February 2025 – Page 16 – Free Digital Markets

South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seoul on Sunday, nearly two years after she retreated from the public eye following a drunk driving conviction. She was 24.

Kim began her career as a child actor and gained widespread recognition, including an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, for her role as a girl abandoned at an orphanage in 2009 movie “A Brand New Life.”

She later starred in 2010 action hit “The Man from Nowhere,” 2012 mystery thriller “The Neighbors,” and 2014 drama “A Girl at My Door,” among numerous roles in film and television.

But Kim’s career had stalled since April 2023 after a Seoul court found her guilty of driving under the influence when she crashed her car in the South Korean capital a year earlier. Kim avoided jail but was fined about $14,000.

Her last known role was in Netflix’s 2023 K-drama “Bloodhounds.”

The final post on Kim’s Instagram account, a photo of the actor shared in January, has accumulated more than 205,000 likes. Comments are disabled on the account.

How to get help

Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters.
In the US: Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Globally: The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide have contact information for crisis centers around the world.

Korean celebrities paid tribute to Kim following the news of her death.

“May you rest in peace,” actor Kim Ok-bin wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of a white chrysanthemum, a symbol of grief in many Asian cultures.

Kim’s co-star Kim Min-che shared a photo of a scene from “The Neighbors” on Instagram and said: “I was so happy to meet you as my daughter in the movie. May you rest in peace.”

Recent deaths of young K-pop idols and K-drama stars have highlighted ongoing concerns about mental health and pressures in South Korea’s entertainment industry.

Song Jae-lim, a former model who rose to prominence in K-dramas, was found dead in his apartment last November at age 39. ASTRO boy band member Moon bin died last year at age 25. K-pop singer and actress Sulli was also 25 when she died in 2019. And two years earlier, boyband SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun was found dead at his home at age 27.

Entertainment agencies have implemented various mental health support systems, including counseling services and more flexible schedules, but observers say the highly competitive nature of K-entertainment, combined with intense public scrutiny, and expectations of perfection in appearance and behavior, are affecting stars.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

European leaders to begin Paris meeting as Trump forges ahead with Ukraine peace talks

European leaders are gathering in France for an emergency summit on Ukraine after the Trump administration announced it was opening talks with Russia on ending the war without a European presence.

UK leader Kier Starmer said the meeting in Paris was a “once in a generation” moment for national security following Washington’s bombshell announcement that has sparked concern in Kyiv and across Europe that Ukrainian and European leaders will be frozen out of peace negotiations.

In recent days, US President Donald Trump and his top officials have upended what had largely been a united front between Washington and its European NATO allies on supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, which is nearing its third anniversary.

Trump’s posture toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, and comments from US officials on Ukraine and NATO, has raised anxieties in Europe that Washington’s vision for a swift end to the war would allow for key concessions to Russia.

The Ukrainians said they would not be present at the talks, though Keith Kellogg, the Trump administration’s Russia-Ukraine envoy, discussed a “dual track” set of negotiations and will be in Kyiv this week. On Sunday, Trump said the Ukrainians would be part of the negotiations.

On Sunday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would “never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine,” during an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press.

As well as Starmer, the leaders of Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, as well as the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO, will attend what host French President Emmanuel Macron said would be an “informal meeting,” according to the Elysée Palace.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Starmer said he was “ready and willing” to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine to enforce a peace deal if necessary.

The European diplomatic efforts follow Trump’s “lengthy” phone call with Putin last week after which he announced negotiations to end the Ukraine war would start “immediately.” Ukraine envoy Kellogg then said Europe would not have a seat at the table.

Meanwhile, Rubio framed the talks with Russia as the first steps of a process to determine whether Russia is serious about ending its war in Ukraine, and indicated that both Ukraine and Europe would be involved in negotiations if talks progress in the right direction. Rubio’s comments follow a call with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, which, he said, was meant to establish an open channel of communications.

Macron on Sunday said he discussed Russia’s war in Ukraine during a phone call with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and emphasized that Europe should be at the center of fostering peace in Ukraine.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

Change to State Department website sparks fiery rebuke from Beijing over Taiwanese independence

China has accused the Trump administration of “serious regression” in its position on Taiwan, after the State Department removed a line from its website stating that the US does not support Taiwan independence.

In what it called a “routine” update to its online fact sheet on US relations with Taiwan last week, the State Department dropped the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence” – a position long held by Washington.

The change was welcomed by Taipei but triggered one of the strongest rebukes from Beijing since Donald Trump returned to the White House. China’s ruling Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy as its own territory, and has vowed to take control of the island one day, by force if necessary.

China’s Foreign Ministry urged the US on Monday to “immediately correct its mistakes” over the removal of the line, or risk “further serious damage” to China-US relations which are being tested once again by the return of Trump’s “America First” policy.

“The US State Department’s revision of the list of facts regarding US-Taiwan relations represents a serious regression in its stance on Taiwan…(and) sends a seriously erroneous message to the separatist forces advocating for Taiwan independence,” ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular news conference.

“This is further evidence of the US stubbornly adhering to the erroneous policy of using Taiwan to contain China. We urge the US to immediately correct its mistakes,” Guo added, warning Washington to handle the Taiwan issue with “utmost caution.”

Analysts have said that Chinese leaders are particularly concerned about Trump’s new foreign policy team’s stance on Taiwan, the reddest of red lines for Beijing.

Trump’s second term cabinet is stacked with prominent China hawks, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rubio has been a steadfast supporter of Taiwan. The former senator has previously pushed for a raft of legislation to strengthen ties between Washington and Taipei, including fast-tracking US arms sales to the island.

In a statement to Reuters, the State Department described the wording change as part of a standard update.

“As is routine, the fact sheet was updated to inform the general public about our unofficial relationship with Taiwan,” a State Department spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the US remains committed to its “one China policy” – a line that is still stated in the updated fact sheet.

Under what is known as the “one China policy,” the US recognizes the People’s Republic as the sole legitimate government of China; it also acknowledges Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China, but has never accepted the Chinese Communist Party’s claim of sovereignty over the island.

“The United States is committed to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” the spokesperson told Reuters.

The wording on Taiwan independence was also removed in 2022 from the State Department website, only to be restored a month later, according to Reuters.

The latest fact sheet also said that Washington will continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, including membership “where applicable.” It previously stated that Washington will continue to support Taiwan’s membership in international organizations “where statehood is not a requirement,” according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, which first reported on the change in wording.

Under Xi Jinping, China’s most assertive leader in a generation, Beijing has sought to isolate Taiwan economically, military and diplomatically, including preventing Taiwanese membership of major global bodies.

Last week, two US Navy ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait in the first such mission since Trump took office, drawing an angry response from China’s military, which accused the US action of “sending the wrong signals and increasing security risks.”

This post appeared first on cnn.com

Economy

Could Bitcoin Reach $200000? Market & Expert Insights

Bitcoin attracts bold predictions. Recent forecasts show that this top cryptocurrency may soon hit Bitcoin Reach $200000. Many trusted sources, including Yahoo Finance, CoinDesk, Bloomberg, and CNBC, have reported this forecast. This public news reflects rising optimism among market experts amid changing economic conditions.

Market Sentiment and Economic Drivers

Many analysts believe that economic uncertainty and rising prices create a strong chance for Bitcoin to serve as a safe asset. Investors now see Bitcoin as a reliable store of value. They shift funds to cryptocurrencies when they lose trust in traditional assets. In addition, new regulations in key markets push both large and small investors to spread their money across various assets.

Technical Analysis and Price Trends

Technical data supports a potential price surge. Long-term charts show an upward trend, while short-term drops offer good buying points. Trading volumes and network activity grow each day. Experts point to a limited supply and high demand as key reasons that Bitcoin Reach $200000 upto.

Investor Implications and Risk Management

Investors must stay alert in this volatile market. They should manage risk by diversifying their portfolios. Many experts advise reviewing holdings and allocating funds wisely. They also recommend keeping up with the latest market news and technical signals to guide decisions.

Conclusion

This forecast that Bitcoin may reach $200,000 comes from strong market sentiment, positive technical trends, and a unique economic climate. However, investors face a volatile market that demands caution. Experts urge both individual and institutional investors to monitor these trends closely and prepare for various market moves.

While reaching $200,000 is not guaranteed, this forecast offers valuable insight into the ever-changing crypto market. It shows that the market can shift quickly and that informed decisions are key. Investors should act wisely and stay updated on news and trends. By doing so, they can protect their investments and uncover new opportunities in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrencies.

The post Could Bitcoin Reach $200000? Market & Expert Insights appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

Stock

Week Ahead: NIFTY Tests Crucial Support; Violation Of This Level May Invite Incremental Weakness

The Indian equity markets remained under pressure over the past five sessions, witnessing sustained weakness throughout the week. The Nifty50 faced resistance at key levels and struggled to find strong footing as it tested crucial support zones on two separate occasions. Market volatility surged significantly, with India VIX rising by 9.72% to 15.02, signaling heightened uncertainty. The index moved within a wider-than-usual trading range of 793.75 points, reflecting increased turbulence. By the end of the week, the Nifty had recorded a net weekly loss of 630.70 points, equivalent to a decline of 2.68%.

The upcoming week holds significant importance as the index approaches critical technical levels. The 22,800 mark is particularly crucial, as any decisive violation of this support is likely to invite further downside pressure. On the upside, strong resistance is expected at 23,500 and higher levels, making it unlikely for even the best technical rebounds to extend beyond this point. The market’s reaction to the 22,800 level will play a vital role in determining its short-term trajectory. A breach of this level could open the door to additional weakness, intensifying selling pressure.

Given the prevailing conditions, the new trading week may witness a subdued start. The immediate resistance levels are expected to emerge at 23,150 and 23,400, while key support levels are positioned at 22,700 and 22,450. These levels will serve as crucial markers in assessing the index’s directional bias over the next few sessions.

From a technical perspective, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the weekly chart stands at 40.40, forming a 14-period low and displaying a clear bearish divergence. This signals weakening momentum and suggests that market sentiment remains fragile. Additionally, the weekly Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator is bearish, as it trades below the signal line, further confirming the downtrend.

A detailed pattern analysis indicates that the Nifty faced resistance at the 50-week moving average and subsequently resumed its downward movement. The inability to sustain gains above this crucial moving average reinforces the broader weakness in the market structure. If the index slips below 22,800, it could trigger further declines, potentially leading to deeper corrections in the near term.

Market participants should approach the coming sessions with heightened caution, considering the overall technical setup. The 22,800 level remains a key pivot, and any decisive breach could accelerate selling pressure. Given the prevailing conditions, it is advisable to use any technical rebound as an opportunity to protect profits rather than aggressively chase fresh long positions. New buying should be undertaken selectively, with a strong emphasis on risk management. Leveraged exposures should be kept at modest levels to navigate the increased volatility effectively. With market sentiment appearing fragile and downside risks persisting, a highly cautious approach remains warranted in the near term.

Sector Analysis for the coming week

In our look at Relative Rotation Graphs®, we compared various sectors against CNX500 (NIFTY 500 Index), which represents over 95% of the free float market cap of all the stocks listed.

Relative Rotation Graphs (RRG) show that the Nifty Financial Services index has rolled back inside the leading quadrant. Besides this, the Nifty Bank Index is the only index that is inside the leading quadrant. These groups may continue to outperform the broader markets relatively.

The Nifty Services Sector Index and the Pharma Index are inside the weakening quadrant. However, they are seen improving on their relative momentum. Apart from this, the Midcap 100 and the IT index are inside the weakening quadrant.

The Media Index continues languishing inside the lagging quadrant along with the PSE and the Realty Index. They may relatively underperform the broader markets. The Energy Sector Index is also inside the lagging quadrant, but its relative momentum is improving.

The Nifty Commodities, Consumption, FMCG, Auto, and the Metal index are inside the improving quadrant. They may continue improving their relative performance against the broader markets. The PSU Bank index is also inside the improving quadrant, but it is seen sharply giving up on its relative momentum, and it is expected to underperform the broader Nifty 500 index relatively.

Important Note: RRG charts show the relative strength and momentum of a group of stocks. In the above Chart, they show relative performance against NIFTY500 Index (Broader Markets) and should not be used directly as buy or sell signals.

Milan Vaishnav, CMT, MSTA

Consulting Technical Analyst

www.EquityResearch.asia | www.ChartWizard.ae

Stock

This Is How I Crush The Benchmark S&P 500 In Any Market

It was another mildly bullish week as our major indices climbed very close to new, fresh all-time highs. We also saw a return to growth stocks as we approached breakout levels, which is a good signal as far as rally sustainability goes. Despite this, there remain reasons to be cautious and I’ll point out a couple of those reasons below.

Negative Divergences

The S&P 500 ($SPX) and NASDAQ 100 ($NDX) both seem to be losing bullish price momentum on their respective weekly charts, which can be seen below:

$SPX

$NDX

The price momentum on both indices is slowing and eerily similar to late 2021, just before the cyclical bear market of 2022. Let me be clear that I do NOT believe we’re heading into a cyclical bear market. I don’t see that extent of potential weakness ahead. I do see increased risks of a 5-10% drop, however, and that’s why I’m cautious.

Is This Current Rally Truly Sustainable?

Sometimes a little common sense and perspective goes a very long way. Over the last 75 years, the S&P 500 has averaged gaining 9% per year. So when you go through short-term periods that show gains well in excess of that 9% average, you should at least be thinking there’s the risk that the S&P 500 will fall back and “reversion to the mean”, which is a mathematical concept that describes the tendency of extreme results to move closer to the average. We’ve seen a tremendous rally since the summer correction of 2023. Let’s look at the last 68 weeks (since the correction low in late-October 2023) of return on both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 and compare it to the history of 68-week rates of change (ROC) to gain a sense of this current rally and its sustainability:

$SPX

$NDX

You can look at these two charts and make your own judgement and draw your own conclusions, but, outside of the late-1990s, 68-week ROCs above 50% on the S&P 500 and 60% on the NASDAQ 100 suggest a short-term pullback is more likely, not guaranteed.

Now The Good News

While bullish price action and momentum may seem to be slowing, the long-term monthly PPO on both of these indices is definitely on the rise, which, in my view, limits any short-term downside to the 20-month EMA. I’ll just show the S&P 500 monthly chart, but this will highlight the likelihood that any future selling, if it occurs (no guarantee), holds 20-month EMA support:

$SPX

This chart takes us back 25 years to the turn of the century. The yellow areas highlight poor (below zero) or declining PPOs. During these periods, I’d ignore 20-month EMA support and be cautious. However, the blank periods highlight a rising monthly PPO, during which we rarely see price fall below the rising 20-month EMA. This is where we currently stand. Most pullbacks over the last 25 years, when the monthly PPO is above zero and rising, have fallen short of actual 20-month EMA tests. In other words, we should view a 20-month EMA test as a “worst case” scenario.

The next market decline should be viewed as an OUTSTANDING opportunity to enter this secular bull market.

Stick With Strength

Since we began rolling out our Portfolios quarterly, we’ve had to overcome cyclical bear markets in Q4 2018 (trade war), March 2020 (pandemic), and the first 9-10 months of 2022 (rising inflation and rising interest rates), and a 3-month correction during the summer of 2023. We’ve remained fully invested and have CRUSHED the S&P 500. In fact, below is a graph that highlights our Model Portfolio performance since its inception in November 2018 (in the middle of the trade war!) through the end of January 2025:

We’ve demonstrated the best way to beat the S&P 500, which is to invest in leading relative strength stocks. It’s the only proven method that’s worked for us at EarningsBeats.com. We “draft” our 10 favorite relative strength stocks in various sectors and industry groups and hold them for one entire earnings cycle, then rinse and repeat. Our last quarter’s “draft” picks have annihilated the S&P 500, +15.15% vs. 3.34%.

You can check out our Model Portfolio holdings for the last 3 months below:

8 of our 10 Model Portfolio stocks outperformed the S&P 500, a few by a very wide margin. Owning relative strength stocks like PLTR, CLS, and TPR will completely carry a portfolio and lead to outstanding returns.

Our “quarterly” results are calculated over the following periods:

February 19 – May 19
May 19 – August 19
August 19 – November 19
November 19 – February 19

The reason we calculate our quarterly returns using the above time periods is that we select our stocks each quarter on February 19, May 19, August 19, and November 19. By the time we reach these dates, most key market-moving companies have reported their quarterly results and fundamental data like earnings is factored into our portfolio selections just as much as technical considerations. That fundamental/technical combination is one factor that separates us from others and we do this because my background is public accounting. I don’t stray far from my core beliefs. I believe management’s execution of their business strategies/plan and beating revenue and EPS estimates is a huge component of its stock’s upside potential.

On Monday, February 17th, we’re holding our next DRAFT. We will be announcing the 10-equal weighted stocks in each of our portfolios designed to beat the S&P 500 over the next 3-month period. You’re quite welcome to join us. It might change your way of investing and improve your results immediately. CLICK HERE for more information and to register!

Happy trading!

Tom

Investing

Lode Gold Announces $1,000,000 Financing

Lode Gold Resources Inc. (TSXV: LOD) (OTCQB: LODFF) (‘Lode Gold ‘ or the ‘Company’) announces a non-brokered financing for $1,000,000.00.

Each $0.18 unit shall consist of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.35 per common share for a period of three years following the date of closing.

The proceeds raised from the offering will go toward strategic initiatives and the execution of the business plan.

The Company plans to finalize this financing on or before March 10, 2025. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) and shareholder meeting will be held on March 10, 2025 to approve the Plan of Arrangement. Lode Gold shareholders, as of a specified record date, will be eligible to receive shares of Gold Orogen while retaining their existing shares of Lode Gold.

About Lode Gold

Lode Gold (TSXV: LOD) is an exploration and development company with projects in highly prospective and safe mining jurisdictions in Canada and the United States.

In Canada, its Golden Culvert and WIN Projects in Yukon, covering 99.5 km²across a 27-km strike length, are situated in a district-scale, high grade gold mineralized trend within the southern portion of the Tombstone Gold Belt. A total of four RIRGS targets have been confirmed on the property. A NI 43-101 technical report has been completed in May 2024.

In New Brunswick, Lode Gold has created one of the largest land packages with its Acadian Gold JV Co; consisting of an area that spans 445 km² and a 44 km strike. McIntyre Brook covers 111 km²and a 17-km strike in the emerging Appalachian/Iapetus Gold Belt; it is hosted by orogenic rocks of similar age and structure as New Found Gold’s Queensway Project. Riley Brook is a 335 km²package covering a 26 km strike of Wapske formation with its numerous felsic units. A NI 43-101 technical report has been completed in August 2024.

In the United States, the Company is advancing its Fremont Gold project. This is a brownfield project with over 43,000 m drilled and 23 km of underground workings. It was previously mined at 10.7 g/t Au in the 1940’s.

Mining was halted in 1942 due the gold prohibition in WWII just as it was ramping up production. Unlike typical brownfield projects that are mined out; only 11% of the veins have been exploited. The Company is the first owner to investigate an underground high grade mine potential at Fremont since the 1940’s.

The project is located on 3,351 acres of private and patented land in Mariposa County. The asset is a 4 km strike on the prolific 200 km Mother Lode Gold Belt, California that produced over 50,000,000 oz of gold and is instrumental in the creation of the towns, the businesses and infrastructure in the 1800s gold rush. It is 1.5 hours from Fresno, California. The property has year-round road access and is close to airports and rail.

Previously, in March 2023 the company completed an NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment (‘PEA’). Project Valuation has an after-tax NPV (5%) of USD $370M at $2000 2 /oz gold, IRR 31% and an 11-year LOM, averaging 118,000 oz per year. At $1,750 /oz gold, NPV (5%) is $217M. The project hosts an NI 43-101 resource of 1.16 Moz at 1.90 g/t Au within 19.0 MT Indicated and 2.02 Moz at 2.22 g/t Au within 28.3 MT Inferred. The MRE evaluates only 1.4 km of the 4 km strike of Fremont property. Three step-out holes at depth (up to 1200 m) hit structure and were mineralized.

All NI 43-101 technical reports are available on the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company’s website (www.lode-gold.com).

QUALIFIED PERSON STATEMENT

The scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill, Director, BSc (Hons) (Economic Geology – UCT), FAusIMM, and who is a ‘qualified person’ as defined by NI-43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY

Wendy T. Chan, CEO & Director

Information Contact

Winfield Ding
CFO
info@lode-gold.com
+1-416-915-4257

Kevin Shum
Investor Relations
kevin@lode-gold.com
+1 (647) 725-3888 ext. 702

Cautionary Note Related to this News Release and Figures

This news release contains information about adjacent properties on which the Company has no right to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company’s properties.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release includes ‘forward-looking statements’ and ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the completion of the transaction and the timing thereof, the expected benefits of the transaction to shareholders of the Company, the structure, terms and conditions of the transaction and the execution of a definitive agreement, the timing of submission to the CSE and TSXV, Gold Orogen raising an additional $1,500,000 and the anticipated use of proceeds. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘plan’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘potential’, ‘target’, ‘budget’ and ‘intend’ and statements that an event or result ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘could’ or ‘might’ occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management based on the business and markets in which the Company operates, are inherently subject to significant operational, economic, and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies. These include assumptions regarding, among other things: that the Company and GRM will be able to negotiate the definitive agreement on the terms and within the time frame expected, that the Company and GRM will be able to make submissions to the CSE and TSXV within the time frame expected, that the Company and GRM will be able to obtain shareholder approval for the transaction, that the Company and GRM will be able to obtain necessary third party and regulatory approvals required for the transaction, if completed, that the transaction will provide the expected benefits to the Company and its shareholders.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include adverse market conditions, general economic, market or business risks, unanticipated costs, the failure of the Company and GRM to negotiate the definitive agreement on the terms and conditions and within the timeframe expected, the failure of the Company and GRM to make submissions to the CSE and TSXV within the timeframe expected, the failure of the Company and GRM to obtain shareholder approval for the transaction, the failure of the Company and GRM to obtain all necessary approvals for the transaction, and r other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those described under the heading ‘Risks and Uncertainties’ in the Company’s most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/241117

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Investing

Top 5 Canadian Mining Stocks This Week: Durango Surges 115 Percent on Antimony Project News

The Trump administration announced on Monday (February 10) it would be expanding steel and aluminum tariffs to all countries. The tariffs, set to come into effect on March 12, will disproportionally impact Canadian exports as Canada is the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the US.

This isn’t the first time the president has imposed sweeping tariffs on the global steel and aluminum industries. The effect from the first round in 2018 was mixed. While it allowed domestic producers to charge more for their products, that increased downstream costs for consumers and manufacturers, leading to tighter profit margins and layoffs.

Even though the US produces enough steel to meet its own demand, incoming tariffs could still have negative implications for the North American auto industry. Coming into 2025, the sector anticipated growth but was also wary that some consumers were concerned about affordability. Increases in steel costs due to import fees and the potential for additional tariffs on cars and parts produced in Canada and Mexico could dampen vehicle sales.

Rising consumer costs came into view when the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released January’s consumer price index (CPI) data on Wednesday (February 12). The figures showed inflation ticking up in January to 3 percent on a yearly basis, up from the 2.9 percent increase in December. On a monthly basis, there was a 0.5 percent increase, up from the 0.4 percent the previous month.

Some analysts are expecting costs to rise even further as new tariffs take effect and producers begin raising prices accordingly. Higher CPI figures are also likely to impact the US Federal Reserve’s next meeting in March, with most analysts predicting the central bank will maintain the current rate of 4.25 to 4.5 percent.

Markets and commodities react

US equity markets saw sharp selloffs following the release of CPI data on Wednesday, but rallied to finish the week in positive territory, with the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:INX) gaining 1.13 percent to end at 6,114.62, and the Nasdaq-100 (INDEXNASDAQ:NDX) rising 2.05 percent to 22,114.69. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) was flat, gaining just 0.34 percent to 44,546.09.

In Canada, the markets were more positive. The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) fell 0.96 percent on the week to close at 640.26 on Friday (February 14), the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) posted a 0.31 percent loss to hit 25,483.23 and the CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) dropped 0.65 percent to 135.03.

After hitting new all time highs early in the week, the gold price was also affected by Wednesday’s CPI announcement. In the end, it managed to eke out a 0.78 percent increase to close the week at US$2,883.91 per ounce on Friday at 5:00 p.m. EST. Silver fared a little better, closing the week up 1.1 percent at US$32.13.

In base metals, the copper price climbed as high as US$4.88 per pound on the COMEX during trading Friday before pulling back to close at US$4.68, up 1.3 percent for the week. Copper is up significantly from the end of January, when it was just US$4.28. The S&P GSCI (INDEXSP:SPGSCI) was also up this week, gaining 1.07 percent to close at 569.44.

Top Canadian mining stocks this week

So how did mining stocks perform against this backdrop?

We break down this week’s five best-performing Canadian mining stocks below.

Data for this article was retrieved at 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday using TradingView’s stock screener. Only companies trading on the TSX, TSXV and CSE with market capitalizations greater than C$10 million are included. Companies within the non-energy minerals and energy minerals sectors were considered.

1. Durango Resources (TSXV:DGO)

Weekly gain: 115.38 percent
Market cap: C$15.54 million
Share price: C$0.14

Durango Resources is an exploration company developing a portfolio of projects in Québec and BC, Canada.

Shares of the company have seen significant gains in 2025 following several news releases. The first came on January 15, when Durango announced it had acquired five critical minerals projects: an antimony site in Haida Gwaii, BC, and a rare earths project and three historical copper mines in Québec.

The properties were acquired for C$5,000 cash and the issuing of 4 million common shares to arm’s length vendors.

This was followed by news on January 30 that the company had completed an AI-powered study of its Babine West copper and gold project near Smithers, BC. The results suggested a large structure that coincides with a moderate magnetic anomaly.

The team hypothesizes the magnetism could be from a widespread zone of early stage alteration, which may be related to copper-gold porphyry systems at the neighboring American Eagle Gold’s (TSXV:AE,OTCQB:AMEGF) NAK project and AMARC Resources’ (TSXV:AHR,OTCQB:AXREF) Duke project.

Durango’s Babine project consists of four claim blocks covering 4,635 hectares and is located within one of BC’s most prolific porphyry copper and gold belts. According to the project page, exploration at the site has returned broad areas of mineralization, including 1.09 percent copper equivalent over 302 meters.

After slowly climbing through the week, Durango’s share price spiked to C$0.16 on Thursday (February 13). The company’s most recent news came on Tuesday (February 11), when it announced it had increased the project area for its recently acquired Victory antimony project in Haida Gwaii to 1,387 hectares. Newmont (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM) originally discovered the site in 1988, and a chip sample at the time contained 1.24 percent antimony.

2. Turmalina Metals (TSXV:TBX)

Company Profile

Weekly gain: 106.67 percent
Market cap: C$12.77 million
Share price: C$0.14

Turmalina Metals is a gold, silver and copper explorer that is developing a portfolio of projects in South America.

Its primary focus is the Colquemayo project in Moquegua, Peru. In July 2024, Turmalina entered into an option agreement with Compania de Minas Buenaventura to acquire a 100 percent ownership stake in the property.

The 6,600-hectare site has seen more than 20,000 meters of historic core drilling and hosts multiple porphyry targets that have been identified but have gone untested. Highlighted drill samples from the property have demonstrated results of 2.4 percent copper and 10 grams per metric ton (g/t) silver over 237.3 meters, including intersections of 3.4 percent copper and 14 g/t silver over 161.2 meters and 14.8 percent copper and 47 g/t silver over 31.3 meters.

In news released on Wednesday, the company said it was intensifying its focus on the project and would be relogging historic cores. Additionally, Turmalina hired INSIDEO, a Lima-based environmental consulting firm, to help advance baseline studies and a Declaración de Impacto Ambiental, which is needed for drilling permits. The release also indicated that the company is also in the process of rebranding which will include updating its name, ticker and website.

As part of the restructuring of Turmalina, company CEO Roger James will be stepping down, but maintaining a seat on the board, he will be replaced by Jonathan Richards as interim CEO.

3. Power Metals (TSXV:PWM)

Company Profile

Weekly gain: 70 percent
Market cap: C$111.12 million
Share price: C$0.85

Power Metals is a lithium and cesium exploration company focused on its Case Lake project.

Located in Northeastern Ontario, the site is 10 kilometers by 9.5 kilometers in size and comprises 585 cell claims. Exploration at the site between 2017 and 2024 led to the discovery of pegmatite dykes bearing lithium, cesium and tantalum (LCT). Case Lake now consists of six spodumene dykes that form a mineralization trend of about 10 kilometers.

Assays from the site released on Friday included a highlight of 8.07 meters grading 2.19 percent lithium oxide, 5.19 percent cesium oxide and 1,438 parts per million (ppm) tantalum. The results also included a 1 meter intersection bearing 1.85 percent lithium oxide, 11.7 percent cesium oxide and 208 ppm tantalum.

In addition to its most recent exploration news, Power Metals announced on Monday that it had brought on DRA Global to begin work on a maiden mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment for the Case Lake project. It expects to have the former completed by the end of Q1 2025, with the latter to follow in Q2.

Adding to Power Metals’ recent share gains was a release on February 5 in which the company reported that it had been awarded a new exploration permit for Case Lake. The new permit will remain valid for the next three years and will be used to target newly identified cesium targets uncovered in late 2024.

4. Cascada Silver (CSE:CSS)

Company Profile

Weekly gain: 57.14 percent
Market cap: C$10.16 million
Share price: C$0.055

Cascada Silver is an exploration company working to advance its copper and molybdenum projects in Chile. Since the start of 2025, the company’s main focus has been on its Angie copper-molybdenum project in North-central Chile.

Cascada carried out its Phase 1 drill program at the 2,000 hectare site in 2024, with work focusing on an 800 by 1,500 meter target with molybdenum mineralization. Assays from the initial drill program, released on November 20, revealed results of 476 ppm molybdenum over 64 meters, including an intersection of 1,208 ppm molybdenum over 8 meters.

On December 17, the company announced it was mobilizing for the second phase of drilling at Angie using data acquired through a drone-based magnetometer survey. The Phase 2 program will consist of up to 2,000 meters of diamond drilling, with the first hole planned for a depth of 500 meters. Cascada announced on January 9 that drilling at the site had commenced and was expected to be completed in February, with assays available four to six weeks later.

Cascada’s most recent news came on February 3, when it announced that it would be listing on the OTCQB market under the symbol CSSCF. The company said this was a strategic step in enhancing its visibility and accessibility to US investors.

5. THEMAC Resources (TSXV:MAC)

Weekly gain: 55.56 percent
Market cap: C$11.91 million
Share price: C$0.14

THEMAC Resources is a copper exploration and development company that is developing the Copper Flat mine in Southwest New Mexico, US.

The brownfield site was mined until the early 1980s and hosts significant existing infrastructure, including a primary crusher structure, a coarse ore reclamation tunnel, and several building foundations. These will provide THEMAC with US$54 million in capital savings. An April 2020 feasibility study demonstrated a base case after-tax net present value of US$545.16 million with an internal rate of return of 20.8 percent over a payback period of 3.3 years.

In addition to the economics, the study also included a measured and indicated resource estimate of 1.39 billion pounds of copper, 40.66 million pounds of molybdenum, 737,000 ounces of gold and 14.74 million ounces of silver.

Shares in THEMAC climbed this week, although the company has not reported news so far in 2025.

FAQs for Canadian mining stocks

What is the difference between the TSX and TSXV?

The TSX, or Toronto Stock Exchange, is used by senior companies with larger market caps, and the TSXV, or TSX Venture Exchange, is used by smaller-cap companies. Companies listed on the TSXV can graduate to the senior exchange.

How many companies are listed on the TSXV?

As of June 2024, there were 1,630 companies listed on the TSXV, 925 of which were mining companies. Comparatively, the TSX was home to 1,806 companies, with 188 of those being mining companies.

Together the TSX and TSXV host around 40 percent of the world’s public mining companies.

How much does it cost to list on the TSXV?

There are a variety of different fees that companies must pay to list on the TSXV, and according to the exchange, they can vary based on the transaction’s nature and complexity. The listing fee alone will most likely cost between C$10,000 to C$70,000. Accounting and auditing fees could rack up between C$25,000 and C$100,000, while legal fees are expected to be over C$75,000 and an underwriters’ commission may hit up to 12 percent.

The exchange lists a handful of other fees and expenses companies can expect, including but not limited to security commission and transfer agency fees, investor relations costs and director and officer liability insurance.

These are all just for the initial listing, of course. There are ongoing expenses once companies are trading, such as sustaining fees and additional listing fees, plus the costs associated with filing regular reports.

How do you trade on the TSXV?

Investors can trade on the TSXV the way they would trade stocks on any exchange. This means they can use a stock broker or an individual investment account to buy and sell shares of TSXV-listed companies during the exchange’s trading hours.

Article by Dean Belder; FAQs by Lauren Kelly.

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

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Investing

Opawica Explorations

Investor Insight

A junior among the giants, Opawica Exploration’s strategic geographical advantage in the resource-rich Abitibi Greenstone Belt makes it a compelling investment opportunity.

Overview

Opawica Exploration (TSXV:OPW) is a Vancouver-based junior gold exploration company engaged in exploring and developing precious metal properties in Canada. Its flagship properties — Arrowhead, Bazooka and McWatters — are situated in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, one of the most prolific gold-producing regions in the world. These projects, adjacent to some of the world’s largest gold producers, benefit from exceptional geological potential and established mining infrastructure.

Opawica is committed to sustainable and efficient exploration, utilizing advanced geological modeling and modern technologies to unlock the potential of its projects. Led by a highly experienced management team, Opawica is well-placed to become a pioneer in the next Canadian gold rush.

Company Highlights

Opawica Exploration is focused on unlocking the value of its flagship projects through aggressive exploration and data-driven decision-making.
Its flagship Bazooka project is strategically located along the Cadillac Fault Zone and features high-grade mineralization with significant historical and recent drilling success.
The Arrowhead property, the company’s second flagship project, is located near major mining operations and is characterized by multiple mineralized zones and extensive drilling efforts confirming historical gold trends.
The McWatters property represents a high-potential opportunity for resource expansion with visible gold showings and limited past exploration.
The company’s portfolio of assets is in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, one of the most prolific gold-producing regions globally, benefiting from exceptional geological potential and established mining infrastructure.
Historical exploration on the properties includes over US$5 million in spending, extensive drilling campaigns revealing bonanza-grade intercepts, and validating mineralization potential.

Key Projects

Bazooka Project (Flagship)

Located in Canada’s highly prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Bazooka spans approximately 1,200 hectares along 7 km of the Cadillac-Larder Lake Break in Quebec. It is contiguous with Yamana Gold’s Wasamac property and Yorbeau Resources’ Rouyn property. Located near operational gold mines, the property has excellent access to roads, power and water, facilitating year-round exploration.

Gold mineralization at the Bazooka project is associated with quartz-carbonate-sericite and talc-chlorite schists within sedimentary and ultramafic to mafic volcanic rocks. The Main Zone features significant silicification and visible free gold.

Historical exploration efforts on the Bazooka property include development of a 125-meter shaft and 634 meters of drifts in the 1950s by Eldona Gold Mines, and subsequent drilling campaigns by Lake Shore Gold and RT Minerals, which reported highlights such as 316.23 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 1 meter and 7.8 g/t gold over 17 meters.

Bazooka gold mineralization

Recent exploration work at Bazooka includes advanced 3D structural modeling and AI-driven target generation alongside multi-parameter airborne survey system (M-PASS) surveys. These efforts identified high-priority targets, culminating in the refinement of a robust geological model.

Going forward the company plans to complete approximately 10,000 meters of drilling across high-priority zones, focusing on resource delineation and advancing towards an economic assessment.

Arrowhead Project (Flagship)

The Arrowhead project is located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, surrounded by Agnico Eagle Mines’ holdings and near IAMGOLD’s Mouska Mine. Its proximity to established mines ensures access to robust infrastructure, including transportation networks and utility services, supporting efficient exploration efforts.

The asset hosts gold-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits, polymetallic veins, and quartz-carbonate auriferous veins. Historical exploration at Arrowhead identified 40 mineralized zones through drilling, alongside geochemical surveys that revealed VMS-style signatures and strong potential for gold mineralization.

A 2022 drill program consisting of 14 holes totaling 4,306 meters confirmed historical mineralization trends and extended gold anomalies. The integration of AI-driven geological modeling by ALS GoldSpot Discoveries further enhanced target generation for future drilling.

The company plans to initiate an exploration campaign on 25 permitted high-priority targets, aiming to validate and expand existing mineralized zones and progress the property towards resource estimation.

McWatters Project

Located along the Cadillac Fault Zone, adjacent to Yorbeau Resources’ Astoria Mine, the McWatters project benefits from a strategic location within a developed mining district, ensuring access to established roads, power and water infrastructure, facilitating logistical efficiency for exploration activities.

Mineralization at the McWatters property includes visible gold in quartz veins within deformation zones. Historical assays include 7.89 g/t gold over 3.05 meters. Limited historical exploration on McWatters identified multiple gold showings and promising drill intercepts, supported by geochemical and MMI studies that provide a foundation for further work.

Structural lineament interpretations and geological updates were conducted alongside advanced surveys to prioritize drill targets. Modern geophysical methods have identified several untested zones with strong mineralization potential.

Management Team

Blake Morgan – Chief Executive Officer

Blake Morgan has more than 15 years’ experience in capital markets, specializing in fundraising, IPOs and corporate development. He has successfully led companies through public offerings and raised significant capital for both private and public ventures. Previously, he held senior positions with Rio Tinto, BHP and Santos.

Marcy Kiesman – Chief Financial Officer

A CPA, CGA with over 15 years of expertise in public markets, Marcy Kiesman brings a combination of strategic financial planning, operational oversight and leadership, ensuring fiscal discipline and efficiency.

Philippe Harvard – Director

Philippe Harvard has more than a decade of experience in mineral exploration and entrepreneurship. As a principal of Investissements Gema, he has successfully acquired and developed mineral properties in Quebec. He is also the president of TelKel, an independent telecommunications company, and Cubicule Studio, a software engineering firm.

Owen King – Director

With 20 years of experience in financial markets and management consulting, Owen King has worked with public companies to assist in capital raises and business development. His expertise includes implementing quality management systems and fostering venture capital financing initiatives.

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Investing

Editor’s Picks: Gold Price Breaks US$2,900 in Another Record-Setting Week

Gold continued its record-setting rise this week, moving cleanly past the US$2,900 per ounce mark on Monday (February 10) and continuing on up. At the time of this writing on Friday (February 14), the yellow metal’s highest price for the period was about US$2,933.

Trade war concerns remain front and center, with US President Donald Trump saying on Monday that he would be imposing 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to the country.

The levies will take effect on March 12, and are geared at bolstering US production and jobs.

Trump escalated tariff talk even further on Thursday (February 13) by announcing reciprocal tariffs on goods coming into the US. They could start being put in place within weeks, and will reportedly be based on which tariffs individual countries have imposed on the US.

‘I have decided for purposes of fairness that I will charge a reciprocal tariff. Meaning whatever countries charge the United States of America we will charge them, no more no less’ — US President Donald Trump

Although one of Trump’s campaign promises was to curb inflation, he’s said tariffs could initially send prices higher for American buyers. Time will tell, but new consumer price index (CPI) and producer price index (PPI) data shared this week confirms that inflation continues to be sticky.

Bureau of Labor Statistics information shows CPI was up 3 percent year-on-year in January, above analysts’ expectations and higher than the 2.9 percent rise seen in December. On a monthly basis, CPI was up 0.5 percent, its biggest increase since August 2023. Core CPI, which excludes the volatile food and energy categories, was up 3.3 percent year-on-year and 0.4 percent from the previous month.

January PPI numbers also came in hotter than expected, rising 0.4 percent from December and 3.5 percent compared to January 2024. PPI tracks inflation before it reaches consumers.

During his semiannual testimony to Congress US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell commented on the state of the economy, saying that the central bank isn’t in a hurry to reduce interest rates further.

‘With our policy stance now significantly less restrictive than it had been and the economy remaining strong, we do not need to be in a hurry to adjust our policy stance’ — Jerome Powell, US Federal Reserve

Gold tends to fare better when rates are lower, but lately has been bucking the trend — its historic price run began even before the Fed started cutting.

Bullet briefing — US seeks Ukrainian rare earths

US seeks Ukrainian rare earths

Ukraine may strike a rare earths supply deal with the US as the country looks to secure continued support in its war against Russia. Trump said last week that he expects ‘equalization’ from Ukraine for the help it has received, explaining that he wants to see in the form of US$500 billion worth of rare earths.

‘We’re telling Ukraine they have very valuable rare earths. We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things’ — US President Donald Trump

The president’s comments have raised numerous questions, including whether he’s referring specifically to rare earths, or to critical minerals in general.

Experts have also weighed in on whether Ukraine has the ability to supply such a large amount of material to the US — the Associated Press notes that existing geological studies are ‘largely inadequate’ and states that 40 percent of Ukraine’s metallic mineral resources are inaccessible due to Russian occupation.

It remains to be seen how this situation will play out, but it’s worth noting that Ukraine’s president appears encouraged by discussions with Trump.

‘Very substantive negotiations with the United States of America. I had a conversation with President Trump – a good and detailed discussion; I am grateful to the President for his genuine interest in our shared opportunities, in how we can work together to bring real peace closer’ — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky

Send us your questions

We’ll be speaking with Kevin Wadsworth and Patrick Karim of Northstar Badcharts, Craig Hemke of TFMetalsReport.com and Yvonne Blaszczyk of BMG Group. Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

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

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