Hawks & doves

When the peacemakers and the money-makers disagree

US diplomats turned dovish while its central bankers turned hawkish this week, and markets had to make sense of both at once. The US and Iran signed a deal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil tumbling and the Dow to a record high. Then the US central banks spoiled the mood.

First, the RBA held rates steady, but it was a hawkish hold, that came with a warning that inflation is still too high and the central bank may hike again. Days later, the Fed did much the same. Here we explain why Fed Chair Kevin Warsh - the man Trump hand-picked as he'd argued for cutting rates - signalled he might hike too. The President who’s promised cheaper money has been left watching his own appointee lean the other way.

In markets, peace can be signed overnight but, inflation always gets the final vote.

To your investing,

SpaceX, AI and the new market royalty

The second half of this week belonged to the machines. SpaceX rocketed onto the Nasdaq in the biggest IPO in history, becoming so big that Wall Street retired its favourite nickname and heralded the rise of the FAB10. Pengana Private Equity Trust (ASX:PE1) has been holding SpaceX in its portfolio since 2020, here’s our SpaceX interview.

But it wasn't all blue skies - the US government hit Anthropic's kill switch, forcing it to ban access to its two most powerful models just days after their launch. The timing couldn't be worse because Anthropic is planning an IPO. But in this new era, it seems that even the most valuable tech on earth comes with an off switch.

ETF Education Spotlight - Getting started with Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have become one of the fastest-growing investment vehicles globally, yet many investors are still unsure how they work, how to use them and where to start - VanEck’s Claudia Catalanotto explains.

Ionic Rare Earths (ASX:IXR) - Building a Western rare earth supply chain
IXR is positioning itself at the centre of the global push for secure and sustainable rare earth supply chains through its patented magnet recycling and refining technology. Managing Director Tim Harrison discusses the company's technology, recent U.S. defence-related agreements and the growing strategic importance of rare earth recycling.

European Lithium (ASX:EUR, FRA:PF8, OTC:EULIF) - Critical minerals demand
EUR has inked a proposed merger with NASDAQ-listed Critical Metals Corp (CRML), positioning the company as a global critical minerals player across lithium and rare earths. Executive Chairman Tony Sage explains how the transaction could accelerate growth and global relevance.

Alchemy Resources (ASX:ALY) - Investor presentation
Chief Executive Officer James Wilson outlines the company’s strategy to advance its exploration portfolio, key project developments, upcoming catalysts and the opportunities ahead as Alchemy Resources works to unlock value across its assets.

Harena Rare Earths PLC (LSE:HREE) - Investor presentation
Executive Chairman Ivan Murphy outlines the company’s strategy to advance its rare earth projects, key development milestones, market opportunities and the pathway to becoming a significant supplier of critical minerals supporting global electrification and technology growth.

Impact Minerals (ASX:IPT) - Investor presentation
Managing Director Mike Jones outlines the company’s strategy to advance its exploration and development projects, key milestones across its portfolio, upcoming catalysts and the growing opportunities in critical minerals and battery metals markets.

Chariot Resources (ASX:CC9) - Lithium expansion
Chariot Resources (ASX:CC9) has significantly expanded its strategic position in the McDermitt Caldera after staking 573 additional claims at its Resurgent East Project in Nevada-Oregon. Managing Director Shanthar Pathmanathan discusses the expanded land position, the improving lithium market and the Company’s plans to unlock the potential of Resurgent.

Atomionics - AI exploration
Emerging technologies combining quantum sensing and artificial intelligence are beginning to reshape mineral exploration. Atomionics Chief Commercial Officer Mikhail Zeldovich discusses how quantum gravity sensors and AI-powered modelling could transform exploration and accelerate discovery, referencing Kincora Copper (ASX & TSXV:KCC).

Aureka (ASX:AKA) - High-res magnetics
Aureka (ASX:AKA) is advancing its flagship Irvine Gold Project in Victoria’s prolific Stawell Corridor, with a high-resolution drone magnetic survey marking a step-change in exploration capability. Managing Director James Gurry discusses how this survey enhances targeting, the broader exploration upside, and what’s next as activity ramps up.

Electro Optic Systems Holdings (ASX:EOS) - Secured acquisition & new order
EOS has completed its MARSS acquisition and also today secured a ~A$175 million order from UAE-based Generation 5 Holding for its Slinger Counter-Drone Remote Weapon System, while also establishing a strategic joint venture to advance high-energy laser weapon technologies and remote weapon systems in the Middle East.

Aerometrex (ASX:AMX) - New deals
AMX has secured two off-the-shelf data licensing agreements worth a combined $1.07 million with artificial intelligence technology companies Zeromatter Technologies and Neara. These agreements align with the growing demand for real-world spatial datasets used in AI model training and simulation.

Dateline Resources (ASX:DTR) - Magnetic & radiometric data processing
DTR has completed high-resolution magnetic and radiometric data processing at its Music Valley Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) Project in California, identifying numerous structural features associated with favourable geological settings for heavy rare earth mineralisation.

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