content, companies can increase value generated per user. This model may face challenges in achieving the same level of scale as the monopoly model.
Investor takeaway
The outlook for the tech sector and the broader stock market in 2025 is cautiously optimistic.
AI is expected to continue playing a pivotal role, with the race for AI dominance fueling investments in infrastructure and innovation, and positioning key hardware and software players for potential gains.
However, the profitability of AI investments remains to be seen. Companies’ ability to adapt and capitalize on emerging opportunities will be crucial for sustained success in the dynamic landscape of 2025.
Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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(TheNewswire)
TheNewswire – Troy Minerals Inc. (‘ Troy ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘ ) (CSE: TROY; OTCQB: TROYF; FSE: VJ3) announces a private placement financing of up to 4,166,666 flow-through common shares (the ‘ Shares ‘) of the Company at a price of $0.24 per Share for gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 (the ‘ Offering ‘).
Proceeds of the Offering will be used towards advancing the Company’s current mineral projects. Closing is expected to occur on or about December 24, 2024.
Rana Vig | CEO and Director
Telephone: 604-218-4766 rana@ranavig.com
The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Certain information contained herein constitutes ‘forward-looking information’ under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the completion of the Offering, size of the Offering, and intended use of funds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‘will’ or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results ‘will’ occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Not for distribution in the U.S. or to U.S. Newswire services.
Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.
News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia
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Investor and author Gianni Kovacevic shared his thoughts on copper market dynamics, saying that while the long-term trend is up, speculators can create significant shorter-term prices moves.
He also mentioned three copper companies he’s interested in right now: CopperNico Metals (TSX:COPR,OTCQB:CPPMF), Entree Resources (TSX:ETG,OTCQB:ERLFF) and Horizon Copper (TSXV:HCU,OTCQX:HNCUF).
In addition to copper, Kovacevic spoke about the growing opportunity he sees in lithium, highlighting how major miners like Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) are increasing their exposure to this important battery metal.
‘We are going to have a supply shortage. Not in the distant future — in the next 18 to 36 months it’ll be a front-page story, and it will be dovetailed with … oil and gas. And with that comes the oil and gas investor,’ he said.
Explaining his view, Kovacevic said oil and gas companies are becoming interested in direct lithium extraction.
Watch the interview above for more from Kovacevic on copper and lithium, as well as Donald Trump’s second term.
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Cardiex Limited (CDX:AU) has announced Cardiex Completes Placement Ahead of CONNEQT US Launch
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The price of tin rose to a year-to-date high of US$35,575 per metric ton in April on a series of supply and demand factors from the top tin-producing countries.
Despite declining in the second half of the year, prices appear to have found a bottom around the US$28,000 per metric ton level.
Improved semiconductor sales and growing investments in electric vehicles and solar panels are expected to fuel demand. Supply constraints in Myanmar and Indonesia, two major producers, led analysts at BMI Research to revise their 2024 tin price forecast upward to US$30,000 per metric ton.
Tin remains essential for renewable energy generation and electronics, with nearly half of its use in soldering applications critical for semiconductors, mobile phones, and electric cars.
Overall, analysts project a bullish long-term outlook, with tin prices potentially reaching US$45,000 by 2033 as global demand continues to rise.
To give investors a better idea of the tin supply landscape, we’ve put together a list of 2023’s top tin producers by country, based on data from the US Geological Survey.
Read on to learn more about those countries and their contributions to the tin industry.
1. China
Tin production: 68,000 metric tons
Tin reserves: 1.1 million metric tons
China was the world’s top tin-producing country in 2023, with output totaling 68,000 metric tons. It continues its streak as the world’s largest tin-producing country despite a gradual year-on-year decline, down from 2022’s 71,000 MT.
China also holds the largest tin reserves in the world, with more than 1.1 million metric tons.
Currently, China is embroiled in a trade war with the US as political tensions continue to mount. In December 2024, the trade giant China set new US export restrictions on essential minerals, including gallium, germanium and antimony. Analysts speculate that the export curb list will soon include tin, as both countries are determined to cut off each other’s dominance in specific production sectors.
2. Myanmar
Tin production: 54,000 metric tons
Tin reserves: 700,000 metric tons
Myanmar, also known as Burma, produced 54,000 metric tons of tin in 2023, leapfrogging over Indonesia to become the world’s second-largest tin-producing country last year. The Asian country garnered the largest increase in tin production, up significantly from 47,000 MT in 2022.
Myanmar’s self-administered Wa state is home to the majority of the country’s tin output, including the Man Maw tin mine, which is one of the world’s top-producing tin mines.
In April 2023, the Wa state declared that mining operations within its jurisdiction would be suspended starting in August to conserve mineral resources while awaiting an audit of the tin industry and the implementation of new mining regulations.
By August, all activities related to mining, processing and the transport of raw ore had been halted in the state. The Man Maw’s failure to restart operations in August 2023 due to the ban instituted by the Wa militia has impacted industry prices throughout the year. As of September 2024, mining at Man Maw was still suspended, although many smaller tin mines The tin audit has greatly limited tin imports to China and Indonesia, driving prices upward due to lower metal concentrates.
3. Indonesia
Tin production: 52,000 metric tons
Tin reserves: Not available
Indonesia’s tin production came in at 52,000 metric tons in 2023. After coming within touching distance of first place the year before with tin production of 70,000 MT to China’s 71,000 MT, in 2023 Indonesia conceded its runner-up spot to Burma. Contrary to Burma’s production surge, the country recorded the steepest production dip in 2023.
Last year, Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources designated tin as a critical mineral, recognizing its supply importance, economic value and role in high-tech applications.
4. Peru
Tin production: 23,000 metric tons
Tin reserves: 130,000 metric tons
Peru also saw its tin output decline last year, when the country’s total tin production was 23,000 metric tons, a drop from 2022’s 28,200 MT. The South American country was the primary supplier of tin to the US last year.
Peru-based miner Minsur operates the San Rafael tin mine in the country. San Rafael is one of the world’s largest tin mines.
5. Democratic Republic of Congo
Tin production: 19,000 metric tons
Tin reserves: 120,000 metric tons
The Democratic Republic of Congo produced 19,000 metric tons of tin in 2023, a slight increase in its production compared to 2022’s 18,600 MT.
Alphamin Resources (TSXV:AFM,OTC Pink:AFMJF) operates the Bisie tin complex, which hosts the world’s two highest-grade tin mines, Mpama North and the recently constructed Mpama South. The company is ramping up production at the operation following an expansion that will raise annual output to 20,000 MT.
6. Brazil
Tin production: 18,000 metric tons
Tin reserves: 420,000 metric tons
Brazil’s tin production totaled 18,000 metric tons in 2023, registering a slight year-over-year increase from 17,000 MT. Since its production uptick in recent years, Brazil remains as a mainstay among the world’s top tin producers.
This year, Peruvian miner Minsur agreed to sell its Brazilian subsidiary Mineração Taboca, which operates the Pitinga tin mine and Pirapora smelter in Brazil, to China Nonferrous Trade (OTC Pink:CNFMF,HKEX:1258) for US$340 million.
Taboca, the largest tin producer in Brazil, contributed over a third of the country’s refined tin production in 2023 and is Brazil’s only fully integrated tin producer. The Pitinga mine in the Amazon holds the world’s largest tin resource by tin content, with reserves of 279,000 MT expected to sustain production for at least 30 years.
6. Bolivia
Tin production: 18,000 metric tons
Tin reserves: 400,000 metric tons
Bolivia makes the list tied with Brazil at 18,000 metric tons of tin production in 2023.
Bolivia’s state-owned Vinto smelter declared force majeure in March 2023 due to coal shortages from Peru, resulting in weekly production losses of up to 200 MT of tin.
Further compounding the issue, Vinto did not receive concentrate from the country’s Huanuni and Calquiri mines for over two months due to US$90 million in outstanding debts, leading to protests by miners in La Paz who wanted the debt cancelled.
8. Australia
Tin production: 9,100 metric tons
Tin reserves: 620,000 metric tons
Australia’s tin output for 2023 remained relatively untouched at 9,100 metric tons, just a slight increase from 2022’s 9,000 MT.
Australian tin producer Metals X (ASX:MLX) has invested AU$4.64 million in First Tin (LSE:1SN) this year, acquiring a 23 percent stake to support tin development projects in Australia and Germany.
Metals X, co-owner of the Renison mine in Tasmania, aims to leverage its operational expertise to accelerate First Tin’s Taronga project in New South Wales, which targets production by 2027 following a strong feasibility study.
9. Nigeria
Tin production: 8,100 metric tons
Tin reserves: Not available
Nigeria follows the trend of incremental production increases year by year, increasing by 15.71 percent or 8,100 MT from 2022’s 7,000 MT mark. Nigeria’s Plateau State, home to the country’s largest tin reserves, has witnessed a resurgence in mining activities as global tin prices rose above US$30,000 per metric ton in 2024, up from US$5,000 in the early 2000s.
Despite this boom, the sector remains largely unregulated, with artisanal and illegal mining dominating production and contributing little to government revenue. Between 2018 and 2022, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, which includes tin, contributed a mere 0.17 percent to the nation’s GDP, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
10. Malaysia
Tin production: 6,100 metric tons
Tin reserves: Not available
Rounding out the list of the world’s top tin-producing countries for 2023 is Malaysia, which produced 6,100 metric tons last year, up from 2022’s 5,000 MT.
Malaysia Smelting (KLSE:MSC), the second top tin-producing company in the world, is poised to benefit from bullish tin forecasts, as the century-old company has posted above-expected margins in the second and third quarter of 2024.
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com
Platinum may be rare, but it is the third most-traded precious metal in the world, behind gold and silver.
The world’s platinum demand varies widely across many sectors. Most notably, platinum metal is used in autocatalysts and jewelry, as well as for medical and industrial purposes. Those interested in investing in platinum would do well to be aware of the many platinum uses. After all, by knowing which industries require platinum, it’s possible to understand supply and demand dynamics, and to be aware of how the precious metal’s price may move in the future.
With that in mind, here’s a list of the four main platinum uses. Scroll on to learn more about platinum’s key applications.
In this article
1. Autocatalysts
One of the main platinum uses is in the construction of autocatalysts. An autocatalyst is a “cylinder of circular or elliptical cross section made from ceramic or metal formed into a fine honeycomb and coated with a solution of chemicals and platinum group metals.” An autocatalyst mounted inside a stainless steel canister is known as a catalytic converter.
Catalytic converters are installed in a vehicle’s exhaust lines, between the engine and muffler, where they are used to moderate the dangerous qualities of exhaust. Specifically, the autocatalysts that vehicles contain convert over 90 percent of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor. They can also convert pollutants from diesel exhaust into carbon dioxide and water vapor, which is immensely helpful in reducing pollution.
Autocatalysts have been used in the US and Japan since 1974, and are now so common that over 95 percent of new vehicles sold each year have one. As a result, they are a significant source of platinum demand that is not likely to disappear in the future. Indeed, as pollution rules become more stringent, car companies are looking at creating even more efficient autocatalysts.
In 2024, platinum demand from the automotive sector was forecast to hit 3.17 million ounces, according to the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC). It’s expected to climb to an eight-year high of 3.25 million ounces in 2025.
2. Platinum jewelry
Platinum has many qualities that make it ideal for use in jewelry, and that is the second largest source of platinum demand. The metal is strong, resists tarnish and can repeatedly be heated and cooled without hardening or oxidizing.
When used to make jewelry, platinum is commonly alloyed with other platinum-group metals such as palladium, as well as copper and cobalt, so that it is easier to work with.
The history of platinum jewelry is long. More than 2,000 years ago, Indigenous people in South America made rings and ornaments out of platinum. Egyptians used platinum for decoration as early as the 7th century BCE. Meanwhile, Europeans began to use the metal in jewelry in the 18th century. Currently, China is the largest market for platinum jewelry.
In 2024, platinum demand for jewelry was expected to increase 5 percent year-over-year to 1.95 million ounces, and move up to 1.98 million ounces in 2025.
3. Industrial applications
Platinum’s industrial applications could fill a book all on their own. For instance, platinum catalysts are used to manufacture fertilizer ingredients, and the metal is a key component in silicones, hard disks, electronics, dental restoration, glass-manufacturing equipment and sensors in home safety devices.
Another platinum use is in the construction of hard drives with extremely high storage densities. And, because it is reactive to oxygen, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide, platinum can be used to detect changes in the amount of those materials in vehicles and buildings. For the same reason, platinum is also used in medical sensors, particularly medical instruments that measure blood gases, to detect oxygen.
Industrial demand for platinum, including medical demand, was forecast to come in at 2.43 million ounces in 2024 before falling to 2.22 million in 2025.
4. Medical applications
Platinum is used in electronic medical devices like those mentioned above, as well as in catheters, stents and neuromodulation devices. It is ideal for these applications because of its durability, conductivity and biocompatibility. The metal is also inert within the body, making it safe for implantation.
To meet other medical needs, platinum can be formed into rods, wires, ribbons, sheets and micromachined parts. Further, it helps fight cancer in the drugs cisplatin and carboplatin, which are widely used to treat testicular cancer, as well as ovarian, breast and lung cancer tumors.
Medical demand for platinum has increased in recent years, and is forecast to rise to 303,000 ounces in 2024 and 314,000 ounces in 2025.
FAQs about platinum
How much is platinum worth?
Throughout 2024, the price of platinum has traded between US$900 and US$1,100 per ounce. Although the industry is facing a growing supply deficit, it is also dealing with lagging demand.
The shortfall in supply is related to a hangover from COVID-19 lockdowns, Russia’s war in Ukraine and ongoing electricity shortages and railway issues in the top platinum producing country South Africa. Russia typically ranks as the world’s second largest platinum-producing country. Meanwhile, economic pressures worldwide have weighed on demand for platinum from the automotive industry. However, the same economic challenges have led to less demand for electric vehicles, which don’t require platinum-laden catalytic converters.
Which is more valuable, gold or platinum? Why?
Platinum is 30 times rarer than gold, much harder to mine and in high demand due to its important industrial uses, but the gold price is more than double the price of platinum in 2024. Precious metal gold has long been valued as a form of currency and a store of wealth, yet platinum jewelry often has a higher price point than gold jewelry.
Platinum in general has historically traded on par or at a premium to gold, but since 2015 the two metals have diverged in price, with the gold taking the high road. This split has been attributed to gold’s safe-haven status and platinum’s reliance on the industrial and jewelry markets, which don’t fare well in times of economic uncertainty. This has led to increasing demand for platinum jewelry as a cheaper alternative to gold jewelry.
What’s the best investment, gold or platinum?
Both gold and platinum have wealth-generating potential, but it’s important to determine which precious metals fit your investment strategy; consider looking at supply, demand and prices for each option before making a decision.
To learn more, check out: What is the Best Precious Metal to Invest In?
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com