Market Signal Briefing

MONTREAL, Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerro de Pasco Resources Inc. (TSXV CDPR) (OTCQB GPPRF) (FRA N8HP) (the Company or CDPR) is pleased to provide an operational review and corporate update highlighting key workstreams completed and consolidated at the Quiulacocha Tailings Project, as the Company transitions toward the next stage of project execution.

Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 9, 2026) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (FSE: M1C1) (the "Company" or Metals Creek) is pleased to announce that the Company has acquired the 0.5% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) from Blue Moon Metals Inc. (Blue Moon), (formerly Savant Explorations Ltd. ("Savant")) on the Tillex property located in Currie Township, 65 km east of Timmins, Ontario.

On the 29th November 2008, Metals Creek and Savant entered into a purchase agreement pursuant to which Metals Creek acquired the 85% interest in the Tillex property owned by Savant subject to a 0.5% NSR in favor of Savant which Metals Creek had the right to purchase..

In accordance with the agreement, Metals Creek has exercised its right to acquire the 0.5% NSR in consideration of the issuance of 50,000 Metals Creek common shares to Blue Moon.

This transaction is subject to TSXV approval.

About Metals Creek Resources Corp.

Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property from Newmont Corporation, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has an 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF).

Metals Creek also has multiple quality projects available for option which can be viewed on the Company's website. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact the Company at the number below.

Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279901

Source: Metals Creek Resources Corp.

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SummaryAI stole the spotlight, but dividend investors still have ways to benefit.You do not need tech stocks to profit from the AI boom.Three overlooked income plays linked to AI growth.High Yield Investor members get exclusive access to our real-world portfolio. See all our investments here » J Studios/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Written by Austin Rogers for High Yield Investor.

It's been tough to be a dividend investor the last few years.

Since the initial release of ChatGPT, the stock market has become increasingly focused on this

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of CWEN; MLPX either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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The rise of the robotics revolution and “physical AI” could keep the AI trade alive and well through 2026 and even into 2027. Of course, valuation concerns remain, as do timing the innovations that could finally lead to the ROIs large enough to ease the fears of those who’ve subscribed to the “AI bubble burst” scenario, which may or may not pan out the way the biggest bears on Wall Street expect.

An argument could be made that the AI stocks have already paid their dues, with many Magnificent Seven stocks falling into correction territory (the latest being shares of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), which had also lost its position in the market cap rankings to Google parent Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)).

Are humanoid robots really right around the corner? Either way, timing AI stocks in either direction could be difficult to do, especially as new trends within AI (think agentic AI, which may finally live up to the promises from 2025) act as potential positive surprises. While I see tremendous medium-term potential in the rise of AI agents, it seems like some visionaries are already focused on what comes next. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) top boss, Jensen Huang, is always thinking a few steps ahead of everyone else.

When people were viewing the GPU maker as a video-gaming or Bitcoin-mining play, Mr. Huang was already looking forward to the rise of AI and the boom in GPU demand that it’d entail. Now that the stock has blasted off and his AI vision has come true, he’s already focused on the next step.

Given his latest commentary at this year’s CES conference, it feels like something big could lift the AI trade again. Jensen Huang is bullish on physical AI and robotics. What’s more, though, is that he sees robots with human-level capabilities arriving in 2026.

Is the world ready for “AI immigrants” to arrive? Undoubtedly, if you were at CES 2026, you’d see more than a handful of impressive consumer robots. And while the technology still feels many years away, I wouldn’t doubt Huang if he sees the physical AI wave hitting far sooner than expected, especially when you consider the fact that many of the most profound robotics innovations aren’t being featured at a trade show; they’re hard at work behind the scenes in factories and warehouses.

In any case, Jensen Huang brought up the term “AI immigrant,” which may very well be how most people should think about the rise of robots as they look to assist, automate, and even replace certain workers. The rise of digital labor may not be a new concept, but if Huang is right, perhaps the general public isn’t quite ready for the magnitude of disruption that looms.

While it’s tough to time when robotics will really start taking off, it was seriously impressive to witness various robots in action at CES 2026. The most jarring thing is that they’ll only get better from here, as AI models improve further and strategic partnerships aim to accelerate the technology’s advancement.

The Mag Seven are great robotics plays Whether or not 2026 is the year when robots have their big moment (a “ChatGPT moment” may very well be possible), I do think it’s time to start thinking about which robotics names are worth investing in. Nvidia stock is a name that immediately comes to mind, as Jensen Huang thinks miles ahead of all others in the industry. The rest of the Mag Seven, including Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Apple, and Alphabet, could also have tons to gain.

Perhaps Alphabet stands out as the biggest leader in the consumer-facing physical AI space, given its leadership with Gemini, the partnership between DeepMind and Boston Dynamics, as well as its autonomous vehicle firm Waymo. In the enterprise, I’d argue Amazon is a top play to buy as its warehouse robots look to do more of the heavier lifting at fulfillment centers, while its autonomous vehicle Zoox quietly gains momentum.

Though I’m skeptical that 2026 will be the prime-time moment year for physical AI (2027-28 might be the year where robots take off), I do think Huang’s comments suggest robots are going to move from sci-fi to reality and fast! And that makes me a big bull on the Mag Seven, especially Alphabet and Amazon.

Released: The Ultimate Guide To Retirement Income (sponsor) Most investors spend years learning how to pick good stocks and funds. Far fewer have a clear plan for turning those investments into a reliable retirement paycheck. The truth is, the transition from “building wealth” to “living on wealth” is one of the most overlooked risks facing successful investors in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

That is exactly what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income was created to solve. It’s a free guide that outlines the straightforward math and strategies you need to convert your investments to income. Learn more here.

Disclosure: The opinions, analyses, and evaluations here are ours and not provided by any bank, financial institution, or any other company. They have not reviewed, approved or endorsed our content.

January 09, 2026 08:54 ET  | Source: Magnera Corporation

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magnera (NYSE: MAGN) expects to release its first quarter results prior to trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The earnings release, along with an investor presentation, will be available shortly thereafter on Magnera’s website at Investor Relations – Magnera.

In conjunction with its release, Magnera will hold a conference call to discuss the first quarter financial results at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

What: Q1 2026 Magnera Financial Results, Q&A, and Webcast

When: Thursday, February 5, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. ET

Telco: Pre-register (click here to receive dial-in and unique pin for Q&A)

Webcast: Listen in option (live and replay)

Approximately two hours after the Q&A session, an archived version of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website.

About Magnera

Magnera Corporation (NYSE: MAGN) serves 1,000+ customers worldwide, offering a wide range of material solutions, including components for absorbent hygiene products, protective apparel, wipes, specialty building and construction products, and products serving the food and beverage industry. Operating across 45 global production facilities, Magnera is supported by over 8,500 employees.

Magnera’s purpose is to better the world with new possibilities made real. For more than 160 years, the company has delivered the material solutions their partners need to thrive. Through economic upheaval, global pandemics and changing end-user needs, Magnera has consistently found ways to solve problems and exceed expectations. The distinct scale and comprehensive portfolio of Magnera’s products brings customers more materials and choices. Magnera builds personal partnerships that withstand an ever-changing world.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information included or incorporated by reference in Magnera Corporation’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and press releases or other public statements contain or may contain “forward-looking” statements with the meaning of the federal securities laws and are presented pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such “forward-looking” statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business, our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, statements about future financial and operating results, the company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “outlook,” “anticipates,” or “looking forward” or similar expressions that relate to our strategy, plans, intentions or expectations. All statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates, and financial results or to our expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. These forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the management of Magnera and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected. These risks and other risk factors are detailed from time to time in Magnera’s reports filed with the SEC, including annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, including our Form 8-K/A filed on January 31, 2025, and other documents filed with the SEC. These risk factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. New factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible to either predict new factors or assess the potential effect of any such new factors. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on those statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Contact Information:

Investor Relations: Robert Weilminster, [email protected]  

The Zacks Manufacturing - Construction and Mining industry has been bearing the brunt of the prolonged contraction in the manufacturing sector. Customer spending has also been subdued due to the imposition of tariffs.

Despite this ongoing weakness, increased infrastructure investment in the United States and demand from the mining sector, driven by the energy transition trend, will buoy the industry. Caterpillar Inc. (CAT - Free Report) , Terex Corporation (TEX - Free Report) and Astec Industries (ASTE - Free Report) are poised to benefit from these trends. These companies’ emphasis on introducing technologically advanced products, productivity and efficiency enhancements will aid growth.

Industry Description The Zacks Manufacturing - Construction and Mining industry comprises companies that manufacture and sell construction, mining and utility equipment. They support customers using machinery in the construction of commercial, institutional and residential buildings, and infrastructure projects. Their equipment is also utilized in underground mining, drilling, mineral processing and surface mining to extract and haul copper, iron ore, coal, oil sands, aggregates, gold, and other minerals and ores. Their products are varied, including loaders, pavers, dozers, excavators, concrete mixer trucks, crushing, pulverizing and screening equipment, tractors and cranes. Industry participants support oil and gas, power generation, marine, rail and industrial applications through their reciprocating engines, generator sets, gas turbines and turbine-related services.

Trends Shaping the Future of the Manufacturing - Construction and Mining Industry Prolonged Contraction in Manufacturing Activity Remains Worrisome: The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index had been in contraction for 26 consecutive months (with readings below 50) until December 2024. The index showed expansion in January and February, but this recovery was short-lived, with the index slipping into contraction again in March with a reading of 49%. The index has been in contraction for 10 months and registered 47.9% in December, which was the lowest for the year. The New Orders Index has been in the contraction territory for four straight months in December, with a 47.7% reading. It had shown a brief expansion in August with a 51.4% reading, after six consecutive months of contraction. Notably, the index has not delivered consistent growth since the end of its 24-month expansion streak in May 2022. Customer spending remains subdued due to the impacts of tariffs.

Energy Transition Trend, Construction Spending to Aid Industry: The intensifying global focus on shifting from fossil fuels to zero emissions will require a large number of commodities, which, in turn, will support mining equipment demand in the years to come. The U.S. government's plans to increase investment in infrastructure construction, particularly in critical subsectors, such as transportation, water and sewerage, and telecommunications, should support demand in the coming years.

Higher Pricing, Cost Cuts to Boost Margins: The industry is facing input cost inflation, transport and logistics costs, and the impact of tariffs. Industry players are focusing on pricing and other actions to improve productivity and efficiency. They are constantly implementing cost-reduction actions, which are likely to help sustain margins in this scenario. The companies are focused on streamlining their operations and realigning around high-growth key markets or customer segments to enhance their performances.

Investments in Digital Initiatives Act as a Key Catalyst: Industry participants are investing in digital initiatives like AI, cloud computing, advanced analytics and robotics. Digital transformation aids organizations in boosting productivity and increasing efficiency, reliability and safety, thereby enriching customer satisfaction. With the pressing need to cut carbon emissions, companies worldwide are relying more on autonomous machinery. Thus, players in the industry are stepping up their research and technological capabilities to bring products equipped with the latest technology into the market.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Weak Prospects The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates dim prospects in the near term. The Zacks Manufacturing - Construction and Mining industry, which is part of the broader Zacks Industrial Products Sector currently, carries a Zacks Industry Rank #191, which places it at the bottom 22% of 244 Zacks industries.

Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.

Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let us look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.

Industry Versus Broader Market The Manufacturing - Construction and Mining industry has outperformed the sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year.

Over this period, the industry has grown 63.3% compared with the sector’s of 8.3% return. The Zacks S&P 500 composite has moved up 19.2%.

One-Year Price PerformanceIndustry's Current Valuation The trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio, a commonly used multiple for valuing Manufacturing, Construction and Mining companies, shows that the industry is currently trading at 17.37X compared with the S&P 500’s 18.87X and the Industrial Products sector’s trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 25.7X. The charts below show this.

Enterprise Value/EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) TTM Ratio

Enterprise Value/EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) TTM Ratio

Over the last five years, the industry traded as high as 18.08 and as low as 7.54, with a median of 11.26.

3 Manufacturing - Construction & Mining Stocks to Watch Caterpillar: The company returned year-over-year revenue growth in third-quarter 2025, following six quarters of declines. This was fueled by volume growth in all its segments. The company also exited the quarter with a record-high backlog of $39.9 billion, which is expected to support its top line in the forthcoming quarters. Over the long term, Caterpillar stands to benefit from increased infrastructure spending under the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The global energy transition is also expected to lift demand for critical minerals, strengthening the outlook for CAT’s mining equipment portfolio. Adoption of Caterpillar’s autonomous mining fleet continues to accelerate, given their productivity, safety and cost-efficiency benefits. As technology companies establish data centers globally to support their generative AI applications, Caterpillar is witnessing robust order levels for reciprocating engines for data centers. The company is planning to double its output with a multi-year capital investment. The company recently unveiled Cat AI Assistant — an AI-based solution that allows its customers to engage with Caterpillar’s equipment and portfolio of digital applications in more intuitive and powerful ways. CAT shares have gained 23.8% in the past three months. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CAT’s 2026 earnings has moved north 6% over the past 90 days and indicates year-over-year growth of 20.5%. CAT has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2%, on average, and an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 2%. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Price: CAT

Terex: The company recently sold its Terex Tower and Rough Terrain Cranes businesses, aligning with its strategy to reduce cyclicality and drive core business growth. It also plans to exit the Aerials segment. Terex has entered a definitive merger agreement with REV Group that will create a leading specialty equipment manufacturer. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026. The combined entity will offer a diversified portfolio of emergency, waste, utilities, environmental and material processing equipment with attractive end markets characterized by low cyclicality, resilient demand and long-term growth. It will have an enhanced manufacturing footprint in the United States. The merger is expected to unlock significant value-creating synergies totaling $75 million of run-rate value in 2028, with approximately 50% achieved 12 months after closing. The combined company is expected to have $7.8 billion in combined net sales. TEX shares have gained 16% in the past three months. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Terex’s 2026 earnings has moved north 0.2% over the past 60 days. It suggests year-over-year growth of 11.1%. TEX has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 24.3%, on average, and an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 2%. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Price: TEX

Astec: The company recently completed the acquisition of CWMF, LLC, a move expected to enhance its gross margin, adjusted EBITDA margin and earnings per share. CWMF, a manufacturer of portable and stationary asphalt plant equipment and parts, fits well with Astec’s disciplined growth strategy. This follows the acquisition of TerraSource Holding in July 2025. It is a provider of precise, industry-leading equipment, including crushers, feeders, separators, sizers, liquid and solid separation, dewatering and waste management solutions. Considering that aftermarket parts and service represent approximately 60% of TerraSource’s revenues and 80% of gross profit, it is also expected to boost Astec’s margins and earnings. Contribution from TerraSource has already boosted the Materials Solutions segment’s results starting from the third quarter of 2025, increasing the parts sales mix by 670 basis points. The segment has registered a stable backlog over the past five quarters, supported by improving customer sentiment amid favorable interest-rate movements. Meanwhile, the Infrastructure Solutions segment continues to see strong demand for asphalt and concrete plants. Also, management’s focus on cost reductions and pricing actions will help offset tariff-related impacts. ASTE shares have gained 7.6% over the past three months.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 1% in the past 90 days. The consensus estimate indicates year-over-year growth of 10.7%. ASTE carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present and has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 4.4%.

Price: ASTE

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Emerging markets climbed over 25% in 2025 while trading at deep discounts to U.S. equities. That combination of momentum and relative value creates an unusual setup for 2026 that retirees seeking diversification should consider.

The Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF (NYSEARCA:FDEM) screens for quality, value, momentum, and low volatility factors across developing economies. The fund holds $296.9 million in assets and delivered a 29.2% one-year return through early January 2026, outpacing the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) by over 13 percentage points.

This infographic details how the Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF (FDEM) works, its suitable use cases for retirees, and a summary of its key advantages and disadvantages. What Multifactor Means for Portfolio Construction FDEM doesn’t track a market-cap-weighted index. It tilts toward companies scoring well on multiple investment factors, holding Tencent (OTC:TCEHY), Samsung Electronics (OTC:SSNLF), and HDFC Bank (NYSE:HDB) among top positions while maintaining a 15% cash position.

This factor-based approach targets companies with stronger fundamentals and better risk-adjusted returns than pure index strategies. For retirees, that means potentially smoother performance during volatile periods, though 65% portfolio turnover means more frequent trading than passive alternatives.

The Valuation Case Remains Compelling Emerging markets have historically traded at discounts to U.S. equities, a pattern that persisted even after 2025’s strong performance. Earnings growth expectations for emerging markets have improved heading into 2026, with projections showing strength relative to non-U.S. developed markets.

The fund’s 0.27% expense ratio is competitive for an actively managed factor strategy. It pays a 1.85% dividend yield with quarterly distributions that grew from $0.696 in 2021 to $0.997 in 2025, though individual payments fluctuate significantly.

Tradeoffs Worth Understanding The fund’s small asset base creates potential liquidity concerns during market stress. With under $300 million in assets, FDEM could face wider bid-ask spreads or difficulty executing large trades compared to category giants. The high cash position, while defensive, means missing gains when emerging markets rally hard.

Factor strategies can underperform when momentum or value falls out of favor. Retirees must accept FDEM may lag simpler index approaches in certain environments, and the irregular dividend schedule doesn’t suit those needing predictable quarterly income.

Who Should Look Elsewhere Retirees needing consistent, predictable income should avoid FDEM. Quarterly dividends vary substantially, making cash flow planning difficult. Those with limited emerging markets knowledge or low risk tolerance should reconsider, as developing economies bring currency risk, political instability, and higher volatility than domestic stocks.

Consider Vanguard’s Lower-Cost Alternative The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO) offers a simpler approach with a 0.07% expense ratio and $141 billion in assets. That’s nearly four times cheaper than FDEM with far greater liquidity. VWO tracks a broad market-cap-weighted index without factor tilts, meaning more straightforward exposure but potentially higher volatility.

The choice depends on whether you value FDEM’s factor-based risk management enough to justify higher costs and smaller fund size. For most retirees building core emerging markets exposure, VWO’s scale and cost advantage matter more than factor tilts.

FDEM works best as a diversification tool for retirees comfortable with emerging markets volatility and willing to pay for factor-based risk management, but the small asset base and irregular dividends require careful consideration against simpler, cheaper alternatives.

Released: The Ultimate Guide To Retirement Income (sponsor) Most investors spend years learning how to pick good stocks and funds. Far fewer have a clear plan for turning those investments into a reliable retirement paycheck. The truth is, the transition from “building wealth” to “living on wealth” is one of the most overlooked risks facing successful investors in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

That is exactly what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income was created to solve. It’s a free guide that outlines the straightforward math and strategies you need to convert your investments to income. Learn more here.

Disclosure: The opinions, analyses, and evaluations here are ours and not provided by any bank, financial institution, or any other company. They have not reviewed, approved or endorsed our content.

, /PRNewswire/ -- LSF12 Helix Parent, LLC ("Parent"), an affiliate of certain investment funds managed by affiliates of Lone Star Funds ("Lone Star"), announced that it has commenced offers (the "Change of Control Offers") to purchase any and all of the 6.2500% Senior Notes due 2029 (CUSIP No. 431571AF5) (the "2029 Notes") and the 3.7500% Senior Notes due 2031 (CUSIP No. 431571AE8) (together with the 2029 Notes, the "Notes") of Hillenbrand, Inc. (the "Company") at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of repurchase (the "Purchase Price").

The Change of Control Offers are being conducted in connection with the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 14, 2025, by and among the Company, Parent and LSF12 Helix Merger Sub, Inc. ("Merger Sub"), pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the "Merger"), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. The consummation of the Merger will constitute a "Change of Control" under each of the respective indentures governing the Notes (the "Indentures"). Assuming the Notes are downgraded and will not be rated Investment Grade (as defined in the Indentures) by each of the Rating Agencies (as defined in the Indentures) during the Trigger Period (as defined in the Indentures) (a "Ratings Event"), the Merger will constitute a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the Indentures) requiring the Change of Control Offers. The consummation of the Change of Control Offers are conditioned on both the consummation of the Merger and the occurrence of a Ratings Event in connection with the Merger, which conditions may not be waived by Parent.

The Change of Control Offers are being made pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the respective change of control offer to purchase, each dated as of January 9, 2026 (the "Offers to Purchase"). 

The Change of Control Offers will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date (the "Expiration Date") that is the later of (i) February 9, 2026 and (ii) the date that is one business day prior to the date on which the Merger is consummated (provided such date is no later than March 9, 2026), unless extended or earlier terminated. The Change of Control Offers may, subject to applicable law, be amended, extended, terminated or withdrawn at any time and for any reason.

The Purchase Price will be payable only to holders of the Notes who validly tender and do not validly withdraw their Notes prior to the Expiration Date and whose Notes are accepted for purchase.

Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offers will be accepted only in principal amounts equal to $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Payment of the Purchase Price will be made by the deposit of immediately available funds by us with U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (the "Depositary"). The Depositary will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purpose of receiving payments from us and transmitting such payments to such holders.

In the event that the Change of Control Offers are consummated, any Notes not delivered on or prior to the Expiration Date will remain outstanding. To the extent any Notes remain outstanding following the consummation of the Merger, such Notes will be guaranteed by the subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee the other debt financing being raised by Parent to finance the Merger and, only to the extent such debt financing is also secured, secured by first-priority liens on any principal property of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company that secures the debt financing, or on capital stock of any subsidiary of the Company that owns a principal property that secures the debt financing.

Certain supplemental information is being made available by Parent in connection with the transactions described above, which is set forth in Annex I to this press release.

None of the Company, Parent, Merger Sub, Lone Star, the Depositary or any of their respective affiliates makes any recommendation in connection with the Change of Control Offers, and no person has been authorized by any of them to make such a recommendation.

Questions or requests for assistance in relation to the Change of Control Offers may be directed to the Depositary at U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, 111 Fillmore Avenue E, St. Paul, Minnesota 55107, Attention: Corporate Action – Specialized Finance; Email: [email protected]; Phone: (800) 934-6802.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of tenders with respect to, any security. No purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Change of Control Offers are being made solely pursuant to the Offers to Purchase and only to such persons and in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. 

About Hillenbrand

Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI) is a global industrial company that provides highly-engineered, mission-critical processing equipment and solutions to customers around the world. Our portfolio is composed of leading industrial brands that serve large, attractive end markets, including durable plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose — Shape What Matters For Tomorrow™ — we pursue excellence, collaboration, and innovation to consistently shape solutions that best serve our people, our customers, and our communities.

About Lone Star

Lone Star is a leading investment firm advising funds that invest globally in private equity, credit and real estate. The firm has been successfully navigating complex situations for 30 years. The funds are experienced value investors that seek opportunities in situations that are in flux or complicated by specific structural or financial factors, regardless of the prevailing market environment. Our deep bench of senior leaders and expert deal professionals ensures a strong foundation for successful investments and strategic decision-making. Since the establishment of its first fund in 1995, Lone Star has organized 25 private equity funds with aggregate capital commitments totaling approximately $95 billion.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements that reflect our current views and expectations with respect to, among other things, the Merger, the Change of Control Offers and our financial performance. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial results, future financial position, business strategy, anticipated growth, future growth and revenues, expected synergies and cost savings, future economic conditions and performance, plans, objectives and strategies for future operations, expectations and other characterizations of future events or circumstances, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seeks," "predicts," "intends," "trends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.

There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf apply only as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included herein. We undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.

Annex I

Presentation of Non-GAAP Information

To provide holders of Notes with additional information regarding the Merger and the Company's financial performance, the following presents (i) selected financial data for the Company for the periods and as of the dates indicated and (ii) certain pro forma consolidated information for the Company to give effect to the Merger and certain other adjustments, which has not been prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Certain Supplemental Metrics

(in millions, except percentages)

Years ended September 30,

2025

2024

2023

Other Financial Data:

Consolidated EBITDA

$                  230.6

$                  142.3

$                  882.8

Adjusted EBITDA

$                  382.2

$                  454.9

$                  430.2

Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA

$                  442.6

$                  454.9

$                  491.9

Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA Margin

18.2 %

17.1 %

18.1 %

Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA (including
     Milacron EBITDA)

$                  461.1

$                  475.4

$                  509.8

Information Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Pro Forma Financial Measures

Consolidated EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA, Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA (including Milacron EBITDA) are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect the Company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income, net revenue, cash flow or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. We believe these financial measures provide prospective investors useful information in determining whether to participate in the Change of Control Offers. However, non-GAAP financial measures are subject to important limitations and should not be considered as alternatives to performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP.

The SEC has adopted rules to regulate the use in filings with the SEC and in public disclosures of non-GAAP financial measures, such as those mentioned above and ratios related thereto. The non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release have not been prepared with a view towards compliance with published guidelines and may not comply with those rules.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to the Company to invest in the growth of its business. In calculating these non-GAAP financial measures, we and the Company have made certain adjustments that are based on assumptions and estimates that may prove to have been inaccurate. In addition, in evaluating these non-GAAP financial measures, you should be aware that the Company may, in the future, incur expenses that are the same as or similar to those eliminated or adjusted for in this presentation. This presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an inference that the Company's future results and cash flow will be unaffected by any such adjustments, and many of these adjustments would not meet the standards for inclusion in pro forma financial statements under accounting regulations and applicable SEC rules, such as Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, because they are too speculative to merit adjustment. We will be required to make significant cash expenditures to achieve any cost savings included in such adjustments, and these cash costs are not reflected in Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA. In addition, we will not fully realize such cost savings within 24 months of the completion of the Merger and may not do so at all. Accordingly, you should not view our presentation of this adjustment as a projection that we will achieve these cost savings. Our ability to realize these anticipated savings is subject to significant uncertainties and you should not place undue reliance on the adjustments in evaluating our anticipated results.

Because not all companies calculate non-GAAP measures identically (if at all), the presentations in this press release may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. Further, these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's operating results or cash flows as reported under GAAP.

Actual results may vary materially from the performance represented by such as adjusted metrics.

The following table is a reconciliation of consolidated net income (loss) to Consolidated EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA and Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA (including Milacron EBITDA) for the periods presented:

($ in millions)

Years ended September 30,

2025

2024

2023

Consolidated net income (loss)

$                            52.1

$                     (202.0)

576.7

Interest expense, net

94.5

121.5

77.7

Income tax (benefit) expense

(54.5)

64.8

102.8

Depreciation and amortization

138.5

158.0

125.6

Consolidated EBITDA

$                          230.6

$                      142.3

882.8

Impact of divestitures(1)

36.4

(60.6)

(523.1)

Acquisition, divestiture and integration
     costs(2)

63.4

66.9

45.1

Restructuring and restructuring-related
     charges(3)

21.4

26.2

5.1

Impairment charges(4)

83.5

265.0

—

Stock-based compensation(5)

17.9

20.3

22.2

Unrealized FX (gain) loss(6)

3.6

(1.3)

(9.0)

Other(7)

(74.6)

(3.8)

7.2

Adjusted EBITDA

$                          382.2

$                        454.9

$                        430.2

Pre-acquisition run-rate(8)

—

—

61.7

Public company costs(9)

9.5

—

—

Cost Initiatives (actioned)(10)

16.0

—

—

Cost Initiatives (actioned with 24
     months)(11)

34.9

—

—

Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA

$                          442.6

$                        454.9

$                        491.9

Milacron net income(12)

(9.3)

(10.0)

(22.3)

Milacron EBITDA(13)

27.8

30.5

40.3

Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA
     (including Milacron EBITDA)

$                          461.1

$                        475.4

$                        509.8

(1)

Includes non-cash accounting losses recognized as part of divestitures and removes income from divested or discontinued operations.

(2)

Excludes one-time acquisition, divestiture and integration costs associated with the acquisitions of Gabler in June 2022, Herbold in August 2022, Linxis in October 2022, Peerless in December 2022 and Schenck in September 2023, and the divestitures of Batesville in February 2023 and Milacron in March 2025.

(3)

Primarily consisting of severance and workforce reduction programs, as well as integration-related facility consolidations, footprint rationalization, and inventory write-offs associated with recent acquisitions and divestitures.

(4)

Relates to non-cash impairment charges within the molding technology solutions segment, primarily related to goodwill and trade names.

(5)

Includes expenses related to equity-based awards granted under the Company's long-term incentive programs.

(6)

Excludes non-cash unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses.

(7)

Includes asset sale gains, inventory step-up costs, pension settlement charges, non-operating income, and other one-time expenses.

(8)

Reflects the inclusion of pre-acquisition adjusted EBITDA for historical acquisitions.

(9)

Represents costs associated with the Company's status as a public reporting company that will be excluded following consummation of the Merger, including $5.3 million from finance and human resources optimization, $0.6 million from legal and compliance optimization, $2.5 million from discontinuation of board-related activities and vendor support, and $1.1 million from insurance optimization.

(10)

Represents run-rate cost savings from procurement and footprint optimization initiatives already actioned.

(11)

Represents expected run-rate cost savings from initiatives that are expected to be actioned within the next 24 months including footprint optimization, operating expense optimization, factory productivity and procurement. There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve these cost savings.

(12)

Excludes net income from the Company's minority interest in the Milacron business included in Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA.

(13)

Represents the Company's minority interest in the Milacron business's Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA.

Controllable Levers of Value Creation to Increase Consolidated EBITDA

The Company spent the last several years pursuing acquisition and divestiture initiatives and beginning to integrate its current portfolio of businesses. Through a two-year engagement with a top-tier third party consulting firm, the Company identified and built the capabilities needed to deliver on significant near-term value creation initiatives with clear execution pathways. With these foundations in place, the next step in the Company's journey is to drive profitable growth and margin expansion through operational efficiency and commercial optimization of the Company's existing portfolio. Lone Star's private ownership model is expected to further enhance speed, alignment and accountability in executing on the initiatives outlined below.

The initiatives and related figures discussed below are estimates based on current information and assumptions of Lone Star, the Company's management and their consulting firms. Such estimated figures are presented for illustrative purposes and not intended (and should not be viewed as) as projections or guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those described. This information is speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions underlying the estimated cost savings and Consolidated EBITDA uplift figures below may not materialize or may vary from actual results. This information is based on various assumptions and estimates made by Lone Star, the Company and their consulting firms that are inherently uncertain and subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that any of these anticipated outcomes will be realized, or realized on the timelines set forth below.

Operational Initiatives

Procurement Optimization Buy Better: Centralize procurement and leverage scale to reduce costs by consolidating suppliers, renegotiating contracts, strengthening supplier accountability and expanding sourcing from best-cost countries. Spend Better: Standardize components and apply value engineering to reduce product complexity and cost. Factory Productivity & Project Management Implement targeted automation to reduce costs, enhance product quality and increase throughput, driving measurable efficiency gains across key processes. Standardize and streamline manufacturing practices across facilities to eliminate variability, improve consistency and quality and minimize waste. Enhance project planning and execution rigor through standardized processes and advanced tools to limit margin leakage, improve resource allocation and shorten delivery timelines. Footprint Optimization Operate more efficiently and reduce overhead by consolidating select sites, eliminating redundant capabilities and further realigning production "in region, for region." Simplify the network following legacy acquisitions to enhance long-term labor availability, tax efficiency and customer responsiveness. SG&A and Public Company Cost Reduction Consolidate fragmented back-office functions across acquired businesses. Streamline organizational structure and optimize staffing via automation and outsourcing. Eliminate public company costs following consummation of the Merger. Based on the operational initiatives described above, Lone Star's evaluation of the Company, and the assessment of a top-tier third party consultant, Lone Star believes it can generate up to $218 to $332 million of Consolidated EBITDA uplift over approximately five years from potential cost savings opportunities, of which Lone Star believes $158 million is achievable on a conservative basis.

Commercial Initiatives

Aftermarket Growth Increase aftermarket penetration by improving service rates from 4.1% to median (5.3%) or 60th percentile (6.3%). Action plan includes stronger data and tools, enhanced sales strategy, optimized incentives for proactive aftermarket selling and expanded aftermarket offerings. Cross Selling Leverage strong customer relationships, leading brands and portfolio breadth to sell more comprehensive system solutions. Our position in feeders and extruders, combined with complementary offerings such as weighers, dosing systems and depositors, creates compelling opportunities to deepen penetration in key end markets like bakery and pet food. Other Commercial Enhancements Harmonize CRM and CPQ systems to enhance customer experience, improve data visibility and equip the sales team with streamlined processes and actionable insights. Based on the commercial initiatives described above, Lone Star's evaluations of the Company, and the assessment of a top-tier third party consultant, Lone Star believes it can generate up to $47 to $85 million of Consolidated EBITDA uplift over approximately five years from potential commercial initiative opportunities, of which Lone Star believes $39 million is achievable on a conservative basis.

SOURCE Lone Star

Best-to-date titanium–vanadium–iron drill results at Trapper Zone underscore Radar’s large-scale oxide system within the 160 km² Dykes River intrusive complex near tidewater in Labrador

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SAGA Metals Corp. (“SAGA” or the “Company”) (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H), a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, is pleased to highlight a strengthened titanium thesis for its Radar Ti-V-Fe Project near the port of Cartwright, Labrador, following the Company’s best drill results to date from the Trapper Zone Phase 1 Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) drill program.

SAGA’s latest assays from the first two of eight completed MRE program drill holes at Trapper Zone demonstrate long, cumulative intervals of oxide mineralization with significant assay results of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) and iron oxides (Fe₂O₃). This mineral assemblage is consistent with vanadiferous titanomagnetite (“VTM”) and ilmenite mineralization that could potentially underpin multiple downstream titanium value chains and support an emerging strategic narrative: a need for resilient North American titanium supply.

SAGA believes Radar’s titanium-bearing oxide system is increasingly topical as Western governments and manufacturers focus on secure, defense-aligned supply chains for titanium metal inputs. In a January 2, 2026, MINING.com article citing Project Blue’s report “Metals and the Security of Nations”, titanium is characterized as a critical mineral for defense and aerospace, with supply-chain risk concentrated in titanium metal pathways (including aerospace-grade sponge capacity and certification) rather than in pigment markets. The vast majority – over 90% globally of mined titanium is processed into the pigment – a looming supply chain gap UK-headquartered market intelligence company Project Blue outlines in its report.

“Titanium is essentially a defence metal – it can be up to 20% or more of the markets for total titanium consumption that goes into defence. An F 15 can be up to 40% in weight of titanium. There’s some serious volume going in these jet planes,” Project Blue Founder and Director, Dr. Nils Backeberg told MINING.com in an interview. 

SAGA Metals Releases Best-to-Date Drill Results at the Radar Project Confirming Robust Titanium–Vanadium–Iron Oxide Mineralization at Trapper Zone — Assay Highlights:

Hole R-0008: 269.36 m @ 6.57% TiO₂, 0.244% V₂O₅, 36.21% Fe₂O₃ (full hole)Hole R-0009: 296.47 m @ 7.46% TiO₂, 0.250% V₂O₅, 39.75% Fe₂O₃ (full hole)High-grade intervals within the broader intercepts, including 2 m @ 13.30% TiO₂ (core sample 1800528)
Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of SAGA Metals, stated: “The results from the first two holes at the Trapper Zone are an outstanding success, and represent the best intercepts drilled on the Radar property to date.”

What’s Different About the Radar Ti-V-Fe Project: A District-Scale Oxide System Enclosing the Entire Dykes River Intrusive Complex Potentially Forming a New North American Titanium Narrative

SAGA’s Radar Project is not a single isolated target. The Radar Property spans 24,175 hectares and hosts the entire Dykes River intrusive complex (~160 km²)—a property-scale position that is unique among Western explorers. Geological mapping, geophysics and trenching confirm oxide layering across more than 20 km of strike length and mineralization open for expansion. Drilling to date (4,250 m total) has confirmed a large mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting VTM and ilmenite concentrations with strong titanium and vanadium grades. Drilling and geophysics validate a continuous 16+ km oxide layering trend stretching from the Hawkeye Zone to the Trapper Zone, coinciding with a strong arcuate regional magnetic-high anomaly.

Titanium Market Context: Defense and Aerospace Supply Chains Are Driving Urgency

This exploration progress is occurring against a strengthening macro backdrop for titanium as a defense and aerospace critical mineral, where supply-chain resilience—not just demand growth—has become a primary strategic driver. Titanium is deemed a critical metal by the U.S., EU and Canada and is essential for defense and aerospace applications due to its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.

At the same time, the titanium market is structurally bifurcated: TiO₂ pigment dominates mined titanium flows, while defense and aerospace rely on titanium metal supply chains that are sensitive to geopolitics and processing constraints. Project Blue (as reported by MINING.com) notes that over 90% of mined titanium is processed into pigment, and that near-term vulnerability centers on aerospace-grade titanium sponge capacity and certification, rather than mineral availability alone. The same report highlights titanium supply-chain concentration risks, stating Russia remains a leading source of aerospace-grade titanium and that China’s share of global titanium metals has increased sharply in recent years.

Titanium market growth tailwinds

Third-party market research distributed via openPR (DataM Intelligence) forecasts the global titanium market could grow from US$30.34 billion (2024) to US$52.52 billion by 2032 (CAGR 7.10%), citing demand drivers including aerospace, defense, automotive, and renewable energy; the same release indicates Asia-Pacific leads with 45% share. openPR.com

“SAGA’s recent assays are truly exceptional, delivering long intervals of high-grade titanium, vanadium, and iron oxide mineralization—highlighting the immense potential of this district-scale oxide system. At SAGA Metals, we're committed to advancing Radar as a strategic source of titanium right here in Labrador, bolstering resilient, domestic supply chains to meet these urgent national security needs,” stated Mike Stier, CEO & Director of Saga Metals.

Next steps at the Radar Project:

SAGA expects to receive additional assay results next week, with remaining results shortly thereafter, and plans to mobilize crews by mid-January to initiate the 2026 phase of the Trapper Zone MRE drill program.

Figure 1: Location of the Fall 2025 phase of drilling at Trapper Zone, showing the TMI of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey as well as the grid for the MRE drill program to be completed in 2026.

About the Radar Ti-V-Fe Property:

The Radar Property spans 24,175 hectares and hosts the entire Dykes River intrusive complex (~160 km²), a unique position among Western explorers. Geological mapping, geophysics, and trenching have already confirmed oxide layering across more than 20 km of strike length, with mineralization open for expansion.

Vanadiferous titanomagnetite (“VTM”) mineralization at Radar is comparable to global Fe–Ti–V systems such as Panzhihua (China), Bushveld (South Africa), and Tellnes (Norway), positioning the Project as a potential strategic future supplier of titanium, vanadium, and iron to North American markets.

Figure 2: Radar Project’s prospective oxide layering zone validated over ~16 km strike length through Fall 2025 drilling, as shown on a compilation of historical airborne geophysics as well as ground-based geophysics in the Hawkeye and Trapper zones completed by SAGA in the 2024/2025 field programs. SAGA has demonstrated the reliability of the regional airborne magnetic surveys after ground-truthing and drilling in the 2024 and 2025 field programs.

Qualified Person

Paul J. McGuigan, P. Geo., is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release.

Technical Information

Samples were cut by Company personnel at SAGA's core facility in Cartwright, Labrador. Diamond drill core was sawed and then sampled in maximum 2 m intervals. Drill hole core diameter utilized was NQ.

Core samples have been prepared and analyzed at IGS laboratory facility in Montreal, Quebec. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program.

Note: Market data is sourced from https://www.openpr.com/news/4334101/titanium-market-to-reach-usd-52-52-billion-by-2032-strong-7-10 and has not been independently verified by SAGA. Mining.com released an article on January 2, 2026 referenced in this press release and is sourced from: https://www.mining.com/us-must-ramp-up-titanium-capacity-to-avoid-squeeze-project-blue-founder-says/

About SAGA Metals Corp.

SAGA Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of a diversified suite of critical minerals that support the North American transition to supply security. The Radar Ti-V-Fe Project comprises 24,175 hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex, mapped at 160 km² on the surface near Cartwright, Labrador. Exploration to date, including a total of 4,250 m of drilling, has confirmed a large and mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) and ilmenite mineralization with strong grades of titanium and vanadium.

The Double Mer Uranium Project, also in Labrador, covers 25,600 hectares and features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U3O8. Uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).

Additionally, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Metals.

With a portfolio spanning key commodities critical to the clean energy future, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in critical mineral security.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, contact:

Rob Guzman, Investor Relations
SAGA Metals Corp.
Tel: +1 (844) 724-2638
Email: [email protected]
www.sagametals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “believes”, and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company’s Radar Project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, inherent risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, particularly given the early-stage nature of the Company’s assets, and the risks detailed in the Company’s continuous disclosure filings with securities regulations from time to time, available under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e21bb951-27c0-4b42-8a84-30fb2b2317f1 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46a5c706-d557-4027-bbbe-ec9278c19754

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AMC Robotics Corporation (Nasdaq: AMCI) (“AMC Robotics” or the “Company”), a leading AI-driven robotics solutions company, today announced its participation at CES® 2026. The Company demonstrated its latest artificial intelligence–powered technologies, headlined by Kyro™, its proprietary quadruped robotic platform.

The demonstration comes at a pivotal time for the industry. During his CES 2026 keynote, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang declared that “the ChatGPT moment for physical AI is here,” describing a new era where machines move beyond digital processing to “understand, reason, and act in the real world.”

At CES, AMC Robotics showcased how Kyro™ utilizes these breakthroughs through advanced mobility, autonomous navigation, and AI-enabled perception. By integrating these "thinking" capabilities, Kyro™ is designed to address complex operational challenges in industrial, commercial, and public-sector environments.

“Jensen Huang’s vision of ‘Physical AI’ is exactly what we are delivering with the Kyro™ platform,” said Sean Da, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer AMC Robotics. “As NVIDIA noted this week, the industry is shifting toward ‘AI immigrants’—robotic systems that can solve global labor shortages by performing essential work in areas such as manufacturing and inspection. Kyro™ is built to be a primary participant of this new economy, providing a reliable and adaptable solution for environments that require human-like reasoning and machine-like precision.”

AMC Robotics’ presence at CES 2026 reinforces its ambition to become a leading provider of integrated, AI-enabled robotics platforms. Kyro™ is designed as a modular platform capable of supporting diverse use cases, including safety inspection, security, and large-scale data collection.

“Our goal is to take the intelligence of the ‘soft world’ and anchor it in the ‘hard world’ of physical infrastructure,” added Mr. Da. “By leveraging the latest in reasoning-based autonomy, we are placing AMC Robotics at the forefront of the robotics revolution.”

As part of its broader strategy, AMC Robotics is building an integrated global footprint spanning product development, manufacturing, and operational support to meet the expanding customer demand for intelligent robotic solutions.

About AMC Robotics Corporation
AMC Robotics (Nasdaq: AMCI) is an AI-driven robotics company focused on developing intelligent, scalable hardware and software solutions. The Company’s flagship platform, Kyro™, empowers industries to automate complex tasks through advanced perception and autonomous mobility. For more information, please visit www.amcx.ai.

INVESTORS AND MEDIA CONTACT

Craig Mychajluk
Managing Director
Investor Relations
Alliance Advisors IR
E: [email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, debt levels, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, and the effects of regulation. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s management’s current expectations, projections, and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. When used in this communication, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose,” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions, or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors include, but are not limited to: (a) challenges in opening operations in new jurisdictions, including but not limited to compliance with local ordinances, obtaining any necessary permits and regulatory oversight; (b) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the new operations; (c) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; (d) the ability to continue to meet the applicable stock exchange listing standards; (e) the effect of the Company’s recently completed business combination with AlphaVest Acquisition Corp (“AlphaVest”) on the Company’s business relationships, performance, and business generally and the risk that such transaction further disrupts current plans and operations of the Company or its subsidiaries; (f) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the transaction with AlphaVest, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the Company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (g) changes in applicable laws or regulations, including legal or regulatory developments (including, without limitation, accounting considerations); (h) the possibility that AMC Robotics may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (i) AMC Robitcs’ estimates of expenses and profitability; and (j) other risks and uncertainties indicated under “Risk Factors” contained in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus for the transaction with AlphaVest, and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by AMC Robotics. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.

The Company assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The Company gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7249f607-1db7-4a9a-92f4-1d60721b3cf7

There are some great ways to get generative AI exposure, including some that aren't quite so obvious.

There's no question that generative AI is one of the biggest investment opportunities of our time. Fortunately, even if you aren't comfortable with choosing individual stocks, there are plenty of excellent ETFs that can allow you to benefit as generative AI adoption increases.

Of course, there are some that are specifically labeled as "AI ETFs", but it would be a mistake to stop your search there. Read on to learn about three excellent ETFs for AI investors -- including some that are not obvious choices.

Image source: Getty Images.

A great way to get AI exposure Perhaps the most obvious generative AI ETF on the list, the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ 0.84%) is an index fund that, as the name implies, focuses on AI and related technologies.

The fund has $7.7 billion in assets under management, and although its expense ratio of 0.68% is certainly on the higher end for an index fund, it is reasonable for a highly specialized fund like this one.

As of the latest information, the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF owns 86 stocks, and unlike some of the other major AI ETFs, it isn't especially top-heavy, nor does if have outsized exposure to the mega-cap tech companies you may already have a ton of exposure to through S&P 500 and Nasdaq ETFs.

The fund's top holding is Samsung, which accounts for about 5% of the total assets. Other major holdings include Alphabet (GOOGL +1.04%)(GOOG +1.11%), Micron (MU 3.69%), Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM 0.21%), and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD 2.54%).

An active approach It's tough to find AI ETFs that aren't index funds, but one that belongs on your radar in 2026 is the Ark Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW 0.47%). This ETF is managed by notable tech investor Cathie Wood, and focuses on companies that could benefit from the growth of cloud infrastructure, evolving mobile technology, digital payment growth, and autonomous mobility, among others. The key point is that all of these stand to benefit from increased generative AI adoption.

As an actively managed fund, the Ark Next Generation Internet ETF seeks to identify stocks that outperform the AI benchmark indices used by other AI ETFs. Among the top holdings of the ETF, you'll find traditional AI plays like Alphabet and AMD, but you'll also find less obvious generative AI plays like Roku (ROKU 1.31%), Shopify (SHOP +0.95%), and Robinhood (HOOD 1.31%), just to name a few.

An outside-the-box choice It may sound odd to say that a Vanguard dividend ETF could be a big winner of generative AI adoption, but hear me out.

The fund is the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG +0.34%), which focuses on stocks that either have an excellent track record of growing their dividends every year, or that are expected to do so in the future. In short, it focuses on growing income, not current income.

Because it doesn't emphasize what a stock's current yield is, it allows for more technology exposure than other dividend ETFs. For example, Broadcom (AVGO 3.21%) is the top holding of the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF -- although it only has a 0.75% dividend yield right now, it has raised the payout for 15 consecutive years.

Other holdings include Microsoft (MSFT 1.11%), Apple (AAPL 0.50%), Oracle (ORCL 1.65%), Cisco Systems (CSCO 1.02%), and IBM (IBM +2.02%), all of which are among the ETF's 20 largest positions. In fact, the tech sector carries the largest amount of weight in the ETF, accounting for 28% of the total assets.

In a nutshell, if you're looking for generative AI exposure in your portfolio but don't have a particularly high risk tolerance or plan to eventually rely on your ETFs for income, the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF could be an option worth considering.

Matt Frankel, CFP has positions in Advanced Micro Devices and Shopify and has the following options: short January 2027 $170 calls on Shopify. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Apple, Cisco Systems, International Business Machines, Microsoft, Oracle, Roku, Shopify, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 9, 2026) - Lodestar Metals Corp. (TSXV: LSTR) (OTC: SVTNF) ("Lodestar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the strategic appointment of David Christie as Chairman of the Company.

Lowell Kamin, President and CEO, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome David as Chairman of Lodestar. His rare combination of technical expertise, corporate development leadership, and capital markets experience aligns perfectly with our ambition to build a high-impact exploration company. David has consistently demonstrated an ability to identify opportunity, execute value-accretive transactions, and scale businesses responsibly. His guidance will materially strengthen our board and position Lodestar for long-term growth and value creation."

"Having worked closely with the team as a director since June, I have developed a strong conviction in Lodestar's assets, strategy, and technical approach," said David Christie, Chairman of Lodestar Metals. "The Goldrun Project's location on a major Carlin-style trend, adjacent to some of North America's largest gold deposits, provides an exceptional foundation for discovery. I believe the Company's potential is not yet fully recognized by the market, and I am excited to step into the role of Chairman and contribute my experience across exploration, corporate development, and capital markets to help efficiently guide the board and company towards its goals and drive long-term shareholder value."

David Christie was appointed as a director of the Company on June 24, 2025. Mr. Christie has 39 years of experience in mining, exploration and mining finance and is currently President and COO for Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. He was one of the founders, President, CEO and Director of Orford Mining Corp which was sold to Alamos Gold Inc. in April 2024. Mr. Christie was CEO, President and Director of Eagle Hill Exploration Ltd. where he was part of the team that completed a five-way merger to create Osisko Mining Inc. in 2015 (recently sold to Gold Fields Ltd.). He was Vice President at Dundee Resources and Goodman and Company Investment Counsel (subsidiaries of Dundee Corp.) where he worked on a number of resource portfolios. Prior to these roles Mr. Christie was a highly ranked Mining Equity Analyst at TD Securities, Scotia Capital and Newcrest Capital, which had followed many years working in association with Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. as an exploration geologist. Mr. Christie was previously a director of Mines D'Or Orbec Inc leading up to its sale to IAMGOLD in December 2025. He also previously held director positions for eCobalt Solutions Inc., Condor Precious Merals Inc., Osisko Mining Inc., True North Nickel, Orford Mining Corp and Eagle Hill Exploration Ltd. David Christie is a member of the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and Northwest Territories and Nunavut and received a BSc degree in Geology from McMaster University.

Stock Option Grants

The Company has granted a total of 1,600,000 stock options to its directors, officers and consultants. The stock options are exercisable at $0.15 per common share and have a five-year term.

ABOUT LODESTAR METALS

Lodestar Metals Corp. is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on advancing the drill-ready Goldrun Project in Nevada, strategically located on a major Carlin-style gold trend and adjacent to some of the largest gold deposits in North America. With decades of combined geological and capital markets expertise, Lodestar follows a disciplined, step-by-step approach to discovery. The Company's strategy is clear: focus capital on high-value targets, move quickly on known mineralization, and build a compliant gold resource that delivers lasting shareholder value. For more information, please visit www.lodestarmetals.ca.

NEITHER 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279882

Source: Lodestar Metals Corp.

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CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / January 9, 2026 / CANEX Metals Inc. ("CANEX" or the "Company") (TSXV:CANX) is pleased to announce significant support for its Offer (the "Offer") to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Gold Basin Resources Corporation ("Gold Basin") (TSX.V:GXX) and has extended the Offer deadline to January 19th, 2026, as Gold Basin's lack of a transfer agent has resulted in challenges and delays for shareholders of Gold Basin ("Gold Basin Shareholders") to deposit to the Offer.

Highlights:

47% of the shares of Gold Basin ("Gold Basin Shares") have been deposited to the Offer. We thank Gold Basin Shareholders for their strong support and encourage all Gold Basin Shareholders to tender to the Offer today

Gold Basin remains cease traded, non-compliant, and lacks a transfer agent. The absence of a transfer agent has frustrated numerous Gold Basin Shareholders attempting to compile documents related to their holdings and tender their shares, and has caused delays. CANEX has extended the Offer deadline to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on January 19, 2026 to allow additional time for Gold Basin shareholders to tender their shares

The Offer represents an implied premium of 221%, based on CANEX's 30-day volume-weighted price (VWAP) on January 7, 2026 and Gold Basin's 30-day VWAP on its last trading day, May 6, 2025. The Offer value equates to approximately $18,000,000 or more than $0.13 per Gold Basin share based on CANEX's January 8, 2026 closing price

CANEX has waived the tender condition of 66 2/3% of Gold Basin shares be tendered to the Offer and will be able to take up and pay for shares if the statutory 50% tender condition has been achieved

Gold Basin issued an empty and desperate news release dated January 8, 2026 asking shareholders to reject the CANEX Offer and stating that it undervalues the mineral endowment of the Gold Basin Project. We welcome Gold Basin Management to explain to their shareholders why they support a valuation of roughly C$2.92 million to give away approximately half of the value of the company to Helix Resources ("Helix") (ASX:HLX) and reject CANEX's offer valued at around $18 million for 100%. The CANEX Offer provides over 200% more value to Gold Basin Shareholders than the value placed on Gold Basin's only asset by Gold Basin's management

In their January 8 news release, Gold Basin claims they have "...corporate and governance capabilities that support an environment of excellence, effectiveness, and common-sense". CANEX highlights that Gold Basin has been cease traded for the past eight months, is heavily in debt, is facing multiple lawsuits, is deficient on numerous basic requirements for maintaining a TSXV-listed company, and has doubled down on a farm-in agreement with Helix that has triggered litigation and been flagged as being non-arm's length, has not been approved by Gold Basin shareholders or Canadian regulators, and is therefore likely invalid. The words from Gold Basin management do not match their actions or performance

An attempt to remedy the multiple compliance and litigation issues faced by Gold Basin to try and retain half the value of the Arizona project will be a costly, lengthy, and uncertain process, whereas the Offer by CANEX will provide Gold Basin Shareholders with liquid value for their shares within three business days of take-up

Permitting is underway for the Louise Copper-Gold Porphyry project in British Columbia to allow drill testing of two new geophysical targets identified during a 2025 survey. CANEX looks forward to drill testing these targets in 2026 and exposing shareholders to new discovery potential surrounding a large known copper-gold system

CANEX Announces Strong Support for the Offer, Waiver of Minimum Tender Condition, and Extension of the Offer

CANEX would like to thank Gold Basin Shareholders for the significant support for the Offer in the face of the challenges presented by Gold Basin's delinquent status. Despite having no transfer agent engaged to allow Gold Basin Shareholders to easily gather necessary documents, CANEX announces that 63,679,078 shares of Gold Basin ("Gold Basin Shares") have been tendered to the offer, representing 47.12% of the outstanding Gold Basin Shares.

Concurrently, CANEX is announcing that it will waive the minimum tender condition of 66 2/3% of Gold Basin Shares, leaving only the statutory minimum tender condition of more than 50% of Gold Basin Shares, meaning once just3,866,166 additional Gold Basin Shares are tendered to the Offer CANEX will be able to take up and pay for those shares.

To facilitate this, the Offer will be extended to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on January 19, 2026 to allow additional time for Gold Basin shareholders to tender to the CANEX Offer.

The Offer would provide Gold Basin Shareholders whose shares are tendered and successfully taken up with 0.592 of a CANEX share, which represents an implied premium of 221%, based on CANEX's 30-day VWAP on January 7, 2026, and Gold Basin's 30-day VWAP on its last trading day, May 6, 2025. The Offer value equates to approximately $18,000,000 or more than $0.13 per Gold Basin share based on CANEX January 8, 2026 closing price, a share price that Gold Basin Shares haven't closed above in over two years.

An advertisement with respect to the extension of the Offer will appear in the Friday, January 9, 2026 edition of The National Post. A notice of variation, change and extension (the "Notice of Variation and Change") with respect to the Offer is being mailed to the securityholders of Gold Basin. The Notice of Variation and Change will also be available under Gold Basin's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on CANEX's website at www.canexmetals.ca and will be filed with the applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States.

In addition to the extension of the Offer, the Notice of Variation and Change will include updates to the information set forth in CANEX's original offer and accompanying take-over bid circular dated August 28, 2025 (the "Original Offer and Circular").

Copies of the Original Offer and Circular are, and copies of the Notice of Variation and Change will be, available without charge from Laurel Hill Advisory Group, acting as the information agent for the Offer.

CANEX Comments on Gold Basin's Empty and Desperate News Release

On January 8, 2026, Gold Basin management issued a meandering and desperate news release (the "Release") seeking to maintain control of the company for the benefit of Helix and indifferent to the predicament they have left Gold Basin Shareholders in.

The opening line of the Release confusingly teases that it will finally reveal Gold Basin's plan to resume trading but then fails to provide any further details, which will be unsurprising to Gold Basin Shareholders who have been forced to wait since their shares were cease traded on May 6, 2025 for any semblance of plan or progress to restore liquidity to their investment. Gold Basin does not even have an audit firm engaged that could credibly bring Gold Basin back into compliance with their delinquent financial reporting, since their previous audit firm resigned and subsequently initiated litigation against Gold Basin. Remedy of the many issues faced by Gold Basin will be a costly, lengthy, and uncertain process, whereas the Offer by CANEX will provide Gold Basin Shareholders with liquid value for their shares within three business days of take-up.

In spite of the above, the release then goes on to tout Gold Basin's "...corporate and governance capabilities that support an environment of excellence, effectiveness, and common-sense", which is comical when you consider Gold Basin has not filed financial statements since December 2024 (resulting in the ongoing cease trade order), has not held an annual shareholder meeting since May 2024, and, in CANEX's view, is at risk of delisting and even dissolution in the near-term due to Gold Basin's various violations of Canadian corporate securities laws.

The release asks Gold Basin Shareholders to reject the Offer and states it undervalues the mineral endowment of the Gold Basin Project. CANEX welcomes Gold Basin management to explain to their shareholders why they support a valuation of roughly C$2.92 million to give away approximately half of the value of the company to Helix and reject CANEX's offer valued at around C$18.4m for 100%. The CANEX Offer provides over 200% more value to Gold Basin Shareholders than the value placed on Gold Basin's only asset by Gold Basin's management. The proposed Helix farm-in agreement could see Helix acquire a 40% interest in Gold Basin's only asset along with a 1% NSR royalty over the entire property. Helix can earn the 40% interest by spending $C2.78 million and the 1% royalty by issuing C$137,000 worth of Helix shares (total C$2.92 million). The majority of the Gold Basin property already has various royalties of 1 to 3.5% and adding another 1% on top of that would have negative economic implications. The imposition of this new royalty would reduce the value of the Gold Basin property, to the point where the deal potentially assigns about half of the value of the property to Helix when the 40% property interest is combined with the value of the 1% royalty. In the same release that Gold Basin makes claims about its corporate governance, it has also doubled down on a farm-in agreement with Helix that has been flagged as being non-arm's length, has not been approved by Gold Basin Shareholders or Canadian regulators, and is therefore likely invalid. We stress that the words from Gold Basin management do not match their actions or performance.

Finally, the release disputes the value of the Offer with a confusing and nonsensical claim that CANEX's share price is "inflated" based on the likelihood of the Offer being completed and frames this as somehow a reason to reject the Offer - however, this framing fails to realize that the consideration under the Offer is entirely in CANEX shares, meaning the "inflated" value will directly accrue to Gold Basin Shareholders who successfully tender to the Offer. In fact, since the announcement of the intention to launch the Offer on August 19, 2025, the value of the Offer has increased 181.25% - all incremental value available to Gold Basin Shareholders who successfully tender to the Offer.

Message to Gold Basin Shareholders

Gold Basin's recent news release is a naked attempt to maintain control of the company, apparently for the benefit of Helix and to the detriment of Gold Basin Shareholders. Their current course sees half of the value of their only asset given away for very little consideration and does not provide the capital required to settle their large debts and bring the company to compliance. There is zero value to shareholders in Gold Basin Managements plan if they do not regain compliance and resume trading. We encourage all Gold Basin shareholders to respond to actions not words.

To date, 47.12% of Gold Basin Shareholders have deposited or made formal contractual commitments to tender to the Offer. It appears likely that CANEX will surpass the statutory 50% threshold shortly and be eligible to take-up shares under the Offer. We thank Gold Basin Shareholders for their strong support and encourage all Gold Basin Shareholders to tender to the Offer and allow a professional team with exceptional shareholder backing to rapidly advance the consolidated oxide gold district in Northern Arizona for the benefit of all involved.

Gold Basin shareholders with questions or who need assistance tendering their shares should contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group by calling 1-877-452-7184 (toll-free in Canada and the United States), or 1-416-304-0211 (collect call outside of Canada and the United States), by texting "INFO" to either number, or by email at [email protected].

Louise Copper-Gold Porphyry Project Drill Permitting

A drill permit application for the Louise Copper-Gold Porphyry project in British Columbia was submitted in late 2025 and a permit decision is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026. If granted, the permit would allow the Company to drill test new exploration targets at Louise and expand geophysical surveying across the entire known trend.

An induced polarization geophysical survey conducted at Louise in May 2025 has identified two new high priority targets that have not been drill tested previously. The West Louise target has been identified two kilometres west of the historic Louise Cu-Au porphyry deposit and has a geophysical expression similar to known mineralization and extends over an area 600 metres wide by 800 metres long by up to 500 metres vertically and remains open along strike. A second new target, termed the Louise Deep target, occurs below and immediately north of the historic Louise deposit and spans an area up to 700 metres wide and extends to 1000 metres below surface, remaining open at depth.

CANEX intends to drill test both of the new targets at Louise during 2026 pending receipt of required exploration permits. Plans and timelines for Louise drill testing will be announced once exploration permits are received.

Advisors

CANEX has retained Borden Ladner Gervais LLP as its legal advisor and Laurel Hill Advisory Group as its information agent.

About CANEX Metals

CANEX Metals (TSX.V:CANX) is a Canadian junior exploration company focused on advancing its 100% owned Gold Range Project in Northern Arizona. With several near surface bulk tonnage gold discoveries made to date across a 4 km gold mineralized trend, the Gold Range Project is a compelling early-stage opportunity for investors. CANEX is also advancing the Louise Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in British Columbia. Louise contains a large historic copper-gold resource that has seen very little deep or lateral exploration, offering investors copper and gold discovery potential. CANEX is led by an experienced management team which has made three notable porphyry and bulk tonnage discoveries in North America and is sponsored by Altius Minerals (TSX: ALS), a large shareholder of the Company.

Dr. Shane Ebert P.Geo., is the Qualified Person for CANEX and has verified the data disclosed in this news release against historical and current data sources and has approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

"Shane Ebert"

Shane Ebert
President/Director

For Further Information Contact:

Shane Ebert at 1.250.964.2699 or
Jean Pierre Jutras at 1.403.233.2636
Web: http://www.canexmetals.ca

Gold Basin Shareholders :

Laurel Hill Advisory Group
North American Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184
Outside North America: 1-416-304-0211
Email: [email protected]

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release, including words such as "potential", "believes", "prospect", "risks", "opportunities" and similar expressions, are forward-looking information that represents management of CANEX Metals Inc.'s internal projections, expectations or beliefs concerning, among other things: the Offer; the satisfaction of the conditions of the Offer; Gold Basin Shareholder support for the Offer; whether the Gold Basin board will make a recommendation to Shareholders in respect of the Offer; the anticipated successful completion of the Offer; the anticipated effect of the Offer; CANEX's plans for Gold Basin if the Offer is successful; the expected benefits to Gold Basin shareholders of tendering their Gold Basin Shares to the Offer; whether the Cease Trade Order and the Halt will be revoked; whether Gold Basin will be dissolved by BC Registries and Online Services; whether Gold Basin will be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange; future operating results and various components thereof or the economic performance of CANEX; and whether and when a drill permit application for the Louise Copper-Gold Porphyry project will be granted. The projections, estimates and beliefs contained in such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause CANEX's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risk that the transactions contemplated by the Offer will not be consummated; the risk that the conditions of the Offer will not be met or met or a timely basis; and those risks described in CANEX's filings with the Canadian securities authorities. Accordingly, holders of CANEX Shares and potential investors are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted. CANEX disclaims any responsibility to update these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: CANEX Metals Inc.

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After AppLovin Corp.’s (NASDAQ: APP) share price tumbled more than 35% early last year due to a pending class action lawsuit and to short seller reports, the software company’s better-than-expected quarterly reports helped the stock recover. Shares hit a new high of $745.61 a piece in September and took another run at that high in late December. AppLovin stock easily outperformed the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq last year.

Since the company went public in 2021, its share price is 963% higher. This has clearly been a top growth stock that investors have benefited from owning in recent years. AppLovin has been among the top tech stocks seeing a lot of love from the market, but is that still true?

These days, the company focuses on providing software solutions that enhance the marketing and monetization of online advertisers. With AppLovin, there are certainly catalysts worth considering, and we’ll get to those shortly. It continues to benefit from the strong secular growth trends that investors are seeking increased exposure to. As investors continue to pile into such stocks, retail investors appear eager to gain outsized exposure in anticipation of a continued boom.

It is worth remembering that AppLovin experienced a drawdown of more than 90% from its post-pandemic high in 2021. So, is this stock headed for further declines, or is its momentum sustainable? Let’s dive into some catalysts and price predictions around where this stock could go for the rest of 2025 through to the end of this decade.

Three Key Drivers for AppLovin

As mentioned, AppLovin investors have to contend with plenty of news. For instance, analysts covering AppLovin have not been as bullish on the company as many may think, having issued warnings about the stock in the past year due to concerns about the company’s fundamentals. However, Benchmark and Jefferies maintained their Buy ratings on the shares last month.

Nonetheless, we see these key drivers propelling AppLovin going forward.

1. AI-Powered Advertising Enhancements  AppLovin’s Axon AI engine has been a game-changer, optimizing ad targeting and expanding beyond gaming into new categories like e-commerce, fintech, and automotive advertising. During the Q4 2024 earnings call, CEO Adam Foroughi highlighted that for the first time, AppLovin captured a significant share of holiday shopping ad spend—validating that its AI models are effective outside gaming.

Scaling AI Beyond Gaming: The company initially focused on direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, but early pilots have shown AI-driven success across multiple verticals. This means that any business in any industry could potentially tap into AppLovin’s advertising platform. Personalized Advertising With Generative AI: The company is developing automated tools and AI-generated ad creatives to improve engagement. AppLovin’s self-service platform (currently in development) will eventually allow businesses to run ads autonomously with AI-optimized targeting, a major step toward scaling its reach. AppLovin’s AI capabilities are proving to be industry-agnostic, opening the door for millions of global advertisers.

2. Expansion Into E-commerce Advertising Foroughi described the fourth quarter of 2024 as a major milestone, marking AppLovin’s first significant penetration into e-commerce advertising. Historically, the company primarily monetized mobile gaming ads, but now retail and consumer brands are joining the platform in large numbers.

Surging Demand From E-commerce Brands: Advertisers saw strong return on investment during the holiday season, prompting continued demand for the platform in 2025. Pilot Program Scaling Up: While AppLovin hasn’t disclosed the number of e-commerce advertisers, industry checks suggest a significant influx of brands seeking access. Self-Service Expansion Is the Next Big Growth Driver: Currently, the company manually onboards advertisers, but the launch of automated tools and a self-serve platform will allow thousands of new businesses to join. E-commerce advertising is set to be a major revenue contributor. Once self-serve tools become operational, adoption could scale exponentially.

3. Strategic Divestment of Mobile Gaming Unit AppLovin is officially exiting game development—a move that frees up resources to focus entirely on advertising technology.

$900 Million Sale of Apps Business: AppLovin announced that it has signed an exclusive term sheet to sell its mobile gaming division, with $500 million in cash and $400 million in equity in a private company. Why This Matters: The company originally acquired gaming studios to train its AI models, but it was never meant to be a core business. Now that AI is self-sufficient, AppLovin no longer needs to develop its own games. Shifting to a Pure Ad-Tech Model: With gaming divested, the company can fully concentrate on expanding its advertising ecosystem, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Google and Meta in the ad tech space. Divesting from mobile games is a significant pivot for the company, as it paves the way for AppLovin to become a pure advertising technology company.

Stock Price Prediction for 2026 There are clearly strong reasons why AppLovin’s stock rose so much this past year. Simply put, investors have been betting on AppLovin as a potential AI winner, as its AI advancements have driven customer success and accelerated the company’s growth. If the company can continue to prioritize generating outsized free cash flow and return capital to shareholders to a greater degree, this multiple could be warranted. Here’s where the stock could be headed, assuming the company’s multiple stays the same and earnings grow according to analyst estimates.

Wall Street’s consensus one-year price target for AppLovin is $739.96, which is 20.0% higher than the current share price. On average, 27 analysts covering AppLovin recommend buying shares, six of them with Strong Buy ratings.

24/7 Wall St.’s forecast projects AppLovin’s stock price to be $774.58 by year’s end 2026, which suggests over 25% gain in the coming year. We expect the stock to resume its strong growth rate and outperform analysts’ expectations going forward.

AppLovin Price Target for 2030

By the end of the decade, we estimate AppLovin’s stock price will be $910.70 per share, with less than 10% year-over-year revenue growth. Our estimated stock price is almost 48% higher than the current stock price. Here’s how it gets there:

Year Price Target Upside Potential 2026 $774.58 25.6% 2027 $803.83 30.4% 2028 $785.59 27.4% 2029 $870.65 41.2% 2030 $910.70 47.7% Palantir Technologies Price Prediction and Forecast 2025–2030

"The Next NVIDIA" Could Change Your Life NVIDIA has returned 250-fold in the past 10 years as artificial intelligence took off.

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CACI International (CACI) saw its shares surge in the last session with trading volume being higher than average. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions may not translate into further price increase in the near term.

The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted the sanctioned tanker Olina in waters near Venezuela.

The downgrade of Associated British Foods PLC (LSE:ABF) by Panmure Liberum on Friday underlined how quickly sentiment has turned after the group’s surprise profit warning the day before.

Panmure cut its rating to 'hold' from 'buy', arguing that Primark’s deteriorating performance in continental Europe now overshadows the rest of the investment case.

While the broker said there remains scope for self-help across the business, it warned that weak European like-for-like sales are raising more fundamental questions about the durability of Primark’s value proposition as competition intensifies and consumers remain cautious.

That concern is sharpened by the contrast with the UK. Primark’s domestic business rebounded swiftly after management invested in sharper pricing, marketing and click-and-collect.

Panmure is less confident those levers will translate as effectively in Europe, where Primark’s market position is weaker and competitive pressure higher.

Until there is clearer evidence of a turnaround, the broker expects investor attention to remain fixed on the slide in European sales.

Deutsche Bank struck a similar note, describing the update as raising “more questions than answers”. It highlighted the lack of a clear explanation for Europe’s underperformance and warned that further investment may be needed to restore growth, potentially weighing on margins.

The broader group picture is more balanced. Retail underlying profit guidance remains above £1 billion and stronger working capital has lifted free cash flow expectations.

But for now, analysts agree that confidence in AB Foods hinges on whether Primark can stabilise its European business and prove that the UK recovery can be replicated abroad.

After Thursday's 13% drop, the shares found some poise, bouncing 1.5% to 1,877.5p.

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Biotech investors spent years waiting for the sector to recover from its brutal 2021 peak. That patience is finally paying off. First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (NYSEARCA:FBT) has surged 29% over the past year, nearly doubling the S&P 500’s return. The ETF’s 5.4% gain in the first week of 2026 suggests momentum isn’t slowing.

FBT tracks about 30 biotechnology companies using an equal-weight methodology, rebalancing quarterly. This approach gives investors diversified exposure across genomics leaders like Exact Sciences (NASDAQ:EXAS) (up 76% in the past year), established players like Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN) (up 13%), and beaten-down names like Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) (up 20% in the first week of 2026 alone). With a 0.54% expense ratio and $1.4 billion in assets, it offers pure-play biotech exposure without betting on a handful of mega-caps.

Why Interest Rates Matter More Than FDA Calendars The biggest tailwind for biotech in 2026 isn’t any single drug approval. It’s the interest rate environment. After the Federal Reserve cut rates three times in 2025, some officials are forecasting another 150 basis points of cuts this year. Lower borrowing costs directly benefit biotech companies, which often burn cash for years before generating profits.

Janus Henderson portfolio managers noted in their 2026 outlook that healthcare stocks are trading at some of the lowest relative valuations in the sector’s history. After years of policy uncertainty weighing on the space, fundamentals are improving while valuations remain depressed. That combination creates room for significant upside when investor sentiment shifts, which appears to be happening now.

Watch the Federal Reserve’s quarterly rate decisions and monthly employment reports. If inflation continues moderating while the labor market softens, additional rate cuts become more likely. Each cut makes it cheaper for biotech firms to fund clinical trials and commercialization.

Equal Weighting Creates Opportunity and Risk FBT’s equal-weight structure means every holding gets roughly 3% to 5% allocation, regardless of market cap. This differs from market-cap-weighted funds that concentrate heavily in mega-cap pharma. The quarterly rebalancing automatically sells winners and buys laggards, which can boost returns during sector rotations but also caps gains from breakout performers.

Investors should review FBT’s holdings file after each quarterly rebalance (January, April, July, October) on First Trust’s website. Companies entering or exiting the index can signal shifting sector leadership.

Consider XBI for Broader Exposure The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (NYSEARCA:XBI) offers a compelling alternative with $8.3 billion in assets, a lower 0.35% expense ratio, and exposure to over 150 biotech stocks instead of 30. The broader diversification reduces single-stock risk while maintaining equal-weight benefits.

The key factors for 2026: watch Federal Reserve policy for continued rate cuts, and monitor FBT’s quarterly rebalancing for portfolio shifts that signal where smart money is rotating within biotech.

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Disclosure: The opinions, analyses, and evaluations here are ours and not provided by any bank, financial institution, or any other company. They have not reviewed, approved or endorsed our content.

Tesla investors have had to deal with falling deliveries and more AI competition, so far in 2026.

There's going to be a lot going on in 2026, but the crypto probably won't go to the moon.

Bitcoin (BTC +0.11%) had a rough 2025. The hopes and expectations of many investors were dashed, including mine, and some of the coin's most enduring narratives got dented a bit.

This year is likely to be better for holders, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be a smooth ride, nor does it mean that the years that come after will be easy ones. With that in mind, here are three things that I predict about Bitcoin's year ahead.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. It will end 2026 higher than in 2025 My first prediction is that Bitcoin finishes 2026 above where it finished 2025. In 2025, the coin ran up earlier in the year to make new all-time highs, then fell far enough that it ended the year down more than 30% from its peak.

The mechanism for a better year-end finish is essentially the same as the bull thesis from 2025, which is to say demand for the asset will continue to meet a stubbornly constrained new supply schedule thanks to the halving in 2024.

Spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) now represent a real demand channel, which could also help to moderate the coin's volatility a bit. Corporate treasuries and digital asset treasury (DAT) companies represent another new channel for demand, both of which tend to accumulate the coin for the purpose of long-term holding, making the supply picture even more favorable for holders (and worse for later buyers).

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A third new channel is sovereign involvement, which includes the formation of strategic reserves of Bitcoin. Governments tend to be even less willing to sell their assets than the previously existing classes of holders, so it could push the coin's price up substantially over time.

2. The quantum computing conversation will progress As you may have heard, Bitcoin transactions rely on cryptographic signatures, and the common signature scheme used in Bitcoin is theoretically breakable using a sufficiently capable quantum computer.

This is not a next-month problem, as such quantum computers don't exist yet, and they probably won't exist for a while. But imagine how much you would want to hold a coin that a hacker could deprive you of with ease, and you will immediately understand why adapting Bitcoin to become quantum-secure is such an important issue for its future.

Knowing this, Bitcoin's investor and developer communities are starting to coalesce around the idea that developing a mitigation strategy to address the threat of quantum computing is something that's a high priority There are numerous proposals for how to accomplish that, and the actual implementation of pretty much anything is going to take a while and likely won't even start for a couple of years at the earliest as there's currently no consensus.

Nonetheless, I predict that the consensus on the best way forward will form in large part during 2026. If it doesn't, holding Bitcoin is going to get a whole lot riskier with every new headline about the increasing sophistication of quantum computers -- and that technology is a bit of a hot area right now, to say the least.

3. Bitcoin won't match gold's parabolic run My third prediction is that Bitcoin will not mirror gold's parabolic path in 2026, in contradiction to the many investors who have been positing that it will for most of 2025.

For context, gold just had an exceptional 2025, with a rapid run of new all-time highs and a return north of 69%. Bitcoin can still rise substantially in the same macroclimate that caused investors to flock to gold, but the two assets don't recruit and retain investors or capital in the same way, so they won't perform in the same way.

Gold is widely understood, widely permitted on institutional balance sheets, and psychologically easier to hold when things get rough. Bitcoin is still earning its status as a store of value, and it does so while delivering a more intense emotional experience due to its volatility -- and that's the opposite of gold, at least most of the time.

Should investors trust the cryptocurrency trading for just $2, or the one trading for thousands of dollars?

XRP (XRP +0.13%) and Ethereum (ETH 0.85%) are two of the best high-upside cryptocurrency investment options. They both have demonstrated the ability to skyrocket in price, and both have strong potential catalysts. In the past, both have minted their fair share of millionaires.

So which one is more likely to be a millionaire maker? To answer that question, it's important to consider the following two factors.

Historical price performance A good starting point is historical performance. While past returns are no guarantee of future performance, they can help to provide a quick snapshot look at how a cryptocurrency does over time. Is the cryptocurrency a one-hit wonder, or is it capable of replicating its performance over an extended period of time?

From 2017 through 2025, XRP grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 94%. Since its launch back in 2012, XRP is up an impressive 40,000%.

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Based on those numbers alone, you might conclude that a single XRP token is trading for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. But you would be wrong. XRP still trades for a price of about $2.

There's a good reason for this low price. XRP's performance has been extremely uneven over the years. In fact, the standard deviation of XRP's returns from January 2017 to November 2025 is a head-spinning 334%. By way of comparison, the standard deviation of an S&P 500 stock is typically about 15%, while the standard deviation of a fast-growth tech stock is typically anywhere from 20% to 30%.

That's why it's hard to trust XRP. It's the type of cryptocurrency that's either soaring or collapsing in value. If you're trying to build a million-dollar nest egg, you might lose everything after one bad year. Or maybe one bad month.

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That's not to say that Ethereum can be trusted either. It, too, is prone to intense periods of boom and bust. Case in point: Ethereum soared by 472% in 2020 and 395% in 2021, only to collapse in price by 68% in 2022.

But Ethereum has been much better at bouncing back from adversity and rewarding longtime investors. Since its launch back in 2015, Ethereum is up an incredible 115,000%. As a result of being able to piece together good years over an extended period of time, Ethereum currently trades for a price of about $3,150.

Future growth prospects XRP and Ethereum are both vying to become important pieces of the modern global financial system. From stablecoins to real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, both XRP and Ethereum are at the forefront of exciting changes taking place on Wall Street.

Image source: Getty Images.

But Ethereum has a more diversified blockchain ecosystem than XRP, and that makes it more capable of growing at a smooth, steady rate. While Ethereum is a behemoth when it comes to decentralized finance (DeFi), it is also a market leader when it comes to other applications of blockchain technology as well. This includes everything from non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to blockchain gaming.

The XRP blockchain, for its part, is limited to use cases related to finance. After all, the XRP token is primarily just a bridge currency used to swap between different currencies. As such, it is a useful way to transfer value across borders. Once you get beyond cross-border payments, though, the number of use cases for XRP is relatively small.

I'm attaching a much higher growth multiple to Ethereum. It's simply capable of growing faster than XRP. And due to the diversification of its blockchain ecosystem, it's much more insulated from market peaks and valleys.

The winner is... Based on the above, the clear winner is Ethereum. If you're trying to build a million-dollar crypto portfolio, this is where I'd start. It has a nearly unparalleled historical track record. And it is at the center of several important trends taking place within the global financial system. So much so, in fact, that the Trump administration thought about classifying Ethereum as a strategic asset.

Just keep in mind, though, that the future price trajectory of Ethereum is unlikely to be straight up. It's prone to intense cycles of boom and bust, so be prepared to hold through market volatility. But if you do so, you will likely be handsomely rewarded.

VanEck’s 2050 base case sees Bitcoin compounding 15% annually to ~$2.9m, settling up to 10% of global trade and reaching 2.5% of central bank reserves as a monetary hedge.

Summary

VanEck analysts project Bitcoin could average 15% yearly returns for 25 years, lifting its price to about $2.9m per coin by 2050.​ Their base case assumes Bitcoin handles 5–10% of global trade payments and grows into a non‑sovereign reserve asset at roughly 2.5% of central bank reserves.​ The report frames Bitcoin as a long‑term hedge against monetary‑regime risks, with scenarios from a ~$130k bear case to a hyper‑bull outcome above $50m. Global asset manager VanEck has issued a long-term forecast projecting Bitcoin could account for up to 10% of global trade and 2.5% of central bank reserves by 2050, according to a recent company report.

VanEck analysts Matthew Sigel and Patrick Bush stated in the report that Bitcoin could achieve these levels assuming an average annual return of 15% over the next 25 years. The analysts projected Bitcoin could represent between 5% and 10% of global trade payments and approximately 2.5% of central bank reserve assets within that timeframe.

The report characterized Bitcoin as a long-term hedge against monetary system risks rather than a tactical asset, according to the analysts.

“Bitcoin is not a tactical asset; it functions as a long-term hedge against the negative consequences of a monetary regime,” the report stated.

Bitcoin has experienced volatility in recent trading periods, though long-term price forecasts from various analysts have remained positive. VanEck’s projections include multiple scenarios ranging from pessimistic to highly optimistic valuations.

The report suggests the cryptocurrency could strengthen its strategic role as a monetary hedge if adoption increases among central banks and international trade participants, according to the VanEck analysts.

VanEck, a global investment management firm, has been active in cryptocurrency investment products and market analysis. The firm’s 2050 projections represent one of several long-term Bitcoin valuations that have included seven-figure price targets from various market participants.

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Samson Mow, a vocal Bitcoin proponent and the JAN3 CEO, has taken to his account on the X social media platform to once again point out a key advantage of Bitcoin over altcoins to the global crypto community.

This statement occurred after the recent exodus of the Zcash core developer team.

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Mow slams "s-coin developers quitting" and praises BitcoinThe JAN3 boss addressed the community with a message, in which he praised the world’s pioneer crypto, Bitcoin, and took a major jab at altcoins and their developer teams once again.

Mow emphasized that unlike with altcoins, whose developers can give up working on them and quit “all at once” all of a sudden, Bitcoin has 100% protection from that. Its initial developer, the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, voluntarily disappeared in December 2010.

Bitcoin is now believed to be completely decentralized, unlike altcoins, such as Ethereum, XRP, etc. Mow, along with other Bitcoin maxis, often slams these large-cap altcoins, calling them scams.

Bitcoin is insurance against shitcoin dev teams quitting all at once.

— Samson Mow (@Excellion) January 9, 2026 Aside from complete decentralization, Bitcoin maxis often name absolute scarcity — with 21 million being the finite supply of coins of BTC — from which more than 19 million have been mined already.

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Zcash core devs' mass exodusAs reported by U.Today earlier, this week, the development team of Zcash’s Electric Coin Company announced it was quitting after they massively clashed regarding governance issues with its nonprofit board, Bootstrap, over distractions from its mission of focusing on privacy.

Reacting to this unfortunate event, the price of the ZEC token immediately fell by roughly 20%, hitting $381 and erasing $1.6 billion in the coin’s market capitalization value. This highlighted vulnerabilities in the governance of this decentralized project and boosted investor interest in the early privacy coin Monero (whose initial developer is no longer on the project either, like Satoshi).

The Zcash core team now has plans to set up a new company to sustain Zcash’s core technological advancements.

When similar things happen in the Bitcoin developer community, such as in 2017 and 2018, they usually result in hard forks (Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV), with a portion of the developers quitting, while the initial BTC protocol continues to function and dominate the cryptocurrency market.

Colombia’s DIAN now forces crypto platforms to collect and report user and transaction data on Bitcoin, Ether, stablecoins and other assets under Resolution 000240.

Summary

DIAN’s Resolution 000240, issued Dec. 24, 2025, mandates exchanges, intermediaries and platforms to report detailed user and crypto transaction data from the 2026 tax year.​ Data must include identity details, tax IDs, volumes, units transferred, market values and net balances, aligning Colombia with the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework.​ Non-compliant operators face fines of up to 1% of undeclared transaction value, while Colombia ranks as the fifth-largest Latin American crypto market by volume. Colombia’s National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN) has introduced new regulations requiring digital asset operators to collect and report customer data to tax authorities, according to Resolution 000240 issued on December 24, 2025.

The resolution establishes a comprehensive monitoring system covering transactions involving bitcoin, ether, stablecoins, and other cryptocurrencies. Exchanges, intermediaries, and platforms operating in the country must provide extensive information to DIAN under the new framework.

Required data include account holder identification, transaction volumes, the number of cryptocurrency units transferred, the market value of transactions, and net balances, according to the resolution. The stated objectives are to prevent tax evasion and increase traceability across the sector.

New colombian crypto rules The Colombian resolution aligns with the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the international reference standard for digital asset reporting. The provisions apply to both domestic operators and foreign entities that offer services to Colombian residents or taxpayers.

The resolution entered into force at the end of 2025, with reporting obligations officially beginning with the 2026 tax year. The first full report covering the entire 2026 calendar year must be submitted by the last business day of May 2027, according to the compliance timeline.

Prior to this resolution, individual cryptocurrency holders in Colombia were required to declare their digital assets and related gains in personal tax returns. However, no third-party reporting obligation existed, leaving taxpayers solely responsible for accurate disclosure.

The regulation introduces a penalty framework to ensure compliance by operators. Failure to submit required data or submission of inaccurate information may result in fines of up to 1% of the value of undeclared transactions, according to the resolution.

Colombia ranks as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency market in Latin America by transaction volume, with transactions recorded between July 2024 and June 2025, according to an analysis published by Chainalysis in October.

Zcash (ZEC) has experienced a sharp correction following news of a core developer’s exit, which negatively impacted short-term market sentiment. This triggered an aggressive selloff, driving the price below key EMAs.

Despite this negative news and the initial selloff, ZEC has rebounded during intraday trading, rising over 7% to $432 on increased trading volume.

The intraday bounce comes just a day after panic-driven selling pushed the price into oversold territory, suggesting that much of the selloff may already be priced in.

The key question now is whether this bounce will develop into sustained buying or fade into another decline.

ZEC Bounces After Selloff: Is More Volatility Ahead?Zcash (ZEC) surged 7% following a sharp selloff, indicating that buyers are stepping in at key support levels.

The rebound suggests that the market is absorbing the recent negative news. On-chain data also shows that whales and large holders are accumulating after the dip.

Furthermore, analyst Crypto Fella expressed a bullish view, stating that ZEC’s price reversal has played out and it could rally toward $500 soon.

However, looking at recent price action, after consecutive losses last month, ZEC has formed a fresh lower low, indicating a potential trend change.

Unless ZEC closes strongly above $450, the bullish trend may not resume. Otherwise, a deeper correction toward $400 could unfold in the coming sessions.

What Do Derivatives Data Signals?Liquidation data from Coinglass indicates a bullish short-term signal. Over $1.88 million in short positions have been liquidated compared to $375,000 in long positions, showing that the closure of a large number of shorts has triggered a quick bounce.

Additionally, open interest (OI) has risen 12.76% to $1.01 billion, reflecting fresh long-position buildup, which could support further gains during the intraday session.

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