Wealthion Macro Bites 1-6-26
The U.S. Energy Department announced (Monday) it was awarding $2.7 billion in orders to three companies ($900M each to Centrus Energy, General Matter, and Orano Federal Services) to boost domestic uranium enrichment over the next 10 years to reduce U.S. dependence on Russian supply. The contracts would require the companies to meet specific milestones to provide enrichment services for low-enriched uranium (LEU) and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for existing nuclear power plants and new (smaller) modular reactors.
China’s Longi Green Energy Technology Co. announced it will begin substituting base metals for silver in its solar cells beginning Q2, as the solar industry (largest industrial silver consumer) continues to grapple with near tripling of the costliest component in solar cell production during the past year. Jinko Solar Co. announced in December plans for large scale base-metal panel output in 2026 and Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy Co. has already launched production of silver-free solar cells with initial capacity of 6.5 gigawatts.
China’s Ministry of Commerce (in conjunction with 8 other government departments) released a nationwide action plan to “accelerate the country’s green energy transition and support high-quality economic development.” The plan sets out 20 policy measures across 7 priority areas (including agricultural products, household appliances and accommodation services) alongside financial and institutional support to improve the overall green consumption environment.
Following the well-documented Maduro operation, President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday that in the next example of the U.S. commitment to lead and defend the Western Hemisphere (“Donroe Doctrine”) he would soon revisit the topic of U.S. annexation of Greenland. Trump told The Atlantic magazine on Sunday “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense.” Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said late on Sunday, “Enough is enough…No more fantasies about annexation.” Stay tuned…
Bonds issued by the Venezuelan government and state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) surged as much as 10 cents on the dollar (30%) on Monday.
The Dec. ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 47.9 (from 48.2), the 10th straight month below 50 and a 14-month low. Only two industries reported growth (electrical equipment, appliances and components & computer and electronic products). The remaining 15 industries reported a contraction.
DXY dollar index +0.17%, spot gold +0.3% and spot silver +2.1%. Gold/silver ratio at 57.7 (down from 104 on 4/21/25).
