From: James Bowery
If the LaNi5 E-Cat theory were true, one would expect there to be hoardingof the metal by E-Cat insiders since it will be limiting on world energy supply and those holding physical La would profit enormously once the dependency is announced. Well LaNi5 is short of being a working theory - just a possibility based on its wide use as a hydrogen carrier, and since the Hot Cat requires stored H2, but the NMR property of La adds to the likelihood. Since lanthanum is not rare and seems to be in oversupply profiting on a spike in demand seems too risky. More importantly - are there any "insiders" in LENR with enough money to speculate? The main problem with that scenario is that insiders we know about, including Ampenergo are not particularly well-heeled. Certainly not enough to try corner any metals market. You may remember the disaster of the Hunt Brothers trying to corner silver. The silver market is measured in ounces while rare earths are sold in tonnage, so it appears that the task would be harder. Rossi sold his biodiesel business well over a year ago, and yes - back then he would have had a few million to spare - but for all we know, he could have invested it in lanthanum futures (fully margined) at $66 thinking they would at least go back above $117 but instead they went the other way. That could explain a lot, including why he was forced to give up control of the US operations.
