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  • Work at the Kossou Gold Project in 2025 advanced the project toward a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate through more than 20,000 m of drilling and the identification of new gold targets on the western portion of the permit
  • Initial exploration at the Kotobi Permit outlined multiple gold-in-soil anomalies, establishing a clear path for follow-up trenching and drill prioritization
  • Kobo’s regional growth opportunities, including the Nesdave earn-in agreement and Yakassé Gold Project, are located in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, the world’s largest gold-producing region in 2024, where Côte d’Ivoire ranks among the faster jurisdictions globally for discovery-to-production timelines
  • Kobo hosted the 2 nd Annual Kobo Cup late November 2025 with the presence of Canadian Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Sandra Choufani

Kobo Resources Inc. ( Kobo’ or the ‘ Company ‘) ( TSX.V: KRI ) is pleased to provide a review of progress achieved during 2025 and key milestones planned for 2026, following a year in which the Company materially advanced its 100%-owned Kossou Gold Project (‘ Kossou ‘) toward a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate and expanded its gold exploration portfolio across Côte d’Ivoire, within West Africa, one of the world’s largest gold-producing regions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112782664/en/

KDD0056: 10.0 m at 4.57 g/t Au from 176.0 m

KDD0056: 10.0 m at 4.57 g/t Au from 176.0 m

Edward Gosselin, CEO and Director of Kobo commented: ‘2025 was a year of focused execution for Kobo . We advanced an extensive exploration program that materially expanded the drill database, advanced geological and resource modelling at the Jagger and Road Cut Zones and identified additional targets at the Kadie Zone as well as on the western portion of the Kossou permit that will require follow-up work in the year ahead.’

He continued: ‘With more than 20,000 m drilled during 2025, this highly prospective target is well positioned as we move toward a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate in 2026, a key technical catalyst for the Company. Drilling at Kossou restarted on January 12, 2026 following the holiday break and we look forward to expanding the current ongoing resource modelling.’

He concluded: ‘Beyond Kossou , we completed first-pass exploration at the Kotobi Permit , where multiple gold-in-soil anomalies were identified and prioritized for follow-up sampling, trenching and drill testing to commence in Q1 2026. We also continued early-stage evaluation under the Nesdave earn-in agreement, adding to the Company’s pipeline of opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire. Finally, we are working with the governmental authorities to secure the issuance of research permits for the Bocanda South Application and the Yakassé Gold Project Application. As we look ahead to 2026, our focus remains on advancing these assets through disciplined, stepwise exploration and allocating capital toward the most technically compelling targets.’

Advancing the Kossou Gold Project Toward Resource Definition

During 2025, Kobo focused on advancing Kossou through a comprehensive exploration program designed to support geological understanding, resource modelling, and the identification of additional targets across the permit area. Total drilling at Kossou now stands at approximately 37,160 metres (‘m’) across 200 drill holes , which has established a strong technical foundation as the Company advances toward further resource definition.

Diamond drilling remained the primary focus at Kossou in 2025, with 20,447 m drilled across all targets . A total of 17,421 drill core samples were collected and analysed, including 2,613 QA/QC samples . Drilling during the year included 10,979 m at the Jagger Zone , 9,029 m at the Road Cut Zone , 236 m at the Kadie Zone , and 203 m at the Shadow Zone .

Key Intercepts from the 2025 Drill Program:

Road Cut Zone

  • KDD0095
    • 17.0 m at 3.87 g/t Au from 22.0 m, incl. 9.0 m at 6.84 g/t Au from 23.0 m (October 8,2025)
  • KDD0056
    • 10.0 m at 4.57 g/t Au from 176.0 m (January 30, 2025)

Jagger Zone

  • KDD0111
    • 9.0 m at 3.60 g/t Au from 119.0 m (November 30, 2025)
  • KDD0085
    • 20.0 m at 1.41 g/t Au from 106.0 m (June 29, 2025)

Drilling at the Jagger and Road Cut Zones continued to return consistent gold mineralisation, reinforcing structural continuity and supporting the Company’s evolving geological model. In parallel with drilling, Kobo advanced geological interpretation and modelling at both zones, with in-house resource modelling currently underway. Additional drilling is expected to be required at the Kadie Zone to further assess its potential. Once final assay results are received in early 2026, the Company plans to update its geological and resource models as it works toward a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate.

Other exploration work completed during the year included extensive surface programs comprising 2,391 soil samples (including 134 QA/QC samples), 58 prospective rock samples , and 28 trenches totalling 1,072 metres (‘ m ‘), from which 1,147 samples were collected (including 23 QA/QC samples).

In addition to advancing known mineralised zones at its prospective targets on the permit, exploration at Kossou in 2025 identified two new target areas, including zones on the western portion of the permit where soil geochemical surveys outlined strong northwest-trending gold anomalies. The Company expects additional exploration upside from these targets beyond the current resource focus areas and plans to initiate follow-up work in 2026.

The Company encourages current and prospective investors to refer to past drill result announcements to read the full extent of discoveries made to date at Kossou as well as its unique and strategic location. A full list of press releases is located at www.koboresources.com/en/news .’

Building a Pipeline of Regional Growth Opportunities in West Africa

Kotobi Permit

In parallel with work at Kossou , Kobo advanced early-stage exploration across its broader Côte d’Ivoire portfolio in 2025, with the objective of identifying and prioritizing new gold targets capable of supporting a future growth platform in West Africa.

At the Kotobi Permit , the Company completed its second phase of initial exploration with activities during the year including 5,016 soil samples (including 153 QA/QC samples), bringing the total soil samples to 7,743 (including 236 QA/QC samples), 46 termite mound samples , 59 prospective rock samples , 16 pits yielding 125 samples , and 16 trenches totalling 370 m , from which 385 samples were collected (including 9 QA/QC samples). Results from this work outlined multiple gold-in-soil anomalies, establishing a clear framework for follow-up sampling, trenching, and advancement toward initial drill testing. Based on results to date, the Company expects to advance these priority targets toward initial drill testing in Q1-2026.

Earn-In Opportunities

Under the Nesdave earn-in agreement at the Agnibilekro Project , Kobo completed early-stage exploration programs during 2025, including 2,838 soil samples (including 113 QA/QC samples) and 13 reconnaissance rock samples . These programs contributed to refining priority target areas for continued evaluation.

The Company is awaiting the outcome of the Côte d’Ivoire Mine Department’s review of the Yakassé Gold Project and Bocanda South permit applications and anticipates initiating work upon permit issuance, which is expected in the first half of 2026.

The 2 nd Annual Kobo Cup

Community engagement remained a central focus for Kobo in 2025, as the Company strengthened its relationships with communities around the Kossou Gold Project. A major highlight of the year was the second annual Kobo Cup , a community football tournament designed to empower youth, foster local participation, and celebrate village identity.

Building on the inaugural 2024 event, the 2025 Kobo Cup expanded into a multi-team tournament featuring the villages of Kossou , Bocabo , and Angossé , all located near Kossou. Youth participants collaborated with local artists in a village jersey design workshop, creating official team jerseys that celebrate each village’s culture and pride. The Village of Kossou emerged as the winner of the 2025 Kobo Cup.

In a new addition this year, Kobo also partnered with Rockstone Drilling to host the Junior Kobo Cup , a training-focused workshop bringing together young footballers from each village and professional coaches from Assinie Tempo FC , a top-tier league team in Abidjan. The Junior Kobo Cup offered players hands-on training, mentorship, and exposure to professional standards, giving youth an opportunity to develop their skills.

A cornerstone of the event’s success was Kobo’s partnership with Coast2Coast Entertainment , one of West Africa’s leading media and entertainment companies. Their ongoing support, including providing football equipment, media amplification, and local expertise was instrumental in this year’s Kobo Cup .

The Kobo Cup continues to gain recognition beyond the local community, attracting attention from key individuals and dignitaries, including Canada’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Sandra Choufani .

Looking Ahead: 2026 Priorities for Kobo

In 2026, Kobo remains focused on advancing Kossou toward a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate, a key technical milestone for the Company, supported by continued geological and resource modelling and targeted follow-up drilling where required. The Company also plans to initiate its first drill program at the Kotobi Permit, subject to results from ongoing target prioritization.

Additional work is planned across the western portion of the Kossou Permit to further evaluate newly identified targets, while continued evaluation under the Nesdave earn-in agreements and at Yakassé and Bocanda South is expected to define additional growth opportunities. More broadly, Kobo intends to continue assessing regional opportunities across West Africa, a region that remains central to global gold production and exploration activity.

2025 Media Interviews

During 2025, Kobo management participated in several media interviews to discuss the Company’s exploration progress, strategy, and outlook. Click the links below to watch.

Review of Technical Information

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Paul Sarjeant, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Persons as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Sarjeant is the President and Chief Operating Officer and Director of Kobo.

About Kobo Resources Inc.

Kobo Resources is a growth-focused gold exploration company with a compelling gold discovery in Côte d’Ivoire, one of West Africa’s most prolific gold districts, hosting several multi-million-ounce gold mines. The Company’s 100%-owned Kossou Gold Project is located approximately 20 km northwest of the capital city of Yamoussoukro and is directly adjacent to one of the region’s largest gold mines with established processing facilities.

With over 31,272 metres of diamond drilling, nearly 5,887 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, and 7,100+ metres of trenching completed since 2023, Kobo has made significant progress in defining the scale and prospectivity of its Kossou’s Gold Project. Exploration has focused on multiple high-priority targets within a 9+ km strike length of highly prospective gold-in-soil geochemical anomalies, with drilling confirming extensive mineralisation at the Jagger, Road Cut, and Kadie Zones. The latest phase of drilling has further refined structural controls on gold mineralisation, setting the stage for the next phase of systematic exploration and resource development.

Beyond Kossou, the Company is advancing exploration at its Kotobi Permit and is actively expanding its land position in Côte d’Ivoire with prospective ground, aligning with its strategic vision for long-term growth in-country. Kobo remains committed to identifying and developing new opportunities to enhance its exploration portfolio within highly prospective gold regions of West Africa. Kobo offers investors the exciting combination of high-quality gold prospects led by an experienced leadership team with in-country experience. Kobo’s common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ‘KRI’. For more information, please visit www.koboresources.com .

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

Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Information:

This news release contains ‘forward-looking information’ and ‘forward-looking statements’ (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements’) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as ‘expects’, or ‘does not expect’, ‘is expected’, ‘anticipates’ or ‘does not anticipate’, ‘plans’, ‘budget’, ‘scheduled’, ‘forecasts’, ‘estimates’, ‘believes’ or ‘intends’ or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results ‘may’ or ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, Kobo assumes no obligation and/or liability to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112782664/en/

For further information, please contact:

Edward Gosselin
Chief Executive Officer and Director
1-418-609-3587
ir@kobores.com

Twitter: @KoboResources | LinkedIn: Kobo Resources Inc.

News Provided by Business Wire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (January 12) 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$90,643.88, down by 0.2 percent over 24 hours.

Bitcoin price performance, January 12, 2025.

Bitcoin price performance, January 12, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,111.86, up by 0.3 percent over the last 24 hours.

Altcoin price update

  • XRP (XRP) was priced at US$2.05, down by 2.5 percent over 24 hours.
  • Solana (SOL) was trading at US$139.67, up by 2.1 percent over 24 hours.

Today’s crypto news to know

South Korea lifts 9-year ban on corporate crypto

South Korea has lifted a nine-year ban on corporate crypto investing, allowing public companies and professional investors to allocate up to 5% of their equity capital to digital assets.

The country’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) said eligible assets will be limited to the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization traded on the country’s five licensed exchanges.

The shift reverses years of policy that kept institutional money out of the market and left crypto trading dominated by retail investors.

Regulators estimate that restrictive rules contributed to roughly US$110 billion in crypto capital outflows in 2025. Meanwhile, legislators framed the move as part of the government’s 2026 economic growth strategy aimed at modernizing capital markets and retaining domestic investment.

While stablecoins are not yet included, authorities said discussions on their treatment are ongoing.

Coinbase warns it may pull support from US Senate Crypto Bill

Coinbase is threatening to withdraw its backing for a major US Senate crypto bill if lawmakers impose limits on stablecoin rewards beyond enhanced disclosure requirements.

According to Bloomberg, the dispute centers on proposed language that would restrict platforms from offering yield on stablecoins unless they operate as regulated banking institutions.

The company argues that such provisions would give banks an unfair advantage and undermine competition from crypto-native firms.

The warning comes ahead of a January 15 markup set by Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, after repeated legislative delays throughout 2025.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has previously said banks are likely to lobby for exclusive control over stablecoin yield as adoption grows. While Coinbase has applied for a national trust charter that could eventually allow it to offer rewards under stricter rules, the firm is pushing to preserve non-bank models.

Dubai bans privacy tokens, tightens stablecoin rules

Dubai’s financial regulator has banned privacy-focused crypto tokens and tightened its stablecoin framework as part of a broader overhaul of digital asset rules.

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) said privacy coins are incompatible with anti–money laundering and sanctions compliance standards and will no longer be permitted in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Under the updated regime, only fiat-backed stablecoins supported by high-quality, liquid assets will qualify as stablecoins, while algorithmic models will be treated as ordinary crypto tokens.

The rules take effect January 12 and reflect a shift away from regulator-approved token lists toward firm-led suitability assessments. Licensed companies will now be responsible for determining whether crypto assets meet regulatory standards and must keep those assessments under ongoing review.

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

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (January 9) as of 9:00 p.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$90,165.72, down by 0.7 percent over 24 hours.

Bitcoin price performance, January 9, 2025.

Bitcoin price performance, January 9, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,069.12, down by 1.2 percent over the last 24 hours.

Altcoin price update

  • XRP (XRP) was priced at US$2.08, down by 2.0 percent over 24 hours.
  • Solana (SOL) was trading at US$135.48, down by 1.5 percent over 24 hours.

Today’s crypto news to know

BNY Mellon steps toward tokenized deposits

BNY Mellon (NYSE:BK), a major global financial services firm, has begun converting customer cash holdings into digital tokens on its specialized platform, according to a Friday announcement. This step supports the bank’s goal of offering flexible digital cash for large-scale financial operations. Early users include top banks and tech-forward companies.

The system starts by handling security deposits and loan margins, using digital records on a secure, private digital ledger to mirror clients’ existing cash claims at the bank. It follows BNY’s standard rules for safety, legal checks and oversight. Actual cash amounts are tracked in the bank’s regular systems to meet government reporting needs.

Rain announces Series C funding round

Rain, a payments company using stable digital dollars, announced it raised US$250 million in its latest funding round led by ICONIQ, with other investors joining in. This values the company at US$1.95 billion and brings its total funding to over US$338 million since its earlier rounds.

Rain provides businesses with one-stop tools to create digital dollar cards accepted anywhere Visa (NYSE:V) works, add rewards, switch regular money to stable digital dollars, manage secure digital wallets and send payments. According to the company, its technology now handles over US$3 billion in yearly transactions for more than 200 partners like Western Union, Nuvei, and KAST. These services reach 2.5 billion people for daily buys like coffee or flights, plus business costs such as cloud computing and online ads.

Ripple secures FCA approval to expand UK crypto payments

Ripple has received regulatory approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to scale its crypto-enabled payments services in the country.

The approval covers both cryptoasset registration and an Electronic Money Institution license, allowing UK businesses to use Ripple’s platform for cross-border payments involving digital assets.

The authorization comes through Ripple Markets UK Ltd and positions the firm to operate under tighter regulatory scrutiny ahead of the UK’s broader crypto rulebook.

The approval arrived just as the FCA outlines a transition to full licensing for crypto firms by 2027.

Ripple has long treated the UK as a strategic hub, with its London office now its largest outside the US. The XRP token rose by 1 percent following the announcement, extending gains of almost 11 percent from the past week.

South Korea signals green light for spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2026

South Korea plans to allow spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2026 as part of a wider economic growth and market reform strategy aimed at attracting foreign capital.

Officials pointed to the active trading of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US and Hong Kong as a key reference in lifting long-standing restrictions that barred crypto assets from serving as ETF underlyings.

The move is expected to align with broader financial reforms designed to support South Korea’s bid for inclusion in MSCI’s developed-market index. Regulators are also fast-tracking a second phase of digital asset legislation that will establish a comprehensive framework for stablecoins.

At the same time, authorities are pushing to internationalize the won, including expanding offshore access and introducing 24-hour onshore FX trading by mid-2026.

UK sets September 2026 deadline for full crypto licensing regime

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed that crypto firms must obtain full authorization by September 2026 to continue operating under a new regulatory regime launching in 2027.

The change will replace the current registration-only system with a licensing framework that mirrors standards applied to traditional financial products.

Firms will need to apply during a fixed window opening in September 2026, with no automatic conversion for those already registered under existing anti–money laundering rules.

Companies that miss the window face sharp operational limits, including bans on entering new cryptoasset business while awaiting approval.

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

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Sydney, Australia (ABN Newswire) – BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) announced that it has received binding commitments from new and existing sophisticated investors to raise approximately $1.2 million (before costs) (‘Placement’). The Placement will comprise the issue of 134,222,222 new fully paid ordinary shares (‘Placement Shares’) in the Company at an issue price of $0.009 per share. The Placement Shares will be issued pursuant to the Company’s existing placement capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 and 7.1A.

HIGHLIGHTS

– Binding commitments received to raise approximately $1.2 million through a Placement at $0.009 per share

– Placement participants will receive 1 Attaching Option for each New Share subscribed for under the Placement, exercisable at $0.03 per share, with an expiry date being the same as the Options to be issued under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025

– BPH funded to execute its next phase of hydrocarbon and Cortical Dynamics investments

– The Federal Court hearing for the PEP-11 judicial review application is scheduled for February 20 and 23, 2026

Placement participants will receive 1 free Attaching Option for each Placement Share subscribed for under the Placement, exercisable at $0.03 each with an expiry date being the same as the options to be issued under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025 (‘Attaching Options’).

Oakley Capital Partners Pty Limited (‘Oakley Capital’) and 62 Capital Limited (’62 Capital’) acted as Joint Lead Managers for the Placement. Oakley Capital and 62 Capital will be paid a cash fee of 6% on funds raised under the Placement and an aggregate of 33,555,555 Broker Options (‘Broker Options’) on the same terms as the Attaching Options.

The Attaching Options and Broker Options will be issued on the same day as the Options to be issued under the Options Prospectus and the Company intends to apply for quotation of the Options subject to the Company meeting ASX quotation requirements.

Commenting on the capital raising, Executive Director Mr David Breeze said:

‘We are pleased to have received strong support in the Placement. The funding allows BPH to accelerate the exploration programs to unlock the potential on our gas projects especially with the current gas supply crisis as well as assist the next phase of associate Cortical Dynamic Limited’s expansion. The funding also leaves BPH well-placed ahead of the Federal Court hearing for the PEP-11 judicial review scheduled for February 20 and 23, 2026, where the PEP-11 Joint Venture will seek to overturn the Federal Government’s rejection of the PEP-11 permit extension’

USE OF FUNDS

The proceeds raised under the Placement provide BPH with an enhanced cash position to fund its hydrocarbon projects and to assist in the continued development of Cortical Dynamics.

The intended use of funds will be for:

– $0.85 million – Funding for exploration and development of oil and gas investments

– $0.1 million – For working capital including costs of the offer

– $0.25 million – Funding for Cortical Dynamics

PLACEMENT DETAILS

The Placement offer price of $0.009 per share represents a 18.2% discount to BPH’s last price of $0.0011 per share on Thursday, 8 January 2026, and a 7.8% discount to the 15-day VWAP of $0.00976 per share.

Settlement of the Placement is expected to be completed on or around 14 January 2026.

A total of 12,259,551 Placement Shares, 134,222,222 free Attaching Options, and 33,555,555 Broker Options (pro rata to their management of the Placement) will be issued under ASX Listing Rule 7.1. A total of 121,962,671 Placement Shares will be issued under ASX Listing Rule 7.1A.

The Attaching Options and Broker Options will be issued following the close of the Offer under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025.

Placement Shares will rank equally with existing fully paid ordinary shares.

The Company will issue a supplementary Options Prospectus as soon as possible.

About BPH Energy Limited:

BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company developing biomedical research and technologies within Australian Universities and Hospital Institutes.

The company provides early stage funding, project management and commercialisation strategies for a direct collaboration, a spin out company or to secure a license.

BPH provides funding for commercial strategies for proof of concept, research and product development, whilst the institutional partner provides infrastructure and the core scientific expertise.

BPH currently partners with several academic institutions including The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT).

Source:
BPH Energy Limited

Contact:
David Breeze
admin@bphenergy.com.au
www.bphenergy.com.au
T: +61 8 9328 8366

News Provided by ABN Newswire via QuoteMedia

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We also break down next week’s catalysts to watch to help you prepare for the week ahead.

In this article:

    This week’s tech sector performance

    Tech markets spent the first full week of 2026 responding to headlines out of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) announcements helped drive Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) momentum. This enthusiasm pushed the index to a fresh record midweek before a bout of profit taking and renewed concerns weighed on sentiment heading into Friday (January 9).

    The Nasdaq finished the week up 0.95 percent from Monday’s (January 5) open, powered by gains in memory and storage names like Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) and Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) after upbeat commentary on next-generation data infrastructure. However, the rally faded as investors rotated into defensive stocks after US President Donald Trump proposed a US$1.5 trillion “Dream Military” budget.

    Labor market indicators for the week suggest a continued, gradual cooling in the American job market, supporting the case for future US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

    North of the border, Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) retreated after briefly hitting a record, mirroring the US market’s rotation in the second half of the week, weighed down by Venezuela oil fears.

    3 tech stocks moving markets this week

    1. Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU)

    Shares of Micron Technology rose 0.12 percent on Monday after the company provided an investor update confirming strong demand for its high-bandwidth memory, critical for AI GPUs, through 2026.

    Comments on storage shortages at CES amplified gains on Tuesday, driving an 8.25 percent advance for Micron that day alongside additional memory stocks. The company saw a 6.14 percent weekly gain.

    2. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)

    Lockheed Martin jumped by as much as 2.06 percent on Thursday (January 8) after Trump’s Truth Social post prompted an investor rotation to defensive tech stocks.

    3. SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK)

    Sandisk, a company focused on NAND flash, SSDs and memory cards for consumer and AI data center use, jumped as much as 27.57 percent on Tuesday as comments at CES from NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) and Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930,OTCPL:SSNLF) executives reignited concerns of forthcoming price increases for NAND flash memory.

    SanDisk, Lockheed Martin and Micron Technology performance, January 5 to 9, 2026.

    SanDisk, Lockheed Martin and Micron Technology performance, January 5 to 9, 2026.

    Chart via Google Finance.

    Top tech news of the week

      • Huang also announced that NVIDIA’s new AI server racks will not require outside cooling, a revelation that caused the stocks of cooling equipment suppliers, such as Modine Manufacturing (NYSE:MOD) and Johnson Controls International (NYSE:JCI), to fall.

                      Tech ETF performance

                      Tech exchange-traded funds (ETFs) track baskets of major tech stocks, meaning their performance helps investors gauge the overall performance of the niches they cover.

                      This week, the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) advanced by 2.47 percent, while the Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXQ) saw a gain of 1.45 percent.

                      The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SMH) also increased by 1.98 percent.

                      Tech news to watch next week

                      Next week will bring bank earnings, starting with JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) on January 12, and Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) on January 15. January 15 will also bring the latest quarterly results from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM).

                      US producer price index data will hit on January 14, testing Fed interest rate cut bets, while Micron is set to break ground on its US$100 billion New York mega-fab on January 16.

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

                      This post appeared first on investingnews.com

                      The gold price started off the new year on a strong note, approaching the US$4,500 per ounce level midway through the week and breaking through it on Friday (January 9).

                      As is often the case, silver put on a bumpier performance, trading within about a US$10 range. It recorded lows under US$73 per ounce and highs above US$82.

                      Beyond day-to-day price moves, there’s a lot of focus right now on how gold and silver will perform in 2026, and I want to spend some time looking at what experts see coming.

                      When it comes to gold I’m now seeing US$5,000 mentioned frequently, with multiple market watchers calling for it to reach that level as soon as the first quarter.

                      The consensus is that all of gold’s drivers either remain in place or are intensifying, including strong central bank buying, geopolitical tensions and easy money policies.

                      Here’s Alain Corbani of Montbleu Finance explaining why US$5,000 gold makes sense:

                      ‘Between the end of the quantitative tightening and the end of the quantitative easing, usually gold doubles or triples, which means that in a perfect world, gold could go … from US$4,000 to US$6,000 — this is basically the bull figure. So that’s why, when we say US$5,000, that’s only 10 percent more than what we are trading at today.’

                      Silver is trickier to predict. The white metal is known for being volatile, and its strong end-of-2025 performance means that some experts’ 2026 price calls were reached before last year even ended.

                      So where does silver stand as the year begins?

                      I heard this week from David Morgan of the Morgan Report, who didn’t give a specific forecast, but said he believes silver is currently in ‘price discovery’ mode:

                      ‘I’ve stated that we’re still in the price discovery mode — I truly believe that. What the true price of silver is in US dollars, Canadian dollars, I do not know. I think it’s north of $100 in US dollar terms, but it could be much higher than that.

                      I also spoke about silver with Doug Casey of InternationalMan.com. He said US$100 or even US$200 silver is possible, but for him the metal itself isn’t a speculative tool:

                      ‘Is silver at a new high where it’s going to stay there? Yeah, very possibly — not a prediction. But I’m not selling my silver. I mean, why should I sell it? I’m holding it as an asset, not as a speculative device. So is it going to US$100 or US$200? It’s possible. I don’t really care, because … I don’t use either my silver or my gold as speculative vehicles. That’s not what they’re about to me.’

                      Andy Schectman of Miles Franklin made a similar statement, saying that while he’s certainly bullish on silver, 2025 showed how unpredictable it can be:

                      ‘Rather than pick a price, I say we live in a world of probabilities. The probability that we see silver well north of US$100 to me is rather strong. Could it be as high as US$200 or higher? Sure. But to say that would be a guess, and an optimistic guess.

                      ‘But look, if I would have told you last year that we would see silver at US$80, you’d say, ‘You know, well, that’s a pretty big statement, Andy.’ Yeah, sure it is. A 150 percent gain in a year is pretty big. So rather than continue with that, I would just simply say: higher than most people would actually probably think possible.’

                      Bullet briefing — Rio Tinto, Glencore reopen M&A talks

                      Commodities giants Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) and Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTCPL:GLCNF) say they have restarted talks about potentially combining forces.

                      The two major miners spoke previously back in 2024, but failed to reach an agreement. This time around, they say their preliminary discussions are centered on merging some or all of their businesses, and could include the acquisition of Glencore by Rio Tinto.

                      The news was first reported by the Financial Times, with both companies confirming the story in press releases shortly thereafter. According to the news outlet, the combination would create a massive mining company with an enterprise value of over US$260 billion.

                      Both companies have said there’s no guarantee that any transaction will go through. However, it’s worth noting that Rio Tinto has changed leadership since the 2024 talks ended, with Simon Trott now at the helm. For its part, Glencore has reorganized its coal assets.

                      The Thursday (January 8) Financial Times piece also notes that Gary Nagle, chief executive at Glencore, spoke last month about the importance of size in the mining industry, saying that bigger companies are better able to create synergies, as well as attract talent and capital.

                      Regulations require Rio Tinto to announce its intentions either way by February 5 of this year.

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

                      This post appeared first on investingnews.com

                      Statistics Canada released December jobs figures on Friday (January 9). The data shows that 8,200 new jobs were added during the month, while the unemployment rate rose to 6.8 percent, up 0.3 percentage points from November.

                      The agency attributes the gain to more Canadians actively seeking work. Analysts had expected a decrease of 5,000 jobs and a smaller increase in the unemployment rate to 6.6 percent.

                      Among the highlights of the report was an improvement in the type of labor, as part-time jobs fell by 42,000, while full-time jobs rose by 50,000. The gains bring the total number of jobs added to the Canadian economy since September to 181,000, ending the year with strong momentum after little growth earlier in 2025.

                      The US Bureau of Labor Statistics also released jobs data, indicating that the US economy added 50,000 jobs in December, with an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent, down 0.1 percentage points from November.

                      Excluding 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 584,000 jobs added in 2025 mark the worst performance for the US jobs market since 2009 at the height of the global financial crisis.

                      On Wednesday (January 7), US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Venezuela would be turning over up to 50 million barrels of oil to the US, worth approximately US$2.8 billion, and it would be sold at market price.

                      Trump wrote that he will control the money made from the sales “to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.” The announcement comes days after US forces executed an operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and return him to the US to stand trial for drug trafficking and weapons charges.

                      Trump also stated that the US will be overseeing the governance of the South American nation, while eyeing a return for US oil companies, giving the US control of one of the world’s largest oil reserves indefinitely.

                      The actions brought widespread criticism from US allies and foes alike, as the US violated international and domestic laws by working outside traditional mechanisms to carry out the operation, which included bombing strikes on strategic military targets in the country. Due in part to concerns of competition from rising Venezuelan oil production, some Canadian oil stocks fell by as much as 7 percent on Monday (January 5).

                      In mining news, Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) and Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTCPL:GLCNF) restarted merger discussions this week. The companies previously discussed creating a combined entity in 2024, but talks stalled.

                      For more on what’s moving markets this week, check out our top market news round-up.

                      Markets and commodities react

                      Canadian equity markets were on the rise this week.

                      The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) gained 2.51 percent over the week and set a new record to close Friday at 32,612.93; the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) fared a little better, rising 4.91 percent to 1,052.18. The CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) also gained ground, rising 5.17 percent to close at 182.45.

                      The gold price was trading near all-time highs this week following the US incursion into Venezuela. It gained 4.36 percent on the week to reach US$4,506.84 per ounce by Friday at 4:00 p.m. EST. The silver price did even better, trading near an all time high at US$82.54 per ounce on Tuesday (January 6). Although the price pulled back on Wednesday and Thursday (January 8), it rebounded on Friday to end the week up 10.17 percent at US$79.75.

                      In base metals, the Comex copper price climbed to its own record high, reaching US$6.12 per pound on Monday, before pulling back to end the week down 0.67 percent at US$5.91.

                      The S&P Goldman Sachs Commodities Index (INDEXSP:SPGSCI) rose 2.06 percent to end Friday at 559.83.

                      Top Canadian mining stocks this week

                      How did mining stocks perform against this backdrop?

                      Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Canadian mining stocks below.

                      Stocks data for this article was retrieved at 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday using TradingView’s stock screener. Only companies trading on the TSX, TSXV and CSE with market caps greater than C$10 million are included. Mineral companies within the non-energy minerals, energy minerals, process industry and producer manufacturing sectors were considered.

                      1. Gold Reserve (TSXV:GRZ)

                      Weekly gain: 131.78 percent
                      Market cap: C$662.66 million
                      Share price: C$5.47

                      Gold Reserve is an exploration company that holds a minority share in the Siembra Minera gold and copper project in Venezuela. It is currently in a dispute with the Venezuelan government, which holds a majority stake in the project, claiming that it has deprived Gold Reserve of its rights to the multi-billion dollar mining project.

                      In 2014, the government was ordered to pay over US$700 million to Gold Reserve, but, in a show of good faith, the company agreed to enter into settlement negotiations, ultimately agreeing in 2016 to pay the arbitration award in installments. However, according to Gold Reserve, the government failed to make payments and, by 2021, had shifted to sabotaging negotiations, entering into new deals over the property with rivals, and imprisoning the company’s chief legal and commercial representative. The company states the imprisonment intimidated potential court representatives for the company, and the Supreme Court of Venezuela dismissed Gold Reserve’s appeal for “lack of representation.”

                      More recently, Gold Reserve has pursued legal action in Delaware regarding the forced sale of assets owned by Venezuela’s state-owned oil producer, PDVSA, and CITGO. In its most recent update on the Delaware case Friday, Gold Reserve said that it filed its opening appeal brief with the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in connection with the proposed sale of the oil companies’ assets. Although Gold Reserve was the highest bidder, the District Court approved the sale to Elliott Investment Management and affiliate Amber Energy. Gold Reserve asserts that the order approving the sale violated Delaware requirements that attached shares be sold to the highest bidder.

                      The company believes there are enough concerns to vacate the sale order. It also added that it is reviewing security plans and taking proactive steps to support an eventual safe return to its operations in Venezuela.

                      Shares surged this week following the capture of Venezuela’s Maduro by US forces on January 3.

                      2. Peloton Minerals (CSE:PMC)

                      Weekly gain: 92.86 percent
                      Market cap: C$42.06 million
                      Share price: C$0.27

                      Peleton Minerals is an exploration company focused on its flagship North Elko lithium project in Nevada, US.

                      The property consists of 442 mineral claims covering 37 square kilometers, west of a major discovery made by Surge Battery Metals (TSXV:NILI,OTCQX:NILIF) in 2023. In 2024 and 2025, Peloton carried out several exploration programs at the site, including airborne hyperspectral imaging, a soil geochemistry survey and geological mapping.

                      In November 2025, the company commenced a maiden drill program at the site, saying it planned to target lithium-bearing claystone layers with potential for other critical minerals.

                      The program consisted of four holes, each drilled to a depth of approximately 500 feet. Peloton announced on December 10 that the program was complete and confirmed near-surface clay layers. The company had submitted samples for multi-element analysis, with results not expected until the end of January 2026.

                      Shares in the company gained this week, but it has not released news since December 31, when it reported the closing of the third and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement. The three fundraising rounds raised C$1.17 million in total and proceeds will fund lithium exploration in Northern Nevada and working capital.

                      3. Decade Resources (TSXV:DEC)

                      Weekly gain: 77.78 percent
                      Market cap: C$13.84 million
                      Share price: C$0.08

                      Decade Resources is focused on advancing a portfolio of properties in the Golden Triangle region of BC, Canada.

                      Among its interests is a 55 percent stake in the Del Norte property located near Stewart, BC. The company acquired its share in the property from Teuton Resources (TSXV:TUO,OTCQB:TEUTF) via a January 2020 option deal.

                      Since that time, the company has executed the required C$4 million in exploration expenditures at Del Norte, and is now looking toward earning an additional 20 percent stake by bringing the property to commercial production.

                      Drilling at the site in 2024 led to the discovery of a new zone with assays of 6.59 grams per metric ton (g/t) gold and 946 g/t silver over 1 meter, located below the Kosciuszko zone.

                      The most recent update came on Tuesday, when Decade provided an overview of the property and laid out its exploration plans for 2026. The work would focus on several areas, including one 800 meters southwest of the Eagle’s Nest zone where a historic float sample returned values of 4,232.2 g/t silver and 13.59 g/t gold in 1994. Targets also include the 2024 discovery, and along strike from the Kosciuszko and Eagle’s Nest zones.

                      4. SouthGobi Resources (TSX:SGQ)

                      Weekly gain: 68.89 percent
                      Market cap: C$99.39 million
                      Share price: C$0.38

                      SouthGobi is a coal mining company with assets located in Southern Mongolia near the border with China.

                      Its flagship operation is the Ovoot Tolgoi coal mine, which consists of the Sunrise and Sunset pits and has been producing since 2008. SouthGobi holds permits to mine until 2037. The company also owns two additional properties in the region. The Soumber deposit is located 20 kilometers east of the Ovoot Tolgoi mine, meaning that any potential mining of Soumber could share Ovoot Tolgoi’s infrastructure. Its last property is the Zag Suuj deposit, located 150 kilometers east of Ovoot Tolgoi and 80 kilometers from the Mongolia-China Border.

                      The company has not released any news this past week.

                      5. Regency Silver (TSXV:RSMX)

                      Weekly gain: 65.38 percent
                      Market cap: C$19.16 million
                      Share price: C$0.215

                      Regency Silver is an exploration company focused on its Dios Padre precious metals and copper property in Sonora, Mexico. The site comprises three concessions covering a total area of 728 hectares and was acquired through a 2017 earn-in agreement with Minera Pena Blanca. It hosts the historic Dios Padre silver mine.

                      A March 2023 technical report outlines an inferred resource of 1.38 million metric tons of ore containing 10.15 million ounces of silver with an average grade of 228 g/t, plus 14,294 ounces of gold with an average grade of 0.32 g/t.

                      The most recent update from the project came on Thursday, when Regency announced a 225 meter step-out extension from the previous drilling. The company said it encountered sulfide-specularite supported breccia across a broad, non-continuous interval of 240 meters. While it has not received analytical results, it compared the breccia to that found in multiple other holes at the site, including one in which a 35.8 meter intersection returned grades of 6.84 g/t gold, 0.88 percent copper and 21.82 g/t silver. The news coincides with near-record-high gold and silver prices.

                      FAQs for Canadian mining stocks

                      What is the difference between the TSX and TSXV?

                      The TSX, or Toronto Stock Exchange, is used by senior companies with larger market caps, and the TSXV, or TSX Venture Exchange, is used by smaller-cap companies. Companies listed on the TSXV can graduate to the senior exchange.

                      How many mining companies are listed on the TSX and TSXV?

                      As of May 2025, there were 1,565 companies listed on the TSXV, 910 of which were mining companies. Comparatively, the TSX was home to 1,899 companies, with 181 of those being mining companies.

                      Together, the TSX and TSXV host around 40 percent of the world’s public mining companies.

                      How much does it cost to list on the TSXV?

                      There are a variety of different fees that companies must pay to list on the TSXV, and according to the exchange, they can vary based on the transaction’s nature and complexity. The listing fee alone will most likely cost between C$10,000 to C$70,000. Accounting and auditing fees could rack up between C$25,000 and C$100,000, while legal fees are expected to be over C$75,000 and an underwriters’ commission may hit up to 12 percent.

                      The exchange lists a handful of other fees and expenses companies can expect, including but not limited to security commission and transfer agency fees, investor relations costs and director and officer liability insurance.

                      These are all just for the initial listing, of course. There are ongoing expenses once companies are trading, such as sustaining fees and additional listing fees, plus the costs associated with filing regular reports.

                      How do you trade on the TSXV?

                      Investors can trade on the TSXV the way they would trade stocks on any exchange. This means they can use a stock broker or an individual investment account to buy and sell shares of TSXV-listed companies during the exchange’s trading hours.

                      Top 5 Canadian Mining Stocks This Week: St. Augustine Rises 67 Percent on Private Placement

                      Colorful mineral rocks with "5 Top Canadian Mining Stocks This Week" text.Top 5 Canadian Mining Stocks This Week: St. Augustine Rises 67 Percent on Private Placement

                      Article by Dean Belder; FAQs by Lauren Kelly.

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

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

                      This post appeared first on investingnews.com