Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 5, 2026) - District Metals Corp. (TSXV: DMX) (Nasdaq First North: DMXSE SDB) (OTCQX: DMXCF) (FSE: DFPP); ("District" or the "Company") announces that on February 4 and 5 there have been several Swedish media reports that outline a revised approach to municipal veto rights in the context of uranium and Alum Shale mining in Sweden. The proposed approach includes lifting the municipal veto for uranium mining and processing and commence an inquiry into mi ...

Core Viewpoint - Millennial Potash Corp. has successfully closed a "bought deal" private placement offering, raising gross proceeds of $17,537,500 through the sale of 5,750,000 units at a price of $3.05 per unit, which includes a 15% over-allotment option exercised by underwriters [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The LIFE Offering was led by Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation as the lead underwriter and sole bookrunner [2]. - Concurrently, the company closed a non-brokered private placement offering of 245,901 additional units at the same offering price, generating an additional $750,000 in gross proceeds [3]. - Each unit from both offerings consists of one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant, with each full warrant allowing the purchase of one common share at an exercise price of $4.00 for 36 months [4]. Group 2: Use of Proceeds - The net proceeds from the offerings will be allocated towards the costs of a definitive feasibility study for the Banio Potash Project and for general working capital [5]. Group 3: Regulatory and Compliance Information - The LIFE Units were issued under specific Canadian securities regulations and are not subject to a hold period, while the Non-LIFE Units are subject to a four-month resale restriction [6][7]. - The company paid the underwriters a cash commission of $1,052,250 and issued non-transferable compensation options for the purchase of up to 230,000 common shares at the offering price until January 29, 2029 [8]. Group 4: Company Statements - The Chairman of Millennial Potash Corp. expressed satisfaction with the completion of the LIFE offering, highlighting the confidence from leading global asset management firms in the company's progress and development plans [11].

Group 1 - The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) is recognized as one of the Best Low Risk Stocks for a Retirement Stock Portfolio [1] - Wells Fargo analyst Michael Sison has lowered Mosaic's price target to $27 from $28, maintaining an Equal Weight rating due to a softer outlook on fourth-quarter volumes, particularly in Brazil and SSP production [2] - Fertilizer demand significantly declined in Q4, leading to a 4% drop in stock price, as farmers reduced fertilizer usage due to tighter budgets and an early winter [3] Group 2 - Mosaic's phosphate and potash sales in Q4 fell short of expectations, with Brazil's performance unable to mitigate the overall weakness [4] - The company reported full-year 2025 sales volumes of approximately 9 million tonnes, remaining stable compared to the previous year amid a soft market [4] - The company is a major producer and marketer of crop nutrients, focusing primarily on phosphate and potash products [5]

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of low-risk investments for retirement portfolios, emphasizing the need for stability and income protection as individuals approach retirement. Retirement Planning and Financial Challenges - A significant majority of retiree households, approximately 83%, encounter unexpected expenses annually, averaging around $6,000, which constitutes about 10% of their yearly income [2] - Only 58% of households have sufficient cash reserves to cover a year of unplanned expenses, while 16% would need to access retirement accounts, and 27% would still fall short even after utilizing both cash savings and retirement assets [3] Investment Strategy and Methodology - Advisors recommend constructing portfolios with lower-risk options, highlighting that diversification can help manage risk even within conservative investments [4] - The article outlines a methodology for selecting stocks, focusing on dividend companies with strong financials and a minimum dividend yield of 3%, while also considering stocks with a beta of less than 1.0, indicating lower volatility compared to the market [7] Company Analysis: The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) - The Mosaic Company has a beta of 0.94 and a dividend yield of 3.06%, making it a suitable candidate for retirement portfolios [9] - Wells Fargo analyst Michael Sison reduced the price target for Mosaic from $28 to $27, maintaining an Equal Weight rating due to weaker fourth-quarter volumes and production curtailments [10] - The company reported a significant drop in fertilizer demand in Q4, leading to a 4% decline in stock value, with North American phosphate shipments down approximately 20% year-over-year [11][12] - For the full year 2025, Mosaic's sales volumes remained around 9 million tonnes, consistent with a soft market [12] Company Analysis: Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI) - Old Republic International Corporation also has a beta of 0.81 and a dividend yield of 3.06%, positioning it as a strong option for retirement portfolios [14] - Piper Sandler downgraded Old Republic to Neutral from Overweight, lowering the price target from $51 to $38 following its Q4 earnings report, citing concerns over loss cost reserve issues [15] - The company reported a decline in consolidated pretax operating income to $236 million from $285 million year-over-year, with a worsened combined ratio of 96% compared to 92.7% previously [16] - Premium and fee revenue for Old Republic reached $789 million for the quarter, reflecting a 12% increase from the same period last year [17]

Core Insights - CF Industries Holdings, Inc. is experiencing strong demand for nitrogen fertilizers and higher nitrogen prices, despite challenges from rising natural gas costs [1][4][11] Group 1: Market Demand and Trends - The global demand for nitrogen fertilizers is expected to remain robust due to recovering industrial demand and favorable farmer economics, particularly in the U.S. with high corn-planted acres [3][7] - CF Industries is witnessing strong urea demand from Brazil and India, driven by increased corn plantings in Brazil and low inventory levels in India [3][11] Group 2: Financial Performance - In the third quarter, CF Industries reported a 21% year-over-year increase in net sales, reaching approximately $1.66 billion, attributed to strong global nitrogen demand and supply disruptions [4][11] - The company generated $1.06 billion in net cash from operating activities in the third quarter, a 14% increase year-over-year, and returned $445 million to shareholders [5] Group 3: Cost Pressures - CF Industries faces challenges from rising natural gas prices, a key feedstock for nitrogen fertilizers, with the average cost increasing to $2.96 per MMBtu in the third quarter from $2.10 per MMBtu a year ago [6] - The average natural gas cost for the first nine months rose to $3.34 per MMBtu from $2.38 per MMBtu in the previous year, impacting the company's margins [6] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Other major players in the fertilizer market, such as Nutrien and Mosaic, are also navigating varying demand conditions, with Nutrien expecting record crop production and Mosaic facing challenges in North American fertilizer demand [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - Millennial Potash Corp. has successfully completed its LIFE Financing, raising a total of $17,357,500, and is now initiating a Concurrent Offering to raise an additional approximately $750,000 for the development of its Banio Potash Project and general working capital [1][4]. Financing Details - The Concurrent Offering will consist of up to approximately 245,900 units priced at $3.05 per unit, each unit comprising one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant [2]. - Each warrant will allow the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $4.00 for three years from issuance [2]. - The total proceeds from the Concurrent Offering, the LIFE Financing, and the full exercise of the Underwriters' Option amount to approximately $18,287,500 [5]. Project Development - The funds raised will be utilized for the future development of the Banio Potash Project, which is positioned to become a significant supplier of potash to the United States, Africa, and Brazil [3]. - The company is currently advancing a definitive feasibility study, an environmental and social impact study, and is working on offtakes and project financing [3]. Regulatory and Compliance - The Concurrent Offering is subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange and will have a four-month resale restriction on the securities issued [4][6]. - A commission of up to 6% of the gross proceeds raised will be paid, along with commission warrants equal to up to 4% of the aggregate number of units [5].

Core Insights - BHP Group Limited and Vale S.A. are major competitors in the global metals and mining sector, both poised to benefit from increasing infrastructure investments and long-term demand for essential minerals [2][22] BHP Group Limited - BHP achieved a record iron ore production of 263 million tons (Mt) in fiscal 2025, a 1% increase year over year, with Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) producing a record 257 Mt [4] - In the first half of fiscal 2026, BHP's iron ore production rose 2% year over year to 134 Mt, with WAIO contributing 130 Mt [5] - BHP is focusing on commodities like copper and potash, allocating nearly 70% of its medium-term capital expenditure to these areas, with copper production reaching a record 2,017 kilotons (kt) in fiscal 2025 [6] - The Jansen Stage 1 potash project is 75% complete and expected to produce 4.15 million tons of potash annually starting mid-2027, with Stage 2 projected to double production capacity by the end of the decade [8][9] - BHP's fiscal 2026 earnings estimates indicate a year-over-year rise of 23.1%, with upward revisions over the past 60 days [16] Vale S.A. - Vale's iron ore production for 2025 was around 335 Mt, meeting the high end of its target, with copper output at 370 kt and nickel output at 175 kt [10] - Vale is investing $1.6 billion in base metals in 2026, with copper production expected to reach 350-380 kt in 2026 and 700 kt by 2035, promising a 7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2035 [12][14] - The Bacaba project will contribute an average annual copper output of 50 kt over eight years starting in 2028, while other projects will enhance Vale's copper production capacity [13] - Vale's nickel production is projected to be between 175 kt and 200 kt in 2026, with expectations of 210-250 kt by 2030 [15] - Vale's earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 indicate year-over-year growth of 13.7% and 0.4%, respectively, with upward revisions in the past 60 days [17] Comparative Analysis - BHP's stock has appreciated 36.7% over the past year, while Vale's stock has gained 92.2% [22] - BHP trades at a forward price-to-sales multiple of 3.17X, compared to Vale's 1.63X [20] - Both companies are well-positioned for long-term growth, but Vale's attractive valuation and stronger one-year price performance make it a more favorable investment option at this time [22][23]

Core Insights - The Mosaic Company (MOS) is experiencing challenging conditions in the North American fertilizer market, with a significant decline in phosphate shipments and overall demand pressures [2][3][8] - Despite the current weakness, MOS anticipates a more favorable market in 2026, driven by nutrient replenishment and government support for growers [5] Group 1: Market Conditions - North American phosphate shipments are estimated to be down about 20% year over year, with potash demand also slightly impacted [2][8] - In Brazil, credit constraints and increased competition have negatively affected market conditions, leading to lower sales volumes for Mosaic Fertilizantes, which remained flat at 9 million tons for the year [4][8] Group 2: Sales and Production - MOS expects fourth-quarter phosphate sales volumes of approximately 1.3 million tons and potash volumes of about 2.2 million tons, reflecting the challenging market conditions [3][8] - The company has adjusted its phosphate production plans and redirected products to regions with stronger demand, maintaining production levels from the prior quarter [3] Group 3: Future Outlook - MOS forecasts a constructive 2026, with expectations for global phosphate and potash shipments to potentially reach record levels [5] - The phosphate markets are expected to balance tightly, with prices responding positively to global demand since the start of 2026, while potash markets remain stable due to early contract settlements in China [5]

Core Viewpoint - BHP reported a strong first half of FY26, driven by record operational performance in copper and iron ore, leading to an increase in copper production guidance and progress on long-term growth projects, particularly in copper and potash [1] Group Copper Performance - Copper emerged as the top performer, benefiting from favorable pricing and operational improvements, prompting an increase in group copper guidance for FY26 due to stronger-than-expected delivery across multiple assets [2] - Escondida, BHP's flagship copper operation in Chile, achieved record concentrator throughput, resulting in an expanded production guidance range [2] - Antamina raised its output outlook, while Spence and Copper SA are on track, with Copper SA achieving record refined gold production as a by-product [2] Iron Ore Operations - Iron ore operations delivered record results, with Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) achieving its highest-ever first-half production and shipments, positioning the business favorably ahead of the challenging wet season [3] - In Brazil, Samarco volumes increased following strong performance at its second concentrator, which was restarted late in the first half of FY25 [3] Strategic Transactions - BHP announced a transaction with Global Infrastructure Partners regarding WAIO's inland power network, expected to generate approximately US$2 billion in proceeds while allowing BHP to retain ownership and operational control, described as innovative and value-accretive [4] Coal Production - Steelmaking coal production rose, supported by a five-year high in stripping performance at BMA, while energy coal output increased by 10% year on year, contributing to the group's diversified earnings base [5] Growth Projects - BHP confirmed that the Jansen potash project in Canada is on track for first production in mid-2027, expected to be a long-life, low-cost, and scalable asset aligned with global food security trends [6] - An updated cost estimate for Jansen Stage 1 was released alongside the operational update [6] Global Demand Environment - BHP's performance occurs amid a mixed but resilient global demand environment, with China's commodity demand supported by targeted policy measures and solid exports, although momentum has moderated in the second half of calendar 2025, particularly in construction and infrastructure [7] - India is emerging as a key demand driver, with robust domestic growth supporting rising steel consumption and accelerating copper demand [7]

Core Insights - The article discusses the potential for a political insurrection in the United States, drawing parallels to historical uprisings like the Arab Spring, driven by economic pressures and social unrest [6][88][93] Economic Factors - Food prices in the U.S. have seen significant inflation, with a 0.7% increase in December 2025, leading to an annual food inflation rate of 3.1% [19][39] - The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization reported a continuous rise in global food prices, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and supply chain issues from the COVID-19 pandemic [17][18] - In 2023, 33.6 million U.S. adults and nearly 14 million children lived in food-insecure households, indicating a growing crisis of affordability [24][25] Political Climate - The article highlights extreme political partisanship in the U.S., with a divide between democratic socialism and fascism, which could lead to civil unrest [9][10] - The recent killing of a protester by an ICE agent has sparked nationwide protests, reflecting deep societal divisions and potential for further unrest [8][85] Climate Change and Agriculture - Climate change is impacting agricultural productivity, with rising global temperatures leading to reduced food output and increased food insecurity [28][30] - The World Resources Institute warns that global warming and desertification could lead to mass starvation if not addressed [31][32] Inflation and Currency Devaluation - The U.S. dollar has depreciated nearly 10% over the past year, contributing to rising commodity prices and inflation [53][58] - Inflation has increased by 92% over the past 25 years, with essential goods like hospital services and food rising at rates higher than overall inflation [43][44] Social Unrest Potential - Historical precedents show that food inflation has been a catalyst for uprisings, suggesting that current economic conditions could lead to similar outcomes in the U.S. [23][88] - The article posits that a combination of high living costs, political discontent, and social issues could ignite an "American Spring" [87][93]