Yes, and well priced in to the share price. The news was in the media in mid-May, speculation of which (and of course US manufacturing plant pump from the CEO amidst wider geopolitical developments) contributed to the then run-up from which it has as quickly receded. The discussion above was actually in relation to an idiotic suggestion of a
20% move higher in ASM price today on Trump/China/Taiwan pump:
I am personally quite happy to have people (including the CEO) pump deals and the stock. Wouldn't do it personally. But I will quite happy sell some stock and inevitably buy it back cheaper when the pump effect inevitably wanes.
Most people would prefer to see actual good old honest sustained share price progression on business improvements and specifically in the near term solid offtake agreements for a KMP plant that has (admittedly limited capacity), been operationally available for production since May 2022. The progression in guided offtakes has been atrocious, let alone wider natural production in a world crying out for ex-China production.
The spikes in share price on short-lived pump from the CEO and others, a poor substitute to sustained share price moves up on solid business progression, which after 3 years Rowena has been ridiculously tardy in delivering (whilst she has been quite happy to allude as ever to forthcoming progression i.e. pump).
Rowena et al need to stop blowing hot air on deals (and new plants) and get existing deals on offtake contracts in actual production at the existing plant.
(20min delay)