Category: Canada

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Currency moves amid Donald Trump’s tariff war are aligning to actually boost Canada’s stock market, according to a CIBC analyst.

The U.S. dollar has been on a slide this year, partly because of the darkening outlook for the American economy but also, according to analyst Ian de Verteuil, because there is a sense that Trump wants to see a weaker U.S. dollar.

“This dovetails with speculation by incoming White House officials of a ‘Mar-a-Lago Accord’ to deliberately weaken U.S. exchange rates,” he wrote in a recent note.

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Another twist is that the Canadian dollar is weak at the same time.

Canada’s main stock exchange has been outperforming the S&P/500 since the start of the year and “the net effect of currency changes has been, and should continue to be, beneficial for the S&P/TSX,” said de Verteuil.

Gold is a big reason why.

When the U.S. dollar falls, gold prices typically rise. In fact, this has happened 77 per cent of the time over the past 47 years, according to CIBC tracking.

The U.S. dollar slumped 2.3 per cent in the first week of March, and gold last week broke through US$3,000 an ounce for the first time.

“The reality is that the Canadian index has become the “home” for gold companies, whether they be explorers, producers or the royalty companies – and regardless of the location of their mines,” de Verteuil wrote, adding that gold stocks currently make up almost 10 per cent of the index’s market capitalization.

“A weaker U.S. dollar has helped support gold prices and a large proportion of the S&P/TSX market cap.”

Another reason is that the TSX as the main exchange of a trading nation is global in nature, with a fair proportion of revenues coming from outside the country.  Only 48 per cent of revenues on the index come from Canadian operations, said CIBC.

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“With most of the revenues for the S&P/TSX booked outside of Canada, this should provide earnings tailwinds throughout 2025,” said de Verteuil.

The big winners are companies with large non-Canadian revenues but which report in Canadian dollars — “not only do they benefit from being diversified outside of Canada, they also are likely to surprise positively on reported earnings in the first and second quarter of 2025,” he said.

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U.S. economic policy uncertainty has not been this high in 40 years, according to CBIC Capital Markets senior economist Sal Guatieri, who brings us today’s chart.

The spike in unpredictability presents special challenges for the Bank of Canada as it balances the harm uncertainty is doing to the economy with ensuring the “tariff problem doesn’t become an inflation problem.”

“The odds of an April pause have risen, though if tariffs do drag the economy into recession, the Bank may then need to cut rates “quickly when things crystallize,” said Guatieri.

• Today’s Data: United States new home sales, building permits and Conference Board consumer confidence
• Earnings: McCormick & Co. Inc.

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Older millennials, or younger ones who feel they need to put off saving, may be wondering: Is 40 too old to build generational wealth? Starting a wealth-building journey after 40 can seem like a challenge or feel like it is too late to get a significant nest egg together, but there are things you can do — and should not do. Find out more

Is the trade war having an effect on your finances? Are you making different decisions about your spending or saving habits? Is it changing your retirement math or portfolio construction? Do you see bigger plans like buying a house or starting a family slipping through your fingers? If yes, drop us a line at wealth@postmedia.com with your contact info and we’ll find some experts to help you out while writing a Family Finance story about it (we’ll keep your name out of it, of course).

McLister on mortgages

Want to learn more about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister’s Financial Post column can help navigate the complex sector, from the latest trends to financing opportunities you won’t want to miss. Plus check his mortgage rate page for Canada’s lowest national mortgage rates, updated daily.

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Financial Post on YouTube

Visit the Financial Post’s YouTube channel for interviews with Canada’s leading experts in business, economics, housing, the energy sector and more.

Today’s Posthaste was written by Pamela Heaven, with additional reporting from Financial Post staff, The Canadian Press and Bloomberg.

Have a story idea, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this newsletter? Email us at posthaste@postmedia.com.

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MONTREAL, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF, FRA: O08), a technology company specializing in green engineering of processes would like to update shareholders on an important milestone regarding the ongoing pilot-scale testing of HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. (“HSPI”) ^[1] proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) process.

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HSPI’s technology provider, PyroGenesis Inc. (TSX: PYR, OTCQX: PYRGF, FRA: 8PY1) (“PyroGenesis”), has reported the completion of a detailed examination and analysis of material produced during the first batch test of the Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) pilot plant (February 27, 2025). The results confirm morphological characteristics and overall appearance are closely consistent with those first observed in the initial series of lab-scale tests. This validation enables HSPI to confidently plan the implementation of the necessary pilot plant process improvements needed to produce commercial-grade fumed silica.

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“During our lab-scale testing, we implemented crucial process improvements that enabled us to achieve commercial-quality material,” said Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon and HPQ Silica. “With the pilot plant now producing material with visual morphological characteristics align with our earlier lab-scale results,
we’re more confident than ever in our ability to replicate—and even accelerate—this success. Having clearly identified how to refine our approach, we’re positioned to quickly advance toward commercial-grade production with the FSR.”

This milestone directly supports the advancement of the FSR by establishing a clear technical foundation for the next phase of development. This detailed analysis will inform the process enhancements required to produce commercial-grade fumed silica consistently. Also, the validation is integral to HSPI’s structured approach to scaling its proprietary technology from lab-scale experimentation to pilot-scale implementation.

“Since 1944, the fumed silica industry has relied on conventional, fossil-fuel-intensive production methods. PyroGenesis is committed to breaking that cycle through innovation,” said P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis Inc. “Our Fumed Silica Reactor technology represents a revolutionary shift—scaling up a plasma-based process that eliminates carbon emissions while maintaining superior product quality. By decarbonizing this industry, we are enhancing efficiency, thereby setting a new standard for sustainable, commercially viable fumed silica production. This empowers HSPI’s clients with a cleaner and more reliable process.”

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Other news

HPQ would like to inform shareholders that M. Robert Robitaille, a director of the Corporation since June 2008, has made the difficult decision to resign due to health reasons, effective immediately.

M. Robitaille has been a valued member of HPQ’s Board of Directors for 17 years, playing a significant role in the company’s transformation from a mining company into a technology company.

“We are deeply grateful for M. Robitaille’s contributions to HPQ over the years. His vision and leadership have left a lasting impact, and we fully support his decision to prioritize his health. We wish him a full and speedy recovery so that he may enjoy his well-deserved retirement,” said Bernard Tourillon, Chairman and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc.

REFERENCE SOURCES

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ) is a Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange Tier 1 Industrial Issuer.

HPQ is developing, with the support of world-class technology partners PyroGenesis Canada Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS, new green processes crucial to make the critical materials needed to reach net zero emissions.

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HPQ activities are centred around the following five (5) pillars:

For more information, please visit HPQ Silicon web site.

About PyroGenesis Inc.

PyroGenesis, a high-tech company, is a proud leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and are economically attractive alternatives to conventional “dirty” processes. PyroGenesis has created proprietary, patented and advanced plasma technologies that are being vetted and adopted by multiple multibillion dollar industry leaders in four massive markets: iron ore pelletization, aluminum, waste management, and additive manufacturing. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of its Montreal office, and its 3,800 m2 and 2,940 m2 manufacturing facilities, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. The operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, having been ISO certified since 1997. PyroGenesis’ shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada (TSX: PYR), the OTCQX in the US (OTCQX: PYRGF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany (FRA: 8PY). www.pyrogenesis.com 

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Disclaimers:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s ongoing filings with the security’s regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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.

This News Release is available on the company’s CEO Verified Discussion Forum, a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders. 

Source: HPQ Silicon Inc.

For further information contact:

Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President, and CEO Tel +1 (514) 846-3271
Email: Info@hpqsilicon.com

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MONTREAL, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Geomega Resources Inc. (“Geomega” or the “Corporation”) (TSX.V: GMA) is pleased to announce the closing of a non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”) of 12% unsecured convertible debentures (the “Convertible Debentures”) in an aggregate principal amount of $2,022,761. In addition, the Corporation has filed an application with the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) to approve the repricing and extension of a total of 4,354,667 warrants (the “Warrant Extension”) that will be expiring on May 3, 2025.

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“The Offering was led by Michael Gentile, a leading investor in the junior resource sector and several other new institutional investors, family offices, corporations and long term shareholders from Canada, USA and Australia. The use of proceeds from this financing are the continuation of the construction of the rare earth magnet recycling demonstration plant and engineering of the new laboratories in the Saint-Hubert facility. An update on the two main corporate activities, the demonstration plant and the bauxite residues valorization technology, will be provided soon. We appreciate the patience and the support of our existing shareholders and would like to welcome the new investors to Geomega as we further derisk our sustainable technologies for waste valorization and production of bulk and critical metals,” commented Kiril Mugerman, President & CEO of Geomega.

The Offering

The Convertible Debentures have a three (3) year maturity date and bear an interest of 12% per annum, with interest payable annually in arrears. The principal amount of the Convertible Debentures will be convertible, for no additional consideration, into common shares of the Corporation at the option of the holder at any time prior to the maturity date at a price of $0.12 per share. The Corporation may satisfy interest owing on the Convertible Debentures from time to time by the issuance of common shares at a price per common share of no less than the 20 day volume weighted average trading price (VWAP) of its common shares on the TSXV at the time the interest becomes payable or upon a change of control, the whole in accordance with applicable TSXV rules. The Convertible Debentures shall be senior unsecured debt obligations of the Corporation in that they shall be senior to all other unsecured indebtedness of the Corporation and subject only to such permitted indebtedness and permitted liens in accordance with terms of the Convertible Debentures.

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The Convertible Debentures will not be listed on any stock exchange, though the Corporation has received the conditional approval of the TSXV to list the common shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures on the TSXV. The Convertible Debentures (and any common shares issuable upon conversion thereof) are subject to a four-month and one day statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws, ending July 25, 2025.

The Warrant Extension

The Corporation has filed with the TSXV a request to extend and reprice a total of 4,354,667 warrants that will be expiring on May 3, 2025. The warrants were issued in connection with a private placement which closed in May 2022. The following table summarizes the original and proposed new terms of the warrants:

As per Section 3.3 of TSXV Policy 4.1, the extended and repriced warrants will have an acceleration clause stipulating that if the share price of the Corporation on the TSXV trades higher than 25% above the Modified Exercise Price (each a “Premium Trading Day”) for 10 consecutive days during the term of the warrants, the exercise period will be reduced to 30 days beginning no more than seven calendar days after the tenth Premium Trading Day. All other terms of the warrants will remain the same. The extension and repricing of the warrants are subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the final approval of the TSXV.

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About Geomega (www.geomega.ca)

Geomega develops innovative technologies for extraction and separation of rare earth elements and other critical metals essential for a sustainable future. With a focus on renewable energies, vehicle electrification, automation and reduction in energy usage, rare earth magnets or neo-magnets (NdFeB) are at the center of all these technologies. Geomega’s strategy revolves around gradually de-risking its innovative technology and delivering cashflow and return value to shareholders while working directly with the main players in these industries to recycle the magnets that power all those technologies.

As its technologies are demonstrated on larger scales, Geomega is committed to work with major partners to help extract value from mining feeds, tailings and other industrial residues which contain rare earths and other critical metals. Irrespective of the metal or the source, Geomega adopts a consistent approach to reduce the environmental impact and to contribute to lowering greenhouse gases emissions through recycling the major reagents in the process.

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Geomega’s process is based around its proprietary, low-cost, environmentally friendly way to tap into a C$1.5 billion global market to recycle magnet production waste and end of life magnets profitably and safely.

Geomega also owns the Montviel rare earth carbonatite deposit, the largest 43-101 bastnaesite resource estimate in North America and holds over 16.8M shares, representing approximately 13% of the issued and outstanding shares, of Kintavar Exploration Inc. (KTR.V), a mineral exploration company that is exploring for copper projects in Quebec, Canada.

For further information, please contact:

Kiril Mugerman
President and CEO
Geomega
514-223-1449 ext. 3
kmugerman@geomega.ca

Nancy Thompson
Vorticom Public Relations
212-532-2208
nancyt@vorticom.com
Twitter: @Geomega_REE

Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information and statements may include, among others, statements regarding future plans, costs, objectives or performance of the Corporation, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In this news release, words such as “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “likely”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “estimate” “target” and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, including as regards the commercialization of any of the technology referred to above, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Corporation will derive. Forward-looking statements and information are based on information available at the time and/or management’s good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Corporation’s control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” in the Corporation’s annual management’s discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; they could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. The Corporation does not intend, nor does the Corporation undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by applicable laws.

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