Rare Earth Metals & Trade Disputes: A Primer for Investors

The protracted U.S.-China trade tussle is now kicking up a special kind of dirt: rare earth metals. Lanthanum, ytterbium and the other 15 rare earth elements probably don’t come up in everyday conversation. But if you recently checked your smartphone, drove your car or visited your doctor, chances are you’re having close encounters with rare earths every day.

Rare earth elements are vital to a broad array of industrial processes and consumer technology: rechargeable batteries for electric cars, computers and TVs, catalysts for oil refining, wind turbines, lasers and more. With China recently suggesting it may use its dominance in rare earths as a weapon in its trade dispute with the U.S., investors might want to get a handle on potential implications, positive or negative, on certain industries and how broader markets may be affected.

What do investors need to know about rare earth elements? Here are a few key points:

What Exactly are Rare Earth Elements or Rare Earth Metals?

Rare earth elements aren’t actually that scarce.

Commonly found below our planet’s surface (albeit not to the extent of coal or copper), rare earth elements are dirty, costly, and difficult to mine and process. Rare earths “are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, but minable concentrations are less common than for most other ores,” according to a recent report by the U.S. Geological Survey (part of the Interior Department)

While the U.S. once was a leader in rare earths production and refining, China has largely taken over. In 2018, China produced about 120 million metric tons of rare earth metals, or about 80% of global production. Australia, Brazil and India are also among top producers of rare earths. The US imports about 80% of its are earths from China. 

U.S. imports of rare earth compounds and metals in 2018 were valued at $160 million, up 17% from 2017, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Why is There a Concern with Supplies of Rare Earth Elements?

In addition to its top status in production, China has also shown a willingness to throw its rare earth weight around in previous disputes.

In 2010, Japan accused China of halting rare earth supplies for political reasons (China denied any such halt, according to news reports). But the period was marked by supply line disruptions for large Japanese companies such as Panasonic and Toyota, which caught the world’s attention and resulted in other entities taking steps to fill this void.

In other words, a disruption in the supply of rare earth metals could mean risk for some companies and sectors, but opportunities for others.

If Rare Earth Supplies Become Restricted, Which Industries Should Investors Watch?

If rare earth supplies are disrupted, sectors and subsectors that may be most affected include aerospace and defense, as well as information technology.

Tech companies such as Apple (AAPL) use various rare earth elements in smartphones, circuitry, speakers and other products. Defense companies like Raytheon (RTN) and Lockheed-Martin (LMT) use these materials for sophisticated missile guidance systems and night vision technology.

Mining companies also bear watching. Shares of miners that could step in and fill any rare earth supply gaps, for example, could get a boost, at least temporarily (though publicly-traded miners tend to focus on aluminum, coal, gold and other mass-produced and widely-traded commodities).

As of June 4, 2019, the S&P/TSX Global Mining Index (TXGM), which includes 76 mining companies, had jumped about 4% from a four-month low reached May 23. The index was still down 7% from a five-year high set in April 2019.

From an investing or trading standpoint, rare earth elements are trickier and higher risk versus traditional equities, bonds or funds. Aside from a handful of funds, rare earths have long been a relatively obscure, specialists’ sort of marketplace, with few direct investment vehicles or centralized, liquid exchanges for buyers and sellers.