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The world is shifting away from traditional forms of energy and food to alternative forms. Companies like Beyond meat are leading the popularity race, but as more funding flows into the space, more competitors will arise. 

National Atomic Company Kazatomprom, the world's largest uranium producer, was in the headlines. Yellow Cake PLC, betting on uranium prices, exercised a $100 million purchase option with the uranium company, and said they were planning to buy more if good opportunities would arise. People are going crazy for uranium, with many producers and funds entering the spot market at the same time.

Lithium majors raised lots of cash recently with battery-grade lithium prices skyrocketing since the new year indicating EV sales will rise and that drivers for growth for such commodities are here to stay. Several companies who rose considerable sums of money in 2020 are turning out to be forerunners to three equity raisings by the world's major lithium players in the first three months of 2021. Chile-based Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, approved a proposal in December 2020 to increase its capital by up to US$1.1 billion to fund a US$1.9 billion expansion plan running from 2021 to 2024. Canada-based Lithium Americas Corp raised US$400 million in January through a public offering targeting US$350 million, and U.S.-based Albemarle Corp. raised about US$1.45 billion in February through a public offering of common stock initially targeting US$1.3 billion.

Benchmark aluminum prices will probably remain around $2,000 per ton for 2021 as a whole, the United Arab Emirates-based company said. They’ve climbed roughly 12% this year to $2,218 in London -- the highest since mid-2018 -- amid a rally in commodities from metals to energy and food. Low-carbon aluminum is fast gaining traction, despite it being more expensive, with firms including Apple Inc. working with suppliers to reduce emissions. Electricity generation accounts for around 60% of the aluminum industry’s greenhouse-gas emissions and most smelters still use coal. You could play it through this ETN. Source: Bloomberg

The sharp rise in prices that began in the first lockdown last year has reportedly boosted interest in soybean production among farmers. This month the USDA will publish its widely followed annual Prospective Plantings report that could show farmers planted additional bean acres primarily due to elevated prices and prospects of increased demand from China.