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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I read a lot about how the West need rare earth minerals. One of the leading ETFs in this space appears to be Van Eck's REMX. It is down year to date, and down over most time periods in the last 10 years.

Why is this ETF down so much when there is apparently such demand for the products? Do you feel this is a good time to buy with a 2-5 year hold? What could cause the ETF to break out of its current funk?

Thank you for your valued advice.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on June 11, 2025
Q: Hello Folks:
We are interested in purchasing Mercedes Benz (New York Stock Exchange): perhaps a 5 %% weighting.
Merc stock appears having decent upside in addition to a 7% dividend.
We are considering selling perhaps some Visa, REMX, Johnson Controls, Manual Life, or reducing some energy companies etc. to raise funds for this purpose. We could also thin down big Tech however feel these Tech stocks will have some wind in their sales.
How would you compare outlook for Mercedes Benz with industrials such as John Deere, Cat, Cummins etc. We are Merc fans, however don't wish being over enthusiastic.
Thanks again for all you contribute!!!
brian
Read Answer Asked by Brian on April 25, 2023
Q: Apparently the US military and govt are looking to invest some funds towards funding projects in Canada for rare minerals, in an effort to reduce the dependency on China for critical minerals.
Can you suggest any Canadian companies or an ETF that may benefit from this.
Read Answer Asked by Colleen on November 18, 2022
Q: please recommend companies and
ETFs in the rare earth field . Thank you
Read Answer Asked by Patricia on August 25, 2022
Q: The Canadian ones of the 4 resource stocks above have dropped a considerable amount over a short period. The two US ones, have been underperforming for months. Is there any I should part company with?
FNKO on my Market Call List - over the past two years is one of the top performers. Would it be a good replacement as I intend to get out of at least one or two of the resource stocks mentioned above. Thank you,
Read Answer Asked by Dennis on June 28, 2022
Q: Dear Peter et al:

I see a lot of chatter about rare metals in the media. Some columnists, especially Technical analysts seem to favor this sector. Your answer to a fellow subscriber few months ago seems to lean towards REMX. However, it's returns seem to lag ZMT/XBM.

Do you think there is a role for rare metals at this time in one's portfolio? If so, what is your favorite ETF and why?

Thanks in advance.
Mano.
Read Answer Asked by Savalai on June 13, 2022
Q: The Economist has a recent article on "seven metals (aluminium, cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, silver and zinc) that are critical to building an electricity economy".

What would be your preferred method of gaining exposure to some or all of these--single stock (no fees but won't touch on all seven materials) or ETF (more diversified but high fees in Canada, eg XBM)? I would be interested in a single stock (not a basket of stocks) for this purpose, or an ETF. Would be grateful if you could please provide suggestions. Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Chris on March 31, 2022
Q: The global commodity strategy team at BofA Securities has identified 27 raw materials they group under the acronym MIFT – metals important for future technology – that are vital for the rise of renewable power, and should see significant price increases as demand climbs. My question is; could you provide guidance on an ETF that one might consider as a means to invest broadly in these raw materials? Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Read Answer Asked by Ronnie on February 04, 2022
Q: Peter,
We own ALB and like that it is domicliled in the US. Looking at the holdings of REMX would you have any concern that many of the biggest holdings are located in China re: with the recent Tech issues ? Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Paul on August 04, 2021
Q: Hello Folks:
You suggested I may consider REMX (rare earth ETF) as a suitable option for my interest in the EV battery mineral component sector.
Do you have any thoughts on BATT (Amplify Lithium Battery Technology ETF) and
LIT (Global x Lithium & Battery Tech. ETF).
I am out of my depth here, however feel this an interesting sector, which may well result in higher demand for scarce metals required.
Thanks again for your great service!
brian
Read Answer Asked by Brian on June 14, 2021
Q: Hello Folks:
I feel because of increasing demand for green energy, specifically EV batteries, the future may see increasing pressure on scarce mineral resources required for this shift. I do not do ETF's, however perhaps one specializing in a range of metals for this industry would be sound strategy. I could move a portion of our tech. money this direction.
What do you think of this idea and do you have suggestions of suitable equities?
Thank you for your great service
brian
Read Answer Asked by Brian on June 08, 2021
Q: Hi team
China does export some rare earth metals that are essential for alot of industries
uses
Australia is trying raise capital to develop their own rare earth metals
Are there any companies in Canada or US that one can invest in for this area?
or an ETF
thanks
Michael
Read Answer Asked by Michael on February 22, 2021
Q: With the demand most likely increasing for rare earths and other precious metals, especially as more EV production will be coming on line, do you see this ETF as a good way to have some interest in this sector. It seems to have diversified holdings. with approximately 46% of the holdings in the Chinese companies that currently are the dominant market players.. I like that Australian companies are also well represented. Is this a worthwhile, growth oriented investment ?
Read Answer Asked by Maureen on January 19, 2021
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