What recession? Mining equipment is sold out until next year

Metal prices have made spectacular rebounds since the start of the year on growing optimism about the world economy. It's not even midway through 2010 and Caterpillar (CAT, Fortune 500) has sold out of some of its largest mining vehicles because of rising commodity prices, and is now taking orders for 2011 delivery.

But the upward momentum has suddenly slowed. Though metals recovered some of their value this week, prices have generally dropped for the past several weeks due to uncertainties over the yuan in China and sovereign debt in Greece and throughout Europe. (more)