China rare earth stocks fall as export license talk dents tighter supply bets

Published 04/07/2025, 06:50
© Reuters

Investing.com-- Chinese rare earth mining and processing stocks fell on Friday after Beijing flagged plans to begin granting more export licenses for controlled materials, amid improving trade relations with the United States. 

Chinese ministers also downplayed European concerns over rare earth export restrictions, stating that Europe’s needs will be met if applications were submitted. 

Hong Kong shares of China Nonferrous Mining Corp Ltd (HK:1258) and Jl Mag Rare Earth Co Ltd (HK:6680) fell between 2% and 3%. Mainland-listed rare earth majors China Northern Rare Earth Group High-Tech Co Ltd (SS:600111), Yongxing Special (SZ:002756), and Rising Nonferrous Metals Share Co Ltd (SS:600259) fell between 0.4% and 5%. 

China’s commerce ministry said it was reviewing export licenses of controlled materials after the U.S. earlier this week lifted some chip export restrictions against Beijing. 

Controlled materials largely refer to rare earth and magnetic materials, of which China is the world’s biggest producer. 

The country had severely curbed its export of rare earth earlier this year, amid a bitter trade war with the United States. But China was seen issuing new export licences to local rare earth firms in late-June, after Washington and Beijing agreed to a framework trade deal earlier in the month.

Fears of tighter Chinese rare earth supplies had boosted stock prices in the sector, on bets that tighter supplies will fuel higher prices for the materials. But these gains were seen steadily coming unwound since late-June.

China also flagged openness for more trade cooperation with the U.S., which could herald a further loosening in export restrictions.

Shares of Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:LYC), the biggest producer of the materials outside China, fell 1.4% on Friday. 

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.