Market Overview - U.S. stocks experienced a decline, with the Nasdaq Composite falling over 100 points on Monday. The Dow decreased by 0.43% to 48,500.27, the NASDAQ dropped 0.52% to 23,470.77, and the S&P 500 fell 0.34% to 6,906.49 [1] Sector Performance - Energy shares increased by 1.1% on Monday, while materials stocks fell by 1.3% in trading on Friday [1] Commodity News - Oil prices rose by 2.5% to $58.14, while gold prices decreased by 4.6% to $4,360.50. Silver fell by 8.1% to $70.925, and copper dropped by 4.3% to $5.5900 [5] European Market Performance - European shares showed mixed results, with the eurozone's STOXX 600 gaining 0.1%, while Spain's IBEX 35 Index fell by 0.1%. London's FTSE 100 rose by 0.1%, Germany's DAX 40 decreased by 0.1%, and France's CAC 40 increased by 0.1% [6] Asian Market Performance - Asian markets closed mostly lower, with Japan's Nikkei 225 down 0.44%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index down 0.71%, China's Shanghai Composite up 0.04%, and India's BSE Sensex down 0.41% [7] Company News - Eightco Holdings Inc. shares surged by 28% to $2.12 after announcing a share buyback program for up to $125 million [9] - Brand Engagement Network, Inc. shares increased by 64% to $1.97 following a finalized Vendor Services Project Agreement with a global advertising agency [9] - Society Pass Incorporated shares rose by 65% to $3.00 after launching TMG Social [9] - Mereo BioPharma Group plc shares plummeted by 90% to $0.23 after its Phase 3 studies for setrusumab did not meet primary endpoints [9] - Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. shares fell by 42% to $19.84 due to similar study results as Mereo [9] - Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation shares decreased by 14% to $21.61 as precious metal stocks retreated [9]

Market Overview - U.S. stocks experienced a decline, with the Nasdaq Composite falling over 100 points on Monday. The Dow decreased by 0.43% to 48,500.27, the NASDAQ dropped 0.52% to 23,470.77, and the S&P 500 fell 0.34% to 6,906.49 [1] Sector Performance - Energy shares increased by 1.1% on Monday, while materials stocks fell by 1.3% in trading on Friday [1] Commodity Market - In commodity news, oil prices rose by 2.5% to $58.14, while gold prices decreased by 4.6% to $4,360.50. Silver fell by 8.1% to $70.925, and copper dropped by 4.3% to $5.5900 [5] European Market - European shares showed mixed results, with the eurozone's STOXX 600 gaining 0.1%, while Spain's IBEX 35 Index fell by 0.1%. London's FTSE 100 rose by 0.1%, Germany's DAX 40 decreased by 0.1%, and France's CAC 40 increased by 0.1% [6] Asian Market - Asian markets closed mostly lower, with Japan's Nikkei 225 down 0.44%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index down 0.71%, China's Shanghai Composite up 0.04%, and India's BSE Sensex down 0.41% [7] Company News - Eightco Holdings Inc. shares surged by 28% to $2.12 after announcing a share buyback program for up to $125 million [9] - Brand Engagement Network, Inc. shares increased by 64% to $1.97 following a finalized Vendor Services Project Agreement with a global advertising agency [9] - Society Pass Incorporated shares rose by 65% to $3.00 after launching TMG Social [9] - Mereo BioPharma Group plc shares plummeted by 90% to $0.23 after its Phase 3 studies for setrusumab did not meet primary endpoints [9] - Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. shares fell by 42% to $19.84 due to similar study results as Mereo [9] - Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation shares decreased by 14% to $21.61 as precious metal stocks retreated [9] Real Estate Market - U.S. pending home sales increased by 3.3% month-over-month in November, following a revised 2.4% gain in October, exceeding market expectations of a 1% gain [2][10]

Core Viewpoint - Shine Minerals Corp. has entered into a definitive option to acquire agreement with Red Cloud Silver Ltd. for the acquisition of 11,100,000 common shares, aiming to reactivate its status on the TSXV [1][2]. Company Overview - Shine Minerals Corp. is a Canada-based company focused on the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of mineral resource assets [9]. Proposed Transaction Details - The agreement allows Shine to acquire RCS shares by issuing 6,500,000 post-Consolidation common shares to RCS shareholders on a pro rata basis, without initially acquiring ownership interest in RCS [3]. - After completing $2,000,000 in exploration expenditures on the Project within one year, Shine may exercise its option to acquire 100% of RCS shares by issuing an additional 14,200,000 post-Consolidation shares and paying $650,000 in cash [4]. Project Information - RCS holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Silver District Exploration Project in Arizona, with a total payment obligation of US$1.4 million to Gulf + Western Industries, Inc. by October 31, 2028 [5]. - If the RCS Option is exercised, Gulf will retain a 2% net smelter return royalty [5]. Financial Aspects - Prior to closing the Proposed Transaction, the company will complete a 5-for-1 share consolidation and a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of approximately C$1,000,000 at C$0.06 per pre-Consolidation share [6]. Market Context - The CEO of Shine highlighted a structural supply deficit in the silver market, with demand outpacing mine production, and noted that prominent investors foresee significant price increases for silver [2].

Core Insights - The battery supply chain has delivered exceptional returns in 2025, outperforming the focus on artificial intelligence, particularly benefiting electric vehicles and grid storage [1] Group 1: Performance Overview - The Amplify Lithium & Battery Technology ETF (BATT) returned 66% year-to-date in 2025, significantly outperforming the Nasdaq-100's 22% gain [2][3] - Battery materials outperformed finished vehicles, with Albemarle surging 78% and Freeport-McMoRan jumping 41%, while Tesla gained only 18% [3][6] Group 2: Investment Strategy - BATT's strategy involves diversified exposure across the entire battery ecosystem, including lithium miners, copper producers, battery component manufacturers, and select EV companies [2][5] - The top holdings include BHP Group (7.25%), Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) (6.72%), Tesla (6.35%), and BYD (4.79%), focusing on the picks-and-shovels opportunity rather than individual automakers [5] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The ETF's performance is driven by rising demand for battery materials due to accelerating EV adoption and a commodity supercycle benefiting lithium and copper producers [8] - The fund has a 74% international exposure, particularly to Asian battery manufacturers like CATL and Samsung SDI, capturing growth in the largest EV markets [8] Group 4: Fund Characteristics - BATT serves investors seeking thematic exposure to electrification while minimizing individual stock volatility, with a reasonable expense ratio of 0.59% [7] - The fund's $90.8 million asset base allows for nimbleness in accessing smaller opportunities while maintaining adequate liquidity [7]

Core Viewpoint - Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) shares are experiencing a decline as they encounter resistance around the $53 level, which has historically been a peak price point for the stock [1]. Group 1: Stock Performance and Resistance Levels - The stock reached a top around $53 in March 2022, and after a sell-off, it returned to this level in May 2024, only to reverse again [1]. - Investor psychology plays a significant role in creating resistance at former peak prices, as many investors who bought near the top may hold onto their positions until they can sell at breakeven [2]. - The concept of "markets have memories" suggests that important price levels can retain their significance over extended periods, as seen with Freeport's resistance at the $53 level after more than two years [4]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Selling Pressure - Stocks often reverse after hitting resistance due to anxious sellers undercutting each other's prices, leading to a potential snowball effect that drives prices lower [5]. - This pattern of price reversal has occurred the last two times Freeport reached the current resistance level, indicating a likelihood of a similar outcome this time [5].

Core Viewpoint - Nicola Mining Inc. is strengthening its balance sheet through a strategic non-brokered private investment of $1,000,000 from Ocean Partners UK Limited as it prepares to uplist onto NASDAQ in Q1 of 2026 [1]. Investment Offering - The Company will issue 1,111,112 units at a price of $0.90 per unit, aiming for gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 [2]. - Each unit consists of one common share and one transferable common share purchase warrant, with each warrant allowing the purchase of an additional share at $1.10 for three years post-closing [3]. Warrant Details - The expiry of the warrants may be accelerated if the closing price of the Company's shares on the TSX Venture Exchange reaches $1.70 or greater for ten consecutive trading days [3]. Use of Proceeds - The gross proceeds from the offering will be allocated for general working capital [5]. Regulatory Compliance - All securities issued will be subject to a statutory holding period of four months and one day post-closing, and the offering is subject to Exchange approval [4]. Strategic Advisory Appointment - Rahim Kassim-Lakha has been appointed as Strategic Advisor, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in capital markets and M&A, and will guide the Company on capital markets strategy and corporate development [7]. Company Overview - Nicola Mining Inc. is a junior mining company with a 100% owned mill and tailings facility located near Merritt, British Columbia, and has signed profit share agreements with high-grade gold projects [8]. - The Company owns the New Craigmont Project, a high-grade copper property covering over 10,800 hectares, and the Treasure Mountain Property, a fully-permitted high-grade silver mine spanning over 2,200 hectares [9].

Company Overview - Proactive is a financial news publisher that provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2] - The company has a team of experienced and qualified news journalists who produce independent content [2] Market Focus - Proactive specializes in medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [3] - The content delivered includes insights across various sectors such as biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging digital and EV technologies [3] Technology Adoption - Proactive is recognized for being a forward-looking technology adopter, utilizing decades of expertise and experience among its content creators [4] - The company employs automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring that all published content is edited and authored by humans [5]

Group 1 - Copper prices experienced significant volatility, with a notable increase of up to 6.6% in initial trading, marking the largest intraday gain since 2022, before settling at approximately 1.6% higher by mid-afternoon in London [1] - The surge in copper prices caps an extraordinary year, positioning it for its best performance since 2009, driven by unplanned mine outages and uncertainties surrounding trade policies [2][3] - Recent supply constraints have been exacerbated by a deadly accident at a major copper mine in Indonesia, an underground flood in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a fatal rock blast in Chile [4] Group 2 - Long-term demand for copper remains robust, supported by electrification trends and anticipated increases in consumption due to the growing power demands of artificial intelligence [5] - Industry analysts express concerns over the depletion of easily accessible mining resources, raising questions about future supply to meet projected consumption growth over the next decade [6] - Some analysts caution that current copper prices may be too high, particularly as underlying demand in China, the largest consumer, shows signs of weakening, leading to production cuts in some fabrication plants [7]

Core Insights - The year 2025 marked a significant breakthrough for precious metals, with both silver and gold reaching all-time highs, and the overall watchlist delivering a 281% return [1] Group 1: Volt Lithium (LibertyStream Infrastructure Partners) - Volt Lithium was renamed to LibertyStream Infrastructure Partners Inc., aligning with the current administration's support for commodity independence [2] - The company increased its direct lithium extraction testing, processing over 350,000 barrels of brine and conducting more than 2,500 tests, achieving its first lithium carbonate output of approximately 10 tons per annum [3] - CEO Alex Wylie adopted a hands-on approach, spending months in the Permian Basin, and the stock increased by 295.00% year-to-date [4] Group 2: Northern Superior Resources - Northern Superior Resources focused on exploration at the Chibougamau camp, yielding intercepts as high as 12g/t Au, indicating strong growth potential [5] - The company was acquired by IAMGOLD Corp. for 0.0991 IAMGOLD shares plus 0.19 Canadian dollars in cash per share, with the transaction closing on December 19 [6] - Northern Superior achieved a remarkable return of 493.75% in 2025 [6] Group 3: Sierra Madre Gold and Silver - Sierra Madre Gold and Silver commenced production in 2025, restarting commercial production at La Guitarra and producing about 165,000 silver-equivalent ounces [7] - Earnings increased from $4.8 million to $5.5 million over three quarters, driven by higher prices, with plans for a plant expansion to increase capacity significantly by 2027 [7][8] - The company agreed to acquire Del Toro Silver Mine, which includes three permitted underground sites and a processing circuit of 3,000 tons per day, with stock gaining 300.00% year-to-date [8] Group 4: Friedman Industries - Friedman Industries experienced a challenging start to the year with a net loss in the first quarter due to pricing pressures and low order activity [9] - Earnings rebounded in the second quarter as sales volumes surged to 166,500 tons amid rising steel prices [9] - The acquisition of Century Metals & Supplies in September 2025 introduced new product lines and opened new markets, leading to a stock increase of 35.19% year-to-date [10]

Key Highlights: Stock futures were flat to slightly higher Sunday evening in a New Year's holiday-shortened week, after Trump and Zelensky held "productive†talks on a Russia-Ukraine peace plan. Last week, US stocks hovered near record highs in thin holiday trade, with the S&P 500 ending little changed and the Nasdaq 100 slipping 0.1% as materials and tech outperformed while consumer discretionary and energy lagged. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) gained on an AI licensing deal, and precious metals surged to fresh reco ...