The Metals Company to Apply for Permits under Existing U.S. Mining Code for Deep-Sea Minerals in the High Seas in Second Quarter of 2025
https://investors.metals.co/news-releases/news-release-details/metals-company-apply-permits-under-existing-us-mining-code-deep

It appears that TMC is going to apply for a mining license via the US and bypass the feet dragging ISA. With the current political environment, and the need for domestic source of critical minerals, allowance of the license is a ????? (slam dunk maybe). From this press release the regulatory agency would be the NOAA, and not the ISA.

Trump Set To Order Critical Metals Stockpile. MP Materials Soars.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/trump-set-to-order-critical-metals-stockpile-mp-materials-soars/ar-AA1CTngC?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds

China imposes new export restrictions on rare earths, escalates trade tensions
https://www.mining-technology.com/news/china-rare-earth-export-control/

This is China's "Ace card" in the trade war. China can cripple critical industries in the EU and USA with this ban. Ironically it points to the vulnerabilities we've known about for years and never addressed. MP alone cannot solve the supply problem. We need to accelerate approval and production of our own domestic resources. This should be a national priority.

We have identified projects with known recoverable REE's that could be fast tracked into production. If these projects don't quickly come to production we will continue to languish under Chinese control.

South Korea's POSCO considers joining Hyundai Steel's $5.8 billion steel plant project in US, reports say
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/south-koreas-posco-considers-joining-120907163.html

Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from new tariffs
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/12/trump-exempts-phones-computers-chips-tariffs-apple-dell.html

Who would've thought ;)...........my crystal ball sees a positive trading day for AAPL on Monday.

All good points. Every investor needs to evaluate risk and hopefully understand their financial requirements at every stage in life. I'd hope that retirees would have a balanced portfolio (with a cash component) that would reduce risk and take into account current market conditions, and the potential for market corrections which inevitably do happen.

Lifting tariffs was inevitable, but never expected it this soon, and across the board . Haven't read any details, but I assume behind closed doors the negotiations continue with an implied reimposing of tariffs if "equitable" agreements aren't reached.

METC had a good day yesterday based on Trump's backing coal for energy. I'm not an expert in the different types of coal, but Ramaco's is low-cost metallurgical coal which (as I understand it) isn't used in energy production. Looks like METC got swept up in the rush to buy any coal producer. The metallurgic coal business is a good steady base for the company, but it's the REE potential that will open up value, assuming the REE's can be profitably exploited.

As the indices continue to fall I'll add to my positions in ETF's and MF's. I am watching some individual issues, but prefer to avoid individual stocks for now. Have to take advantage as panic spreads.

If REE's are vital and of national security interest it would make more sense to focus on developing domestic sources instead of plastering the news feed with a Ukraine deal in progress, as if it's the Holy Grail of REE supply security. We already have several companies beyond MP with substantial proven recoverable reserves that are building demonstration plants to prove recovery methods. Assuming these plants prove economic viability these companies are ready to open mines and process. METC is the furthest along the curve for a new source, with REEMF not far behind. Assuming there is a deal made with Ukraine any actual production is years, if not a decade away, assuming all the issues that surround stability in Ukraine can be resolved...A BIG IF. Seems the proverbial "no brainer" to back domestic sources.

I assume that most (if not all) consumer electronics are made overseas. A good example of how dependent we have become on offshore manufacturers.

Buying opportunity......or falling knife? It may be early but IMO time to start taking small positions and adding if the markets continue to correct. I'm less inclined to try and pick winners among the fallen/falling so I'll look at COWZ, SCHD, VUG, VGT, SMH for starters.

Never been able to know the top, or bottom, of the market.

He was spot on......

I don't think anyone knows how the tariff environment will "shake-out", but steel will always be needed. If the share price drifts lower it begins to look overdone.

Cleveland-Cliffs lays off more than 1,200 workers as tariffs hit demand
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cleveland-cliffs-lays-off-more-114200251.html

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (NAK)......Northern Dynasty: Pebble Partnership Consents to EPA's Request for 90-Day Abeyance for New Agency Leadership to Decide How to Proceed
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/northern-dynasty-pebble-partnership-consents-114500261.html

Indeed....BYD is now the clear technology leader in the new energy vehicle market. Move over Toyota.

Apologies if this has already been posted....>Aspirin may help prevent cancer spread by stimulating the immune system
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250305/Aspirin-may-help-prevent-cancer-spread-by-stimulating-the-immune-system.aspx

Chuckling.....indeed

Tesla China Shipments Halve in February, Compounding Slow Start
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tesla-china-shipments-halve-february-113653388.html

It appears TSLA is permanently in BYD's rearview mirror in the Chinese EV market.

Ukraine rare earths potential relies on Soviet assessments, may not be viable
https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2025/2/ukraine-rare-earths-potential-relies-on-soviet-assessments-may-not-be-viable-87318842

Interesting read....maybe the Ukrainian RE deal isn't as practical as outlined. Makes more sense to go full bore on known US deposits. Start with Bear Lodge which has enormous proven reserves and is in the process of starting the demonstration processing plant to validate the economic viability of the deposit.

In NH I've just recently seen my 1st CT. Not something I'd be interested in.

distracted by a new shiny object. The faithful have already pivoted to AI, robotaxi, and Optimus. I'll make a relatively easy prediction that Optimus, and robotaxi won't generate revenue in quantity for years. AI...join the crowd.

1st there was Tesla.....
Sigma considers selling controlling stake as BYD, VW eye lithium supply
https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/sigma-considers-selling-controlling-stake-as-byd-vw-eye-lithium-supply

I can understand BYD wanting to assure a source of Lithium based on their plan to increase their focus on growing the battery business, but not so much VW's interest. Maybe Sigma will be acquired.

BYD to ship Autopilot features across the entire lineup, from Seagull to Yangwang U8, in 2025
https://carnewschina.com/2025/01/17/byd-to-ship-autopilot-features-across-entire-lineup-from-seagull-to-yangwang-u8-in-2025

BYD Shares Soar 21% This Week as Traders Await Autopilot Update
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/byd-shares-soar-20-week-034424410.html

Does Trump's EO concerning Ambler Rd. open the potential for developing the Pebble Mine? If it does NAK looks like a relatively inexpensive stock...albeit high risk. A lot of dominos have to line up before the property can be mined

https://pebblewatch.com/pebble-project/

Of interest? Largest Study Ever Done on Cannabis and Brain Function Finds Impact on Working Memory
https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/largest-study-ever-done-on-cannabis-and-brain-function-finds-impact-on-working-memory

Well it was a tad top heavy.....😁

If DeepSeek is the real deal with respect to using lower tech chips to produce a competitive LLM you could infer that Chinese Software Engineers are as, or more capable, then their US and EU counterparts. I find it incredulous, and hard to believe that no one in the US high tech space developing LLM's overlooked the possibility that lower tech hardware could be capable of developing LLM's. If the claims are true, China is well on the way to setting the standard for software engineering excellence. Look at the speed they are developing self driving tech in their EV's. DeepSeek could be the Canary in the coal mine moment for the tech sector. Bottom line if this pans out, we consistently underestimate the ability of China to accelerate and dominate where they focus their resources.....

DeepSeek Shakes Up Stocks as Traders Question US Tech Valuations
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nasdaq-futures-slump-china-deepseek-022904517.html

Worth watching......but I wonder why the world leading tech companies wouldn't have foreseen, or known AI models could be built with less powerful processors?

Indeed!

Head scratcher......can anyone provide an argument in favor of any blockchain investment? To me, still looks like a scam to enrich the creators. What might I be missing?

Exclusive: Chinese buyers interested in unwanted German Volkswagen factories, source says
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/chinese-buyers-interested-unwanted-german-volkswagen-factories-source-says-2025-01-16/

Do the Germans have another option? The next step in the chain. To preserve jobs and bring innovative EV designs to Europe I believe joint ventures and plant acquisitions will happen, and fairly quickly. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Trump administration pushes for joint ventures in the USA.

If you haven't seen the BYD YangWang U9 jump over road hazards watch the video in this article. BYD is an incredible company that puts it's rivals squarely in the rearview mirror.

Watch: BYD’s self-driving hypercar leaps 20 ft over road spikes
https://newatlas.com/automotive/byd-yangwang-u9-jumps/