240 members responded to last month’s poll predicting U.S. Federal Reserve asset purchases by 2011: the clear majority (61%) answered $100 Billion - $1 Trillion.

During the last quarter of the year we will feature a series of forecast polls.  This month, Kristaps Licis, Senior Associate Director of Exams, CAIA Association, asks about the production of green technology in 2015.

Rare earth metals (Neodymium, Lanthanum, Ytterbium, Promethium, etc., 17 in total) are crucial ingredients for modern green energy technologies such as electric cars and wind turbines. Currently, Peoples Republic of China controls around 97% of the world’s supply of rare earth metals. In 2009 and 2010, China cut rare earth metal export quota by 20% each year. Further quota cuts are expected in 2011 and 2012. Green energy manufacturers argue that soon, their only option will be to move their operations into mainland China.