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Japan poised for first female prime minister after ruling party elects Sanae Takaichi as new leader

Japan is on track to get its first female prime minister after the leading conservative party elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader. 

Takaichi, the former economic security minister of Japan, beat Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a runoff in an intraparty vote on Saturday by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Takaichi is replacing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the party looks to regain public support and stay in power. 

Despite suffering major election losses, the Liberal Democratic Party remains by far the largest in the lower house and determines Japan’s leader because opposition groups are highly splintered.

In the first round of voting, Takaichi finished first with 183 votes and Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi placed second with 164. Because neither candidate reached a majority in the first round, the winner was determined in an immediate two-way runoff. 

The LDP, whose consecutive losses in parliamentary elections in the past year have left it in the minority in both houses, sought a leader who can quickly address challenges both domestic and international, while seeking cooperation from key opposition groups to implement its policies.

Takaichi, a hard-line conservative who’s cited former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as her hero, has called for strengthening Japan’s military, and taking a tougher stance against China and North Korea. She also opposes same-sex marriage and retains ties to nationalist groups. 

Takaichi also faces a possible summit with President Donald Trump, who could demand that Japan increase its defense spending. A meeting is reportedly being planned for late October. Trump will travel to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea starting Oct. 31.

The LDP also needs help from the opposition, which it has long neglected. The party will likely look to expand its coalition with the moderate centrist Komeito with at least one of the key opposition parties, which are more centrist.

A parliamentary vote is expected in mid-October.  

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Minera Alamos Closes Nevada Mine Acquisition, Expands US Gold Footprint

Minera Alamos (TSXV:MAI,OTCQX:MAIFF) announced that it has completed its purchase of the Pan gold mine and two development-stage projects in Nevada from Equinox Gold (TSX:EQX,NYSEAMERICAN:EQX).

The Toronto-based company said Wednesday (October 1) that it closed the previously announced transaction to acquire the Pan mine, along with the Gold Rock and Illipah projects in White Pine County.

Under the terms, Minera Alamos paid Equinox Gold roughly US$88 million in cash and issued nearly 97 million shares, leaving Equinox with a 9.15 percent stake in the company.

The company also secured a US$25 million gold prepayment facility with Auramet International, structured as a 24-month loan repayable in 7,830 ounces of gold.

Minera Alamos Chief Executive Darren Koningen said the acquisition provides both immediate production and a pipeline of late-stage assets.

“We are excited to close this transformational acquisition for Minera Alamos,” Koningen said. “The addition of the Pan gold mine, along with the Gold Rock and Illipah projects, provides immediate production and cash flow while significantly expanding our late-stage project development pipeline.”

Pan is a heap leach operation that has been producing around 40,000 ounces of gold annually. Combined with development plans at Copperstone, Cerro de Oro, and Gold Rock, Minera Alamos expects to eventually scale production to more than 175,000 ounces a year, according to earlier preliminary assessments.

Meanwhile, the sale allows Equinox Gold to retain exposure to the Nevada assets through its minority equity stake in Minera Alamos.

Equinox, which operates multiple mines across the Americas, said earlier it was looking to streamline its portfolio and recycle capital into core projects.

For Minera Alamos, the addition of the Pan mine provides steady cash flow, while Gold Rock and Illipah add long-term optionality. Both development projects are in Nevada’s Battle Mountain–Eureka trend, a region known for its high concentration of producing gold mines.

The Nevada acquisition represents the second major financing effort for Minera Alamos in less than two months.

The company expects near-term contributions from Pan while advancing development work at Gold Rock and Illipah. Construction and permitting activities are underway, with timelines tied to gold market conditions and project economics.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Crypto Market Update: Stablecoin Market Passes US$300 Billion in Fastest Growth Since 2021

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (October 3) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

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

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$120,724, trading 13 percent higher over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$118,777, while its highest was US$121,044.

Bitcoin price performance, October 3, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

Over the next five years, Bitcoin could realistically reach US$200,000 to US$500,000 per coin, according to an emailed note from Bitget Chief Analyst Ryan Lee. Lee sees sustained institutional inflows and broader mainstream adoption as key drivers, with more than 20 percent of global financial institutions expected to integrate Bitcoin exposure.

Emerging markets, in addition, may increasingly use it as a hedge against inflation, although risks such as geopolitical tensions or technological vulnerabilities could still trigger sharp 30 to 50 percent drawdowns.

Lee also stressed that, ‘regulatory clarity, particularly from bodies like the SEC and EU’s MiCA framework, will be pivotal in reducing uncertainty and encouraging wider participation, potentially unlocking trillions in sidelined capital if frameworks remain innovation-friendly.’

Bitcoin dominance in the crypto market is at 56.53 percent, showing a slight week-on-week dip.

Ether (ETH) is also performing well, up 2.8 percent over 24 hours to US$4,469.84. Ether’s lowest valuation on Friday was US$4,358.45, and its highest was US$4,549.77.

Momentum indicators are reinforcing the bullish case for ETH. Both the 25-day and 50-day moving averages are acting as resistance, and analysts see a decisive close above US$4,500 as the next trigger. From there, projections point to an 80–100 percent rally into 2026, with Ether’s recent low now looking like a confirmed floor.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$220.16, an increase of 5.4 percent over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$217.81, and its highest valuation was US$220.69.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.96, up by 3.2 percent over the last 24 hours, and its highest valuation of the day. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$2.92.

ETF data and derivatives trends

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continued to see institutional demand this week. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded roughly US$2.25 billion in weekly inflows, led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) (NASDAQ:IBIT), which accounted for the largest single-fund purchases (IBIT bought roughly US$400–470 million on heavy flow days).

Total assets under management across US Bitcoin spot ETFs are now estimated at about US$155 billion, up from roughly US$100 billion earlier in the year, with major funds such as Fidelity’s (TSX:FBTC) and ARK 21Shares (BATS:ARKB) also posting notable inflows during the same stretch.

Today’s crypto news to know

Stablecoin market passes US$300 billion

The stablecoin market has climbed past US$300 billion for the first time, but analysts caution that current momentum may not be enough to meet future targets.

Coinbase projects the market will reach US$1.2 trillion by 2028, while Standard Chartered pegs it closer to US$2 trillion and Citi expects more than US$4 trillion by 2030.

Growth this year has averaged about US$10 billion in new issuance each month — a pace that would take over five years to meet the lower end of forecasts. Tether’s USDT remains the clear leader, holding 58 percent of supply and adding USD$2.6 billion in circulation this week.

Circle’s USDC and Ethena’s USDe also expanded, while BlackRock’s USD and PayPal’s PYUSD posted some of the strongest percentage gains.

The growth streak marks the fastest since early 2021, when the sector ballooned nearly 300 percent in half a year.

Sanctioned rouble stablecoin draws attention at Token2049

A rouble-pegged stablecoin, already under US and UK sanctions, surfaced as a sponsor of the Token2049 conference in Singapore, according to a Reuters report.

The token, known as A7A5, was launched in January by a Russian defense-linked lender and a Kyrgyz payments firm, and has been flagged by Western officials as a tool for sanctions evasion.

Despite this, the company behind A7A5 held a booth at the conference, was listed as a platinum sponsor, and even saw one of its executives speak on stage before references were removed following media inquiries.

Trading in the token has surged, reflecting rising demand from Russian users locked out of traditional banking systems.

Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings reach record US$77.4 billion

Corporate Bitcoin pioneer Strategy has disclosed that its BTC holdings are now worth US$77.4 billion, the highest in its history.

The company first began buying Bitcoin in 2020, when its position was worth about US$2.1 billion, a move initially seen as radical.

Since then, its treasury has ridden multiple market cycles, growing to US$5.7 billion by 2021, falling back to US$2.2 billion during the 2022 crash, and then steadily building through consistent purchases.

By 2023, Strategy’s holdings were valued at US$8 billion, and by 2024 they had reached US$41.8 billion. The 2025 rally, which has pushed Bitcoin above US$124,000, has nearly doubled the value of its stack in less than a year.

Separately, Strategy secured relief from a looming tax liability after the IRS ruled that unrealized crypto gains will not count toward the 15 percent corporate minimum tax.

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

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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BHP’s 2026 Xplor Critical Minerals Accelerator Program Calls for Applications

Mining giant BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP) has begun accepting applications for the 2026 edition of its Xplor Critical Minerals Accelerator Program.

Now in its fourth edition, Xplor currently holds an alumni network of 21 companies, including the likes of Cobre (ASX:CBE) and Hamelin Gold (ASX:HMG).

“Xplor has quickly become a recognised pathway for early-stage explorers who want to scale faster and think more boldly,” said BHP Group Exploration Officer Tim O’Connor.

“The program provides not only capital, but access to the knowledge, networks, and technical depth that can fundamentally change the trajectory of a company,” he added.

As in previous cohorts, Xplor 2026 participants can receive up to US$500,000 in equity-free funding, mentorship and access to BHP’s global network of suppliers and service providers.

Early-stage explorers are encouraged to apply, as long as they are “dedicated to uncovering new sources of critical minerals essential for a sustainable future.”

In 2025, eight junior mining companies targeting copper and other critical minerals were selected by BHP. These included Canadian company Viridian Metals (CSE:VRDN) and ASX-listed German company GreenX Metals (ASX:GRX,LSE:GRX).

Current participant Electrum Discovery (TSXV:ELY,OTC:ELDCF) said that being part of BHP Xplor is invaluable.

“The program has given us access to expertise and resources that have helped sharpen our strategy and move our projects forward more quickly,” said CEO Elena Clarici.

“It has also opened doors to networks and opportunities that would have been much harder to access on our own. Xplor is already making a real difference in how we grow as a company.”

Xplor was launched in 2022 to assist companies in accelerating exploration opportunities and developing new critical minerals sources. It is split into three tracks: technical readiness, business readiness and operations readiness.

“As the world’s demand for critical minerals intensifies, building strong partnerships between majors and juniors will be essential,” O’Connor added.

“Xplor is about more than accelerating exploration projects, it’s about shaping a new way of working together to unlock the resources needed for the future.”

The deadline for 2026 submissions is October 15, 11:59 PM AEST.

Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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ECB Taps G+D, Nexi and Capgemini to Build Offline Payments for Digital Euro

The European Central Bank (ECB) has signed a framework agreement with security technology firm Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) and its partners Nexi and Capgemini to deliver offline payment capabilities for the digital euro.

The trio, led by Munich-based security firm G+D, ranked first among tenderers for the contract to design, implement and partially operate the system that will allow users to make digital euro payments without internet or power connections.

Offline functionality has been positioned as a defining feature of the digital euro. From the outset, the ECB has emphasized that a central bank digital currency must provide privacy and resilience comparable to cash.

Payments under the offline model are stored directly on user devices such as smartphones, cards or other compatible tools, and are settled locally between devices without passing through banks, payment providers, or the central bank itself.

According to the ECB, this structure ensures transactions remain private and reliable, extending the reach of the euro in digital form while preserving the characteristics of physical cash.

The digital euro is also intended as a complement to banknotes and coins, available to anyone across the euro area and functioning as a universal means of payment.

“We are proud to lead this pan-European cooperation, working together with our partners Nexi and Capgemini to bring the digital euro’s offline capabilities to life,” said Dr. Wolfram Seidemann, CEO of G+D Currency Technology. “This milestone underscores our commitment to innovation and security in digital payment solutions while preserving the privacy and resilience that citizens expect from cash.”

Under the new agreement, G+D and its partners will work with the ECB to finalize the design, integration and development of the Digital Euro Service Platform (DESP). The Governing Council of the ECB will oversee the process in line with European legislation, ensuring the solution is consistent with current monetary and financial policy goals.

G+D brings longstanding expertise in currency technology and security systems to the project. Its partners, Nexi and Capgemini, will contribute specialized knowledge in payment infrastructure and technology integration.

Nexi, a major European payments company, is tasked with ensuring that the digital euro integrates seamlessly with existing point-of-sale systems.

Capgemini on the other hand will support development and testing of the offline interfaces, drawing on its background in technology consulting and digital transformation.

The digital euro project remains in its preparation phase. The ECB will spearhead the evaluation of technical solutions, legal frameworks and user experience considerations before any decision on issuance is made.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Platinum Price Surges Past US$1,600 Mark to Fresh 12 Year High

The platinum price broke above US$1,600 per ounce on September 29 (Monday), its highest level since April 2013.

What’s moving the platinum price? A number of factors are at play in this notoriously volatile market.

As a precious metal, nearly a quarter of demand for platinum comes from the jewelry sector. When gold prices are high, as they are now at nearly US$3,900 an ounce, platinum jewelry becomes an attractive, lower cost alternative.

With more than 70 percent of demand for the metal coming from the industrial and automotive sectors, the platinum market is highly price sensitive to economic cycles. However, despite the current economic uncertainty that’s driving gold higher, platinum prices are being buoyed by stable demand in the auto sector, emerging demand in the hydrogen fuel cell industry, and persistent supply challenges out of major platinum producing nations like South Africa.

Platinum supply under pressure

Supply constraints are an ongoing trend in the platinum market and a major driver of prices for the metal in 2025.

In its Q2 2025 Platinum Quarterly, the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) predicts that global platinum mine supply will drop by 6 percent to 5.43 million ounces for this year.

Heavy rainfalls and flooding in top producer South Africa in the first quarter of the year had a major impact on an industry already reeling from high-cost electricity and dwindling reserves.

In late August, Paul Dunne, CEO of Northam Platinum (JSE:NPH) in South Africa told Reuters that higher platinum prices in 2025 will likely not do much to alleviate the pressures facing platinum group metals (PGM) production in the country.

“Recent price appreciation is offering some relief to the PGM sector,” he said in a statement. “However, it is still not yet at levels that will support sustainable mining across the industry and certainly not the much-needed development of new operations.”

Suffice it to say that problems in the supply side of the market will continue to support platinum prices over the longer-term.

Platinum demand seen as sustainable

As for platinum demand, Mykuliak sees a few key important drivers including auto catalysts for hybrid vehicles, increased hydrogen adoption for industrial uses and Chinese demand for platinum jewelry as an alternative to gold.

In the automotive industry, platinum is used in catalytic converters for vehicle exhaust systems for emissions control. The rise of electric vehicles (EVs), which do not require catalytic converters to control emissions, is expected to cut into platinum demand over time.

However, high costs and range anxiety are leading auto buyers to choose hybrids over battery EVs. Because hybrid engines still require catalytic converters, the auto sector continues to be a reliable source for platinum demand.

In the hydrogen sector, platinum has a role as a catalyst in the proton exchange membrane electrolyzers used for green hydrogen production and in hydrogen fuel cells. The WPIC has noted that the hydrogen market be ‘a meaningful component of global demand by 2030 and potentially the largest segment by 2040.’

As for jewelry demand, the WPIC is predicting an increase of 11 percent year-on-year to 2.23 million ounces in 2025. China is expected to represent more than one quarter of that growth as the fabrication of platinum jewelry in the region is expected to grow by 42 percent to 585,000 ounces.

Platinum price outlook

The platinum price has since pulled back from the US$1,600 level to US$1,558 per ounce in midday trading on Thursday (October 2). But a correction is expected in the short-term, explained Mykuliak, who believes the fundamental outlook for platinum is still a positive one.

“Looking ahead, I expect volatility. My base case is a US$1,650-US$1,750 range by the year-end, with possible dips toward US$1,450 if profit-taking intensifies,” she said. “On the upside, if South African power disruptions worsen or hydrogen policies accelerate, US$1,850-US$1,950 is realistic, with US$2,000 also within reach.”

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Silver Price Surges Above US$48, Approaches All-time High

The silver price kept surging on Friday (October 3), breaking US$48 per ounce.

The white metal last reached this level in 2011, the same year it nearly hit US$50 for only the second time in history. Silver’s first run to the US$50 level came in 1980, when the Hunt brothers attempted to corner the market.

Silver price chart, December 31, 2024, to October 3, 2025.

Known for lagging behind gold before outperforming, silver is now ahead of its sister metal in terms of percentage gains — it’s up close to 60 percent year-to-date, while gold has risen around 47 percent.

Still, silver remains below its all-time high, while gold continues to set new records — it’s been closing in on US$3,900 per ounce this week, buoyed by the US government shutdown.

Gold is also seeing underlying support from strong central bank buying, global geopolitical uncertainty, concerns about the US dollar and other fiat currencies and expectations of lower interest rates.

Silver acts as both a precious and industrial metal, meaning that it’s driven by many of the same factors as gold, but also has additional sources of demand. According to the Silver Institute, industrial demand for silver reached a record 680.5 million ounces in 2024, driven by usage in grid infrastructure, vehicle electrification and photovoltaics.

Total silver demand was down 3 percent year-on-year in 2024, but still exceeded supply for the fourth year in a row, resulting in a deficit of 148.9 million ounces for the year.

Watch five experts share their thoughts on the outlook for silver.

As silver gets closer to surpassing its all-time high, investors are wondering about its long-term prospects.

While many experts have lofty expectations for silver, including triple-digit price predictions, there’s a broad consensus that the white metal may correct before continuing on upward.

However, there’s also recognition that silver’s situation today is different than it was previously.

‘If you have something happen with the supply, and then on top of that at some point you’re running into issues with debt loads and currencies, that would certainly leave us probably into a much different environment for silver than either 1980 or 2011,’ said Chris Marcus, founder of Arcadia Economics.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Apollo Silver Announces Upsize of Private Placement Offering

Apollo Silver Corp. (‘ Apollo Silver ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) (TSX.V:APGO, OTCQB:APGOF, Frankfurt:6ZF0) is pleased to announce that due to strong investor demand from current shareholders, the Company has elected to increase the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering and will now offer up to 7,437,680 (the ‘ Units ‘) of the Company at a price of $3.60 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $26,775,648 (the ‘ Upsized Offering ‘).

Each Unit issued pursuant to the Upsized Offering will consist of one common share (a ‘ Share ‘) in the capital of the Company and one common Share purchase warrant (a ‘ Warrant ‘). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Share at an exercise price of $5.50 for 24 months from the closing date of the Offering. The Warrants will be subject to an acceleration provision, such that if at any time after the date that is four months and one day after the closing, the Company’s Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (the ‘ TSXV ‘) at a closing price of $7.50 or greater per Share for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry of the Warrants by giving notice to the holders thereof and, in such case, the Warrant will expire on the thirtieth (30th) day after the date of such notice (the ‘ Acceleration Provision ‘)

All securities issued in connection with the Upsized Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing. Finder’s fees may be payable on some or all of the funds raised, in accordance with the policies of the TSXV. The Company intends on using the net proceeds from the Upsized Offering to continue advancing the Calico Silver Project in San Bernardino, California; to support community relations initiatives at Cinco de Mayo Silver Project in Chihuahua, Mexico; to cover ongoing property maintenance costs at both projects; and for general corporate purposes.

Closing of the Upsized Offering is subject to final regulatory approval including that of the TSXV.

Insider Participation

The Upsized Offering will include participation by certain insiders of the Company, which constitutes a ‘related party transaction’ under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (‘MI 61-101’). The issuance of securities to insiders will be exempt from the formal valuation requirement pursuant to section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101, as the Company’s shares are not listed on a specified market, and from the minority shareholder approval requirement pursuant to section 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the securities issued to related parties does not exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.

The Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘ U.S. Securities Act ‘), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with the requirements of an applicable exemption therefrom. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Apollo Silver Corp.

Apollo is advancing one of the largest undeveloped primary silver projects in the US. The Calico project hosts a large, bulk minable silver deposit with significant barite credits – a critical mineral essential to the US energy and medical sectors. The Company also holds an option on the Cinco de Mayo Project in Chihuahua, Mexico, which is host to a major carbonate replacement (CRD) deposit that is both high-grade and large tonnage. Led by an experienced and award-winning management team, Apollo is well positioned to advance the assets and deliver value through exploration and development.

Please visit www.apollosilver.com for further information.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ross McElroy
President and CEO

For further information, please contact:

Email: info@apollosilver.com

Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128

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.

Cautionary Statement Regarding ‘Forward-Looking’ Information

This news release includes ‘forward-looking statements’ and ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the expected timing for completion of the Upsized Offering; and the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘plan’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘potential’, ‘target’, ‘budget’ and ‘intend’ and statements that an event or result ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘could’ or ‘might’ occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis, and opinions of the management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may have caused actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks associated with mineral exploration and development; metal and mineral prices; availability of capital; accuracy of the Company’s projections and estimates; realization of mineral resource estimates, interest and exchange rates; competition; stock price fluctuations; availability of drilling equipment and access; actual results of current exploration activities; government regulation; political or economic developments; environmental risks; insurance risks; capital expenditures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; personnel relations; and changes in Project parameters as plans continue to be refined. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the price of silver, gold and barite; the demand for silver, gold and barite; the ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of any required approvals; the ability to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the ability to operate in a safe, efficient and effective matter; and the regulatory framework regarding environmental matters, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company’s expected financial and operational performance and the Company’s plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws .

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

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Tech Weekly: Tech Stocks Brush Off US Government Shutdown, Nasdaq Hits Intraday Records

Global equities climbed this week as investors weighed looming risks from the US government shutdown, which delayed the release of essential jobs data on Friday (October 3).

Macro headlines emphasized the possible economic impact. However, despite uncertainty, both the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) and Wall Street advanced this week, with the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) and Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) touching multiple record intraday highs.

The strength of the technology sector was a key driver behind these gains.

Chipmakers, tech infrastructure companies and artificial intelligence (AI) stocks led the rally, with gains to NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) and other semiconductor stocks underpinning broader market optimism.

The Nasdaq rose about 1.36 percent over the week’s five sessions.

Nasdaq Composite performance, September 29 to October 3, 2025.

Chart via Google Finance.

3 tech stocks that moved markets this week

1. CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV)

CoreWeave landed up to US$14.2 billion in new business from Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) on the heels of a US$6.5 billion deal with OpenAI. Investors view this as affirmation of CoreWeave’s rising importance in the rapidly growing AI hardware market. CoreWeave climbed 11.6 percent, from US$120.71 to US$134.79, this week.

2. Shopify (NYSE:SHOP)

This Canadian e-commerce company’s shares soared after it received a price target upgrade this week.

TD Securities reinstated its ‘hold’ rating for Shopify and raised its price target from US$130 to US$156, citing strong revenue growth prospects and a strategic partnership with OpenAI to enable merchants to sell products directly through ChatGPT. Shopify’s share price climbed 13.68 percent this week, rising from US$141.75 to US$161.14.

3. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)

Reports of a major chip-manufacturing agreement between Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) surfaced on Friday. The deal reportedly involves Intel producing AMD-designed chips at its foundries.

The report was well received by investors, contributing to Intel’s strong share price performance and reflecting positive momentum for Intel’s manufacturing capabilities and growth strategy. AMD’s official response was a brief acknowledgment of the ongoing speculation, with no explicit denial. Shares of Intel saw a 6.69 percent increase this week, climbing from US$34.52 to US$36.83. AMD advanced by 2.84 percent.

Shopify, CoreWeave and Intel performance, September 29 to October 3, 2025.

Chart via Google Finance.

ETF performance

This week, the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SMH) gained 3.68 percent, while the Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXQ) increased by approximately 3.39 percent.

For its part, the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) advanced about 3.06 percent.

These gains reflect ongoing investor optimism for AI innovation and infrastructure buildup.

Other tech market news

            Tech news to watch next week

            Despite political wrangling and macro uncertainty, the technology sector has entered the fourth quarter showing positive momentum. AI hardware remains a pivotal theme, while landmark deals and investment rounds underscore bullish sentiment among both corporate insiders and institutional investors.

            Careful navigation of evolving US policy, global supply chain challenges and shifting capital flows will be critical for tech sector leadership as the final quarter of 2025 progresses.

            Next week, investors will await commentary following a planned meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump in Washington on October 6 to negotiate a deal to reduce US tariffs.

            Their meeting precedes a scheduled review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

            US Federal Reserve discussions and related market updates will continue shaping investor sentiment as markets await more clarity on monetary policy and inflation dynamics. The likelihood of delays in key economic data releases remains high due to the ongoing US government shutdown.

            Q3 earnings from Applied Digital (NASDAQ:APLD), set for release on October 9, will provide insights into the company’s progress on its AI-focused data center expansions. The report could be a key indicator of trends and demand in the rapidly growing AI infrastructure market, potentially influencing broader industry sentiment.

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

            This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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            Top 5 Canadian Mining Stocks This Week: Prospector Metals Gains 356 Percent

            The big news impacting markets this week is the shutdown of the US government.

            While lawmakers were trying to find a funding solution, Democratic and Republican lawmakers were at loggerheads over maintaining funding for Medicaid programs. It marks the first time in seven years that the government has been shut down — the last time came during negotiations over the disputed US-Mexico border wall in December 2018.

            President Donald Trump has resolved to use the closure to push through the firing of thousands of federal government employees and cut funding to projects promised by Democrats.

            Additionally, the jobs report, scheduled for release on Friday (October 3), was delayed, causing greater uncertainty for analysts and investors who were trying to gauge the strength of the economy in September.

            Despite the lack of official government data, payroll processor ADP reported a loss of 32,000 jobs in September. The decline represents a significant difference from the 45,000 jobs analysts had expected to be added.

            Lawmakers aren’t scheduled to return to the negotiating tables until early next week.

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

            Markets and commodities react

            Canadian equity markets were in positive territory this week by the end of trading Friday.

            The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) continued its record breaking performance this week, gaining 2.33 percent on the week to close Friday at 30,471.68.

            The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) performed even better, ending the week up 4.38 percent to 964.04. The CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) was up 3.3 percent on to close out the week at 180.03.

            The gold price continued to climb this week, setting another new record, as it achieved an intraday high of US$3,893.82 per ounce on Thursday (October 2). It was still up 3.63 percent on the week at US$3,884.19 by Friday’s close.

            The silver price saw more significant gains, rising 6.31 percent to set a year-to-date high of US$48.30 per ounce during trading on Friday before settling at US$47.95 per ounce by 4:00 p.m. EDT.

            The silver price is trading at 14 year highs and has been closing in on records set in April of that year.

            Copper had sizable gains this week as the fallout from the closure of Freeport’s Grasberg mine continued to ripple through the market. The copper price was up 7.13 percent this week to US$5.11 per pound.

            The S&P Goldman Sachs Commodities Index (INDEXSP:SPGSCI) fell 2.12 percent to end Friday at 546.27.

            Top Canadian mining stocks this week

            How did mining stocks perform against this backdrop?

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

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

            1. Prospector Metals (TSXV:PPP)

            Weekly gain: 355.56 percent
            Market cap: C$128.18 million
            Share price: C$1.23

            Prospector Metals is a gold explorer working to advance its flagship ML project in the Yukon, Canada.

            The 10,869 hectare property, situated near Dawson City, is located within the Tintina Gold Belt, which is home to significant historic mining operations and current exploration and development projects.

            Exploration at the site has led to the discovery of more than two dozen high-grade gold surface occurrences, including the Bueno target, which has delivered samples with grades of up to 156 grams per metric ton (g/t).

            Shares of Prospector surged following the release of assay results on Wednesday (October 1). In its announcement, the company reported significant near-surface, high-grade assays, with one highlighted sample returning grades of 13.79 g/t gold over 44 meters, and another showing 21.93 g/t gold over 24.65 meters, including 288 g/t gold over 1 meter.

            2. Sokoman Minerals (TSXV:SIC)

            Weekly gain: 200 percent
            Market cap: C$45.92 million
            Share price: C$0.165

            Sokoman Minerals bills itself as a discovery-oriented company with a portfolio of gold projects and one of the largest land positions in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It also owns a 40 percent stake in the Killick lithium project, a 40/40/20 joint venture with Benton Resources (TSXV:BEX) and Piedmont Lithium (ASX:PLL).

            Its primary focus is its flagship Moosehead gold project, located in Central Newfoundland. The project consists of 98 claims covering 2,450 hectares and hosts an orogenic Fosterville-style gold system, according to Sokoman. The company has defined seven zones with high-grade mineralization through over 130,000 meters of drilling.

            Sokomon reported on September 12 that it planned to start diamond drilling at the site with a focus on testing the Eastern and Western Trend zones for depth extensions, as well as undiscovered parallel zones. Additionally, the company said on September 2 that it had expanded its land position at the Crippleback Lake gold-copper property to 13,000 hectares and planned to mobilize for induced-polarization surveys, sampling and mapping of the site.

            The most recent news from the company came on Monday (September 29), when it announced that Denis Laviolette was appointed to the roles of director, executive chair and CEO. Laviolette joins the company with over two decades of experience in the mining industry, including roles in geology and production, and as an industry analyst.

            The company also announced that Timothy Froude will be transitioning to the role of company president, having previously held both the president and CEO roles. Additionally, Gary Nassif, former senior vice president of Lode Gold Resources (TSXV:LOD,OTCQB:LODFF), was appointed as a director, and Greg Matheson, former COO of New Found Gold (TSXV:NFG,NYSEAMERICAN:NFGC), was named vice president of exploration.

            3. Kesselrun Resources (TSXV:KES)

            Weekly gain: 118.18 percent
            Market cap: C$10.82 million
            Share price: C$0.12

            Kesselrun Resources is an explorer working to advance the Huronian gold project in Ontario, Canada.

            The project is located in a region with significant exploration and mining assets, including Agnico Eagle Mines’ (TSX:AEM,NYSE:AEM) Hammond Reef project and New Gold’s (NYSE:NGD,TSX:NGD) Rainy River mine. Historic indicated resources at Huronian are 45,000 ounces of gold, with inferred quantities of 501,000 ounces or gold.

            Shares of Kesselrun surged this week after Gold X2 Mining (TSXV:AUXX,OTCQB:GSHRF) announced on Wednesday that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Kesselrun. Gold X2 said the transaction will give it a 100 percent interest in the Huronian project, which is located adjacent to its own Moss gold project.

            4. Royal Road Minerals (TSXV:RYR)

            Weekly gain: 104.35 percent
            Market cap: C$55.80 million
            Share price: C$0.235

            Royal Road is an exploration company working to advance its Güintar and Margaritas projects and the El Aleman mining concession in Colombia. The company acquired the adjacent Güintar and Margaritas properties, located near Medellin, from major miner AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU,JSE:ANG) in 2019. Since that time, Royal Road has drilled a total of 13,700 meters across 45 drill holes at Güintar, while Margaritas remains untested.

            Assays have produced a highlighted intersection of 1 g/t gold equivalent over 303.7 meters, which includes 2.1 g/t gold, 12.4 parts per million silver and 0.6 percent copper over 62 meters.

            Shares of Royal Road gained this week alongside a pair of news releases. On Monday, the company announced that Rio2 (TSXV:RIO,OTCQX:RIOFF) has acquired approximately 15 percent of Royal Road’s issued and outstanding shares as part of a block trade; they were previously held by a single investor.

            The other release came on Tuesday (September 30), when Royal Road reported that it has engaged with state and local authorities, as well as the local community, to restart work at Güintar and Margaritas.

            5. StrikePoint Gold (TSXV:SKP)

            Weekly gain: 103.85 percent
            Market cap: C$12.06 million
            Share price: C$0.265

            StrikePoint Gold is an explorer with a focus on its Hercules gold project in Nevada, US.

            The 100 square kilometer site, located within the Walker Lane Trend, hosts five drill-tested targets, with over 300 holes. The company acquired the property in August 2024 from Elevation Gold Mining for a total consideration of C$250,000, along with a 3 percent royalty on certain claims. On April 28, the company released results from its spring drilling program, with one highlighted assay returning values of 0.54 g/t gold and 4.62 g/t silver from 32.04 meters below surface; that includes an interval of 1.14 g/t gold and 10.53 g/t silver over 4.57 meters.

            The most recent news from the project was announced on September 23, when StrikePoint said it had received drill permits for the Pony Meadows target. The company noted that it is permitted to mobilize up to three rigs, and will focus on a 2.6 kilometer structure that was revealed during surface exploration.

            StrikePoint said it has two additional permits for the Sirens and Como Comet targets.

            FAQs for Canadian mining stocks

            What is the difference between the TSX and TSXV?

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

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

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

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

            How much does it cost to list on the TSXV?

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

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

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

            How do you trade on the TSXV?

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

            Article by Dean Belder; FAQs by Lauren Kelly.

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

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

            This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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