Flash | 09 Jan 2026 10:19:47 ET │ 10 pages China Battery Materials Our read on the latest policy attitudes on batteries CITI'S TAKE The Ministry of Finance announced cuts to tax rebates for battery exports to 6%, from 1st Apr to 31th Dec 2026, and remove tax rebates from 1st Jan 2027 (see Xinhau). MIIT also hosted a meeting to emphasize anti- involution along the battery chain, regulating disorderly competition as of 7th Jan 2026 (see Sina, 8th Jan). Our read on the latest policies on batteries includes: (1 ...

Bloomberg Copper slid from a record high, declining along with other industrial metals, as traders booked profits from a swift run-up in prices. Futures for copper, nickel and zinc were all down more than 2% towards the close of trading on the London Metal Exchange, trimming sharp gains seen over the past couple of weeks as a broad-based flood of investment in China’s domestic metals markets pushed prices up. Most Read from Bloomberg While many traders and investors have bullish long-term views on the ...

By making the Critical Minerals list, silver is now regarded as a strategic US asset. Therefore, policies to incentivize and protect domestic production and supply chain inviolability are given top priority on the federal level. As a result, companies engaged with tracking silver prices and production should benefit greatly by this elevated status and focus. The US Geological Survey (USGS) is issued by the Department of the Interior, and the Interior Secretary is Doug Burhum, former governor of North Dakota ...

Core Insights - The episode "Net Zero Speaks with Daniel Kammen" provides a roadmap for reliable, affordable, and justice-focused clean energy solutions that can be acted upon immediately [2][3] Group 1: Clean Energy Solutions - The Protect Our Planet (POP) Movement aims to mobilize youth globally for collective climate action aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on solutions that mitigate climate change and protect ecosystems [4] - Daniel Kammen emphasizes the importance of batteries as the "glue of the smart grid," which enhances reliability, enables electric vehicle smart charging, and reduces blackouts [5] - The integration of solar and storage models is highlighted as a means to keep health facilities operational, thereby saving lives [5] Group 2: Community Engagement and Benefits - The episode encourages communities to track measurable benefits such as job creation, improved air quality, and cost savings, which can foster support for clean energy projects [5] - Actionable steps for individuals include choosing clean transportation options, evaluating solar and storage solutions for homes and businesses, and advocating for clean-energy policies to policymakers [5]

Group 1: Company Overview - Energizer (ENR) is a leading manufacturer and distributor of batteries and lighting products [1] - CAE (CAE) specializes in simulation and modeling technologies, providing integrated training services to the civil aviation industry and defense forces [2] - Boise Cascade (BCC) is one of the largest wood products manufacturers and a leading wholesale distributor of building products in the United States [3] Group 2: Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Energizer's current year earnings has been revised downward by almost 8.8% over the last 60 days [1] - CAE's current year earnings estimate has been revised downward by 6.5% over the last 60 days [2] - Boise Cascade's current year earnings estimate has been revised downward by almost 5.7% over the last 60 days [3]

Core Insights - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is acquiring a factory building and related assets in Ohio from LG Energy Solution for approximately $2.86 billion, excluding land and equipment, to enhance operational efficiency at their joint venture [1][7] - The acquisition is part of a broader strategy to support a $4.4 billion joint-venture battery plant in Ohio, allowing Honda to commit long-term to battery production for both electric and hybrid vehicles [2] - The transaction will be structured as a sale-and-leaseback, with Honda's U.S. subsidiary purchasing the facility and leasing it back to the joint venture, with full-scale operations expected to commence next year [3][7] Financial and Market Context - The deal's final price may be subject to changes based on due diligence and exchange-rate adjustments, with completion targeted for February 28 [1] - The acquisition follows LGES's recent announcement regarding the termination of an EV battery supply agreement with Ford Motor, valued at approximately 9.6 trillion won [3]

Key Takeaways from Bernstein Energy Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Energy Sector, focusing on oil, gas, and renewables - **Key Trends for 2025**: The report outlines significant trends and investment implications in the energy sector as it heads into 2025 Core Insights 1. **Energy Transition Timeline**: The transition to renewable energy will take longer than anticipated, with net zero targets being aspirational rather than achievable in the short term. The IEA has revised its peak oil demand forecast to 2040, indicating a need for continued investment in oil and gas [6][26] 2. **Oil Market Dynamics**: The oil market is oversupplied, with Brent prices declining from US$81/bbl to US$68/bbl. Demand growth is weak, particularly from China, which has reached peak gasoline and diesel consumption [7][8] 3. **Gas Supply Surge**: A significant increase in LNG supply is expected, with 150MTPA of new capacity coming online, while demand in major markets like China and Japan is declining. This could lead to a gas glut [12][26] 4. **Electricity Demand Growth**: Power demand is projected to double by 2050, driven by factors such as AI, electrification of transport, and increased cooling needs due to climate change. Electricity is becoming a larger share of final energy consumption [16][19] 5. **Investment in Renewables**: Despite some project cancellations, 2025 is expected to be a record year for solar and wind installations, particularly in China, which is leading in renewable capacity additions [26][27] 6. **Oil Majors' Investment Strategies**: Oil companies are scaling back investments in low-carbon technologies and focusing on core activities, with a resurgence in exploration and M&A activities [25][26] 7. **Critical Minerals and Supply Chains**: China’s dominance in critical minerals is crucial for clean energy technologies, and decoupling from China will take significant time and investment [34][36] 8. **AI and Power Supply**: The US and China are in an AI arms race, with China leading in power supply capacity but lagging in chip manufacturing. This creates investment opportunities in companies that address these bottlenecks [40][41] 9. **Energy Storage Market**: The energy storage market has seen unexpected growth, with demand for lithium-ion batteries increasing by nearly 50%. This trend is driven by energy storage systems (ESS) [45][46] 10. **Nuclear Power Resurgence**: Nuclear energy is experiencing a revival, particularly in China, which is expected to become the largest nuclear operator by the end of the decade [46][47] 11. **Grid Investment Needs**: Significant investment in electricity grids is necessary to support the growing demand from data centers and renewables, particularly in the US and Europe [51][52] 12. **Geopolitical Uncertainties**: Investors should remain cautious of geopolitical risks that could impact energy markets, as historical events have shown that surprises are inevitable [54][55] Additional Important Insights - **Market Performance Ratings**: Various companies in the energy sector have been rated based on their performance outlook, with notable mentions including CATL, CNOOC, and PetroChina [3][4] - **Investment Implications**: The report emphasizes the need for investors to adapt to changing market dynamics, particularly in oil and gas, as well as in renewable energy sectors [3][4][5] This summary encapsulates the critical insights and trends discussed in the Bernstein Energy conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of the energy sector.

Key Takeaways GM has spent years strengthening its supply chain, focusing on batteries, rare earths and magnets.General Motors says Novelis issues have minimal impact, with alternative suppliers already secured.GM is cautiously optimistic on China chip talks while teams assess risks and line up backup suppliers.General Motors Company (GM) has spent several years strengthening its supply chain to withstand issues like the semiconductor shortage. The company has focused on securing battery raw materials and r ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on the Latin American (LatAm) market, particularly regarding investment opportunities and risks in the region's economies and industries for 2026 [4][9][14]. Core Insights - **Investment Shift**: There is a significant potential for growth in LatAm markets after years of underperformance. Countries that transition from consumption and leverage to investment are expected to see the highest growth. Mexico is noted for its early advantage in nearshoring, while Brazil presents the best risk-reward scenario [4][9]. - **Policy Changes**: A shift away from populism towards fiscal responsibility is observed across several LatAm countries, which could lead to a new earnings cycle and improve the risk-reward balance for equity investors [13][14][17]. - **Equity Performance**: Brazilian equities have risen approximately 53% year-to-date and could increase another 20% while still being at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10x. A policy shift could further reduce the cost of capital by 2-3 turns [9][20]. - **Investment Cycle**: The key to revitalizing LatAm economies is reigniting an investment cycle, which is essential for developing a new investment narrative. The current consumer cycle is seen as nearing its end, necessitating a focus on investment-led growth [18][20]. Country-Specific Insights - **Brazil**: Currently experiencing fiscal consolidation and policy confidence, with a focus on investment growth. The country is running out of fiscal road, and the investment narrative is crucial for future growth [18][20]. - **Mexico**: The USMCA negotiations are critical for the nearshoring narrative. The market has rallied significantly, but earnings growth remains muted, and the investment narrative is closely tied to USMCA developments [25][28]. - **Argentina**: Faces significant challenges with a weaker capital market but has potential for growth if an investment cycle can be established [4][9]. Risks and Challenges - **Consumer Cycle Limitations**: The consensus view suggests that the consumer cycle may be reaching its limits, and without meaningful fiscal consolidation and structural reforms, equities may continue to underperform [16][20]. - **USMCA Uncertainty**: The negotiations surrounding the USMCA are complex, and there is a material probability of a bear case scenario that could delay the nearshoring narrative and investment growth in Mexico [25][28][37]. - **Fintech Disruption**: In the banking sector, fintech companies are challenging traditional banks in Mexico, potentially leading to a significant reduction in profitability for incumbents if they are forced to raise deposit yields [87][97]. Investment Recommendations - **Equity Strategy**: The recommendation is to remain overweight in Brazil and Argentina, equal-weight in Mexico, and focus on sectors such as financial services, digitalization, energy, and nearshoring [23][70]. - **Cautious Approach**: A cautious stance is advised for agribusiness in Brazil due to current pressures on commodity prices and farmer margins, with a preference for selective exposure [74][80]. Conclusion - The LatAm market is at a pivotal point with potential for significant growth driven by policy shifts and investment cycles. However, challenges remain, particularly in the context of USMCA negotiations and the rise of fintech in the banking sector. Investors are encouraged to focus on sectors poised for growth while remaining cautious of the broader economic landscape [4][9][20][87].

Ford canceled a 9.6 trillion won ($6.5 billion) agreement to purchase batteries from LG after the US automaker rolled back its EV ambitions https://t.co/gGEL82IoaJ ...