Month: January 2023

Release – Labrador Gold Intersects 20.88 g/t Au Over 5 Metres at Big Vein, Kingsway Project

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on NKOSF

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Labrador Gold Corp. (TSX.V:LAB | OTCQX:NKOSF | FNR: 2N6) (“LabGold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the latest results from recent drilling targeting the highly prospective Appleton Fault Zone over a 12km strike length. The drilling is part of the Company’s ongoing 100,000 metre diamond drilling program at its 100% owned Kingsway Project.

Highlights of the drilling include an intersection of 20.88 g/t Au over 5 metres that included 124.21g/t Au over 0.81 metres and 7.41 g/t Au over 1.0 metres in Hole K-22-206, and 6.04 g/t Au over 1.20 metres in Hole K-22-208. Both holes were drilled at the north end of Big Vein.

“We continue to follow up on the success of last year’s drilling at Big Vein with another high-grade intersection at the north end of the zone. Big Vein has now been drilled over a strike length of approximately 520 metres along the west side of the Appleton Fault Zone and remains open to the northeast and to the southwest,” said Roger Moss, President and CEO. “Drilling is ongoing at both ends of the zone to extend the strike length of the mineralization.”

Table 1. Summary of assay results. All intersections are downhole length
as there is insufficient Information to calculate true width.

Figure 1. Big Vein plan map.

A total of 63,055 metres have been drilled to date out of the planned 100,000 metre program. Assays are pending for samples from approximately 2,700 metres of core.

The Company has $18 million in cash and is well funded to carry out the remaining 37,000 metres of the planned drill program as well as further exploration to add to the pipeline of drill targets on the property.

Table 2. Drill hole collar details

QA/QC

True widths of the reported intersections have yet to be calculated. Assays are uncut. Samples of HQ split core are securely stored prior to shipping to Eastern Analytical Laboratory in Springdale, Newfoundland for assay. Eastern Analytical is an ISO/IEC17025 accredited laboratory. Samples are routinely analyzed for gold by standard 30g fire assay with atomic absorption finish as well as by ICP-OES for an additional 34 elements. Samples containing visible gold are assayed by metallic screen/fire assay, as are any samples with fire assay results greater than 1g/t Au. The company submits blanks and certified reference standards at a rate of approximately 5% of the total samples in each batch.

Qualified Person

Roger Moss, PhD., P.Geo., President and CEO of LabGold, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this release.

The Company gratefully acknowledges the Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Natural Resources’ Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) Program for its financial support for exploration of the Kingsway property.

About Labrador Gold
Labrador Gold is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and exploration of prospective gold projects in Eastern Canada.

Labrador Gold’s flagship property is the 100% owned Kingsway project in the Gander area of Newfoundland. The three licenses comprising the Kingsway project cover approximately 12km of the Appleton Fault Zone which is associated with gold occurrences in the region, including those of New Found Gold immediately to the south of Kingsway. Infrastructure in the area is excellent located just 18km from the town of Gander with road access to the project, nearby electricity and abundant local water. LabGold is drilling a projected 100,000 metres targeting high-grade epizonal gold mineralization along the Appleton Fault Zone with encouraging results. The Company has approximately $18 million in working capital and is well funded to carry out the planned program.

The Hopedale property covers much of the Florence Lake greenstone belt that stretches over 60 km. The belt is typical of greenstone belts around the world but has been underexplored by comparison. Work to date by Labrador Gold show gold anomalies in rocks, soils and lake sediments over a 3 kilometre section of the northern portion of the Florence Lake greenstone belt in the vicinity of the known Thurber Dog gold showing where grab samples assayed up to 7.8g/t gold. In addition, anomalous gold in soil and lake sediment samples occur over approximately 40 km along the southern section of the greenstone belt (see news release dated January 25 th 2018 for more details). Labrador Gold now controls approximately 40km strike length of the Florence Lake Greenstone Belt.

The Company has 170,009,979 common shares issued and outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LAB.

For more information please contact:
Roger Moss, President and CEO Tel: 416-704-8291

Or visit our website at: www.labradorgold.com

Twitter @LabGoldCorp

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

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such as actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5b4125c-f907-4ba5-a492-e2382e58b13a

Labrador Gold Corp. (NKOSF) – Keeping the Momentum Going

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Thursday, January 12, 2023

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Beginning the year in a position of strength. In 2022, exploration at the company’s 100%-owned Kingsway gold project targeted the Appleton Fault over a 12-kilometer strike length. A total of 62,504 meters of the planned 100,000-meter program have been drilled to date, with roughly 36,000 meters of drilling completed in 2022. With approximately $18 million in cash, Labrador Gold has ample financial resources to fund the remaining 37,496 meters of drilling. Assays are pending for samples from 3,903 meters of core, or approximately 10% of the total submitted.

Appleton Fault is proving to be fertile ground. Labrador Gold’s exploration program resulted in the discovery of four new gold occurrences. Three of these, Golden Glove, Big Vein and Pristine, are located along the Appleton Fault Zone which continues to be Labrador Gold’s primary exploration target. With only about two kilometers of the 12-kilometer strike length of the Appleton Fault Zone tested by drilling, management is confident additional discoveries will be made as the remaining ten kilometers are drill tested.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Garibaldi Resources Corp. (GGIFF) – Setting the Stage for the Year Ahead

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Thursday, January 12, 2023

Garibaldi Resources Corp. is an active Canadian-based junior exploration company focused on creating shareholder value through discoveries and strategic development of its assets in some of the most prolific mining regions in British Columbia and Mexico.

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Enhancing financial flexibility. In December, Garibaldi closed the sale of 9,237,334 flow-through units at a price of C$0.30 per unit for gross proceeds of C$2,771,200. Each unit is comprised of one flow-through common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable at C$0.45 per common share for a period of three years. The company also sold 800,000 non-flow-through units at C$0.25 per unit for total proceeds of C$200,000. Each unit is comprised of one non-flow-through common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable at C$0.40 per common share for a period of three years. In December, Garibaldi sold a non-core British Columbia exploration and evaluation asset for C$400,000.

Looking ahead to 2023. Drilling in 2023 will test for mineralization associated with broad ZTEM low-resistivity anomalies identified by a property wide Geotech ZTEM survey. We think the 2023 drill program could commence as early as June or July and entail three to four holes at the E&L target, two holes of approximately 500 meters depth at the B1 target, and two holes at the Palm Springs property. Drilling at E&L will focus on areas within the ZTEM anomaly tested in 2022.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Endeavour Silver (EXK) – Strong Finish in 2022

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Thursday, January 12, 2023

Endeavour Silver is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that operates two high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is currently advancing the Terronera mine project towards a development decision, pending financing and final permits and exploring its portfolio of exploration and development projects in Mexico, Chile and the United States to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer. Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Full year production exceeds guidance. For the full year 2022, silver and gold production amounted to 5.9 million ounces and 37.5 thousand ounces, respectively, or 9.0 million ounces on a silver equivalent basis. Silver and gold ounces sold amounted to 6.5 million and 38.9 thousand ounces, respectively. Production exceeded the company’s guidance of 7.6 million to 8.0 million ounces on a silver equivalent basis. During the fourth quarter, the company reduced inventory to 525,485 ounces of silver and 1,512 ounces of gold bullion and 4,766 ounces of silver and 195 ounces of gold concentrate. 

Updating estimates. We have increased our fourth quarter and full year 2022 EPS estimates to $0.07 and $0.10 from $0.03 and $0.06, respectively. Our revisions reflect greater than expected fourth quarter production and sales from inventory. We have increased our 2023 EPS and EBITDA estimates to $0.11 and $59.2 million, respectively, from $0.09 and $52.5 million based on modestly higher gold and silver prices.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

1·800·Flowers.com, Inc. (FLWS) – Things Remembered; Shari’s Berries

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Thursday, January 12, 2023

For more than 45 years, 1-800-Flowers.com has offered truly original floral arrangements, plants and unique gifts to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, everyday occasions, and seasonal holidays, and to deliver comfort during times of grief. Backed by a caring team obsessed with service, 1-800-Flowers.com provides customers thoughtful ways to express themselves and connect with the most important people in their lives. 1-800-Flowers.com is part of the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. family of brands. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

 A nice tuck-in acquisition. The company announced on January 10th that it purchased the brand, IP assets, customer list and some machinery of Things Remembered, an personalization engraver of gifts, for an undisclosed cash purchase price. We estimate that the purchase price was less than $10 million. The company is not acquiring any Things Remembered stores. 

Things Remembered could be the berries. The acquisition of Things Remembered is similar to the company’s successful acquisition of Shari’s Berries in 2019, although we believe that the purchase price is materially less than the $20 million paid for Shari’s Berries. Notably, with Things Remembered, the company gains a customer list of over 1 million.  


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Cooling Inflation May Not Translate to a More Accommodating Fed

Posted on by phoffman@channelchek.com
Image Credit: Brookings Institute (Flickr)

Unbalanced Hype in the Markets Surrounding the “Unknowable” Could be Costly

“It’s not knowable” if there will be a recession in 2023, said Fed Chair Jerome Powell recently. A month earlier, after the last change in monetary policy, he said it is easier to go too far and bring the economy back than to do too little and then have to then tame stronger inflationary pressures. The most recent CPI number shows a trend that policymakers want to see, but it likely is not a number the Fed will pivot off of. After all, for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to rise by 6.5% YoY means that cost increases experienced by consumers are running more than three times higher than the Fed’s stated target. Of course, the rate increases have not had time to work their way into the system; they haven’t even fully worked their way into the interest rate markets.

An Alternative Way to Look at Tightening

Relatively speaking, a hypothetical decline in your investment account by 2% last month may be an improvement in performance if it had been down 3% the month before. But if your need to meet your goals is a positive 8%, then you still have a lot of work to do in order to consider yourself successful. The same for the Fed policymakers. US dollar buying power is losing ground, just not as quickly as it was. And since the inflation rate is also subject to what savers and investors call ‘the miracle of compounding’ and the jobs market is strong, the Fed has motivation and room to keep pulling money from the system and raising interest rates – the sooner, the better based on Powell’s statements.

And it may be that they are willingly driving the economy into reverse to stop service costs from rising as quickly, and bring inflationary wage increases lower. Workers, after all, have not reacted to the possibility of a recession. They still feel at ease leaving their employers at a very high pace, and the layoff rate is still near a record low. To demonstrate, the economy added 223,000 in payroll employment in December (well above the 200,000 forecast — and the unemployment rate came down to 3.5%, below the 3.7% forecast. This may not seem high compared to the gains just after the pandemic opening, but it is quite steamy.

Take Away

The financial news has been full of ‘pivot’ headlines for months. When it comes to the “unknowable,” it is important to remind oneself, as an investor, that very few things are a done deal until they happen. The big picture is the bond market has not priced itself in a way that fully reflects the Fed tightening of short-term rates. This represents difficulty for the Fed, and the Fed is looking for slower economic growth.

Throughout 2022, the big question while consumers faced increasing prices was whether the Federal Reserve would push the economy into decline. Their intent, after years of excessive stimulus, is to slow economic growth to bring inflation down. The Fed hiked interest rates seven times during 2022, its aggressive tactics caused some to worry about job losses and a recession. With an inflation rate that Powell thinks is more than three times too high, investors must consider that the Fed has different goals than investors but the same as consumers. We are all consumers, we’re not all investors.

As a final note, what the year brings is unknowable. There are always stocks going up, going down, and tracking sideways. A 2% inflation rate is easier to beat in terms of performance as an equity market investor than a 4% or 6% level. What the Fed will do, they likely don’t know for sure themselves; our job, that of investors, is to not get caught up in hype. And the markets and the media are breeding grounds for hype.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

A 100% of the Time Probability is Rare, We’ll See if Markets in 2023 Retain the Streak

Posted on by phoffman@channelchek.com
Image Credit: Burak the Weekender (Pexels)

The Data Supporting Small-Caps Should Attract Money from Former Mega-Cap-Only Investors

When I see an investment statistic that reads, “in the past, this has happened 100% of the time,” I not only take note for my own portfolio consideration, I share it with my more risk-averse investment friends. It’s now mid-January, and like many investors, I have read dozens of 2023 forecasts and projections. I value the ones where the forecaster likely has skin in the game (i.e.: not many economists), and I am more highly interested in those that support forecasts with stats (ie: most economists). I came across a stat of ‘100% of the time’ from a trusted source that has skin in the game – this is certainly share-worthy.  

Source

Each month Royce Investment Partners publishes an interview-style update between founder Chuck Royce and Co-CIO Frank Gannon. It’s always full of statistics and probability analysis. It never fails to be interesting and very often worthwhile. Investment decisions based on hard data from the past are less speculative, this doesn’t always make the investment a win, but it lowers the need for guessing. And if the stats are based on a large enough sample period, confidence to act overrides underlying opinion or emotions. The most recent publication from Royce Associates, LLC offers very compelling data.  

The update includes a look at the stock market trends of late last year and why they’re confident small-cap stocks can achieve a positive return that could outpace larger-cap sectors. Especially for those companies whose underlying data meet criteria that they also explain.

Rear Looking View

The two were able to put the challenges for many investors last year in context by first talking about how infrequently bonds and stocks have gone down in the same year. This left 60/40 investors without anything to be happy about. Then they switched to small cap versus large cap, which they say was the third worst year for both the small-cap Russell 2000 Index, which fell 20.4%, and the Russell 1000 Index, which declined 19.1%. The third worst since each index’s inception at the end of 1978. According to the Royce update, “only two years had lower returns—and it was the same two years for both indexes—2008 during the Financial Crisis and 2002 through the worst year of the Internet Bubble.”

Forward-Looking View

As indicated above, Royce Associates believes small-cap is well positioned for positive returns and long-term comparative performance. The argument is hinged mainly on valuation but also on past behavior.

Valuation, they explain, even after last year’s sell-off, “remained near its lowest rate in 20 years compared to large-cap’s, based on our preferred valuation metric of the median last 12 months’ enterprise value to earnings before taxes (LTM EV/EBIT).” Royce recognized that accompanying the worldwide equity sell-off, many small-cap stocks were taken lower unrelated to financial fundamentals and/or operational expertise. “We have often been struck by the contrast between the more confident—albeit cautious—outlooks from the many management teams we’ve met with and the fatalistic headlines we see almost every day,” they explain.

A High Probability of Positive Small-Cap Performance Ahead?
Average Subsequent Five-Year Annualized Performance for the Russell 2000 in Trailing Five-Year Return Ranges of less than 5% from 12/31/83 through 12/31/22:

Source: Royce Investment Partners (Past performance is no guarantee of future results).

Frank Gannon says, “small-cap’s historical performance patterns show that below-average longer-term return periods have been followed by those with above-average longer-term returns—and the subsequent periods have enjoyed positive returns most of the time.” Drilling down to the numbers of the market’s current state, he says, “Subsequent annualized three-year returns from three-year entry points of less than 5% have been positive 99% of the time—that is, in 75 out of 76 three-year annualized periods—averaging 16.1% since the Russell 2000s 12/31/78 inception.”

Stretching the investment period out to five years had even higher probabilities and positive outcomes. “The Russell 2000 also had positive annualized five-year returns 100% of the time—that is, in all 81 five-year periods—and averaged an impressive 14.9% following five-year periods with annualized returns of 5% or less. We think this is especially relevant now because the respective three- and five-year annualized returns for the Russell 2000 as of 12/31/22 were 3.1% and 4.1%.”

On the subject of inflation, the Royce review was also positive. “Small-cap has beaten inflation in every decade going back to the 1930s—and is the only equity class to have done so.” Details of how this and other numbers are derived can be found in the article  (available here).

Take-Away

While Royce Investment Partners, a fund company that holds small-cap stocks as its specialty, is not affiliated with Channelchek, or Noble Capital Markets, the monthly and quarterly newsletter/blog is always looked forward to. New readers should be ready for numbers and details backing up their stated positions. This is something not always found in public forecasts by other investment officers or portfolio managers. It’s more longwinded than some, but this is good because sound bites are not very helpful when one investor is trying to understand the thoughts of another.  

To find data on ‘less-followed’ stocks, sign- up here for Channelchek and get immediate, no-cost access to information on over 6,000 small and microcap companies.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Sources

https://www.royceinvest.com/insights/small-cap-interview

Release – Defense Metals Corp. Announces Appointment of new Director to the Board

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on DFMTF

Jan 11, 2023, 09:00 ET

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ – Defense Metals Corp. (“Defense Metals” or the “Company“) (TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE: 35D) is pleased to announce the appointment of Len Clough to the board of directors.

Craig Taylor, CEO of Defense Metals commented:

“Len Clough brings a wealth of capital markets experience to Defense Metals and we look forward to working with him as we continue to advance the Wicheeda Rare Earth Elements project.”

Mr. Clough began his career at RBC Dominion Securities in 1998 and spent 13 years in investment management. In 2013, he founded Toro Pacific Management, a capital markets advisory firm focusing on high growth, early stage companies looking to access the Canadian capital markets. Mr. Clough has extensive public company management experience and has worked in senior management roles including CEO and as a director of several issuers. Toro Pacific Management has an extensive financial network and has been directly involved in the capital formation exceeding $100m in aggregate across various sectors.

Mr. Clough commented:

“It is with great pleasure that I join Defense Metals Corp. at such a significant point of inflection. With rare earth elements being so integral to the new era of electrification, I see a great opportunity with the Wicheeda Rare Earth Elements Project, especially as the Western world looks to diversify its REE sources away from China.”

Concurrent with his appointment, the Company has granted incentive stock options to Mr. Clough to purchase up to 400,000 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.24 per common share for a period of three (3) years. The Company also granted incentive stock options to certain of its consultants to purchase an aggregate of up to 400,000 common shares of the Company having the same terms. The options fully vested on the date of grant.

The Company also wishes to thank Max Sali, who did not seek re-election at the recently held annual general and special meeting of shareholders, for his services and contribution to Defense Metals since inception. We wish Max continued success in his current and future endeavors.

About the Wicheeda REE Property

The 100% owned 4,244-hectare Wicheeda REE Project, located approximately 80 km northeast of the city of Prince George, British Columbia, is readily accessible by all-weather gravel roads and is near infrastructure, including power transmission lines, the CN railway, and major highways.

The Wicheeda REE Project yielded a robust 2021 preliminary economic assessment technical report (PEA) that demonstrated an after-tax net present value (NPV@8%) of $517 million, and 18% IRR1. A unique advantage of the Wicheeda REE Project is the production of a saleable high-grade flotation-concentrate. The PEA contemplates a 1.8 Mtpa (million tonnes per year) mill throughput open pit mining operation with 1.75:1 (waste:mill feed) strip ratio over a 19 year mine (project) life producing and average of 25,423 tonnes REO annually. A Phase 1 initial pit strip ratio of 0.63:1 (waste:mill feed) would yield rapid access to higher grade surface mineralization in year 1 and payback of $440 million initial capital within 5 years.

Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release as it relates to the Wicheeda REE Project has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC) Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, a director of Defense Metals and a “Qualified Person” as defined in NI 43-101. Mr. Raffle verified the data disclosed which includes a review of the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions contained therein.  

About Defense Metals Corp.

Defense Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral deposits containing metals and elements commonly used in the electric power markets, defense industry, national security sector and in the production of green energy technologies, such as, rare earths magnets used in wind turbines and in permanent magnet motors for electric vehicles. Defense Metals owns 100% of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Deposit located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Defense Metals Corp. trades in Canada under the symbol “DEFN” on the TSX Venture Exchange, in the United States, under “DFMTF” on the OTCQB and in Germany on the Frankfurt Exchange under “35D”.

For further information, please contact:

Todd Hanas, Bluesky Corporate Communications Ltd. 
Vice President, Investor Relations 
Tel: (778) 994 8072
Email: todd@blueskycorp.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 news release.

_________________________________
1 Independent Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project, British Columbia, Canada, dated January 6, 2022, with an effective date of November 7, 2021, and prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. is filed under Defense Metals Corp.’s Issuer Profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

Cautionary Statement Regarding “Forward-Looking” Information

This news release contains “forward–looking information or statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements relating to the expected outcomes and benefits of the appointment of Mr. Clough as a director, the Wicheeda project, the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its project and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of rare earth elements, the anticipated costs and expenditures, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company’s views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates, the potential for unexpected costs and expenses and those other risks filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather and climate conditions, failure to maintain or obtain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations),  risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of personnel, materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions, decrease in the price of rare earth elements, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company’s ability to operate, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to, the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, loss of key employees, consultants, or directors, increase in costs, delayed drilling results, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward–looking statements or forward–looking information, except as required by law.

SOURCE Defense Metals Corp.

Release – Multi-State Cannabis Operator, Schwazze Announces Key Executive Leadership Additions

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on SHWZ

January 11, 2023

NEO: SHWZ
OTCQX: SHWZ

DENVER, Jan. 11, 2023 /CNW/ – Medicine Man Technologies operating as Schwazze, (OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO: SHWZ) (“Schwazze” or the “Company”), announces changes to its executive leadership team in preparation for its growth initiatives in Colorado and New Mexico.

   

Todd Williams, who has been acting as a Senior Advisor & Consultant for Mergers & Acquisitions and Real Estate, will become EVP, M&A and Real Estate. Williams has been a key member of the Schwazze Executive Leadership Team in an advisory capacity for the past three years and joins the Schwazze team as a full-time employee to continue his focus on M&A and real estate. Williams joins Schwazze in a period of significant organic and new acquisition growth for the Company. He is a seasoned veteran with more than 25 years’ experience in business development, mergers and acquisitions, and asset valuation. Previously, Williams was Vice President of Corporate Development at Albertsons, Inc., where he managed the acquisition of more than 1,600 operating grocery stores with more than $40 billion in sales and $10 billion in transaction value, as well as divesting 168 stores with over $3 billion in sales.

Steve Pear is moving from head of the New Mexico division to become President, Wholesale Division, responsible for leading the Company’s wholesale sales and marketing efforts. As a newly created role within the Company’s Executive Leadership Team, Pear’s focus will shift to optimizing our commercial footprint on a national scale while driving our core brands to the next level. He has been instrumental in leading the New Mexico team since the R.Greenleaf acquisition was completed in February of 2022. While Pear is stepping away from his role in New Mexico, he has positioned the team for continued success as Schwazze expands further in the New Mexico market. Reporting directly to Pear in his new role will be Jeremy Bullock (VP, Commercial Sales) and Julie Suntrup (VP, Corporate Marketing & Brands).

Replacing Pear in New Mexico is Ken Diehl as President, New Mexico Division. Diehl is a highly accomplished retail industry operations, merchandising and marketing professional with 30 years’ experience overseeing billions in annual revenue, leading retail teams, improving spending, and increasing profitability. He has an impressive history of growing Fortune 500 companies’ sales as well as profits. Diehl brings to Schwazze grocery retail experience with Kroger, Albertsons, Jewel Osco, A&P, and Strack & Van Til, holding the roles as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Merchant, Chief Operator and Chief Marketer. Most recently, Diehl was Chief Merchant for Leslie’s Pool Supplies while also helping to project lead an IPO in specialty retail. Diehl studied at Arizona State University as well as Cornell University, before leaving to joining the military where he earned Top Secret clearance as an honored veteran of the United States Navy.

“We are excited to add key, seasoned individuals to our Executive Leadership team as the Company positions itself for growth in 2023 and beyond. Ken Diehl’s retail leadership will be key as we grow our New Mexico retail footprint to meet the needs of our customers, and Steve Pear’s transition to Schwazze’s wholesale division demonstrates our intent to grow our in-house brands’ sales across both states. In addition, I’m happy Todd Williams has chosen to come on board in a full-time capacity to fuel our M&A and organic growth efforts.” said Nirup Krishnamurthy, President of Schwazze.

Since April 2020, Schwazze has acquired, opened or announced the planned acquisition of 41 cannabis retail dispensaries (Star Buds, Emerald Fields and R,Greenleaf) as well as seven cultivation facilities and two manufacturing plants in Colorado and New Mexico. In May 2021, Schwazze announced its Biosciences division, and in August 2021 it commenced home delivery services in Colorado.

About Schwazze

Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ; NEO: SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition. Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company’s leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices.

Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze’s former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth. To learn more about Schwazze, visit www.Schwazze.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Such statements may be preceded by the words “plan,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “predicts,” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our inability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (ii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iv) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; (v) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market our products and product candidates; (vi) our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy in Colorado and outside the state, (vii) our ability to consummate the acquisition described in this press release or to identify and consummate future acquisitions that meet our criteria, (viii) our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, including the acquisition described in this press release, and realize synergies therefrom, (ix) the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, * the timing and extent of governmental stimulus programs, and (xi) the uncertainty in the application of federal, state and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.

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SOURCE Schwazze

The GEO Group (GEO) – Expanding Health Services in Australia

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, January 11, 2023

The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) is a leading diversified government service provider, specializing in design, financing, development, and support services for secure facilities, processing centers, and community reentry centers in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. GEO’s diversified services include enhanced in-custody rehabilitation and post-release support through the award-winning GEO Continuum of Care®, secure transportation, electronic monitoring, community-based programs, and correctional health and mental health care. GEO’s worldwide operations include the ownership and/or delivery of support services for 103 facilities totaling approximately 83,000 beds, including idle facilities and projects under development, with a workforce of up to approximately 18,000 employees.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

New Contract. The GEO Group was awarded a contract from the Department of Justice and Community Safety in the State of Victoria for the delivery of primary health services across 13 public prisons. The contract will commence on July 1, 2023 and is expected to generate approximately $33 million in incremental annualized revenue for GEO. We view the new contract as a nice compliment to the existing operations.

A New (Old) Business. This is a return of GEO to a business previously conducted by the Company. The Company held this contract before being forced to spin off the unit once becoming a REIT. GEO already provides these services in the facilities it manages and the new contract is just an expansion to other non-managed facilities. There should not be any “learning curve,” in our view.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

RCI Hospitality Holdings (RICK) – 1Q23 Preliminary Club & Bombshells Sales

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, January 11, 2023

With more than 60 units, RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the country’s leading company in adult nightclubs and sports bars/restaurants. Clubs in New York City, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Denver, St. Louis, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Louisville, and other markets operate under brand names such as Rick’s Cabaret, XTC, Club Onyx, Vivid Cabaret, Jaguars Club, Tootsie’s Cabaret, Scarlett’s Cabaret, Diamond Cabaret, and PT’s Showclub. Sports bars/restaurants operate under the brand name Bombshells Restaurant & Bar.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

1Q23 Preliminary Revenues. RCI reported preliminary 1Q23 revenue for the Nightclubs and Bombshells. Total revenues of $69.2 million were up 13.3% year-over-year. Y-o-Y SSS were off 2.7%, but were up 8.6% compared to 1Q20, or prior to any COVID related impacts.

Nightclubs. Revenue of $55.9 million was up 20.7% y-o-y, with SSS up 1.2% y-o-y and up 10.0% from 1Q20. Nightclub sales remained high, reflecting strong contributions from acquisitions, increased VIP spend at many of the northern clubs, and reopened/reformatted clubs, all of which more than offset intermittent softness at some blue collar clubs compared to a year-ago.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Lifeway Foods (LWAY) – Highlighting the Growth Potential

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

ICR Conference. Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky presented at the ICR Conference yesterday. In addition to providing a brief Company history, Ms. Smolyansky’s presentation highlighted the size and growth potential of the probiotic market. Ms. Smolyansky’s goal is to make Lifeway to kefir what Tropicana is to orange juice internationally.

Market Size. The U.S. probiotic market was $9.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to post a 7.7% CAGR from 2022-2030, providing Lifeway with a rising tide for its various probiotic products. Notably, probiotic growth is not limited to the U.S. allowing Lifeway to capture additional opportunity in various international markets.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Kratos Defense & Security (KTOS) – Mayhem, and More

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Mayhem. Yesterday, Kratos stated that it received a contract from its prime teammate and partner Leidos to support the Expendable Hypersonic Multi-Mission ISR and Strike Program, known as Mayhem. This new contract award will support the Air Force Research Laboratory’s development of an air-breathing hypersonic weapon system over its initial 51-month period of performance.

What Is Mayhem? The Mayhem program is focused on delivering a larger class air-breathing hypersonic system capable of executing multiple missions with a standardized payload interface, providing a significant technological advancement and future capability, according to the Department of Defense. The initial task award is $24 million, with a program cap of $334 million.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.