Belo Horizonte, Brazil--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2026) - Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation (NASDAQ: ATCX) ("Atlas Critical Minerals" or "Company"), a company focused on critical minerals for energy, technology, and defense applications, is pleased to announce the appointment of James Schloffer as Chief Technical Officer. Mr. Schloffer is an accomplished process engineer with more than 15 years of study, design, project management, commissioning and operational experience across the full project lif ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For 2025, the company reported adjusted operating earnings per share of $2.77, exceeding expectations and continuing a track record of exceeding the midpoint of guidance each year as a standalone utility [6][17] - The company achieved a 7.4% annual earnings growth rate and 8% rate base growth since 2021, demonstrating its ability to navigate changes and execute consistently [6][13] - The company reported GAAP earnings of $2.73 per share for the full year and $0.58 for the fourth quarter, with non-GAAP earnings of $2.77 and $0.59 respectively, reflecting strong year-over-year growth [17][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintained top quartile reliability metrics across its utilities, ranking first, second, fourth, and seventh among peers based on 2024 benchmarking data [7][8] - The company plans to invest $41.3 billion in capital over the next four years, with over 70% of the increase driven by transmission investments [10][24] - The company expects to achieve annualized earnings growth of 5%-7% through 2029, with a projected rate base growth of approximately 8% [13][34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates load growth exceeding 3% through 2029, supported by a large load pipeline and an increasing number of signed Transmission Security Agreements [11][12] - The company reported that its average customer bill as a percentage of median income has remained relatively flat since 2021, growing only 10 basis points while maintaining top quartile reliability [31][32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing its capital plan efficiently, maintaining industry-leading operational performance, and driving affordability through disciplined cost management [40][41] - The company is actively partnering with federal, RTO, and state leaders to address high supply prices and emerging reliability risks, advocating for policies that support energy security and affordability [15][33] - The company emphasizes a customer-focused approach and aims to capture meaningful opportunities for sustainable growth while maintaining a strong balance sheet [16][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to lead the energy transformation and meet unprecedented demand, highlighting the importance of continuous improvement and targeted investments [5][6] - The management acknowledged the challenges posed by high supply prices but remains optimistic about the national focus on advancing policies to incentivize new generation and improve affordability [15][16] - The company is committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet while funding its capital needs and achieving a balanced funding strategy [37][38] Other Important Information - The company executed a $60 million customer relief fund to support low and moderate-income customers facing higher supply costs [14] - The company has made significant progress on the regulatory front, achieving key milestones in rate cases and filings [10][21] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Could you comment on the rate-based growth and financing lag? - Management noted that actual rate base growth has been about 8% and earnings growth at 7.4%, indicating a continuation of this track record [46] Question: How is the regulatory strategy for 2026 being approached? - Management is in constant conversations with stakeholders and is considering the best approach for rate cases in Pennsylvania and Maryland, focusing on affordability and reliability [49] Question: What is the company's stance on supply challenges and the RBA process? - Management supports the development of a reliability backstop option and emphasizes the need for utility-generated power to lower customer costs and improve reliability [53][54] Question: How are legislative conversations progressing regarding affordability? - Management is actively engaging with legislators across jurisdictions to find collaborative solutions to the affordability dilemma [68][69]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For 2025, the company reported adjusted operating earnings per share of $2.77, exceeding expectations and continuing a track record of exceeding the midpoint of guidance each year as a standalone utility [6][17] - The company achieved a 7.4% annual earnings growth rate and 8% rate base growth through 2025, demonstrating its ability to navigate changes and execute consistently [7][13] - The company reported GAAP earnings of $2.73 per share for the full year and $0.58 for the fourth quarter, reflecting strong year-over-year growth [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintained top quartile reliability metrics across its utilities, ranking first, second, fourth, and seventh among peers based on 2024 benchmarking data [7] - The company plans to invest $41.3 billion in capital over the next four years, with over 70% of the increase driven by transmission investments [10][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Anticipated load growth in the company's jurisdictions is expected to exceed 3% through 2029, supported by a large load pipeline and increasing signed transmission security agreements [11][12] - The company has seen robust demand in its jurisdictions, with a focus on addressing high supply prices and emerging reliability risks [15][32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing its capital plan efficiently while maintaining industry-leading operational performance to benefit customers [40] - The company emphasizes affordability and has implemented a $60 million customer relief fund to support low and moderate-income customers facing higher supply costs [14] - The company is actively engaging with federal, RTO, and state leaders to address supply challenges and improve affordability [15][33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to lead the energy transformation and meet unprecedented demand, highlighting a culture of continuous improvement and innovation [5][16] - The company expects to initiate operating earnings guidance of $2.81-$2.91 per share for 2026, reflecting a commitment to disciplined cost management and operational excellence [13][19] Other Important Information - The company has achieved significant progress on the regulatory front, including final settlements for key rate cases and the filing of ComEd's second multi-year grid plan [10][21] - The company plans to maintain a balanced funding strategy, targeting credit metrics of 14% over the planning period to provide financial flexibility [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on rate-based growth and financing lag - Management noted that the company has achieved actual rate base growth of about 8% and earnings growth of 7.4%, indicating a continuation of this track record [46][51] Question: Regulatory strategy for 2026 in Pennsylvania - Management is in constant conversations with stakeholders and is considering the best approach for regulatory filings in Pennsylvania while prioritizing affordability and reliability [49][50] Question: Supply challenges and RBA process at PJM - Management emphasized the importance of engaging with regulators and supporting the development of reliability backstop options to improve supply and lower customer costs [54][55] Question: Legislative conversations on affordability - Management confirmed active engagement in legislative discussions across multiple jurisdictions to address affordability and support low-income customers [70] Question: Incremental financing costs and capital opportunities - Management confirmed a commitment to maintaining a 40% equity funding strategy for incremental capital opportunities while managing financing costs [90]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For 2025, the company reported adjusted operating earnings per share of $2.77, exceeding expectations and continuing a track record of exceeding guidance [6][18] - The company achieved a 7.4% annual earnings growth rate and 8% rate base growth since 2021, demonstrating its ability to navigate changes effectively [6][13] - The full-year GAAP earnings were $2.73 per share, with quarterly earnings of $0.58 on a GAAP basis and $0.59 on a non-GAAP basis [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintained top quartile reliability metrics across its utilities, ranking first, second, fourth, and seventh among peers based on 2024 benchmarking data [6][10] - The company plans to invest $41.3 billion in capital over the next four years, with over 70% of the increase driven by transmission investments [10][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Anticipated load growth in the company's jurisdictions is expected to exceed 3% through 2029, indicating robust demand [11] - The company has a large load pipeline supported by an increasing number of signed transmission security agreements [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to lead the energy transformation by focusing on affordability and delivering investments that benefit customers [5][10] - The strategic focus includes maintaining a strong balance sheet while funding investments in a disciplined manner [13][40] - The company is actively engaging with federal, RTO, and state leaders to address high supply prices and emerging reliability risks [15][33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to meet unprecedented demand and navigate industry changes [5][6] - The company anticipates annualized earnings growth of 5%-7% through 2029, with a focus on maintaining operational excellence and affordability [13][34] - Management highlighted the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to address affordability and reliability challenges [16][68] Other Important Information - The company executed a $60 million customer relief fund to support low and moderate-income customers facing higher supply costs [14] - The company has committed to keeping O&M costs relatively flat from 2024 to 2026, demonstrating a focus on cost management [30][31] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Could you comment on the rate-based growth and financing lag? - Management noted that actual rate base growth has been about 8% and earnings growth at 7.4%, indicating a continuation of this track record [45][46] Question: What is the regulatory strategy for 2026 in Pennsylvania? - Management stated that they are in constant conversations with stakeholders and are considering the best approach for regulatory filings in Pennsylvania and Maryland [48][49] Question: How is the company addressing supply challenges? - Management emphasized the need for utility-generated power to lower customer costs and improve reliability, supporting the development of a reliability backstop option [52][54] Question: What is the outlook for rate base growth and EPS growth? - Management indicated that while rate base growth is consistent, they aim to provide defensible numbers that account for financing costs while striving to exceed expectations [83][85]

Core Insights - Vallourec and XGS Energy have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate a multi-gigawatt geothermal project pipeline in the western United States, focusing on a three-gigawatt initiative [1][2] Group 1: Partnership Details - The partnership will secure the supply of tubulars, essential for XGS's water-independent geothermal systems, as XGS begins construction on a 150 MW project with Meta in New Mexico [2] - Vallourec will leverage its engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities to support XGS's solid-state, closed-loop geothermal system [2][3] Group 2: Strategic Importance - For Vallourec, this partnership is a strategic move to expand its New Energies portfolio and aims to position the company as a leading supplier of tubular solutions for advanced geothermal applications [3] - Vallourec's THERMOCASE Vacuum Insulated Tubing (VIT) is highlighted as a critical component for enhancing the efficiency and reliability of geothermal wells [3] Group 3: Leadership Perspectives - Philippe Guillemot, CEO of Vallourec, emphasized the collaboration's role in energy transformation and the significance of geothermal energy within their New Energies portfolio [4] - Josh Prueher, CEO of XGS Energy, noted that their projects in New Mexico and California will make XGS one of the largest consumers of tubular goods globally by 2027 and 2028 [4] Group 4: Company Backgrounds - Vallourec is recognized as a leader in premium tubular solutions for energy markets and demanding industrial applications, with a workforce of nearly 13,000 across more than 20 countries [5] - XGS Energy focuses on providing clean, round-the-clock energy through its proprietary solid-state geothermal system, which offers geographic flexibility and faster deployment [6]

Core Viewpoint - Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation has announced high metallurgical recoveries from initial testwork on its Alto do Paranaíba Project, indicating strong potential for commercial processing of rare earth elements and titanium [1][4]. Metallurgical Extraction Results - A 50 kg composite sample was processed, achieving significant extraction rates for rare earth elements: 57.7% for Total Rare Earths Elements (TREY) in Leach 1 and 93.8% in Leach 2, with 97.0% for Magnetic Rare Earths Elements (MREE) [2][3]. - The results from Leach 2 demonstrated near-complete extraction of MREE and strong recoveries across all rare earth groupings [3]. Initial Drilling Campaign Results - An initial auger drilling program included 13 holes totaling 144 meters, with 178 samples analyzed, revealing high-grade mineralization [4]. - Highlights from drilling include significant concentrations of rare earths and titanium, with samples showing up to 7,729 ppm Total Rare Earths Oxides (TREO) and 2,680 ppm Magnetic Rare Earths Oxides (MREO) [7][12]. Surface Sampling Highlights - Surface sampling results indicated consistently high grades of rare earths across the project area, supporting the project's economic potential [8]. Company Overview - Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation focuses on critical minerals, including rare earths, graphite, and uranium, aiming to build a diversified global supply chain for strategic minerals essential for various technological applications [8].

Core Viewpoint - Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation is celebrating a significant milestone by ringing the Opening Bell at the Nasdaq Stock Market on January 26, 2026, highlighting its commitment to advancing projects in critical minerals essential for various industries [1][3]. Company Overview - Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation (NASDAQ: ATCX) focuses on the exploration and development of critical minerals, including rare earths, nuclear-grade graphite, and uranium, which are vital for the artificial intelligence revolution, energy transformation, and defense applications [1][4]. - The company aims to establish a diversified global supply chain for these strategic minerals [4]. Leadership and Ceremony - Marc Fogassa, Chairman and CEO of Atlas Critical Minerals, will lead the Opening Bell Ceremony alongside the Board of Directors and management team, emphasizing the company's dedication to building a diversified portfolio of critical minerals [2][3]. - The ceremony will be broadcast live from the Nasdaq MarketSite Tower in New York, starting at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time [3].

Group 1 - Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and its consortium partners have achieved financial close for the Ibri III Solar Independent Power Project in Oman, which includes a 500MW solar photovoltaic plant and a 100 MWh battery energy storage system [1][2] - The Ibri III project is expected to supply electricity for approximately 33,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 505,000 tonnes per annum [1][2] - The project aligns with Oman's Vision 2040 goal of sourcing 30% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2030 [2] Group 2 - Financing for the project has been secured from major financial institutions, including Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking and First Abu Dhabi Bank, covering a significant portion of the estimated total project costs of approximately $300 million (Dh1.1 billion) [3] - The project involves the design, construction, financing, maintenance, operation, and ownership of both the solar plant and the associated battery storage system [5] - Masdar has also entered into a power purchase agreement for the 150MW Quipungo Solar PV project in Angola, marking its first such agreement in the country [5]

Core Viewpoint - Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation has commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol "ATCX," marking a significant milestone for the company and enhancing its visibility and access to institutional investors [1]. Company Overview - Atlas Critical Minerals is focused on the exploration and development of projects in rare earths, nuclear-grade graphite, and uranium, which are essential for advanced technology applications, energy transformation, and defense uses [1][10]. - The company controls over 218,000 hectares of mineral rights, representing one of the largest critical minerals portfolios among publicly traded companies, with assets located in Brazil, which has the world's second-largest rare earth deposits after China [1]. Rare Earths Portfolio - The rare earths portfolio includes 53,939 hectares across 33 mineral rights in Minas Gerais and Goiás states [3]. - The Alto do Paranaíba Project features high-grade conglomerate-type formations with surface samples showing results as high as 29,870 ppm for Total Rare Earths Oxide (TREO) [4][5]. - Initial drilling confirmed near-surface mineralization, with notable results including 12 meters at 5,961 ppm TREO and 6 meters at 7,729 ppm TREO [4][5]. Nuclear-Grade Graphite - The Malacacheta Graphite Project achieved a carbon purity of 99.9995%, qualifying for the ultra-premium nuclear graphite market, which commands prices between $25,000 and $35,000 per tonne [5][7]. - The graphite samples' post-purification BET surface area of 0.89 m²/g is comparable to leading deposits, including premium Chinese flake graphite [7]. Uranium Portfolio - The company holds 143,725 hectares across 39 mineral rights in Brazil, strategically positioned near areas with high uranium potential [8]. - Brazil ranks among the top ten countries in uranium reserves, providing significant exploration opportunities in an underexplored jurisdiction [8]. Revenue-Generating Operations - The Rio Piracicaba Iron Ore Project commenced operations in late November 2025, with iron ore shipments occurring six days a week [9]. - The project has demonstrated resources of 7,852,912 tons at an average grade of 32% Fe, with the ability to concentrate the material to 64.8% sinter feed product [9].

Core Insights - Pembina Pipeline Corporation announced its 2026 financial guidance, a commercial agreement for Cedar LNG capacity, and an expansion of the Peace Pipeline System to meet increasing customer demand [1][3]. Financial Guidance - The company expects adjusted EBITDA for 2026 to be between $4.125 billion and $4.425 billion, reflecting an approximate four percent increase in fee-based adjusted EBITDA compared to 2025 [5][6]. - The midpoint of the 2026 guidance indicates a compound annual growth rate of about five percent in fee-based adjusted EBITDA per share from 2023 to 2026, aligning with targets set during the 2024 Investor Day [5][6]. - The capital investment program for 2026 is projected to total approximately $1.6 billion, with a focus on sustaining capital and growth projects [13][16]. Cedar LNG Agreement - Pembina signed a 12-year agreement with Ovintiv Inc. for 0.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of liquefaction capacity at the Cedar LNG facility, completing the remarketing of its total 1.5 mtpa capacity [18][21]. - The expected annual run-rate adjusted EBITDA contribution from Cedar LNG is revised to between $220 million and $280 million, reflecting a 10 percent increase from earlier estimates [21][22]. Pipeline Expansion and Capacity - Pembina approved a $200 million expansion of the Peace Pipeline System to enhance propane-plus market delivery capacity into the Namao, Alberta hub [5][6]. - The company is advancing additional expansions, including the Birch-to-Taylor and Taylor-to-Gordondale projects, to accommodate forecasted volume growth from Canadian oil and gas producers [25][28]. Market Dynamics and Strategy - The Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin is experiencing robust production growth, driven by new LNG and LPG export capacity and evolving energy demands [3][4]. - Pembina's strategy focuses on providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective energy infrastructure solutions, with a commitment to executing projects on time and within budget [4][29]. Organizational Changes - Pembina is consolidating key executive portfolios as part of an organizational evolution, with several senior executives set to retire by the end of 2025 [33][34].