Arcadium Lithium Plc $ALTM (-1,36%)a producer of lithium chemicals, announced on Wednesday that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has approved the proposed acquisition of Arcadium Lithium by Rio Tinto Plc $RIO (+2,13%) has been approved.

However, the transaction is subject to investment screening approvals in Australia, Canada and Italy and other customary closing conditions.

Previously, Rio Tinto and Arcadium Lithium announced an agreement that will allow Rio Tinto to acquire Arcadium for $5.85 per share, or approximately $6.7 billion in cash.

⬆️⬆️⬆️

- BERENBERG raises the price target for SIEMENS from EUR 215 to EUR 245. Buy. $SIE (+0,35%)

- BERNSTEIN raises the price target for SIEMENS ENERGY from EUR 15 to EUR 22. Underperform. $ENR (+2,2%)

- JPMORGAN PUTS SARTORIUS ON 'POSITIVE CATALYST WATCH' - 'OVERWEIGHT' $SRT (+1,01%)

- GOLDMAN raises the price target for FRAPORT from EUR 87 to EUR 90. Buy. $FRA (-0,17%)

- UBS raises the price target for NORDEA from EUR 145 to EUR 146. Buy. $NDA FI (-0,18%)

- BERNSTEIN raises the target price for SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC from EUR 275 to EUR 280. Outperform. $SU (+0,63%)

- UBS raises the target price for WPP from GBP 6.80 to GBP 7.20. Sell. $WPP (-1,68%)

- BERNSTEIN raises the price target for ALSTOM from EUR 17 to EUR 24. Market-Perform. $ALO (+0,3%)

- STIFEL upgrades HERMES from Hold to Buy and raises target price from EUR 2150 to EUR 2560. $RMS (-0,5%)

- INFINEON +4.2% - 'TOP PICK' OF THE UBS $IFX (-0,96%)

⬇️⬇️⬇️

- RBC downgrades UNILEVER from Sector-Perform to Underperform and lowers target price from GBP 48 to GBP 40. $ULVR (+1%)

- BERNSTEIN downgrades ABB from Market-Perform to Underperform and lowers price target from CHF 46 to CHF 45. $ABBN (-0,08%)

- BERNSTEIN downgrades SIGNIFY from Outperform to Market-Perform and lowers price target from EUR 30 to EUR 24. $LIGHT (-0,28%)

- DEUTSCHE BANK RESEARCH lowers the price target for UMICORE from EUR 10.50 to EUR 10. Hold. $UMICY

- DEUTSCHE BANK RESEARCH lowers the price target for DOCMORRIS from CHF 45 to CHF 25. Hold. $DOCM (+8,89%)

- BERENBERG lowers the price target for HORNBACH HOLDING from EUR 100 to EUR 94. Buy. $HBH (+2,31%)

- CITIGROUP downgrades ROLLS-ROYCE from Buy to Neutral. $RR. (+0,33%)

- JEFFERIES lowers the target price for BHP GROUP from GBP 22.50 to GBP 21.50. Hold. $BHP (+0,99%)

- JEFFERIES lowers the price target for GLENCORE from GBP 5.50 to GBP 4.50. Buy. $GLEN (+1,56%)

- JEFFERIES lowers the target price for RIO TINTO from GBP 64 to GBP 60. Buy. $RIO (+2,13%)

- BERENBERG lowers the target price for NOVO NORDISK from DKK 975 to DKK 725. Hold. $NOVO B (+0,67%)

Thank you very much for all the good wishes and the first few comments on my project.

The first tranches have fluttered into the portfolio! As already announced, the focus is on high-quality, stable dividend payers.

The following key figures are evaluated

Dividend yield

Dividend continuity

Dividend growth

Quality of the company

You can also see 2 unrated stocks, one is Reality Incom, a REIT and therefore not rated with typical characteristics. Therefore "unrated" for me but a must have in a dividend portfolio.

On the other hand, NOVO, where I am betting on the quality and potential growth of the company, coupled with the current weakness of the share price. I want to take advantage of such (supposed) buying opportunities and give the portfolio a certain growth potential in addition to the dividend.

I did not get any execution on United Health Group and Philip Morris.

On Sunday, I will look at my watchlist again and see which stocks are currently correcting and possibly reaching a support level, or are correcting the last move in the uptrend and have a chance of continuing the trend.

Have a nice weekend. Enjoy your time off and let it rip...

hummel hummel...

$O (+0,46%)
$AWK (+0,38%)
$DHL (-1,65%)
$RIO (+2,13%)
$CVS (+0,84%)
$NOVO B (+0,67%)
$PEP (+0,52%)

The shareholders of Arcadium Lithium$ALTM (-1,36%) have given the green light for a USD 6.7 billion sale to the Australian mining giant Rio Tinto. $RIO (+2,13%) Australian mining giant Rio Tinto. This was announced by the company on Monday.

The news was received positively on the stock market: Arcadium shares rose by over 2% in after-hours trading.

Nevertheless, the road to the final deal is not free of obstacles. Arcadium is currently facing legal challenges from some shareholders.

These shareholders have filed lawsuits against the company, accusing it of misrepresentation, concealment and negligence in connection with the acquisition. Arcadium itself disclosed this information in a regulatory filing earlier this month.

At the beginning of the year, Rio Tinto announced its intention to acquire Arcadium for 5.85 US dollars per share in cash. This purchase price represented a premium of nearly 90% to Arcadium's closing share price on Oct. 4, 2023 - the day Reuters first reported the potential deal.

The acquisition gives Rio Tinto access to Arcadium's lithium mines, processing facilities and deposits in Argentina, Australia, Canada and the United States.

In addition, Rio Tinto is also taking over Arcadium's customer base, which includes well-known car manufacturers such as Tesla, BMW and General Motors.

"We are confident that this transaction will bring long-term benefits to our customers, employees and the communities in which we operate. I look forward to the future with excitement," said Paul Graves, President and CEO of Arcadium Lithium, in a statement.

Rio Tinto and BHP join forces with BlueScope to build Australia's largest electric iron furnace $RIO (+2,13%)
$BHP (+0,99%)

Australian companies BHP and Rio Tinto will jointly develop a pilot plant to produce low-carbon iron from Pilbara ore to accelerate decarbonization in the steel industry, the companies said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

The plant will use renewable energy and direct reduced iron (DRI) technology in an electric smelting furnace (ESF) to produce molten iron with a potential annual production of 30,000 to 40,000 tons.

The plant is being developed in partnership with BlueScope Steel BSL.AX in the Western Australian industrial hub of Kwinana.

If successful, the technology could enable steelmakers using Australian iron ore to meet global demand to operate with near-zero greenhouse gas emissions, the companies said.

Steel production, a key material for infrastructure and net-zero energy transition, currently accounts for around 8% of global carbon emissions.

The 'Green Iron' pilot project between Rio, BHP and BlueScope Steel was announced in February to reduce emissions from steelmakers around the world that rely on Australian iron ore.

The project has now finalized the location and details, including projected production, after reviewing several sites in Australia.

Woodside Energy $WDS (+0,11%) will also participate as an equal shareholder and energy supplier in the collaboration, named 'NeoSmelt', pending final commercial agreements.

The project is expected to commence feasibility studies in the second quarter of 2025, followed by a final investment decision in 2026 and commencement of operations in 2028, the companies said.

Chart analysis while half asleep 😴

$RIO (+2,13%)

Who of you deals with commodity stocks and can tell me where we are in the cycle at the moment?

Rio Tinto
$RIO (+2,13%) examines gallium extraction in Canada

Global mining company Rio Tinto is exploring the feasibility of extracting gallium, a critical mineral, at its aluminum refinery in Saguenay, Quebec. This initiative is part of a research and development program to strengthen the North American strategic minerals supply chain.

The company has announced plans to build a demonstration plant in Saguenay that could produce up to 3.5 tons of gallium per year if the technology is successfully developed. The Quebec government has pledged to support this demonstration phase with up to 7 million Canadian dollars. If scaled up commercially, the plant could potentially produce 40 tons of gallium annually, equivalent to 5-10% of current global production. This expansion is consistent with Rio Tinto's robust operating efficiency, reflected in healthy EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $19.64 billion and strong cash flows that adequately cover the company's moderate debt.

Gallium is an essential component in the manufacture of integrated circuits, which are essential in various advanced technologies such as smartphones, electric vehicles and laptops. The development of this project is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the supply of a critical mineral for numerous sectors.

Jérôme Pécresse, CEO of Rio Tinto Aluminum, expressed his gratitude for the significant financial commitment from the Quebec government and emphasized the company's commitment to this landmark project. Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Quebec's Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, praised the project's alignment with the government's vision of a more circular and greener economy. The Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, highlighted the collaboration between government and industry to position Canada as the global supplier of choice for critical minerals.

In North America, Rio Tinto already produces a variety of critical minerals, including scandium, tellurium and molybdenum, which are used in applications ranging from aluminum alloys to solar cells and steel alloys. The company continues to explore the extraction of new materials from its operations as part of ongoing R&D initiatives.

Rio Tinto
$RIO (+2,13%) invests 2.5 billion dollars in Argentinian lithium project

has announced a substantial $2.5 billion investment in the Rincon lithium project in Argentina, marking a significant step towards the construction of its first large-scale lithium operation. The project, located in the famous "Lithium Triangle", is expected to have a production life of 40 years and will begin construction of its expansion plant in mid-2025, subject to permitting. According to InvestingPro, Rio Tinto has a strong financial rating of "GREAT" and operates with a moderate debt-to-equity ratio, which positions the company well for this major investment.

The Rincon project is designed to produce 60,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate per year, which includes a 3,000-tonne starter plant and a 57,000-tonne expansion. Initial production is planned for 2028, with capacity to be gradually increased to full capacity over the following three years. It is anticipated that this development will create numerous jobs and stimulate economic growth for local businesses.

Jakob Stausholm, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto, emphasized the alignment of the investment with the global energy transition and the company's commitment to high environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. The use of advanced technologies is expected to halve water consumption during processing, which is in line with the company's sustainability goals. The company's strong financial position, with a P/E ratio of 9.72 and robust cash flows, supports its ambitious environmental initiatives. The InvestingPro analysis reveals 8 other key findings about Rio Tinto's financial health and market position.

The Rincon project utilizes direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, which is known for its benefits in water conservation, waste reduction and consistent lithium carbonate production. Rio Tinto's investment in Rincon, combined with the planned acquisition of Arcadium, positions the company to become a leading lithium producer.

Argentina's economic reforms and the new Large Investment Incentive Scheme (RIGI) provide a favorable backdrop for the investment. The scheme offers benefits such as lower tax rates, accelerated amortization and regulatory stability for 30 years, which insures the project against future policy changes and improves investor protection.

This investment is in line with Argentina's ambition to become a leading lithium producer and is included in Rio Tinto's investment forecast.

Australian women sue for sexual harassment against Rio Tinto $RIO (+2,13%) and BHP $ABHPG

A group of Australian women have filed a lawsuit against Rio Tinto PLC and BHP Group Ltd. alleging that they were frequently discriminated against and sexually harassed while working for the mining companies.

Two separate lawsuits were filed in an Australian court on Wednesday afternoon. They represent women who have worked for the miners for the past 20 years.

"These class actions will give a voice to these women, many of whom have been afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs or facing reprisals in the workplace," said lawyer Joshua Aylward.

We have heard reports of everything from unwanted touching and sexual harassment to rape, violence and physical threats, as well as gender discrimination and pregnancy discrimination".

Neither BHP nor Rio Tinto commented specifically on the content of the complaints.

The main plaintiff in the case against the Anglo-Australian company Rio Tinto alleges that she was sent "unsolicited sexually explicit messages, videos and images" while working as a security guard.

She asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals and said she was "passed over for training opportunities" following her complaint.

Standing up and speaking out comes at a huge professional and personal cost, but until women in the mining industry come together and say, 'Enough is enough,' the big companies will continue to cover this up," she said in a statement provided by her lawyer.

The lead plaintiff in the case against Australian mining company BHP, who also requested anonymity, claimed she was subjected to a constant barrage of sexual and derogatory comments.

When she rejected a colleague's advances, he allegedly "walked up behind her in a parking lot and urinated on her," according to a statement from her lawyer.

She filed a complaint but was never contacted, and her contract was terminated while her colleagues were kept on.

More than 45,000 women worked in the Australian mining industry in 2022, an increase from 8,700 in 2002, according to the latest government data.

A BHP spokesman said there was "no place" for sexual harassment.

"We are committed to creating a safe and respectful workplace for all," it told AFP on Thursday.

"We deeply regret and apologize unreservedly to anyone who has ever experienced any form of harassment at BHP," the spokesman said, adding that the mining company would take all reports seriously and take strict disciplinary action.

Rio Tino told national television station ABC that it treats allegations of sexual harassment with "the utmost seriousness".

We do not tolerate any form of sexual harassment or harassment based on gender.

ERA announces management change in the course of the takeover of Rio Tinto announced $ERA
$RIO (+2,13%)

Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) has announced leadership changes to manage the transition following Rio Tinto's decision to compulsorily acquire the company.

CEO and MD Brad Welsh will end his secondment from Rio Tinto on December 16. Welsh, who has worked for Rio Tinto in various senior roles since 2011, will also leave the mining giant when his ERA secondment ends.

To ensure continuity during the acquisition process, Welsh will remain in his role as CEO and managing director of ERA under a consultancy agreement.

In addition, Richard Prest, CFO and co-secretary of the company, will step down on December 16, 2024. Prest will be replaced by David Pritchard-Davies, ERA's current Senior Finance Manager.

Rio Tinto is acquiring full control of ERA to support the successful redevelopment of the decommissioned Ranger uranium mine adjacent to Kakadu National Park.

ERA also owns the Jabiluka project, but its mining permit was revoked earlier this year as part of plans to integrate the area into Kakadu National Park. Rio Tinto had previously emphasized that it had no intention of investing in the mining or development of the Jabiluka deposit.