outpaced U.S. diversified stock funds by a wide margin. The average world fund rose 3.7%, outpacing domestic stock funds, which eked out a small gain. World equity funds are up 9.1% in the first two months of the year.Japanese funds were the big winners, rising 9.9% in February, as investors embraced newly elected prime minister Sanae Takaichi's pro-growth, pro-stimulus policies. For the year, Japanese funds are up 15.9%.Emerging markets funds continued their impressive performance, tacking on another 5.3% ...

Core Viewpoint - Olive Resource Capital Inc. has reported a significant increase in its investment portfolio value, exceeding C$20 million as of February 28, 2026, driven by strong performance in commodity equities and strategic cash management in anticipation of market volatility [3][4]. Investment Portfolio Summary - The total value of Olive's investment portfolio increased from C$6.42 million on December 31, 2024, to C$20.19 million by February 28, 2026, reflecting a substantial appreciation in stock prices of its investments [2][11]. - Key investments include: - Omai Gold Mines Corp. increased from C$456,720 to C$5,006,000 [2]. - Arizona Sonoran Copper Co. rose from C$255,780 to C$1,371,800 [2]. - West Point Gold Corp. grew from C$118,688 to C$775,181 [2]. - Other notable investments include Aurion Resources Ltd. and Goldsky Resources Corp., which also showed significant value increases [2]. Market Performance and Strategy - February 2026 was characterized by broad advancements in commodities, with commodity equities performing well, often exceeding their respective reference commodities [3]. - The company has raised cash reserves to prepare for potential market volatility while maintaining a well-deployed investment strategy during historically strong seasonal performance months [3]. Share Repurchase Activity - Olive Resource Capital repurchased 116,500 shares in February 2026, bringing the total shares held in treasury to 2,116,500 pending cancellation [4]. Company Overview - Olive Resource Capital Inc. operates as a resource-focused merchant bank and investment company, primarily investing in natural resource companies across various development stages [6].

Core Viewpoint - Queen's Road Capital Investment Ltd. (QRC) has expressed support for NexGen Energy Ltd. following the approval of NexGen's environmental assessment and construction license for its Rook I project, marking a significant milestone for the company [1][3]. Group 1: Investment Details - QRC's initial investment in NexGen was US$30 million in May 2020, and it currently holds a US$70 million debenture convertible at US$6.76 per share, while the current share price is US$12.40 [2]. - QRC owns approximately 10.5 million shares of NexGen, valued at over US$130 million, representing about 3.15% of NexGen on a fully diluted basis, making QRC one of its largest shareholders [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - QRC is a dividend-paying investment company focused on the global resource sector, investing in both privately held and publicly traded companies [3]. - The company aims for long-term capital appreciation, primarily through convertible debt securities and resource projects in politically stable regions [3].

Geopolitical Developments - The Middle East conflict has escalated, with missile alerts in Dubai and explosions over Tel Aviv, leading to increased oil prices and disruptions in regional aviation [2][3][9] - Analysts warn that a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could push oil prices towards $100 per barrel [3] Central Bank Policies - The European Central Bank (ECB) is under pressure, with money markets pricing in an 80% chance of a rate hike by December 2026 due to inflation risks [4][9] - In Asia, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is speculated to have a 50% chance of a benchmark rate hike next month, while the People's Bank of China (PBOC) plans to support the economy through interest rate and RRR cuts [5] Corporate Movements - Zealand Pharma (ZEAL) experienced a 32% drop in market value following disappointing clinical data for its obesity drug, impacting the broader European biotech sector [6][9] - Ford Motor Company (F) is recalling 889,950 vehicles in the U.S. due to safety defects as reported by the NHTSA [7][9] - Atos (ATO) and ITV (ITV) saw gains of 6.4% and 5.7% respectively, while Lufthansa (LHA) rose by 3.0% on news of flight resumptions [6]

Market Overview - The S&P/ASX 200 closed lower, dropping 89.30 points or 1.00% to 8,851.00, crossing below its 50-day moving average [1][5] - The index has lost 3.78% over the last five days and is 3.82% below its 52-week high [1][2] Impact of Geopolitical Events - The benchmark has slumped 3.8% since the weekend due to the United States and Israel's military actions in Iran, erasing about half of its gains for February [2][5] - Approximately A$130 billion (US$91.4 billion) in market value has been wiped from Australia's share market this week due to investor concerns amid the Middle East conflict [5] Top Gainers - SiteMinder Limited led the top performers, with shares closing at A$3.550, up A$0.410 or 13.057% [3][5] - WiseTech Global Limited recorded a strong rise, ending at A$52.720, a gain of A$5.150 or 10.826% [3][5] - Other notable gainers include DroneShield Limited, Catapult Sports Ltd, and Magellan Financial Group Limited, with respective gains of 10.000%, 9.615%, and 9.271% [5] Bottom Performers - Deep Yellow Limited fell to A$2.170, down A$0.290 or 11.789% [5] - Catalyst Metals Limited dropped to A$7.040, losing A$0.900 or 11.335% [5] - Other declining stocks include Sandfire Resources Limited, Westgold Resources Limited, and Northern Star Resources Ltd, with declines of 9.577%, 8.172%, and 8.107% respectively [5]

Top producers of manganese ore in South Africa, the world’s biggest producer of the steelmaking ingredient, intend to bid for a new export terminal at the southeastern port of Ngqura https://t.co/Z9NNpeO1rN ...

Core Viewpoint - Leonardo Maria del Vecchio is close to finalizing a multibillion-dollar deal to buy out his siblings from the family holding company Delfin, which controls EssilorLuxottica [1] Company Summary - The family holding company Delfin is significant as it controls EssilorLuxottica, a major player in the eyewear industry [1] - The potential buyout indicates a shift in ownership dynamics within the family, which could impact the strategic direction of EssilorLuxottica [1]

Summary of MMG Ltd (1208.HK) Earnings Review Company Overview - **Company**: MMG Ltd (1208.HK) - **Industry**: Copper Mining - **Market Cap**: HK$116.1 billion / US$14.9 billion - **Enterprise Value**: HK$154.4 billion / US$19.8 billion - **Key Mines**: Las Bambas, Dugald River, Kinsevere, Khoemacau Key Financial Highlights - **2025 Net Profit**: US$509 million, up 215% YoY - **Earnings Per Share (EPS)**: US$0.042, up 174% YoY - **Recurring Net Profit**: US$816 million, inline with estimates and above Bloomberg consensus [1][2] - **Total Revenue**: US$6.218 billion, up 39% YoY [32] - **EBITDA**: US$3.412 billion, up 67% YoY [22] - **Operating Cash Flow**: Increased by 67% YoY to US$2.7 billion [26] - **Free Cash Flow**: Positive at US$1.6 billion in 2025A [26] Production and Cost Metrics - **Las Bambas Mine**: - EBITDA: US$2.8 billion, up 78% YoY - Copper Output: 411kt, up 27% YoY - C1 Cost: US$1.12/lb, down 26% YoY [23] - **Dugald River**: EBITDA of US$176 million, up 4% YoY [24] - **Kinsevere**: EBITDA grew by 49% YoY to US$101 million, but faced a US$290 million impairment [24] - **Khoemacau**: EBITDA of US$167 million, up 33% YoY [24] Future Outlook - **Earnings Forecast**: Revised up by 3-20% for 2026E-27E, with expectations to double recurring profit to US$1.75 billion in 2026E [2][35] - **Dividend Potential**: First dividend in 10 years expected in 2026E [2][35] - **Copper Price Forecast**: Increased to US$5.83/lb for 2026E and US$5.51/lb for 2027E [29] - **Production Targets**: Las Bambas production targeted at 400kt/year; Khoemacau phase II expansion to 130kt/year [31] Valuation Metrics - **Target Price**: HK$13.5/share, revised from HK$13.0 [2] - **P/E Ratio**: Expected to be 13.5 in 2025, dropping to 8.5 in 2026E [11] - **Return on Equity (ROE)**: Expected to be 36.2% in 2026E [11] Risks and Considerations - **Commodity Price Risks**: Lower prices for copper, zinc, and lead could impact profitability [30] - **Operational Risks**: Sudden changes in ore grade and community relations could affect operations [30] - **Policy Risks**: Changes in mining policies in countries where MMG operates could negatively impact overseas assets [30] Conclusion MMG Ltd shows strong financial performance with significant profit growth driven by rising copper prices and effective cost management. The company is positioned for future growth with potential dividend payments and ongoing production expansions, although it faces risks related to commodity prices and operational challenges.

Summary of the Conference Call on Lithium Market Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the lithium market, specifically the supply and demand dynamics related to electric vehicles (EVs) and battery production. [1] Key Points and Arguments 1. **Interactive Model**: An interactive model called "Lithium-in-Motion" was introduced, allowing investors to adjust variables such as auto sales, EV penetration, and battery types to assess their impact on the lithium market in real-time. This model will be updated quarterly. [1][6][20] 2. **Supply/Demand Forecasts**: The latest forecasts for lithium supply and demand were discussed, highlighting the importance of committed, brownfield, and greenfield projects in meeting future demand. [1][18] 3. **Project Delays**: There are ongoing delays in new lithium projects and expansions, which could significantly affect the market balance, potentially leading to a surplus or deficit in the coming years. [20] 4. **Battery Production Losses**: The model allows users to adjust the percentage of lithium supply lost during battery manufacturing, which is crucial for understanding demand and market balance. [19] 5. **Battery Type Dynamics**: The call emphasized the growing interest in the proportion of NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) and LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries, particularly due to advancements in LFP technology making it more economical. [25][24] 6. **EV Penetration Rates**: The model includes sliders to adjust BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) penetration rates across major markets (USA, Europe, China), which are critical for forecasting lithium demand. [31][35] 7. **Global Auto Sales**: The ability to flex global auto sales forecasts was highlighted, indicating that higher auto sales, assuming constant BEV penetration rates, will drive increased lithium demand. [34][35] Additional Important Content - **Charts and Tables**: The presentation included various charts and tables to visualize the data, allowing for scenario analysis based on user inputs. [10][15] - **Analyst Team**: The call featured insights from multiple analysts at Morgan Stanley, indicating a collaborative approach to understanding the lithium market. [6] - **Market Outlook**: The overall industry view was deemed attractive, suggesting positive expectations for the lithium market in the near future. [9] - **Investor Considerations**: Investors were reminded to consider the potential conflicts of interest due to Morgan Stanley's business relationships with companies in the lithium sector. [5] This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the conference call regarding the lithium market, focusing on supply-demand dynamics, project developments, and the implications for investors.

Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2026) - Manganese X Energy Corp. (TSXV: MN) (FSE: 9SC) (TRADEGATE: 9SC) (OTCQB: MNXXF) ("Manganese X" or the "Company") announces the appointment of Andrew Gainsbury, formerly the Company's Controller, as acting Chief Financial Officer on an interim basis. Mr. Gainsbury, CFA, CMA, has over 16 years of experience in financial management and consulting in both Canada and Brazil. His most recent experience includes serving as Controller for several publicly-listed ...