NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced that Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund (TSX: CHE.UN; OTCQX: CGIFF), a diversified operator and producer of industrial chemicals and services, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink Limited™ Market. Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund begins trading today on OTC ...

Core Viewpoint - The surge in sulphuric acid prices, driven by supply disruptions, has significantly impacted China's copper smelters, shifting their profit reliance from traditional smelting fees to sulphuric acid sales, which may not be sustainable in the long term [1]. Industry Summary - Demand for sulphuric acid is increasing in the battery and mining sectors, tightening the market [1]. - Sulphuric acid prices have surged approximately 500% over the past 2.5 years, providing an estimated $1.5 billion boost to China's copper smelters last year as traditional smelting fees declined [1]. - The price of sulphuric acid reached about 1,045 yuan ($145) per metric ton in early January, compared to 464 yuan a year earlier [1]. - Sulphuric acid now accounts for over 64% of smelters' revenue from byproducts and other non-TC/RC sources, up from a historical 27% [1]. Company Summary - Yunnan Copper reported sulphuric acid sales of 790 million yuan ($114 million), which constituted about a quarter of its gross profit, despite acid contributing roughly 1% of revenue [1]. - Daye Nonferrous expressed concerns about the uncertain outlook for sulphuric acid prices, indicating a cautious approach among smelters regarding negative TC/RCs during contract negotiations [1]. - Analysts predict a potential decline in sulphuric acid prices by 10-30% in the coming months due to demand destruction from higher prices and new projects starting [1].

Core Insights - AngloGold Ashanti is recognized as one of the best performing large-cap stocks to consider for investment [1] - The company plans to initiate drilling at the Organullo Gold Project in Salta Province, Argentina, through its subsidiary AngloGold Argentina Exploraciones S.A. [1][3] Company Overview - AngloGold Ashanti operates as a gold mining company with a presence in Africa, Australia, and the Americas, focusing primarily on gold exploration along with by-products like silver and sulphuric acid [4] Project Details - AngloGold Ashanti holds an option to earn up to an 80% interest in Latin Metals' Organullo, Ana Maria, and Trigal Gold projects [2] - The initial Phase I drilling program will include 10 drill holes and approximately 6,000 meters of drilling, with first results expected in Q1 2026 [2] - The drilling aims to target a multi-million-ounce, Tier 1 discovery, using the Salares Norte gold deposit as a technical reference [2] Exploration Focus - The drilling program will concentrate on three previously unexplored advanced argillic alteration zones along a 6 km-long strike length [3] - Supporting data for potential gold mineralization includes district-scale geophysical anomalies, structural interpretation, surface geochemical data, and hyperspectral data [3] - Latin Metals has also secured rights to the Malena VII mining property in Salta Province [3]

Core Viewpoint - Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund is taking strategic steps to optimize its capital structure by redeeming convertible debentures and implementing an automatic securities purchase plan to manage its unit purchases effectively [2][3][4]. Group 1: Strategic Transactions - Chemtrade announced the redemption of all issued and outstanding 6.25% Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due August 31, 2027, as part of its strategy to reduce exposure to convertible debt [2]. - The Fund intends to commence substantial issuer bids for both the 2027 Debentures and 7.00% Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due June 30, 2028 [2]. Group 2: Automatic Securities Purchase Plan (ASPP) - A new automatic securities purchase plan has been established, allowing for unit purchases during predetermined blackout periods, subject to specific price and quantity parameters [3]. - The previous automatic securities purchase plan was terminated in connection with the new Offers, and the new plan will only be effective after the termination or expiry of the Offers [3][4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Chemtrade operates a diversified business providing industrial chemicals and services, being one of North America's largest suppliers of sulphuric acid and other chemical products [5]. - The company is also a leading producer of high purity sulphuric acid for the semiconductor industry and provides various industrial services [5].