VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eco Oro Minerals Corp. (CSE: EOM) ("Eco Oro" or the "Company") announces it has filed an application to annul the damages award issued on July 15, 2024 (the "Award on Damages") awarding no monetary compensation to the Company by the arbitral tribunal (the "Tribunal") constituted under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ("ICSID") in its arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Colombia (ICSID Case No. ARB/16/41) ...

Core Viewpoint - The company Anhui Jinyan Kaolin New Materials Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Jinyan High-tech") has re-submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, changing its exclusive sponsor to a joint sponsorship by Guoyuan International and Minyin Capital, after its previous application became invalid [1][8]. Group 1: Company Overview - Jinyan High-tech, established in 2012, specializes in coal series kaolin business, integrating the entire value chain from mining, R&D, processing to production and sales [3]. - The main products include precision casting mullite materials and refractory mullite materials, with precision casting materials being essential for high-precision parts in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical [3][4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Revenue for Jinyan High-tech during the reporting period (2022-2024 and the first five months of 2025) was approximately 190 million, 205 million, 267 million, and 105 million CNY, respectively, with net profits of approximately 24.4 million, 43.6 million, 52.6 million, and 18.0 million CNY [5][6]. - The average selling price of precision casting mullite materials decreased from 1554 CNY/ton to 1307 CNY/ton, indicating a continuous downward trend [7]. Group 3: Market Position and Share - Jinyan High-tech is the largest producer of precision casting mullite materials in China, with a market share of 19.1% in 2024, up from 17.9% in 2023 [4]. - The estimated total resource volume of the Shuli kaolin mine, owned by Jinyan High-tech, is approximately 18.6 million tons, with a service life of only 16 years based on an annual production estimate of 400,000 tons [4][8]. Group 4: Future Plans and Use of Proceeds - The company plans to use the proceeds from the IPO for technology research and development, repayment of bank loans, and to enhance the production capacity of refractory mullite materials [8].

Summary of Impact Minerals (IPT) Conference Call - July 23, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Impact Minerals (IPT) - **Industry**: High Purity Alumina (HPA) production Key Points and Arguments 1. **High Purity Alumina Market Potential**: The top two meters of a lake owned by the company contains approximately $15 billion worth of high purity alumina, which is critical for the energy transition [2][4] 2. **Recent Acquisitions**: IPT acquired an 80% stake in the lake and a 50% share in a pilot plant for HPA from a competitor that went into administration due to financial mismanagement [2][20] 3. **Production Strategy**: The company plans to transport material from Lake Hope to a facility in Fremantle, which was purchased for $2 million, to convert it into HPA [3][9] 4. **Market Growth**: The HPA market is expanding rapidly, particularly due to its applications in semiconductors and electric vehicles, with an estimated growth rate of 20% per annum [5][6] 5. **Supply Deficit**: A projected supply deficit in the HPA market is expected by 2026-2027, leading to a price squeeze [6][29] 6. **Production Cost Advantage**: IPT aims to be the lowest cost producer globally, with production costs projected at $4,500 to $5,800 per ton, significantly lower than competitors [16][24] 7. **Net Present Value (NPV)**: The NPV of the project is estimated at $1.2 billion, while the current market cap is around $30 million, indicating a significant value gap [14][15] 8. **Pilot Plant and Technology**: The company acquired a fully functional pilot plant that is 90% commissioned, which will expedite their production capabilities [21][22] 9. **Future Plans**: IPT plans to engage with customers and secure offtake agreements in 2026, with a potential listing on Nasdaq in 2027 [26][29] 10. **Competitive Landscape**: The company is positioned as one of the few capable of producing HPA alongside Alpha HPA, which has seen significant market success [16][28] Additional Important Information - **Environmental and Heritage Clearances**: IPT has obtained necessary clearances for mining operations at Lake Hope, allowing for immediate progress [13] - **Technological Innovations**: The company is implementing advanced membrane technology for purification processes, which is expected to enhance production efficiency [19] - **Market Timing**: The anticipated market deficit aligns with IPT's timeline for scaling production, positioning the company favorably for future growth [29] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call, highlighting the strategic direction and market positioning of Impact Minerals in the high purity alumina sector.

One stock to keep an eye on is Minerals Technologies (MTX) . MTX is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 8.99, while its industry has an average P/E of 23.02. Over the last 12 months, MTX's Forward P/E has been as high as 13.30 and as low as 7.86, with a median of 10.70. Value investors also frequently use the P/S ratio. This metric is found by dividing a stock's price with the company's revenue. This is a preferred metric because revenue ca ...

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing as a strategy to identify strong stocks, particularly highlighting HudBay Minerals (HBM) as a potential undervalued investment opportunity [2][7]. Group 1: Value Investing Metrics - Value investing relies on traditional analysis of key valuation metrics to identify undervalued stocks, which can lead to profits [2]. - Zacks has developed a Style Scores system to categorize stocks, with a focus on the "Value" category for value investors [3]. - HudBay Minerals (HBM) holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A, indicating strong potential as a value stock [4][7]. Group 2: HudBay Minerals Financial Metrics - HBM has a Forward P/E ratio of 14.04, which is lower than the industry average of 15.42, suggesting it may be undervalued [4]. - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.27, compared to the industry average of 0.46, indicating favorable growth expectations relative to its price [5]. - HBM's P/S ratio stands at 1.85, significantly lower than the industry's average P/S of 2.83, further supporting the notion of undervaluation [6].

Core Viewpoint - LaFleur Minerals Inc. is undergoing a significant change in ownership structure due to the acquisition of shares by Bullrun Capital Inc., which is controlled by the Issuer's Chairman, Kulwant (Kal) Malhi [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - On March 14, 2025, Bullrun Capital Inc. acquired 4,000,000 shares of LaFleur Minerals as part of an option agreement that grants the Issuer the exclusive right to acquire a 100% interest in certain mining claims and a mining lease [2]. - Prior to the acquisition, Kulwant (Kal) Malhi held 3,876,246 shares and 251,000 common share purchase warrants, representing approximately 7.39% of the total shares on a non-diluted basis [3]. - After the acquisition, Malhi's holdings increased to 7,876,246 shares and 251,000 common share purchase warrants, representing approximately 13.88% of the total shares on a non-diluted basis [4]. Group 2: Ownership Intentions - The shares were acquired for investment purposes, and Bullrun Capital Inc. may adjust its ownership stake in LaFleur Minerals based on market conditions and other investment opportunities [5].

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 news team delivers insights across various sectors including 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 its forward-looking approach and enthusiastic adoption of technology to enhance workflows [4] - The company utilizes automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring that all content is edited and authored by humans [5]

Geopolitical & Economic Significance - India seeks alternative rare earth mineral markets due to China's export restrictions for geopolitical leverage [2] - Africa emerges as the next frontier for countries seeking mineral resources [3] - Prime Minister's visits to Ghana and Namibia highlight the importance of these countries in mineral resources [4] Trade & Investment - Trade between Ghana and India was $4 billion before COVID-19, currently at $3 billion, with a goal to double in the next five years [6] - Investment in Namibia is slightly under $1 billion [6] - Indian companies, including Airtel and pharmaceutical companies, have a significant presence in Africa, providing affordable generic medication [6] Strategic Positioning - India aims to reposition itself in the race for influence in Africa, emphasizing a long-standing history and partnership [7][9] - India differentiates itself from China (debt concerns) and the US (conditionalities) by emphasizing understanding and shared history with African nations [10] - India benefits from a generally favorable perception in Africa [11] Mineral Resources - Ghana possesses gold, uranium, lithium, and cobalt [4] - Namibia is the world's fourth largest producer of uranium oxide and also has copper, cobalt, zinc, and diamond [4] - These minerals are critical for green energy production and fetch good prices on the international market [5]

Core Viewpoint - Silvercorp (SVM) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the correlation between changes in earnings estimates and stock price movements, making it a valuable tool for investors [2][4]. - An increase in earnings estimates typically leads to higher fair value calculations by institutional investors, resulting in stock price movements [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for Silvercorp reflects an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to drive the stock price higher as investors recognize this trend [5]. - For the fiscal year ending March 2026, Silvercorp is projected to earn $0.41 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 5.1% over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system categorizes stocks based on earnings estimate revisions, with only the top 20% receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, indicating superior potential for market-beating returns [9][10]. - Silvercorp's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a favorable outlook for near-term price movement [10].

Market Overview - Markets ended higher on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices advancing by 0.47% and 0.94%, respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 10.52 points [1] - Market sentiment was positively influenced by a trade accord between the United States and Vietnam, easing concerns over prolonged trade tensions [1] Economic Indicators - A recent ADP report indicated an unexpected drop in private payrolls for June, with the private sector losing 33,000 jobs, suggesting potential challenges for the U.S. economy [2] - This decline in job numbers has raised scrutiny from investors, particularly in light of the Federal Reserve's cautious stance on interest rates [2] Investment Strategy - In the current macroeconomic environment, focusing on companies with strong financial fundamentals is crucial [3] - Relying solely on sales and earnings metrics may not yield long-term returns; a deeper analysis of a company's financial health and stability is essential for sustainable investment growth [3] Financial Analysis - A critical analysis of a company's financial background, including coverage ratios, is necessary for informed investment decisions [4] - The Interest Coverage Ratio is a key indicator used to evaluate a company's ability to pay interest on its debt, ensuring it is not over-leveraged [4][6] Interest Coverage Ratio Insights - The Interest Coverage Ratio is calculated as Earnings before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) divided by Interest Expense [5] - A ratio lower than 1.0 indicates a company may struggle to meet its interest obligations, while a higher ratio suggests a stronger financial position [9] Company Performance - Hudbay Minerals Inc. (HBM), Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL), Molina Healthcare, Inc. (MOH), and Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT) have strong interest coverage ratios, indicating solid financial footing [10] - HBM and STRL posted over 40% EPS growth estimates, while VRT shows a growth potential of 24.9% [10] - MOH projects 8.4% sales growth and 7.9% EPS growth, despite a 19.3% stock decline over the past year [10] Stock Screening Criteria - Stocks should have an Interest Coverage Ratio greater than the industry average, a favorable Zacks Rank, and a VGM Score of A or B for better investment results [11] - Additional criteria include a minimum stock price of $5, strong historical and projected EPS growth, substantial trading volume, and a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 [12][13] Company Highlights - Hudbay Minerals has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 50% on average, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate suggesting growth of 9.2% in sales and 41.7% in EPS [14] - Sterling Infrastructure has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.5% on average, with a projected EPS growth of 41.2% [15] - Molina Healthcare's Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates growth of 8.4% in sales and 7.9% in EPS [16] - Vertiv Holdings has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.4% on average, with projected growth of 18.8% in sales and 24.9% in EPS [17]