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November 20, 2024

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A Tale of Two Semiconductor ETFs – Why is SMH holding up better than SOXX?

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Even though the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) have many similarities, there are some big differences in their component weightings and performance. Namely, SMH allows more concentration than SOXX and SMH is holding up better than SOXX. SOXX already broke down on the price chart and SMH is at a critical juncture as its biggest component reports earnings this week.

SOXX) and SMH are the two largest semiconductor ETFs by AUM (assets under management). However, as I learned from this video at nAnalyze, their weighing rules are very different. In particular, SOXX caps the weighting of the top five stocks at 8% each and rebalances. SMH, on the other hand, caps the weight of the top three at 20% each and then rebalances. This higher threshold allows more room for a momentum run. It is little surprise that the top three holdings in SMH are Nvidia (23.66%), Taiwan Semiconductor (13.2%) and Broadcom (7.71%). The top three holding for SOXX are Nvidia (10.12%), Broadcom (8.77%) and Advanced Micro Devices (8%).

The PerfChart below shows the one-month percentage change for ten semiconductor stocks. It is a mixed bag with four up and six down. Nvidia (red bar) is up 1.5%, two are down double digits (AMD and Micron) and only one is up double digits (Marvell). Short-term, it has been a rough ride for the group.

The next chart shows SOXX breaking wedge support and its 200-day SMA with a sharp decline on October 31st. SOXX rebounded back into the wedge with a three-day election bounce and then fell below its late October low. This means the wedge break is in play with the first target zone in the 195 area. A close above 235 would call for a re-evaluation.  The indicator window shows relative performance using the  SOXX/RSP ratio  (SOXX divided by the S&P 500 EW ETF (RSP)). This ratio has been below its 200-day SMA since late August, which means SOXX has been underperforming for around three months.

What is the significance of a rising wedge? A rising wedge is a bearish continuation pattern that marks a counter-trend bounce after a trend-changing decline. SOXX fell around 25% from mid July to early August and then retraced around 61.8% with the rising wedge to 240. Both the pattern and the retracement amount are typical for counter-trend bounces. The wedge break in October reversed the medium-term uptrend and signaled a continuation of the July-August decline. A 25% decline from the wedge high would target a move to the 180 area.

Click here to learn more about TrendInvestorPro and get two bonus reports!

The next chart shows SMH with a rising wedge, but the ETF has yet to break the October low (235) or the 200-day SMA. SMH did break the lower line of the wedge with a decline last week. Also notice that SMH is trading below the level it was trading at before the election. SMH is at a make or break level with Nvidia (NVDA) set to report earnings on Wednesday after the close. SMH stays bullish as long as 235 holds. A break would confirm the wedge and target a move to the 200 area.  

Stay on the right side of the trend with our weekly reports and videos. Our robust top-down approach started with broad market analysis to set the overall tone. We then drill to down to find ETFs and stocks with bullish setups within long-term uptrends.

Highlights from Recent Weekly Reports/Videos:

  • S&P 500 breadth remains strong and Nasdaq 100 breadth remains strong enough, but Nasdaq 100 is lagging because a third of its stocks are in long-term downtrends.
  • Fintech, Cybersecurity, Software and Cloud Computer ETFs were leading before the election surge and became very extended with the election surge. Time for some patience.
  • The Gold ETF became oversold for the first time this year.
  • Copper, Base Metals and Copper Miners failed hold their breakouts as they got hit post election.
  • The 10-yr Treasury Yield is on the rise as TLT moves sharply lower. What is the market telling us?

Click here to learn more and get two bonus reports!

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Three Ways Top Investors Track Sector Rotation

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In this video, Dave outlines three tools he uses on the StockCharts platform to analyze sector rotation, from sector relative strength ratios to the powerful Relative Rotation Graphs (RRG). Dave shares how institutional investors think about sector rotation strategies, evaluating the current evidence to determine how money managers are allocating between offensive and defensive sectors following the US elections.

This video originally premiered on November 19, 2024. Watch on our dedicated David Keller page on StockCharts TV!

Previously recorded videos from Dave are available at this link.

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SCTR Report: The Palantir Trade Follow-Up—Transform Insights into Actions

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There are times when the price action of a stock is worth analyzing further. This article is a follow-up to last week’s StockCharts Technical Rank (SCTR) Report pick, Palantir Technologies (PLTR). The stock sold off significantly on Monday, and, in the blog post, I mentioned that I would buy PLTR if the stock price pulled back and reversed. I used the 15-day exponential moving average (EMA) as a support level, but was willing to tighten it if necessary.

It just so happened that PLTR sold off on Monday, after which I monitored the stock closely. Monday’s low reached the low of the previous five trading days and bounced from there (blue dashed horizontal line in the chart below). That level aligns with the 10-day EMA. On the daily chart, the last three candlestick bars have relatively large price ranges. The last bar shows more buying pressure. Is PLTR showing signs of moving higher? To answer this question, you need to look at the indicators.

FIGURE 1. DAILY CHART OF PALANTIR STOCK. After hitting a high on November 15, PLTR pulled back to the lows of the last few trading days (blue dashed line). This aligns with the 10-day exponential moving average.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

The SCTR score remains at a high 99.5, indicating the stock is technically strong. Let’s turn to the other conditions for entering a long position in PLTR.

  • Volume. The total trading volume is insufficient to convince me the upward price move will be sustained.
  • Momentum. The relative strength index (RSI) is weakening, although slightly above 70.
  • Overbought/oversold. The full stochastic oscillator remains in overbought territory, although the %K and %D lines have converged and are at similar levels.

On Tuesday, PLTR sold off in early trading along with the rest of the broader indexes. However, once things started to turn around, PLTR’s stock price rose, closing at $62.98. The price action doesn’t confirm a buy as of Tuesday’s close, although that could change tomorrow.

The Game Plan

  • If PLTR has upside momentum on Wednesday morning, with high volume, a rising RSI, and the stochastic in overbought territory, I will enter a long position. I’d use the support of the 10-day EMA as a stop loss level and exit the position if price crosses below the EMA.
  • If price doesn’t move much on Wednesday, I’d wait patiently for the opportune entry point.
  • If price shows downside movement (i.e. PLTR closes below the 10-day EMA or horizontal dashed blue line, the RSI and stochastic turn lower), I’d keep PLTR in my ChartList but revisit it later. Given that it is an AI-related stock that is actively traded, it’s not worth dismissing the stock.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

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2024 Infill Drilling on Satellite Uranium Growth Deposits Complete

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Boss Energy Limited (ASX: BOE; OTCQX: BQSSF) is pleased to announce the conclusion of a successful infill drilling program at the Gould’s Dam and Jason’s satellite deposits within its Honeymoon Uranium project in South Australia.

Highlights

  • Infill drilling campaign completed at the Gould’s Dam and Jason’s satellite deposits within Honeymoon
  • The results will underpin an updated geological/mineralisation model and resource upgrade
  • Gould’s Dam is located ~80km northwest of the Honeymoon Mine (Figure 1) and currently contains a JORC-compliant resource of 25Mlbs of indicated and inferred U308; The Jason’s deposit is located ~13km north of the Honeymoon mine (Figure 1) and contains a JORC Resource of 6.2Mt at 790ppm U308 for 10.7Mlbs contained U308 (Inferred).
  • A total of 47 mud rotary holes for 6,455m were completed at Beulah (within the Gould’s Dam Inferred Resource envelope) and an additional 25 holes for 3,074m within the Inferred resource envelope at Jason’s. Uranium mineralisation highlights from these two programs include (PFN results, ppm pU3O8):
    • 3.25m @ 3,873ppm pU3O8GT 12,587 (WRM0176 from 122.00m)
      • plus 2.75m @ 946ppm pU3O8GT 2,602(WRM0176 from 126.25m)
    • 6.25m @ 1,094ppm pU3O8GT 6,838(WRM0175 from 118.00m)
    • 2.00m @ 714ppm pU3O8GT 1,428 (WRM0180 from 119.25m)
      • plus 4.25m @ 724ppm pU3O8GT 3,077(WRM0180 from 122.50m)
    • 4.50m @ 548ppm pU3O8GT 2,466 (WRM0190 from 121.75m)
    • 1.50m @ 1,381ppm pU3O8GT 2,072 (WRM0192 from 120.25m)
    • 4.00m @ 504ppm pU3O8GT 2,016 (WRM0187 from 111.25m)
    • 2.50m @ 662ppm pU3O8GT 1,655 (WRM0195 from 122.75m)
    • 2.75m @ 517ppm pU3O8GT 1,422 (WRM0211 from 118.25m)
    • 2.25m @ 626ppm pU3O8GT 1,409 (WRM0207 from 123.75m)
    • 1.75m @ 802ppm pU3O8GT 1,404 (WRM0213 from 124.75m)
    • 3.00m @ 960ppm pU3O8GT 2,880 (BMR233 from 86.75m)
    • 1.25m @ 1,258ppm pU3O8GT 1,573 (BMR232 from 89.25m)
      • plus 0.50m @ 1,428ppm pU3O8 GT 714 (BMR232 from 91.50m)
    • 0.50m @ 3,897ppm pU3O8GT 1,949 (BMR238 from 96.25)
  • “These satellite deposits have the potential to drive growth as well as enabling us to leverage existing infrastructure and further capitalise on the opportunity presented by growing global demand for uranium from tier-one locations”. – Boss MD Duncan Craib

The program has returned strong drilling results as well as high-quality modern downhole geophysical data which will be used to build an updated geological and mineralisation model which will feed into a resource update

The two deposits have combined resources of 36.7Mlbs of contained U308. Honeymoon is producing under its current Mining Licence covering 36Mlbs and therefore the Company will now seek government endorsement for the mining of two satellite deposits, effectively doubling the allowance under the License.

This will pave the way for Boss to assess potential increases in the annual production rate and mine life at Honeymoon.

AMC Consultants have been engaged to produce a block model and mineral resource update for these key satellite deposits, which will enable the company to determine those areas which are most economically viable.

Boss Managing Director Duncan Craib said: “With the production ramp-up at Honeymoon progressing so well, we are eager to press ahead with our plans to grow the annual output, cashflow and minelife.

“These satellite deposits have the potential to drive growth as well as enabling us to leverage existing infrastructure and further capitalise on the opportunity presented by growing global demand for uranium from tier-one locations”.

Click here for the full ASX Release

This article includes content from Boss Energy Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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10 Largest Producers of Gold by Country (Updated 2024)

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The top countries for gold production are poised to benefit from the current gold bull market, as are the gold mining operations in those countries.

After climbing throughout the year, the price of gold hit a high of US$2,782 per ounce on October 30, up more than US$700 since the start of 2024. While it pulled back to around US$2,600 in the weeks following the US election on November 5, prices are still elevated.

Additionally, falling interest rates, geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and continued central bank gold purchases are providing ongoing support for the price of gold.

Of course, gold’s strong performance in 2024 benefits gold producers and the countries in which they operate. So which countries are producing the most gold?

1. China

Gold production: 370 metric tons

China was the world’s top gold mining country in 2023 with output of 370 metric tons. While China’s gold output peaked at 455 MT in 2016, it hasn’t dipped below 300 MT in more than a decade. This consistent production continues to ensure the China’s status as the world’s top gold producer.

China’s gold mining industry is dominated by state-owned operators. Some of the largest companies include China Gold International Resources (TSX:CGG,HKEX:2099), Shandong Gold (HKEX:1787) and Zijin Mining Group (HKEX:2899).

China also hosts major gold-smelting operations. Its Belt and Road Initiative has resulted in Chinese companies exploring and developing sites elsewhere in Asia and Africa, subsequently sending raw resources back to China for refinement.

In addition to being the top producer of gold in 2023, China was the largest consumer of gold at 1,089.69 metric tons. China’s central bank was the largest buyer of the precious metal in 2023, adding 225 metric tons of gold to its coffers during the year to bring its total to 2,235 MT.

2. Australia

Gold production: 310 metric tons

Australia’s 2023 gold production came in at 310 metric tons, largely on par with the previous year’s 314 MT.

Gold is mined at a slew of major operations in the country, with the top five gold mines all located in different states. The top-producing mine is top producer Newmont’s (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM) Boddington mine in Western Australia, which produced 589,000 ounces through the first three quarters of 2023.

Australia hosts the world’s largest gold reserves at 12,000 MT, and has an important role in the global supply of gold. It contributed AU$24 billion to the Australian economy in the 2022/2023 period.

2. Russia

Gold production: 310 metric tons

Gold production from Russia came in at 310 metric tons in 2023, the same as the prior year. The country’s output has risen fairly significantly since 2017, when it produced only 255 MT of gold.

The US Geological Survey states that Russian gold reserves stand at 11,100 MT, making it the second largest country for reserves after Australia. However, despite high production and reserves, Russian gold has had problems reaching world markets since the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In response, Russian operators have sought out alternative markets, particularly the BRICS nations and other Asian countries like Kazakhstan.

4. Canada

Gold production: 200 metric tons

For 2023, gold production in Canada was 200 metric tons, down a marginal 6 MT from 2022.

Ontario and Quebec are the largest gold-producing provinces in the country; together, they represent more than 70 percent of Canada’s gold output. The Canadian government states that gold is the nation’s most valuable mined commodity, with domestic exports reaching C$22.34 billion worth of the precious metal in 2022.

Additionally, BC’s Golden Triangle is a hotbed for exploration. The region hosts Newmont’s Brucejack gold mine and Red Chris copper-gold mine, the latter of which is a 70/30 joint venture with Imperial Metals (TSX:III,OTC Pink:IPMLF). Junior companies like Goliath Resources (TSXV:GOT,OTCQB:GOTRF) have also made significant discoveries in the region, which has further fueled optimism about the region’s potential.

5. United States

Gold production: 170 metric tons

In 2023, the Unites States produced 170 metric tons of gold, down slightly from the 173 MT it produced in 2022. While that is a marginal decrease, it continues a trend of production declines from 2017, when the US produced 237 MT of gold.

According to the US Geological Survey, the top state for production of the yellow metal was Nevada, which accounted for 73 percent of total domestic production, followed by Alaska with 13 percent. The top 27 operations in the country were responsible for 97 percent of American gold output in 2023.

An assessment of US gold resources shows that the country has approximately 33,000 MT of gold in identified and undiscovered resources. The US Geological Survey notes that close to a quarter of the gold in undiscovered resources can be found in copper porphyry deposits. Gold reserves in the US are estimated at 3,000 MT.

6. Kazakhstan

Gold production: 130 metric tons

Kazakhstan’s 2023 gold output of 130 metric tons represents continued growth in the country’s production of the yellow metal, up from just 69 MT produced in 2016. Kazakhstan’s largest gold-mining operation is the Altyntau Kokshetau mine, which is owned by mining giant Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF).

In August 2023, Anglo-Russian company Polymetal International (AIX:POLY), one of Kazakhstan’s largest producers, delisted from the London Stock Exchange in a move geared at severing the link between its Kazakhstan and Russian subsidiaries; it did so in response to tensions resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It remains listed on the Astana International Exchange in Kazakhstan and has major operations in the country.

7. Mexico

Gold production: 120 metric tons

Mexico has a long history of gold mining; in fact, the Spanish colonization of Central America in the early and mid-1500s was largely targeting gold and silver. Today, Mexico is among the global leaders in gold production, extracting 120 metric tons in 2023. Precious metals account for 50 percent of the country’s total metal output.

While much of Mexico’s gold mining is controlled by foreign entities, one of the largest operations, the Herradura mine — owned by Mexico City-based Fresnillo (LSE:FRES,OTC Pink:FNLPF) — produced 355,485 ounces of gold, or about 10.08 MT, in the company’s 2023 fiscal year. The mine represents more than half of Fresnillo’s gold production and generates about a quarter of the company’s total adjusted revenue.

8. Indonesia

Gold production: 110 metric tons

The mining industry is one of Indonesia’s most important sectors, and the country is among the world’s top producers of nickel, copper and gold. In 2023, Indonesia produced an estimated 110 metric tons of gold, up 5 MT over the prior year.

Indonesia is home to several large gold operations. The largest is the Grasberg Mining District, a joint venture between Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) and Indonesia’s state-owned Indonesia Asahan Aluminium. In 2023, the area produced 1.98 million ounces of gold, or 56.1 MT; it has an estimated 23.9 million ounces contained in mineral reserves.

9. South Africa

Gold production: 100 metric tons

In 2023, South Africa produced 100 metric tons of gold, up from 89 MT in 2022. An estimated one-tenth of global gold reserves are located in the country, and its Witwatersrand Basin is one of the largest gold resources in the world.

South Africa has been a top gold producer for decades, but between 1980 and 2018 the nation’s gold output fell by 85 percent. In recent years, South Africa has been the site of conflicts between the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and gold producers in the area. The AMCU has held many protests and strikes at several gold and platinum mines in the hopes of garnering more wages and stopping any mergers that could cause job losses.

Power outages have been creating further strife for South Africa’s gold industry. Limited power generation in the country has caused rolling blackouts, including for miners, the majority of which are connected to the nation’s power grid.

10. Uzbekistan

Gold production: 100 metric tons

Uzbekistan produced 100 metric tons of gold in 2023, in line with its output over the last decade.

Operated by Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company, Uzbekistan’s Muruntau gold mine is one of the largest gold operations in the world. Massive deposits of gold were first discovered at the site in the 1950s, and it still holds some of the largest reserves in the world at 4,500 MT. The discovery marked the beginning of gold mining in Uzbekistan. The mine produces more than 2.5 million ounces of gold per year and is expected to continue operating into the 2030s.

Following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, mining for the yellow metal fell to its all-time lows in the mid-1990s. In 2019, the country’s government announced renewed investment into development and exploration. While that hasn’t yet been reflected in its annual production, upgrades at Muruntau scheduled to be completed in 2026 are expected to increase its output from 38.5 million to 50 million metric tons of ore per year.

FAQs for gold investing

How is gold mined?

Gold is mined by several different methods, including: placer mining, hard-rock mining, by-product mining and by processing gold ore. The method a gold-mining company chooses depends upon the size, location, geological model and metallurgy of the deposit in question.

What is the production cost of gold?

The cost of producing gold varies from one miner to the next, and is reported as the all-in sustaining cost (AISC). AISC was first introduced in 2013 by the World Gold Council. Deposit type, energy costs and inflation are the factors that have the largest impact on AISC. The average AISC for the entire gold industry is calculated by averaging the production costs of the largest gold producers. The average AISC fluctuates with changes in energy costs and inflation.

Which nation is the largest owner of gold?

The country with the largest central bank gold reserves is the US, which had 8,133.5 metric tons as of May 2024. Most US central bank gold is held in deep storage in Denver, Fort Knox and West Point.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, currently hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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American Pacific Gains Full Ownership of Palmer VMS Project, Secures US$10 Million

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American Pacific Mining (CSE:USGD,OTCQX:USGDF) has entered into an agreement to fully acquire the Palmer volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) project, located in Southeast Alaska, US.

The deal, which is between American Pacific, its subsidiary Constantine North and Dowa Metals & Mining Alaska, involves the transfer of Dowa’s stake in Constantine Mining, the entity that is overseeing Palmer.

Constantine North will receive Dowa’s interest in Palmer, and Dowa will pay American Pacific US$10 million in exchange for an option to purchase up to 50 percent of the zinc concentrate produced during the project’s initial and subsequent years of production. Certain indemnities are also outlined in the purchase terms.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to conclude before the end of the fourth quarter of 2024. Upon completion, American Pacific will have full ownership of Palmer.

“An updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) is underway, and this transition consolidates ownership and provides a clear path forward with a renewed focus on advanced exploration and resource expansion, which we believe will create significant value for a Project that currently includes a small fraction of the known VMS showings in the current MRE,” American Pacific CEO Warwick Smith said in Monday’s (November 18) press release.

Palmer currently hosts a consolidated MRE of 4.68 million metric tons at 10.2 percent zinc equivalent in the indicated category and 9.59 million metric tons at 8.9 percent zinc equivalent in the inferred category.

The MRE includes two defined deposits: the Palmer deposit and the AG zone deposit. According to American Pacific, an updated MRE is expected to reflect the results of drilling campaigns conducted in 2023 and 2024.

Located approximately 60 kilometers from the port of Haines, more than US$116 million has been invested in Palmer to date. The area also boasts numerous high-grade, drill-ready prospects spread across over 15 kilometers.

American Pacific believes the project’s infrastructure, road access and proximity to a deep-sea port position it well for development. A 2019 preliminary economic assessment outlines a low-cost, high-margin underground operation.

With the US$10 million payment from Dowa in hand, American Pacific is projected to hold over C$16 million in cash by the end of this quarter. This financial position strengthens the company’s ability to advance both Palmer and its second flagship asset, the Madison copper-gold project in Montana, which it also fully controls.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Top 5 Life Science ETFs in 2024

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Taking a position in a life science exchange-traded fund (ETF) provides exposure to a basket of stocks focused on the healthcare sector, while mitigating the risks of holding shares in a single company.

While ETFs provide diversification by their nature, fund managers often narrow down their offerings to follow a specific aspect of the market — for example, biotech or pharma. They also typically adjust the weight of ETF holdings to match movements in the life science industry in an effort to give investors the best possible returns.

Performance and asset under management (AUM) data was gathered on November 14, 2024, and the 10 life science ETFs listed by ETFdb.com were considered. Read on to learn more about the top-performing life science ETFs year-to-date.

1. SPDR Biotech ETF (ARCA:XBI)

Company Profile

Year-to-date gain: 16.8 percent
AUM: US$7.82 billion

Launched in 2006, the SPDR Biotech ETF tracks the performance of the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, focusing exclusively on US stocks. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.35 percent, and its five year return comes in at 5.01 percent.

Of the fund’s 144 holdings, 76 percent are large and mid-cap companies. The fund’s top holdings include Incyte (NASDAQ:INCY), United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) and Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD).

2. First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (ARCA:FBT)

Company Profile

Year-to-date gain: 13.1 percent
AUM: US$1.21 billion

The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund tracks the price and yield of an equity index called the Amex Biotechnology Index. Founded in 2006, the fund’s expense ratio is 0.56 percent. Its five year return comes in at 6.71 percent.

With 31 holdings, this fund is much smaller than the other ETFs on this list. It is primarily focused on large-cap US biotech companies, although it has exposure to some firms in Europe. Its top holdings include Exelixis (NASDAQ:EXEL), Intra-Cellular Therapies (NASDAQ:ITCI) and Incyte.

3. Vanguard Health Care Index Fund ETF (ARCA:VHT)

Company Profile

Year-to-date gain: 11.9 percent
AUM: US$17.95 billion

The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund ETF is a broad fund with healthcare firms from varied industries that came to market in 2004. It’s achieved returns of 11.07 percent over the last five years. The ETF’s expense ratio is very low at 0.1 percent.

At 414, this fund has the most holdings of the life science ETFs on this list, with more than 86 percent being large-cap companies predominantly in the United States. Its top holdings by weight include Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY), UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) and AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV).

4. iShares US Medical Devices ETF (ARCA:IHI)

Company Profile

Year-to-date gain: 11.7 percent
AUM: US$4.9 billion

The iShares US Medical Devices ETF was launched in 2006 and, as the name suggests, focuses on medical device companies in the United States. The fund’s five-year return stands at 8.27 percent. This biotech ETF has an expense ratio of 0.4 percent.

This biotech fund is concentrated on large-cap companies, representing 89 percent of its holdings. Its top holdings by weight include Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) and Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK).

5. iShares US Healthcare ETF (ARCA:US)

Company Profile

Year-to-date gain: 11.7 percent
AUM: US$3.36 billion

The iShares US Healthcare ETF launched in 2000, making it the longest-running ETF on this list. EFTdb.com warns investors that ‘IYH probably doesn’t have much use for those constructing a long-term, buy-and-hold portfolio; this ETF is a more useful tool for those looking to establish a tactical tilt towards health care or for use in a sector rotation strategy.’

The fund has an expense ratio of 0.39 percent, and a five-year return rate of 11.12 percent. Of its 109 holdings, 94 percent are large-cap companies. Its top holdings by weight are Eli Lilly, UnitedHealth Group and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ).

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Bitcoin Well

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Overview

Bitcoin Well (TSXV:BTCW,OTCQB:BCNWF) is a two-business-unit organization providing an ecosystem of products and services to make it easy for everyday people to use bitcoin. The company was established in Canada in 2013, has reached significant revenue growth year-over-year since, and has recently expanded the Online Bitcoin Portal to the US market.

Bitcoin Well earns revenue through its two core business lines, which include:

  1. Online Bitcoin Portal: A non-custodial bitcoin platform that allows Canadians and now Americans to buy, sell and use bitcoin. Launched in Q4 2022 in Canada, Online Bitcoin Portal expanded to most of the USA in Q3 2023, and all 50 states in February 2024. Current monthly revenues exceed $4 million and are currently experiencing high growth. The gross margin is an estimated 1 percent.

Bitcoin Well earns consistent cash flow through its existing fleet of Bitcoin ATMs. The company reinvests this cash flow into the Online Bitcoin Portal, which is a scalable growth product the company believes will see exponential adoption during the bitcoin bull run – which appears to be underway.

The Bitcoin market often makes headlines when it reaches new heights or lows, but it’s shown consistent growth over the long term. The price of Bitcoin surpassed the US$72,000 mark in March 2024 and is expected to continuously captivate investors’ interest as it follows the typical halving price cycle.

Bitcoin Well has passed significant milestones since its establishment in 2013:

  • The company found success with its Bitcoin ATM business in 2013, generating over US$21 million in annual revenue in 2022 at a gross margin of 15 percent.
    • Q3 2023 ATM run rate revenue: US$25 million
  • In Q4 2022, Bitcoin Well began offering a non-custodial Online Bitcoin platform which reached over 17,000 users as of May 2024 and over $4.5 million in monthly revenue.
  • Bitcoin Well has exceeded US$51 million in annual revenue since 2020.

Every product or service offered by the company is wrapped in the security of its non-custodial ecosystem. This is a hot topic right now as multiple custodial exchanges have collapsed in the last few years. The non-custodial ecosystem is widely seen by knowledgeable investors as the safest way to buy bitcoin.

In 2024, Bitcoin Well launched Cash Vouchers, which allow Canadian customers to make cash payments when buying bitcoin from the Bitcoin Portal. Cash Vouchers eliminate the barriers when using digital payments to use the Bitcoin Portal. Bitcoin Well is the only company able to offer this service.

The company intends to utilize its unique positioning of a large network of Bitcoin ATMs and a growing online Bitcoin Portal to begin combining the benefits and set itself out as a true differentiator. These unique differences allow for Bitcoin Well to offer their customer a stickier product with more offerings than other competitors which could open the door for a subscription model or other alternative customer revenue models.

Company Highlights

  • Two business units
    • Canada-wide network of Bitcoin ATMs – nearly 200 ATMs and growing
    • Online Bitcoin Portal live in both Canada (Nov 2022) and the entire USA (Feb 2024) – Over 17,000 users
  • The two business units offer investors the ideal combination of stable cash flow and high-growth potential
    • Bitcoin ATMs are a 10-year established business with a level of stability
    • Bitcoin Portal is high growth and scalable in both Canada and USA
    • Bitcoin Portal users grew 70 percent from Q4 2023 to Q1 2024
  • The company was established in 2013 and has been a market leader for the last decade.
  • The price of bitcoin reached an all-time high in Canada in March 2024, and interest in bitcoin continues to grow while macroeconomic trends impact its current spot price.
  • The company expanded its Online Bitcoin Portal into all 50 states in the US in February 2024.
  • Bitcoin Well launched cash vouchers as a revolutionary payment rail to allow Canadian customers to buy bitcoin in the Bitcoin Portal using cash, they are the only company able to do this in Canada.
  • More than 40 years of bitcoin experience across management and board members.

Key Business Offerings

The Bitcoin Well business strategy is embodied in two core product lines, designed to make it easier for everyday people to use bitcoin as part of their financial plans. Both offerings cater to different types of customers.

Bitcoin ATM Network

With more than 190 Bitcoin ATMs across Canada, the Bitcoin Well ATM network provides users a way to buy bitcoin quickly and safely with cash. This well-established, cash-flowing Bitcoin ATM business provides revenue to support the company’s accretive future growth.

Highlights:

  • Established in 2014
  • Over 190 units across Canada
  • 10 to 20 percent transaction fee
  • Internal software for maximum ecosystem effect and cost savings
  • Stable cash flows and steady growth

Online Bitcoin Portal

This is the most scalable and future-oriented product. It offers the fastest and safest way for North Americans to buy, sell and use bitcoin. Launched in Q4 2022, this offering currently generates monthly revenues exceeding $4.5 million.

Highlights:

  • Non-custodial online bitcoin platform
  • Live in Canada (Nov 2022) and USA (Sept 2023)
  • 1 percent transaction fee
  • Nearly 15,000 unique users signed up
  • Surpassed Bitcoin ATM revenue in February 2024
  • Automatic self-custody

Management Team

Adam O’Brien – Founder and CEO

Adam O’Brien is a husband, father of four and a bitcoin entrepreneur with a mission to enable independence. Since founding Bitcoin Well in 2013, he has made it easy to buy, sell and use bitcoin both online in the bitcoin-only portal, and in person at Bitcoin ATMs across Canada. Today, Bitcoin Well is a publicly traded organization (BTCW) and is one of the largest bitcoin companies in the country… And it’s just getting started!

Jason Vandenberg – CFO

Jason Vandenberg brings more than 20 years of experience across diverse financial leadership positions and has an established record of leading multiple companies through substantial growth, both organically and through business acquisitions. He has experience with micro-cap companies listed on the TSXV and was involved with the company as they went public in 2021.

Chantel Lillycrop – VP of Operations

Chantel Lillycrop has 10 years of experience in leadership, business development and operations. She has a deep-rooted passion for streamlining processes, optimizing efficiency and fostering collaboration with her teams and external partners. Her mission is to drive the company’s growth while ensuring operational excellence.

James Kerr – Director of Product

James Kerr is an accredited product builder with nearly a decade of experience working with teams to build solutions for both B2B and B2C users. Kerr loves solving problems, challenging conventions, and working with creative people to build and grow products that make the world a better place.

Dave Bradley – Board Member

Dave Bradley is widely considered one of the leading experts in Canada on bitcoin and blockchain technology. Before his current role, Bradley founded the world’s first bricks-and-mortar bitcoin store and co-founded the successful company, Bull Bitcoin, which is Canada’s longest-serving bitcoin brokerage. He also serves as a vice-president for the Canadian Blockchain Consortium.

Terry Rhode – Chairman, Audit Committee

Terry Rhode was one of Rosenau Transport’s longest-serving employees and a partial owner. Before starting with Rosenau Transport in 1998, he was a management consultant and advised various businesses on ways to streamline their operations. Rhode is well-versed in every aspect of administration including accounting and IT, operations, change management, project management, sales, and pricing.

Mitchell Demeter – Governance Committee

Mitchell Demeter brought the world its first Bitcoin ATM in 2013 to Vancouver, BC. After a successful exit, he moved to be the president of Netcoins, a Canadian online cryptocurrency brokerage wholly owned by BIGG Digital Assets. Demeter is a serial entrepreneur with a range of experience in blockchain, exchanges and currency trading. He currently sits on the board of Neptune Digital Assets and advises several other cryptocurrency and fintech businesses including Secure Digital Markets and Inetco Systems.

Mark Binns – Capital Markets Advisor

Mark Binns has a long history and deep experience in the bitcoin and cryptocurrency markets, and valuable connections in the Canadian and US capital markets. Binns is the former CEO of Netcoins, a leading Canadian cryptocurrency broker, and BIGG Digital Assets, a diversified public Canadian digital asset company.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Stealth fighters and a massive mothership drone: The high-tech weapons China unveiled at its largest airshow

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China showed off its rapidly advancing military technology by unveiling a string of cutting-edge hardware at the country’s largest airshow last week.

The biennial event in the southern city of Zhuhai has become a rare public window into the military and industrial might of the rising communist-controlled superpower, while also providing international experts with an opportunity to assess its capabilities.

Many of the new Chinese weapons are seen by experts as having been developed to match the United States, as authoritarian Beijing pushes to modernize its armed forces and assert its growing military presence in Asia.

This year’s event featured a range of new weapons systems, including fighter jets and missiles. It also for the first time featured a dedicated area for drones, in a sign of their increasingly critical role on battlefields, including in the Ukraine war – and any potential future conflict over the self-governing island of Taiwan.

The six-day exhibition drew in nearly 600,000 visitors and more than 280 billion yuan ($39 billion) in global orders – as well as a stopover by Russia’s former defense chief, according to state media.

Here are some of the most notable new weapon systems put on public display at the show.

J35-A stealth fighter

More than a decade in the making, China’s much-anticipated new stealth fighter jet, the J-35A, is widely seen as part of Beijing’s bid to match the United States’ stealth fighter capabilities.

The J-35A is China’s second stealth fighter, after the J-20 entered service in 2017. Its commission makes China the second country after the US to have two types of stealth fighter jets.

Some observers have noted a resemblance in appearance between the J-35A and the US’ F-35. Though unlike the F-35, which features a single turbofan engine, the J-35A is equipped with two engines.

Its maximum takeoff weight is likely to be approaching 30 tons, Song Xinzhi, a Chinese military expert and former researcher in the PLA Air Force, told state broadcaster CCTV, hailing it a “breakthrough” for China’s new generation of medium-sized stealth fighters.

He added that the J-35A is an air force variant of the fighter. “(It) also has a twin navy variant, which is expected to be unveiled to the public soon,” Song said.

Wei Dongxu, a military commentator, claimed a key feature of the J-35A is its apparent versatility.

“It can not only perform air combat missions, but also … execute precise strikes on both ground and maritime targets,” he told CCTV, noting that the jet can carry a wide range of precision-guided munitions within its internal weapons bay, including small air-launched cruise missiles.

HQ-19 anti-ballistic missile system

Experts have been quick to compare the HQ-19, China’s new-generation surface-to-air missile system, to the US’ Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system.

Mounted on an 8×8 high-mobility vehicle, the HQ-19 carries six interceptor missiles and uses a “cold launch” mechanism that reduces the stress on the launcher and allows it to rapidly redeploy interceptors, according to state media reports.

China has not revealed the technical specifics of the system, and it remains unclear whether it can match the operational range or hit speed of THAAD. The US Defense Department’s annual report on China’s military in 2020 said the HQ-19 interceptor has undergone tests to verify its capability against 3,000 kilometer-range ballistic missiles.

Chinese military experts say it is tasked with intercepting ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, significantly extending the interception range of previous models like the HQ-9.

Most notably, Chinese experts and state media have also claimed the HQ-19 is capable of intercepting hypersonic glide vehicles in the atmosphere.

Such weapons are “challenging due to their unpredictable trajectory,” said PLA Senior Col. Du Wenlong of the PLA Academy of Military Sciences.

“Our radar system, however, can track these complex trajectories and guide missiles for a final strike. Many countries address hypersonic warheads by deploying multiple rapid warheads, ensuring at least one hit. But with the combination of the HQ-19 missile and our radar system, we’ve resolved this issue with a single radar and a single missile,” he told CCTV.

Drone mothership ‘Jetank’

A massive mothership drone that can carry a payload of up to six tons, Jetank has a wingspan of 25 meters (82 feet) and a maximum takeoff weight of 16 tons, according to state media, making it among the largest such weapons in China’s arsenal.

The jet-powered attack and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), features eight external hardpoints to carry missiles and bombs, as well as a quickly replaceable mission module that can carry different types of smaller drones.

“It takes the concept of an aircraft carrier from the sea to the air, enabling the deployment of numerous drones onto the battlefield by launching them in the air,” Chinese military expert Du Wenlong claimed, hailing it a “significant innovation.”

Stealth drone ship ‘Orca’

Known as the “Orca” the JARI-USV-A is a high-speed stealth unmanned surface combat vessel.

The 500-ton vessel is designed to be highly radar resistant and features a unique trimaran structure that gives it stability in harsh seas, state media reports say.

Measuring 58 meters (190 feet) in length, 23 meters (75 feet) in beam and 4 meters (13 feet) in depth, the “Orca” can operate at speeds up to 40 knots with a range of 4,000 nautical miles, allowing for prolonged missions without resupply, according to China Military Online, the official English-language news website of the Chinese military.

“As an autonomous combat vessel, it is like a mobile fortress on the sea which is capable of undertaking tasks such as beyond visual range fire strike, air and missile defense, and anti-submarine search and strike,” the China Military Online claimed in an article Tuesday.

“Such platforms can regularly carry out non-military and military operations of low to medium intensity, such as patrol and guard around strategic points, base ports, islands and reefs, and key waterways,” it added.

Equipped with four phased array radars and a vertical launch system, the vessel is said to be able to carry rockets, anti-ship missiles, air defense missiles and remote-control weapon stations. It also features a takeoff and landing platform for unmanned helicopters in the rear and a small docking bay at the stern, which can be used to launch small underwater devices or sensors for submarine detection, the article said.

PL-15E Air-To-Air Missile

China also unveiled a new version of its PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile. It comes with folding tailfins, a design that allows for more compact stowage to fit the country’s stealth fighter jets.

At the airshow, the PL-15E was displayed next to a model of the J35-A steal fighter jet.

The PL-15 is one of China’s most potent air-to-air missiles, with a range of around 200 kilometers and a peak speed above five times the speed of sound, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

It’s often compared to the US’ AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.

Su-57 stealth fighter

Also on display at the airshow was the Su-57, Russia’s most advanced fighter jet, which made its first appearance away from home.

The overseas debut of the Su-57 in Zhuhai sent an unequivocal message about the close military cooperation between China and Russia.

Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s former defense minister who was in China for annual strategic security consultations, stopped by airshow to check out the Su-57 on display, according to the state-run Global Times.

At the airshow, the first contracts were signed for Russia to export its Su-57 to overseas customers, Russian news agency Tass reported, though it did not disclose the identity of the buyers.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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Doctors Without Borders halts operations in Haiti’s capital, citing police threats

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A vital humanitarian organization said it will suspend activities in Haiti’s capital on Wednesday following a “series of threats” by local police, in a move that threatens to bring a further deterioration of conditions in the Caribbean nation that has struggled for years with gang warfare and political turmoil.

Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), accused authorities of repeatedly stopping its vehicles and threatening its staff with violence, including death and rape.

Following that attack, the organization said it faced four additional encounters with police.

“This series of incidents have left us with no choice but to suspend our activities in Port-au-Prince,” MSF said in a statement.

In recent years, police, civilian vigilante groups and even rival gangs in the lawless capital have been repeatedly accused by doctors and medical staff of breaking into health care facilities where they suspect wounded gang members to be seeking treatment.

“As MSF, we accept working in conditions of insecurity, but when even law enforcement becomes a direct threat, we have no choice but to suspend admissions of patients in Port-au-Prince until the conditions are met for us to resume,” MSF head of mission Christophe Garnier said.

MSF said it will stop admitting and transferring patients to its five medical facilities in the Haitian capital from Wednesday, impacting thousands of people in need of treatment.

“MSF provides care to everyone on the basis of medical needs alone. Each week on average in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, MSF provides care to more than 1,100 patients on an outpatient basis, 54 children with emergency conditions, and more than 80 new survivors of sexual and gender-based violence,” the organization said in a statement.

Brutal gang violence in the capital has resulted in the kidnappings of hundreds of people, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Haitians from their homes.

MSF is the latest international group to halt operations in the Caribbean nation.

Last week, US-based airlines suspended flights to Haiti after three of their jets were struck by bullets while flying over Port-au-Prince. Haiti’s transitional presidential council blamed armed gangs for the gunfire that struck one of the flights, accusing them of aiming “to isolate our country on the international stage.”

Last month, a United Nations helicopter was also hit by bullets while flying over Port-au-Prince. And in a separate incident in October, gangs targeted US Embassy vehicles with gunfire, later prompting the evacuation of 20 embassy staff.

In late February and early March, coordinated gang attacks forced the closure of both the airport and main seaport in the Haitian capital, choking off vital supplies of food and humanitarian aid to the Caribbean nation.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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