Mining’s old guard needs strong medicine
A new report details subpar investor returns in the mining industry over the last decade, particularly big cap diversified companies which have not adapted to new realities.
The prospect of a Japanese nuclear reactor restart.
The end of the Russia-US megatons to megawatts program last August, eliminating a huge source of supply.
China’s accelerated plan to approve six to eight plants a year through 2020; part of its war on pollution.
The possibility of a rethink in Germany about phasing out nuclear (coal is the only viable alternative and Putin’s gas is becoming dearer).
As the stars aligned for a pickup in global uranium demand so did investors for uranium stocks.
But the rapid run-up in uranium shares – especially developers – didn’t turn out to be a leading indicator.
The spot price continued to slide going below $30 a pound to levels last seen in 2005. That dragged the long term price, where most uranium business is conducted, down to $45, a six year low.
Uranium stocks have now come down to earth as this chart from Haywood Securities show.
The independent investment dealer with $5 billion under management says now that the spot price appears to have found something of a floor, the sell-off may begin to slow down.
But the Vancouver-based firm cautions that the shares of producers and developers “remain at or above their indexed price point of 12 months ago, when spot uranium was $40.70 U3O8, a 40% premium to current spot”.
There may be more pain ahead.
Source: Capital IQ, UxC, Haywood
Image of German electronic band Kraftwerk performing Radioactivity by Franz Schuier.
Comments
Jon Landau
Is there anyway to invest in the uranium itself, not a commodity situation just the physical uranium? thanks