MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BHP has selected 10 early-stage exploration and technology companies for the 2026 BHP Xplor program, marking the largest cohort since the program began and its fourth year of operation. The 2026 cohort brings together junior exploration companies, geoscience organisations, and technology teams that collectively span the discovery system. It reflects a more connected approach to early-stage exploration, where geological insight, data, and emerging techn ...

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Blue Owl Capital Inc. (NYSE: OWL) between February 6, 2025 and November 16, 2025 (the " Class Period") of the important February 2, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline. Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com De ...

Core Viewpoint - The Board of Directors of Eramet has terminated the mandate of CEO Paulo Castellari due to operational method divergences, effective immediately, and appointed Chairwoman Christel Bories as interim CEO while searching for a new CEO [1][2]. Group Management Changes - Paulo Castellari's termination as CEO is attributed to differences in operational methods [1]. - Christel Bories has been appointed as interim CEO, with the intention to separate the roles of Chair and CEO once a new CEO is selected [2]. Company Performance and Strategy - The Board expresses gratitude to Paulo Castellari for his contributions and emphasizes ongoing commitments to safety, operational performance, and cost reduction in a challenging environment [3]. - Eramet's portfolio includes world-class assets that are well-positioned to support the energy transition, with a successful lithium site ramp-up in Argentina serving as a new growth pillar [3]. Upcoming Financial Reporting - The publication of the Group's annual results is scheduled for February 18, 2026 [4]. Company Overview - Eramet focuses on transforming Earth's mineral resources to provide sustainable solutions for industrial growth and energy transition challenges, with a commitment to responsible practices across its operations [5]. - The company recovers and develops essential metals such as manganese, nickel, lithium, and cobalt, contributing to sustainable infrastructure and technology [6].

Group 1 - SJS Investment Consulting has more than doubled its position in Treasury bills, indicating a defensive shift in its cash management strategy [1] - The firm has a significant focus on actively managed ETFs, with its largest equity holding exceeding $360 million [1] - The increase in Treasury bill holdings suggests that SJS may be prioritizing short-duration investments as a safe harbor [1] Group 2 - The Vanguard Institutional Index Fund - 0-3 Months Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) offers efficient access to the U.S. Treasury bill market, focusing on ultra-short maturities to minimize interest rate risk [2][6] - VBIL employs a disciplined, index-tracking approach designed to deliver consistent returns that mirror its benchmark, appealing to investors seeking low-cost, stable fixed income exposure [2] - As of January 20, 2026, VBIL shares were priced at $75.56, reflecting a 3.9% increase over the past year, with an annualized dividend yield of 3.11% [4] Group 3 - SJS Investment Consulting acquired 84,687 shares of VBIL, valued at approximately $6.39 million based on the average closing price during Q4 2025, increasing its total VBIL position to $9.07 million [5] - VBIL holds Treasury bills maturing in one to three months, providing government-backed safety with yields tracking short-term rates, functioning as a higher-yielding alternative to money market funds [6] - The fund currently yields around 3.6%, making it an attractive option for conservative investors needing capital preservation and quick access to funds [7]

Core Insights - The significant drop in gold and silver prices has led to discussions about Bitcoin's future potential in the crypto community [1][2] - Binance founder Changpeng Zhao highlighted that traditional assets like gold and silver are not immune to extreme price fluctuations, challenging their perceived stability [2][5] - Zhao emphasized that Bitcoin, being only 17 years old, is still in its early stages compared to traditional assets [4][5] Group 1 - Gold prices fell by approximately 15% and silver by nearly 38%, resulting in a loss of around $15 trillion in combined market value [1] - The price drop is described as a "black swan" event, prompting speculation about Bitcoin's long-term potential [2] - Zhao's comments suggest that severe price fluctuations can occur even with long-established physical assets [2][3] Group 2 - Zhao noted that Bitcoin is still in its infancy, with most other cryptocurrencies being even younger [4] - The recent events may lead investors to reconsider their strategies and explore opportunities in the crypto market [5] - The discussions highlight the volatile nature of traditional assets and the growth potential of digital currencies like Bitcoin [4][5]

Core Viewpoint - Elektros Inc. has engaged Ludlow Consulting to improve its corporate messaging, media relations, and shareholder engagement, indicating a strategic move to enhance its market presence and investor communication [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - Elektros Inc. aims to elevate its institutional-grade messaging and media visibility through the partnership with Ludlow Consulting [1] - The company believes its current market positioning offers a significant investment opportunity, describing it as a "bottom-basement discount level" [1] Group 2: Industry Context - Elektros operates in the hard-rock lithium mining sector, specifically in Sierra Leone, which is a critical area for lithium production amid growing demand for electric vehicle batteries [1]

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft experienced its largest single-day dollar loss in history, with a decline of $357 billion in market value despite reporting strong earnings for Q2 of fiscal 2026, raising questions about investor confidence and future growth prospects [1]. Financial Performance - Revenue for the quarter increased by 17% to $81.3 billion, with adjusted earnings reaching $4.14 per share, surpassing the consensus estimate of $3.91 [1]. - Operating margin stood at 47.1%, and Microsoft Cloud revenue exceeded $50 billion for the first time [1]. Market Reaction - Microsoft shares fell by as much as 12% during intraday trading, closing down 10% at $433.50, marking the seventh-largest percentage decline since the company went public in 1986 [1]. - The stock's performance post-earnings report was notably stagnant, indicating persistent investor concerns [1]. Growth Concerns - Azure cloud platform growth was reported at 38% in constant currency, but fell short of Wall Street's whisper number of 39.4%, contributing to market unease [1]. - Capital expenditures surged to $37.5 billion, a 66% increase year-over-year, highlighting the competitive pressures in the AI and cloud sectors [1]. AI Business Insights - Microsoft 365 Copilot, the AI assistant integrated into Office apps, has 15 million paid users, which is only about 3% of the 450 million paid seats in Microsoft 365 [1]. - Concerns were raised regarding 45% of Microsoft's $625 billion in remaining performance obligations being tied to OpenAI, with $281 billion of that backlog committed to a single customer [1]. Analyst Perspectives - Analysts expressed skepticism about Microsoft's ability to prove the value of its investments in AI, despite a 16% increase in Microsoft 365 commercial revenue [1]. - Some analysts maintained a positive outlook, with Morningstar keeping a $600 fair value estimate and noting that demand for AI and cloud services continues to outpace supply [1]. - Other analysts, like Wedbush, acknowledged the friction between long-term investments and short-term investor expectations, suggesting that 2026 could be a pivotal year for Microsoft [1].

Core Philosophy - Warren Buffett advocates for simplicity in investing, suggesting that individuals should invest in low-cost index funds and then focus on their primary careers instead of constantly monitoring the markets [1][2] Investment Strategy - Buffett emphasizes that most investors should not attempt to pick individual stocks, as it is unrealistic for the average person to replicate his level of access to management and long-term strategies of businesses [3] - He recommends investing in a low-cost index fund, such as one that tracks the S&P 500, which allows investors to own a diversified slice of the market without the need for guesswork [4] Long-term Approach - The philosophy of letting compound interest work over time is highlighted, with the idea that the real advantage lies in not touching the investment and allowing it to grow [2] - At the 2020 Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting, Buffett reiterated that most people are better off investing in a broad cross-section of the market rather than trying to select individual stocks [5]

Core Insights - Warren Buffett's investment strategy emphasizes the importance of starting early and focusing on smaller companies, which are often overlooked [1][2][3] - Timing is more critical than tactics in wealth accumulation, as highlighted by Buffett's own journey to amass a fortune of $30 billion [2] - Self-reliance in investment decisions is crucial, with Buffett encouraging investors to understand their strengths and act decisively [3] Investment Principles - The power of compound interest is a timeless principle in wealth creation, underscoring the significance of early investments [1][3] - Despite advocating for index funds, Buffett's focus on smaller companies indicates their potential for significant wealth generation [4] - Buffett's recent comments on wealth accumulation suggest that aspiring for astronomical figures may not be necessary; informed decision-making is key [4]

Core Insights - Shareholders are increasingly focused on Disney's streaming growth as traditional linear TV experiences a decline in viewership [1] Company Focus - Disney's streaming services are becoming a critical area of interest for shareholders amid the challenges faced by linear television [1]