Why investors need to know about neodymium

Used primarily to produce magnets used in electric motors for EVs and for powerful electric generators in wind turbines Financial markets seem to hang on every meeting, every statement and protest coming out of Europe these days. The PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain) are wallowing in too much debt. Germany and France are reluctant to throw good money down a rat hole to bail them out. The world's economies and financial markets are in a constant state of limbo. They're all on hold, waiting to see how it's all going to play out. Here in the United States, we're consumed with who's going to get elected next November. But there's an even bigger problem looming that seems to get very little press these days. It's beginning to affect nearly every sector. And it will have far-reaching impacts on global consumers and manufacturers alike. I'm talking about the growing shortage of rare earth elements (REEs). These 17 special materials have properties that make them essential for today's consumer, military and medical sectors. China has announced that it's cutting production to 70 percent of today's current output by 2015. This is after previously announced cuts in production and numerous price increases. Currently, China produces over 90 percent of all REEs in the world.