Alex Hamer

2 days ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Alex Hamer

Cobalt is very cheap. The metal, used in lithium-ion batteries and the subject of bull runs in 2016-2018 and 2021-2022, is in real terms less expensive than a decade ago and potentially much further back. This is quite a comedown from a few years ago, when the world’s largest carmakers were knocking on Glencore’s (GLEN) door for guaranteed supply and being rebuffed.

1 week ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Alex Hamer

Anglo American (AAL) shareholders have been on a rollercoaster ride since December 2023. That was when the miner detailed a host of production issues that would knock 2024 and 2025 output, mostly in the copper division that management had previously said would spur group earnings through to the second half of the decade. The resulting share price plunge was enough to alert its competitors to a buyout opportunity.

1 week ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Alex Hamer

Energy major beats analyst forecasts for Q1, although profits are down amid “significant macro uncertainties” Published on May 2, 2025Shell (SHEL) reported lower profits in the first quarter as integrated gas earnings slid compared with a year ago, but beat analyst forecasts for the period. Adjusted earnings for the March quarter were $5.6bn (£4.2bn), down from $7.7bn the year before but ahead of the $5bn pencilled by analysts.

2 weeks ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Alex Hamer

Anglo American (AAL) shareholders will be handed a stake in Anglo American Platinum, after a successful vote following Wednesday’s annual general meeting. The demerger is part of the company’s restructuring, which includes the $3.8bn (£2.9bn) sale of Australian coal mines and diamond miner De Beers either being sold or similarly spun off. Amplats will be renamed Valterra before listing in London at the start of June.

2 weeks ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Alex Hamer

For a company with 2,500 safety deposit boxes in its basement holding gold and silver, Sharps Pixley on London’s St James’s Street is a conspicuous place. Unlike the bank vaults under the City that are kept under wraps, this is a necessity for a retailer that encourages walk-ins as well as offering storage for bars and coins bought on its premises.