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S&P 500 Breaking Out Again: What This Means for Your Portfolio

Stock 3 Mins Read

The S&P 500 ($SPX) just logged its fifth straight trading box breakout, which means that, of the five trading ranges the index has experienced since the April lows, all have been resolved to the upside.

How much longer can this last? That’s been the biggest question since the massive April 9 rally. Instead of assuming the market is due to roll over, it’s been more productive to track price action and watch for potential changes along the way. So far, drawdowns have been minimal, and breakouts keep occurring. Nothing in the price action hints at a lasting change — yet.

While some are calling this rally “historic,” we have a recent precedent. Recall that from late 2023 through early 2024, the index had a strong start and gave way to a consistent, steady trend.

From late October 2023 through March 2024, the S&P 500 logged seven consecutive trading box breakouts. That streak finally paused with a pullback from late March to early April, which, as we now know, was only a temporary hiccup. Once the bid returned, the S&P 500 went right back to carving new boxes and climbing higher.

New 52-Week Highs Finally Picking Up

If there’s been one gripe about this rally, it’s that the number of new highs within the index has lagged. As we’ve discussed before, among all the internal breadth indicators available, new highs almost always lag — that’s normal. What we really want to see is whether the number of new highs begins to exceed prior peaks as the market continues to rise, which it has, as shown by the blue line in the chart below.

As of Wednesday’s close, 100 S&P 500 stocks were either at new 52-week highs or within 3% of them. That’s a strong base. We expect this number to continue rising as the market climbs, especially if positive earnings reactions persist across sectors.

Even when we get that first day with 100+ S&P 500 stocks making new 52-week highs, though, it might not be the best time to initiate new longs.

The above chart shows that much needs to align for that many stocks to peak in unison, which has historically led to at least a short-term consolidation, if not deeper pullbacks — as highlighted in yellow. Every time is different, of course, but this is something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Trend Check: GoNoGo Still “Go”

The GoNoGo Trend remains in bullish mode, with the recent countertrend signals having yet to trigger a greater pullback.

Active Bullish Patterns

We still have two live bullish upside targets of 6,555 and 6,745, which could be with us for a while going forward. For the S&P 500 to get there, it will need to form new, smaller versions of the trading boxes.

Failed Bearish Patterns

In the chart below, you can view a rising wedge pattern on the recent price action, the third since April. The prior two wedges broke down briefly and did not lead to a major downturn. The largest pullbacks in each case occurred after the S&P 500 dipped below the lower trendline of the pattern.

The deepest drawdown so far is 3.5%, which is not exactly a game-changer. Without downside follow-through, a classic bearish pattern simply can’t be formed, let alone be broken down from.

We’ll continue to monitor these formations as they develop because, at some point, that will change.

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Dr. Mark Thornton: Gold Ringing Alarm Bells, Silver Setting Up to Skyrocket

Investing 1 Min Read

Dr. Mark Thornton, senior fellow at the Mises Institute, discusses the factors that have taken the gold price to all-time highs. In his view, the key driver is government actions like overspending, borrowing and money printing, none of which are likely to abate soon.

He also shares his bullish outlook for silver.

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Crypto Market Update: Binance Eyes US Re-entry After Trump Pardons Founder

Investing 4 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (October 27) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$115,014, a 0.9 percent increase in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$113,083, and its highest was US$116,032.

Bitcoin price performance, October 27, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin (BTC) climbed to two week highs on Monday, breaking above US$115,600 as investors priced in expectations of an interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve later this week.

The cryptocurrency has now risen for five consecutive sessions, with Sunday’s (October 26) 2.6 percent gain pushing Bitcoin past the 50 day exponential moving average at US$114,176. Technical analysts see the move as a potential prelude to a fresh rally, contingent on continued market support and Fed signals.

Trader Ted Pillows noted on X that Bitcoin has “fully reclaimed the US$114,000 support zone” and emphasized that the next key hurdle is US$118,000. He added that, if momentum holds, “a new ATH could happen in 1–2 weeks.”

Market watchers are now closely monitoring the Fed meeting for confirmation of rate cut expectations, which could provide further bullish fuel for Bitcoin and broader crypto markets.

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$4,167.45, a 1.5 percent increase in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$4,053.35, and its highest was US$4,246.23.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$200.39, trading flat over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$197.24, and its highest was US$205.03.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.62, a decrease of 0.7 percent over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$2.60, while its highest was US$2.67.

ETF data and derivatives trends

Bitcoin derivatives metrics indicate ongoing caution and positioning for downside risk.

Liquidations for Bitcoin contracts have totaled approximately US$6.42 million in the last four hours, the majority of which were long positions, reflecting short-term selling pressure.

Ether liquidations showed a similar pattern, with long positions dominating US$15.55 million in liquidations, though long and short liquidations were more evenly split.

Futures open interest for Bitcoin fell 0.5 percent to US$75.51 billion, and Ether futures declined 0.57 percent to US$49.89 billion, suggesting modest rotation or renewed altcoin activity.

The perpetual funding rate for Bitcoin was 0.008 and 0.009 for Ether, indicating a mild long bias among remaining positions. Bitcoin’s relative strength index stood at 54.84, reflecting neutral to moderately bullish momentum and room for price growth before overextended conditions.

Today’s crypto news to know

Binance eyes US return after Trump pardon for CZ

Binance is weighing a US market re-entry following President Donald Trump’s pardon of founder Changpeng Zhao, exploring options to consolidate its American affiliate or allow direct access for US investors, Bloomberg said.

The pardon clears Zhao’s 2023 conviction for failing to maintain anti-money laundering controls, restoring his ability to lead financial ventures. Hours after the announcement, Zhao expressed ambitions to make the US “the capital of crypto” and expand Web3 globally. Binance’s BNB token jumped 8 percent in response. Zhao currently oversees a blockchain ecosystem with around US$8.7 billion in assets, ranking third behind Ether and Solana.

Japan’s first regulated yen stablecoin launches

JPYC launched Japan’s first regulated yen-pegged stablecoin on Monday.

The stablecoin aligns with Japan’s Payment Services Act, requiring full reserve backing in yen deposits and government bonds. JPYC aims to issue 10 trillion yen (US$67 billion) over three years, challenging the US-dominated stablecoin market where USDC holds roughly US$40 billion.

The framework prioritizes consumer protection and financial stability, lessons drawn from the 2022 TerraUSD collapse.

JPYC offers zero-fee issuance, redemption and transfers, earning income via interest on reserves in deposits and government bonds. Each transfer is capped at 1 million yen under the regulatory structure.

American Bitcoin boosts strategic reserve to 3,865 BTC

American Bitcoin (ABTC) expanded its strategic reserve to 3,865 BTC, acquiring 1,414 BTC through both open market purchases and in-house mining, according to a company release.

The accumulation lifts the company’s Satoshis per share metric to 418, a 52 percent increase since September 1.

Integrated mining enables ABTC to secure BTC at lower costs than external acquisitions, giving it a structural advantage over competitors.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Copper Quest To Acquire 100% Interest in the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project

Investing 8 Mins Read

Copper Quest Exploration Inc. (CSE: CQX; OTCQB: IMIMF; FRA: 3MX) (‘ Copper Quest ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project (the ‘Project’), located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the deep-water port community of Kitimat, British Columbia.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Kitimat Copper-Gold Project covers approximately 2,954 hectares within the Skeena Mining Division of northwestern British Columbia. The Project is year-round road-accessible via a network of logging and mineral exploration roads extending north from Kitimat. The property benefits from exceptional infrastructure, being within 10 km of tidewater, 1.5 km of rail, and 6 km of high-voltage hydroelectric transmission lines.

Geologically, the Project is situated within the Stikine Terrane, a prolific belt that hosts numerous porphyry copper-gold systems and is underlain by Late Triassic volcanic rocks intruded by Jurassic diorite and granodiorite bodies of the Coast Plutonic Complex. The Project’s principal target areas is the Jeannette Cu-Au Zone displaying alteration and mineralization interpreted to represent low-level intermediate to low-sulfidation epithermal expressions of a larger Cu-Au porphyry system.

HISTORICAL EXPLORATION & HIGHLIGHTS

Exploration on the Kitimat property dates back to the late 1960s, with multiple operators conducting geochemical, geophysical, and drilling campaigns. The most significant historical work was conducted by Decade Resources Ltd. (2010), which completed 16 diamond drill holes totaling 4,437.5 meters in the Jeannette Cu-Au Zone. Notable results include:

  • Hole J-7: 117.07 m grading 1.03 g/t Au, 0.54% Cu, from 1.52 m to 118.60 m.
  • Hole J-1: 103.65 m grading 1.00 g/t Au, 0.55% Cu, from 9.15 m to 112.80 m.
  • Hole J-2: 107.01 m grading 0.80 g/t Au, 0.45% Cu, from 6.10 m to 113.11 m.
  • Hole J-8: 112.20 m grading 0.41 g/t Au, 0.33% Cu, from 11.89 m to 124.09 m.

The mineralized intervals encountered in the 2010 drilling demonstrate continuous near-surface copper-gold mineralization extending over significant widths, remain open at depth within the Jeannette Zone, and occur within a broader hydrothermal system that is interpreted to extend laterally beyond the area tested.

ACQUISITION DETAILS

Under the terms of the agreement Copper Quest has until January 5, 2026 to complete a due diligence review of the Project. Upon successful review, the Company will issue 2,000,000 common shares to the vendor, Bernie Kreft, on January 6, 2026, as full consideration for the acquisition. The Project is subject to a 2.5% net smelter return (NSR) royalty, of which 40% may be repurchased by the Company for CAD $1,000,000. Copper Quest will also retain a right of first refusal on any transaction involving the sale of the remaining royalty interest. Copper Quest has until

Mr. Kreft is a well-known Canadian prospector, entrepreneur, and former star of the Discovery Channel’s Yukon Gold television series. He has a long track record of successful mineral discoveries and project generation across British Columbia and Yukon.

A finder’s fee is payable in connection with the acquisition.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

Brian Thurston , CEO of CopperQuest, commented:

‘The addition of the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project demonstrates Copper Quest’s continued effort to add shareholder value through the acquisition of critical mineral projects. This project is ideally located with exceptional infrastructure, in a proven geological belt known for hosting major copper-gold systems. The strong historical drill results from the Jeannette zone speak to the potential of a larger near-surface mineralized system. We look forward to advancing this asset as part of our growing copper-gold portfolio.’

NEXT STEPS

  • The Company plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) analysis to integrate all historical and modern exploration data to establish a comprehensive geological and geophysical model for the Kitimat Porphyry Project and improve targeting precision.
  • Additional geological mapping, sampling, and geophysical surveys may be completed to refine priority drill targets as required. Field work could include ground magnetics, induced polarization (IP), and passive seismic to better define subsurface structure and mineralization trends.
  • A follow-up drill program would test key targets within the interpreted geology and surrounding high-grade corridors.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Brian G. Thurston, P.Geo., the Company’s President and CEO and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

ABOUT COPPER

Despite surging demand, global copper supply remains constrained. Ore grades are declining at major mines, permitting timelines for new projects have lengthened, and geopolitical tensions are reshaping supply chains toward stable, transparent jurisdictions. Governments in Canada, the U.S., and allied nations have increasingly identified copper as a strategic and critical metal necessary for economic and national security. Within this context, Copper Quest’s acquisition of the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project in British Columbia positions the Company to advance a discovery-stage asset in one of the world’s safest and most infrastructure-rich mining jurisdictions — precisely when new, scalable copper sources are most needed.

ABOUT Copper Quest Exploration Inc.

Copper Quest (CSE: CQX; OTCQB: IMIMF; FRA: 3MX) is focused on building shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration and development of its North American Critical Mineral portfolio of assets. The Company’s land package currently comprises five projects that span over 40,000+ hectares in great mining jurisdictions.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Stars Property, a porphyry copper-molybdenum discovery, covering 9,693 hectares in central British Columbia’s Bulkley Porphyry Belt. Contiguous to the Stars Property, Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the 5,389-hectare Stellar Property. CQX also has an earn-in option up to 80% and joint-venture agreement on the 4,700-hectare porphyry copper-molybdenum Rip Project, also in the Bulkley Porphyry Belt.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Nekash Copper-Gold Project, a porphyry exploration opportunity located in Lemhi County, Idaho, along the prolific Idaho-Montana porphyry copper belt that hosts world-class systems such as Butte and CUMO. The project is fully road-accessible via maintained U.S. highways and forest service roads and currently consists of 70 unpatented federal lode claims covering 585 hectares.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Thane Project located in the Quesnel Terrane of Northern BC which spans over 20,658 ha with 10 high-priority targets identified demonstrating significant copper and precious metal mineralization potential.

Copper Quest’s leadership and advisory teams are senior mining industry executives who have a wealth of technical and capital markets experience and a strong track record of discovering, financing, developing, and operating mining projects on a global scale. Copper Quest is committed to sustainable and responsible business activities in line with industry best practices, supportive of all stakeholders, including the local communities in which it operates. The Company’s common shares are principally listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘CQX’. For more information on Copper Quest, please visit the Company’s website at www.copper.quest .

On behalf of the Board of Copper Quest Exploration Inc.

Brian Thurston, P.Geo.
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Tel: 778-949-1829

For further information contact:

Investor Relations
info@copper.quest

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain ‘forward-looking information’ and ‘forward-looking statements’ (collectively, ‘ forward-looking statements ‘) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including without limitation, future operations and activities of Copper Quest, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘potential’, ‘possible’, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘could’, or ‘should’ occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company’s exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company’s business and prospects. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Apex Resources: Strategic Critical Minerals Assets in North America Focused on Tungsten and Lithium

Investing 2 Mins Read

Apex Resources (TSXV:APX,OTC:SLMLF) is a mineral exploration company with a diversified North American portfolio, combining near-term tungsten-gold opportunities in British Columbia with district-scale lithium potential in Nevada.

The company’s flagship Lithium Creek project in Churchill County, Nevada, represents a new lithium-brine discovery opportunity. Geophysical and gravity surveys have outlined extensive low-resistivity zones and complex basin structures—hallmarks of major brine systems—defining multiple drill targets. Just 70 km east of Reno and 30 minutes from Tesla’s Gigafactory, Lithium Creek is strategically positioned within the U.S. battery manufacturing corridor.

Drilling at the Jersey-Emerald project

The Jersey-Emerald project, Apex’s flagship Canadian asset, is a past-producing mine complex hosting tungsten, zinc, lead, gold, and molybdenum. Located 10 km southeast of Salmo, BC, it includes the former Emerald and Jersey mines—once among Canada’s largest producers. Apex is applying modern exploration and geophysics to expand critical mineral zones and identify new targets across the 17,500-hectare property.

Company Highlights

  • Critical-minerals focus: Apex’s portfolio is anchored by lithium, tungsten and zinc, all designated as critical by Canada and the US.
  • Precious-Metals (Gold&Silver) are important by-products at Jersey-Emerald
  • Diversified exploration pipeline: Active drill program at Jersey-Emerald (tungsten-gold-zinc) while preparing to drill Lithium Creek in Nevada.
  • Large-scale opportunity: Apex controls contiguous and nearby claim blocks around Salmo, BC, including Jersey-Emerald and Ore Hill, forming a multi-deposit critical- and precious-metal exploration district spanning more than 17,500 hectares with several historic mines, hosting Tungsten, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Gallium, Germanium, Indium, Bismuth, Tellurium and Molybdenum.
  • Strong early results in USA: Lithium Creek brine samples up to 393 mg/L lithium, with geophysics outlining multiple deep-basin anomalies.
  • Historic infrastructure advantage in Canada: More than $100 million in existing underground workings at Jersey-Emerald; year-round road, rail and power access to both BC projects.
  • Tier-1 jurisdictions: Stable, mining-friendly locations in British Columbia and Nevada with clear permitting frameworks.
  • Experienced leadership: Proven technical and capital-markets expertise led by CEO Ron Lang and a board made up of seasoned exploration and mining professionals.

This Apex Resources profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

Click here to connect with Apex Resources (TSXV:APX,OTC:SLMLF) to receive an Investor Presentation

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Coelacanth Energy Inc. Announces Increased Bank Credit Facility and Provides Operations Update

Investing 10 Mins Read

Coelacanth Energy Inc. (TSXV: CEI,OTC:CEIEF) (‘Coelacanth’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to provide the following update:

BANK CREDIT FACILITY
Coelacanth has signed an agreement to increase its bank credit facility from $52 million to $80 million with closing expected in mid-November. The Company estimates net bank debt relative to the credit facility to be $43 million as at September 30, 2025. The additional liquidity provided will be used, in part, to fund the fall drilling program noted below.

OPERATIONS UPDATE
Coelacanth is currently drilling 3 additional wells in the Lower Montney on its 5-19 Pad at Two Rivers East. Completions are anticipated for late November for an on-stream date of early February 2026. Coelacanth’s last 3 wells on the pad tested a combined 4,872 boe/d (60% light oil) and similar results are expected(1).

Coelacanth is currently producing 4 of its 9 wells on the 5-19 pad plus its legacy production at Two Rivers West. Based on field estimates, current production is approximately 4,400 boe/d (40% light oil). The remaining 5 wells are scheduled to come on production sequentially from mid-November until year-end. Test production on the 5 remaining wells was approximately 6,400 boe/d on a combined basis but net of flush production and declines, Coelacanth estimates production will be approximately 8,400 boe/d (40% light oil) at year-end and then exceed 10,000 boe/d in February 2026 when the new wells are on production (1).

Coelacanth’s business plan includes delineating and developing its large Montney resource that includes 4 potential Montney benches on its 150 section contiguous block of land at Two Rivers in northeast British Columbia.

(1) See ‘Test Results and Initial Production Rates’.

HEDGE POSITION

In conjunction with the drilling program and anticipated new wells coming on production, Coelacanth has placed the following hedges:

Product Quantity Price
($ CAD)		 Reference
Point		 Period
Natural Gas 10,000 gj/d 2.03 Station 2 Nov-Dec 2025
Natural Gas 5,000 gj/d 2.10 Station 2 Dec 2025
Natural Gas 10,000 gj/d 2.49 Station 2 Jan-Mar 2026
Light Oil 500 bbls/d 86.86 WTI Nov 2025-Apr 2026

 

Coelacanth is pleased with the results to date and the progression of the business plan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Coelacanth Energy Inc.
2110, 530 – 8th Ave SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 3S8
Phone: 403-705-4525
www.coelacanth.ca

Mr. Robert J. Zakresky
President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Nolan Chicoine
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Oil and Gas Terms
The Company uses the following frequently recurring oil and gas industry terms in the news release:

Liquids
Bbls Barrels
Bbls/d Barrels per day
NGLs Natural gas liquids (includes condensate, pentane, butane, propane, and ethane)

 

Natural Gas
Mcf Thousands of cubic feet
Mcf/d Thousands of cubic feet per day
MMcf/d Millions of cubic feet per day

 

Oil Equivalent
Boe Barrels of oil equivalent
Boe/d Barrels of oil equivalent per day

 

Disclosure provided herein in respect of a boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent has been used for the calculation of boe amounts in the news release. This boe conversion rate is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

Product Types
The Company uses the following references to sales volumes in the news release:

Natural gas refers to shale gas
Oil refers to tight oil
NGLs refers to butane, propane and pentanes combined
Liquids refers to tight oil and NGLs combined
Oil equivalent refers to the total oil equivalent of shale gas, tight oil, and NGLs combined, using the conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of shale gas to one barrel of oil equivalent as described above.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words ‘expect’, ‘anticipate’, ‘continue’, ‘estimate’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘believe’, ‘intends’, ‘forecast’, ‘plans’, ‘guidance’ and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information.

More particularly and without limitation, this document contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company’s oil, NGLs and natural gas production and capital programs. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions relating to prevailing commodity prices and exchange rates, applicable royalty rates and tax laws, future well production rates, the performance of existing wells, the success of drilling new wells, the availability of capital to undertake planned activities and the availability and cost of labor and services.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as operational risks in development, exploration and production, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures, the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production rates, costs and expenses, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, marketing and transportation, environmental risks, competition, the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources and changes in tax, royalty and environmental legislation. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this document are made as of the date hereof for the purpose of providing the readers with the Company’s expectations for the coming year. The forward-looking statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Test Results and Initial Production Rates

The 5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 9.4 days and produced at an average rate of 377 bbl/d oil and 2,202 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The A5-19 Basal Montney well was production tested for 5.9 days and produced at an average rate of 117 bbl/d oil and 630 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The B5-19 Upper Montney well was production tested for 6.3 days and produced at an average rate of 92 bbl/d oil and 2,100 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The C5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 5.8 days and produced at an average rate of 736 bbl/d oil and 2,660 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The D5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 12.6 days and produced at an average rate of 170 bbl/d oil and 580 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable. The D5-19 Lower Montney well was tied into the 16-03 facility and produced an average rate of 546 bbl/d oil, 2,659 mcf/d natural gas, and 48 bbl/d NGLs, for a total average rate of 1,037 boe/d, on a sales basis, over the first 30 days of in-line production (IP30).

The E5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 11.4 days and produced at an average rate of 312 bbl/d oil and 890 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure was stable, and production was starting to decline. The E5-19 Lower Montney well was tied into the 16-03 facility, and produced an average rate of 854 bbl/d oil, 2,660 mcf/d natural gas, and 49 bbl/d NGLs, for a total average rate of 1,346 boe/d, on a sales basis, over the first 30 days of in-line production (IP30).

The F5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 4.9 days and produced at an average rate of 728 bbl/d oil and 1,607 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable. The F5-19 Lower Montney well was tied into the 16-03 facility, and produced an average rate of 745 bbl/d oil, 3,121 mcf/d natural gas, and 58 bbl/d NGLs, for a total average rate of 1,037 boe/d, on a sales basis, over the first 22 days of in-line production.

The G5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 7.1 days and produced at an average rate of 415 bbl/d oil and 1,489 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The H5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 8.1 days and produced at an average rate of 411 bbl/d oil and 1,166 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure was stable and production was starting to decline.

The reference under the ‘Operations Update’ to the last 3 wells drilled refers to the F5-19, G5-19, and H5-19 wells.

The reference under the ‘Operations Update’ to the remaining 5 wells are scheduled to come on production refers to the 5-19, A5-19, B5-19, G5-19, and H5-19 wells.

A pressure transient analysis or well-test interpretation has not been carried out on these nine wells and thus certain of the test results provided herein should be considered to be preliminary until such analysis or interpretation has been completed. Test results and initial production rates disclosed herein, particularly those short in duration, may not necessarily be indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery.

Any references to peak rates, test rates, IP30, IP90, IP180 or initial production rates or declines are useful for confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however, such rates and declines are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter and are not indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. IP30 is defined as an average production rate over 30 consecutive days, IP90 is defined as an average production rate over 90 consecutive days and IP180 is defined as an average production rate over 180 consecutive days. Readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating aggregate production for the Company.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272489

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Barbie, Monopoly toymakers see bright holiday season despite tariff pressure

Business 4 Mins Read

President Donald Trump’s tariffs are hitting toy giants Mattel and Hasbro as the critical holiday season nears. Still, both companies see a successful year end ahead.

“This quarter, our U.S. business was again challenged by industry-wide shifts in retailer ordering patterns,” CEO Ynon Kreiz said on Mattel’s recent earnings call. “That said, consumer demand for our products grew in every region, including in the U.S.”

During the most recent quarter, which ended Sept. 30, Mattel said sales slipped 6% globally, led by a 12% decline in North America. International sales rose 3%.

Some of the company’s top performing categories included Hot Wheels and action figures, primarily from the “Jurassic World,” Minecraft and WWE franchises.

Other Mattel brands saw a drop in sales, however, including Barbie and Fisher-Price.

With retail stores waiting until the last minute to assess the level of tariffs that would apply to their holiday orders, Kreiz said “since the beginning of the fourth quarter, orders from retailers in the U.S. have accelerated significantly.”

Retailers “expect strong demand for the holiday and they are restocking,” he added.

Meanwhile, rival toy giant Hasbro’s revenue jumped 8% in the quarter and it raised its financial guidance for the rest of the year.

Key drivers of that included “Peppa Pig” and Marvel franchise toys, as well as the Wizards of the Coast games.

Hasbro “managed tariff volatility with agility” and used price hikes to protect its margins, said Gina Goetter, the company’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer.

The company remains “firmly on track” to achieve its financial targets.

“As we calculate the various scenarios of where that absolute rates will play out, we’re really putting all of our levers to work,” she said on the company’s recent earnings call.

“From how we think about pricing, how we’re thinking about our product mix, how we’re thinking about our supply chain, and how we’re managing all of our operating expenses to mitigate and offset the impact” of tariffs, she said.

For its part, Hasbro also saw “softness” in the U.S. during the quarter due to retail chains waiting longer to place holiday orders, but said momentum is accelerating as the season gets underway.

In July, Mattel’s chief financial officer, Paul Ruh, said that the company was raising prices because of tariffs.

“We have implemented a variety of actions that will help us withstand some of those headwinds and those include … supply chain efficiencies and some pricing adjustments, particularly in the U.S.,” Ruh said on the company’s earnings conference call.

“So with that array of actions, we’re able to withstand some of the uncertainty that is mostly coming in the top line,” Ruh said. “Our goal is to keep prices as low as possible for our consumers.”

Still, Kreiz said that “consumers are buying our products and the toy industry is growing.”

He also said that consumers are taking price hikes in stride and those increases haven’t hurt demand: “We are not seeing any slowdown in consumer demand so far.”

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks said the company has also raised some prices, but it was “pretty surgical” in what it chose to adjust.

“In terms of ongoing pricing, I think we just kind of have to see how the holiday goes and the consumer holds up,” he told analysts on the company’s earnings call.

Cocks also cautioned that there may be a two-tier economy forming, something other executives and economists have observed in recent months.

“Right now, I think it’s really kind of a tale of two consumers. The top 20%, particularly in the U.S., continue to spend pretty robustly,” he said. “The balance of households are watching their wallets a bit more.”

On Friday, the Labor Department released the latest consumer price index data, which showed that inflation is rising at a 3% annual pace, up from August’s 2.9%.

In May, Kreiz told CNBC that approximately half of the company’s toys were sourced from China.

Beijing has faced some of the steepest tariffs from Washington of any U.S. trade partner, as Trump has rolled out his disruptive trade agenda this year.

Mattel’s Ruh said the company continued to adjust its supply chains in response to shifting global tariff policies.

“We will be continuing to work with our retailers to make sure that the product is on the shelf,” he said.

At the same time, Hasbro’s Goetter said the company is diversifying its supply chains away from high-tariff countries.

“By 2026, we expect approximately 30% of our total Hasbro toy and game revenue will be sourced from China and 30% of our revenue will be based in the U.S., as we opportunistically lean into our U.S. manufacturing capacity,” she said.

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X-ray tables, hidden cameras: The tech in rigged poker games linked to the mob and NBA

Business 5 Mins Read

Card-reading contact lenses, X-ray poker tables, trays of poker chips that read cards, hacked shuffling machines that predict hands. The technology alleged to have been used to execute a multistate, rigged poker operation sounds like it’s straight out of Hollywood.

And those were only some of the gadgets that authorities say were used to swindle millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims through rigged, high-dollar, underground poker games over more than five years.

A sprawling indictment unsealed Thursday by the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York charged Chauncey Billups, the head coach of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, and Damon Jones, a former NBA player, along with members of the Mafia and dozens of other defendants, with being part of a conspiracy.

The victims were “at the mercy of concealed technology, including rigged shuffling machines and specially designed contacts lenses and sunglasses to read the backs of playing cards, which ensured that the victims would lose big,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella of Brooklyn said in a statement.

Cheating at poker is as old as poker itself. But today, wearable tech and nano-cameras are putting even upstanding poker players on their guard.

The defendants used “special contact lenses or eyeglasses that could read pre-marked cards,” Nocella said at a news conference announcing the indictments.

He also showed a photo of an X-ray table that “could read cards face down on the table … because of the X-ray technology.”

An X-ray poker table in an image from defendant Robert Stroud’s iCloud account.U.S. Justice Department

“Defendants used other cheating technologies, such as poker chip tray analyzers, which is a poker chip tray that secretly reads cards using a hidden camera,” he said.

And while marking poker cards so they are visible only with special eyewear is an old trick, new radio-frequency identification and infrared technologies have ramped up the sophistication levels.

Technically speaking, many of the devices involved in the alleged scam authorities detailed Thursday are relatively cheap to manufacture, said Sal Piacente, a gaming security consultant.

By the time they reach their customers, however, the cost of industrial shufflers or tables can easily approach $100,000, once distributors and middlemen are factored in.

“You could make a lucrative career buying this stuff,” Piacente said.

Casino and gaming security consultants told NBC News that the alleged scheme was possible only because the games were underground. In backrooms, there was none of the surveillance tech that reputable casinos use to catch players cheating.

“A lot of the features which made this scheme so successful would have been ID’d a lot sooner, or very quickly, in a traditional regulated gaming environment,” said Ian Messenger, a former U.K. law enforcement officer and founder and CEO of the Association of Certified Gaming Compliance Specialists.

More than any other tech, it was the reprogramming of the industrial card shufflers — identified in charging documents as Deckmate-brand machines — that authorities said was key to the alleged game rigging.

A DeckMate 2 shuffler taken apart on a table in an image from defendant Shane Hennen’s iCloud account. U.S. Justice Department

Deckmates are not sold directly to the public — though many used ones can be found for sale online. The ones at the high-dollar games cited in the indictment could read cards and predict which player had the best hand. Neither Deckmate nor its parent company, Light & Wonder, were implicated in any way in Thursday’s indictments.

A spokesman for Light & Wonder told NBC News in a statement that the company was aware of reports about the charges against people but said they were not affiliated with the company.

“We sell and lease our automatic card shufflers and other gaming products and services only to licensed casinos and other licensed gaming establishments,” said Andy Fouché, the company’s vice president of communications. “We will cooperate in any law enforcement investigation related to this indictment.”

Reprogramming shufflers is not a new trick. In 2023, hackers at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas presented research showing how to hack a Deckmate shuffler and use it to cheat.

The rigged shuffler machines would transmit information about the players’ hands to an off-site “operator,” according to prosecutors.

The computer program showing information transmitted by the rigged shuffling machine in an image from defendant Shane Hennen’s iCloud account. U.S. Justice Department

The operator would then communicate the information to someone else at the table, dubbed the “quarterback.” The victim was known as the “fish.”

Here, the high-tech gadgets met the low-tech of a card game.

The quarterback might touch the $1,000 poker chip or tap his chin or touch his black chips to indicate who at the table had the best hand.

Text messages obtained by prosecutors also appear to show defendants concerned that a fish would leave the table if he lost too many hands.

“Guys please let him win a hand he’s in for 40k in 40 minutes he will leave if he gets no traction,” read one text message released by authorities.

But according to Messenger, the consultant, it was not the tech that made the alleged scheme so successful for so long. What set it apart was the level of communication.

For example, he said, the card information had to be seamlessly passed from the dealing machines to an off-site operator and back to a person back at the table, all without alerting the fish.

“The piece that made this so successful was the coordination, not the technology,” he said.

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Target is eliminating 1,800 corporate jobs as it looks to reclaim its lost luster

Business 3 Mins Read

Target said Thursday that it is eliminating about 1,800 corporate positions in an effort to streamline decision-making and accelerate initiatives to rebuild the flagging discount retailer’s customer base.

About 1,000 employees are expected to receive layoff notices next week, and the company also plans to eliminate about 800 vacant jobs, a company spokesperson said. The cuts represent about 8% of Target’s corporate workforce globally, although the majority of the affected employees work at the company’s Minneapolis headquarters, the spokesperson said.

Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke, who is set to become Target’s next CEO on Feb. 1, issued a note to personnel on Thursday announcing the downsizing. He said further details would come on Tuesday, and he asked employees at the Minneapolis offices to work from home next week.

“The truth is, the complexity we’ve created over time has been holding us back,” Fiddelke, a 20-year Target veteran, wrote in his note. “Too many layers and overlapping work have slowed decisions, making it harder to bring ideas to life.”

Target, which has about 1,980 U.S. stores, lost ground to Walmart and Amazon in recent years as inflation caused shoppers to curtail their discretionary spending. Customers have complained of messy stores with merchandise that did not reflect the expensive-looking but budget-priced niche that long ago earned the retailer the jokingly posh nickname “Tarzhay.”

Fiddelke said in August when he was announced as Target’s next CEO that he would step into the role with three urgent priorities: reclaiming the company’s position as a leader in selecting and displaying merchandise; improving the customer experience by making sure shelves are consistently stocked and stores are clean; and investing in technology.

He cited the same goals in his message to employees, calling the layoffs a “necessary step in building the future of Target and enabling the progress and growth we all want to see.”

“Adjusting our structure is one part of the work ahead of us. It will also require new behaviors and sharper priorities that strengthen our retail leadership in style and design and enable faster execution,” he wrote.

Target has reported flat or declining comparable sales — those from established physical stores and online channels — in nine out of the past 11 quarters. The company reported in August that comparable sales dipped 1.9% in its second quarter, when its net income also dropped 21%.

The job cuts will not affect any store employees or workers in Target’s sorting, distribution and other supply chain facilities, the company spokesperson said.

The corporate workers losing their jobs will receive pay and benefits until Jan. 8 as well as severance packages, the spokesperson said.

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Trump’s Argentina beef import plan will harm U.S. ranchers, industry warns

Business 2 Mins Read

The American cattle ranching industry is blasting President Donald Trump’s proposal to purchase beef from Argentina in an effort to lower supermarket beef prices.

“This plan only creates chaos at a critical time of the year for American cattle producers, while doing nothing to lower grocery store prices,” Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said in a statement Monday.

Wyoming-based cattle operation Meriwether Farms addressed Trump directly in a social media post Monday.

“We love you and support you — but your suggestion to buy beef from Argentina to stabilize beef prices would be an absolute betrayal to the American cattle rancher,” the farm wrote on X.

By midday Tuesday, the post had already received 4 million views. A representative for Meriwether Farms did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump floated purchasing beef from the South American nation Sunday aboard Air Force One to push down U.S. beef prices by increasing the overall supply.

‘We would buy some beef from Argentina,’ he told reporters, ‘If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.’

Beef prices have hit record highs this year, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fueled in part by depleted herd counts and steady demand from U.S. consumers.

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