At the April meeting we had a full room of members and had a short look at the March 2023 drop in share values across the 11 sectors. AXO was down -1.4% for March. We ran a short introduction on the U3A website on how easy it is to see notes on Investment and news on all groups.
Wende Sturgess gave comments on “Critical Rare Earth Metals” and where the world is heading as most of these are sourced from China and countries are now realizing alternate supply is required. Tesla has already steadily reduced the rare earth materials required to build its EV systems by approximately 25% since 2017. Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter uses 920 pounds of rare earths per plane?
Lithium is also major mineral now in all EV and storage batteries and Australia holds some 80% of the world reserves. Natural graphite, used in cathodes of lithium-ion batteries needs a mere 600% increase to its current production to meet future demand. Liontown Rescources shares rose 60% last week as a result of a takeover offer, the shares are now trading steady at around $2.50. Our Long-term listing; Neville Gibb is leading with his selection of ALK with a positive of $1,951. Our Short-term monthly listing Val Allen leads with her choice of EHE which was positive $2,796. The listings were mostly negative with 14 of our members in the red.
After the break John spoke on the Lion Town offer from American Co. Abermail which resulted in a 68% rise in share price and the reasons for a possible sale.
Reference was then given to the bank collapse of Silicon Valley and smaller banks in America and Credit Suisse in Europe and was purchased by UBS, which had a negative effect in world share markets – did it create a buying opportunity?
Focus turned to Short Selling with Hindenburg Research targeting Block-SQ2 and Webit Nano- WBT, a newcomer to the ASX shorted on its entrance price on listing.
We then re-assured ourselves by viewing market statistics which revealed since 1900 the market has returned 13.2% P.A. average with 23 negative years and 99 positive years.
Wende Sturgess gave comments on “Critical Rare Earth Metals” and where the world is heading as most of these are sourced from China and countries are now realizing alternate supply is required. Tesla has already steadily reduced the rare earth materials required to build its EV systems by approximately 25% since 2017. Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter uses 920 pounds of rare earths per plane?
Lithium is also major mineral now in all EV and storage batteries and Australia holds some 80% of the world reserves. Natural graphite, used in cathodes of lithium-ion batteries needs a mere 600% increase to its current production to meet future demand. Liontown Rescources shares rose 60% last week as a result of a takeover offer, the shares are now trading steady at around $2.50. Our Long-term listing; Neville Gibb is leading with his selection of ALK with a positive of $1,951. Our Short-term monthly listing Val Allen leads with her choice of EHE which was positive $2,796. The listings were mostly negative with 14 of our members in the red.
After the break John spoke on the Lion Town offer from American Co. Abermail which resulted in a 68% rise in share price and the reasons for a possible sale.
Reference was then given to the bank collapse of Silicon Valley and smaller banks in America and Credit Suisse in Europe and was purchased by UBS, which had a negative effect in world share markets – did it create a buying opportunity?
Focus turned to Short Selling with Hindenburg Research targeting Block-SQ2 and Webit Nano- WBT, a newcomer to the ASX shorted on its entrance price on listing.
We then re-assured ourselves by viewing market statistics which revealed since 1900 the market has returned 13.2% P.A. average with 23 negative years and 99 positive years.
The next meeting of Investment will be on Monday 1st May at 2.00pm in our U3A room No.1.
John Hanlon and Malcolm Sanders
John Hanlon and Malcolm Sanders
