Wednesday's ETF Movers: DWAS, LIT
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 18 2024
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Lithium ETF Performance: The Lithium ETF is down approximately 1.4% in Wednesday afternoon trading, with notable declines in shares of Albemarle and Lithium Americas, both dropping around 3%.
Market Commentary: The views expressed in the article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Nasdaq, Inc.
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Analyst Views on ALB
Wall Street analysts forecast ALB stock price to fall
20 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
10 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 169.570
Low
85.00
Averages
149.79
High
210.00
Current: 169.570
Low
85.00
Averages
149.79
High
210.00
About ALB
Albemarle Corporation is engaged in transforming essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health. The Company’s segments include Energy Storage, Specialties, and Ketjen. The Energy Storage segment develops and manufactures a range of basic lithium compounds, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and lithium chloride. Its Specialties business optimizes its portfolio of bromine and highly specialized lithium solutions. Its Specialties business serves a variety of industries, including energy, mobility, connectivity, and health. Specialty products are essential in both internal combustion and electric vehicles, from high-voltage cables and powertrains to airbags and tires. Its Ketjen segment includes clean fuels technologies (CFT), fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts and additives, and performance catalyst solutions (PCS). It serves various markets such as grid storage, automotive, aerospace, conventional energy, and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Hims & Hers Health: The stock skyrocketed 51% after a deal with Novo Nordisk was reported, allowing the sale of the pharmaceutical company's weight-loss drug on its platform, effectively ending a lawsuit aimed at blocking its sale of a copycat version, which is expected to significantly enhance its market share.
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- Subsidies and Profit Margins: Since 2009, the Chinese government has provided over $29 billion in subsidies to EV manufacturers, which, while critical in early development, have a relatively minor impact on profit margins compared to structural cost advantages.
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See More
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- Policy Shift Signal: Premier Li Qiang's somber address highlighted the importance of technology for China's future, indicating a government shift towards encouraging businesses to take a greater role in addressing tech challenges, thereby promoting economic transformation and innovation.
- Rise of Private Sector: The policy shift in Beijing has allowed private companies like Linkerbot to rapidly advance in fields such as electric vehicles, with their robotic hands produced in one-sixth the time and at one-tenth the price of foreign competitors, showcasing China's competitiveness in the global tech market.
- Adaptation of State-Owned Enterprises: Changan Automobile's collaboration with Huawei to enhance in-car technology has propelled it to third place in China's new energy vehicle sales, demonstrating the adaptability of state-owned enterprises in the face of market competition, further solidifying their market position.
- Economic Growth Target: China has set its 2023 economic growth target at 4.5% to 5%, the lowest since the 1990s, reflecting the greater national responsibility and market opportunities faced by tech companies amid complex international circumstances and domestic economic slowdown.
See More
Rivian's R2 Model Poised for EV Demand Rebound
- Demand Rebound Outlook: TD Cowen upgraded Rivian from hold to buy, with analyst Itay Michaeli raising the price target to $20, indicating a 26% upside from Monday's close, reflecting optimism about the R2 model's demand rebound.
- R2 Model Advantages: The R2 starts at $45,000, making it more competitive than the R1S at $80,000; despite visual similarities, the R2 offers only five seats, catering to the market's demand for smaller electric vehicles.
- Market Potential Assessment: Michaeli estimates full-scale demand for the R2 between 212,000 and 335,000 units, suggesting potential upside beyond the 2027 consensus, highlighting Rivian's growth potential in the EV market.
- Technological Leadership Advantage: Set to launch in H1 2026, the R2 will feature L3/L4 hardware, positioning it as an early mover in next-gen EVs, which could provide a competitive edge in the market.
See More
Oil Price Surge Drives Significant Stock Movements
- Oil Price Impact: Oil prices surged past $110 per barrel due to the ongoing Iran conflict, leading Chevron to hit an all-time high, while Talos Energy rose by 5%, and ConocoPhillips and Northern Oil gained 2% and 3% respectively, indicating strong performance among oil companies in a high-price environment.
- Hims & Hers Health Surge: The company's stock soared 39% after striking a deal with Novo Nordisk to sell its weight-loss drug, resolving a lawsuit over a copycat version, which is expected to significantly enhance its market share and brand reputation.
- Live Nation Settlement Near: Live Nation's shares rose 6% as it nears a settlement with the Department of Justice regarding monopoly allegations in the live concert industry, which, if successful, will stabilize and expand its future business operations.
- United Therapeutics Buyback Plan: The pharmaceutical company's shares increased by over 8% after its board authorized a $2 billion stock repurchase plan, with $1.5 billion allocated for accelerated buybacks, which is expected to boost investor confidence and enhance shareholder value.
See More
Oil Prices Surge, Boosting Oil Stocks Ahead of Market Open
- Oil Price Surge: Oil prices surged to $110 per barrel due to the ongoing Iran War, reaching levels not seen since mid-2022, which boosted oil stocks with Talos Energy rising 5%, and Northern Oil and Gas and ConocoPhillips gaining 3% and 2%, respectively.
- Hims & Hers Health: The stock skyrocketed 51% after a deal with Novo Nordisk was reported, allowing the sale of the pharmaceutical company's weight-loss drug on its platform, effectively ending a lawsuit aimed at blocking its sale of a copycat version, which is expected to significantly enhance its market share.
- Live Nation Entertainment: Shares rose 9% following reports that the company is nearing a settlement with the Department of Justice over alleged monopolistic practices in the live concert industry, which could improve its market position and reduce legal risks.
- Airline Stock Declines: Airline stocks fell as rising oil prices and the fallout from the Iran War impacted global travel, with Delta Air Lines down about 3%, and American Airlines and United Airlines shedding 4%, indicating the industry's cost pressures and operational challenges.
See More
Gold and Silver Recover, Yet This Metal Is Surpassing Them Both
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound: After a sharp sell-off that began on January 29, gold and silver prices have rebounded, driven by geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict between Iran and allied nations.
Lithium's Strong Performance: While gold and silver have shown impressive year-to-date gains of nearly 19% and 17% respectively, lithium has outperformed with a nearly 30% gain, highlighting its critical role in various industries, especially electric vehicle batteries.
Growing Global Demand for Lithium: The global lithium market is projected to grow significantly, with an estimated value exceeding $32 billion by 2025, driven by robust demand for lithium-ion batteries and other applications.
Investment Opportunities in Lithium ETFs: The largest lithium ETF, Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF, has seen substantial trading volume and is positioned to provide exposure to companies in the lithium mining and battery sectors, making it an attractive option for investors.
See More
Chinese EV Manufacturers' Competitive Edge Over Western Automakers
- Structural Advantages: A report from Rhodium Group indicates that the competitive edge of Chinese EV manufacturers stems primarily from vertical integration, production scale, and lower overhead costs rather than solely relying on government subsidies, challenging the Western narrative on Chinese subsidies.
- Subsidies and Profit Margins: Since 2009, the Chinese government has provided over $29 billion in subsidies to EV manufacturers, which, while critical in early development, have a relatively minor impact on profit margins compared to structural cost advantages.
- BYD's Cost Edge: BYD produces nearly 80% of its core components in-house, allowing it to save approximately $2,369 in supplier markups per unit of its Seal sedan, resulting in a 20% gross profit margin in 2025, surpassing Tesla's 18%.
- Industry Integration Trends: While not all Chinese EV manufacturers exhibit vertical integration, companies like BYD and Leapmotor stand out, highlighting the potential for cost control and production efficiency among Chinese manufacturers.
See More
