DHL’s earnings match up with market forecasts: DHL’s topline grew in 2Q, raking in EUR 20.6 bn, a marginal increase from EUR 20.1 bn in the same period last year, according to a press release (pdf) published on Thursday. The firm’s 2Q operating income met market expectations, dropping to EUR 1.35 bn from EUR 1.7 bn the year prior. “Air and ocean freight volumes further improved in the second quarter from a low starting level. However, we are not observing a broad-based recovery of global trade yet,” CEO Melanie Kreis said in the statement.

Boeing’s 2Q earnings paint a bleak picture: Boeing’s bottomline plummeted to USD 1.44 bn in 2Q, a USD 149 mn net loss from last year, according to a statement published last week. The plane manufacturer’s topline also fell by 15% y-o-y to USD 16.8 bn, down from USD 19.7 bn the year prior. The firm’s earnings have been dragged down by losses in its defense and space businesses, Reuters reports. Boeing is forecasted to burn cash rather than generate this year due to reduced jet deliveries, CFO Brian West said in May. The plane manufacturer has already cut down on its commercial aircraft production to address quality concerns after a panel flew off mid-flight on a Boeing jet back in January.

A rough ride: It’s been a tough year for Boeing, as the firm has faced losses, production delays, and a lawsuit. Despite the turbulence, Boeing is still netting USD bns in orders, with Emirates’ cargo arm Emirates SkyCargo placing an order for five Boeing 777 freighters last month, slated for immediate delivery between 2025 and 2026. Qatar Airways also inked an agreement in July with Boeing to add 20 of the firm’s 777-9 carriers to its order book on top of its existing order of 40 777-9s.

World’s top lithium producer wants help against Chinese market dominance: US-based Albermale — the world’s largest lithium producer — is urging governments to help it compete against Chinese lithium, a key component in EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the Financial Times reports. A collapse in the lithium market has made it difficult for Western groups to compete against Chinese companies because of their cheaper costs. “If we’re going to build Western supply chains [for electric cars], then action needs to be taken now,” CEO Kent Masters told FT.

Albermale has been suffering: The US-based group announced its second round of cost-cutting plans in 2024, which will involve canceling a production line and halting expansion at its Kemerton lithium hydroxide refinery in Australia — a move that reflects China’s dominance over refining strategic materials. China — which processes 65% of the world’s lithium — has an advantage because of its low construction costs, subsidies, and technical expertise.

But there could be a light at the end of the tunnel: The Australian resources minister has pledged to accelerate planned tax incentives for processing critical minerals, while European companies like AMG Critical Minerals believe they can compete with China by utilizing technological advancements to lower operating costs.

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