Release – Cadrenal Therapeutics Advances Multi-Indication Strategy for CAD-1005; Launches Phase 2a Acute Kidney Injury (CSA-AKI) Clinical Plan to Accelerate Pharma Partnering at Upcoming BIO 2026

Research News and Market Data on CVKD

  • New high-value indication for Phase 3-ready asset with data intended to support clinical development and strategic partnering discussions
  • Additional billion-dollar target- Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (CSA-AKI), a serious complication affecting 35,000 U.S. patients annually, with no approved FDA-approved targeted therapies
  • Dual-Purpose Synergy – Planned Phase 2a proof-of-concept trial expected to generate safety, renal injury signals, and 12-LOX pathway biology in high-risk cardiac surgery patients, while generating high-value data potentially relevant to the Company’s lead HIT indication
  • Capital-Efficient Development: Leverages shared in-hospital ICU infrastructure and an intravenous (IV) formulation to offer a turnkey critical care franchise for a global pharmaceutical partner
  • Maximizes 12-LOX Platform Valuation – Strongly positioned for upcoming strategic collaboration and licensing meetings at BIO 2026

PONTE VEDRA, Fla., June 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVKD), a biopharmaceutical company advancing novel therapies for life-threatening immune and thrombotic conditions, today announced that it plans to initiate a Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial of its lead drug candidate, CAD-1005, being studied to prevent Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The trial is expected to begin later this year.

“The addition of a CSA-AKI indication further expands CAD-1005’s potential as a multi-billion-dollar critical care platform,” said Quang X. Pham, Chief Executive Officer of Cadrenal Therapeutics. “CAD-1005’s potent, selective 12-LOX inhibition interrupts inflammatory and cell-death cascades frequently associated with cardiac surgery – a mechanism built for success in this population. This dual-indication program offers a turnkey franchise opportunity for pharmaceutical companies seeking to dominate hospital critical care applications and we believe creates a high-value inflection point for Cadrenal to secure a well-capitalized strategic partner and fund our pipeline expansion through non-dilutive collaborations.”

The planned study is intended to expand the clinical evaluation of CAD-1005 into a high-unmet-need acute-care setting while generating data that may be relevant to Cadrenal’s lead Phase 3-ready program in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT is a condition caused by an immune response to the widely used hospital blood thinner, heparin, resulting in blood clots that can cause death, amputation, stroke, and significantly increase healthcare costs. The Company expects to discuss the CSA-AKI clinical plan, its implications for CAD-1005’s broader development strategy, and potential non-dilutive collaboration opportunities at the BIO International Convention.

Cardiac surgery remains a cornerstone of cardiovascular care, but it is often complicated by CSA-AKI, which affects roughly 35,000 U.S. patients each year. CSA-AKI represents a potential treatment market estimated at $1 billion annually, a subset of the broader AKI market. CSA-AKI is associated with an approximately 8-fold increase in hospital mortality and significantly increases the risk of progressive, permanent kidney failure. There are currently no FDA-approved targeted pharmacologic therapies to prevent CSA-AKI. Cardiac surgery patients are also at risk for the potentially catastrophic complication of HIT. The planned Phase 2a trial builds on encouraging preclinical data in multiple animal models for CAD-1005 in AKI, as well as existing Phase 1 safety data. Moreover, it leverages the clinical overlap between AKI and HIT in cardiac surgery, enabling Cadrenal to efficiently collect dual-purpose validation data. Thus, in addition to potentially establishing proof of concept in the multi-billion-dollar AKI market, the trial will also generate key safety and mechanistic data that could help to de-risk the pivotal Phase 3 registration path for HIT.

About Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc.

Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a first-in-class 12-LOX therapeutic platform focused on thrombosis, inflammation, and the prevention of ischemia-reperfusion-related organ and tissue damage. The Company’s lead asset, CAD-1005, is a selective 12-LOX inhibitor designed to address diseases driven by immune-mediated platelet activation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory tissue injury. CAD-1005 is being developed for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), with additional development opportunities in acute kidney injury (AKI) and other critical-care indications characterized by ischemia-reperfusion injury and inflammatory organ damage.

Cadrenal is advancing its 12-LOX platform because this target is suspected to represent a central biological pathway across a broad range of acute and chronic diseases, creating the potential for a differentiated therapeutic pipeline targeting a common disease mechanism. The Company’s plans include developing next-generation oral 12-LOX inhibitors for larger chronic disease opportunities.

Cadrenal’s broader pipeline includes tecarfarin, a late-stage anticoagulant for patients requiring chronic anticoagulation, and frunexian, a Factor XIa inhibitor for acute hospital use.

For more information, visit https://www.cadrenal.com/ and connect with the Company on LinkedIn.

About CAD-1005

CAD-1005 is an investigational therapy under evaluation for the treatment of suspected HIT. CAD-1005 is designed to selectively inhibit 12-LOX, a pathway integral to the primary immune mechanisms that drive HIT. Unlike existing therapies for HIT, which are directed only at preventing thrombotic complications, this approach targets the primary underlying cause of HIT. CAD-1005 has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as orphan drug status from the European Medicines Agency.

About Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

AKI is one of the most common and serious complications of cardiac surgery, affecting 20-30% of patients after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) in approximately 1-5% of cases. It significantly increases morbidity, mortality, ICU length of stay, and the long-term risk of chronic kidney disease. There are currently no drugs approved for the prevention of AKI.

About 12-LOX
Lipoxygenases are lipid-metabolizing enzymes that catalyze the conversion of fatty acids into key components of cellular signaling pathways. One of these, 12-Lipoxygenase (12-LOX), plays a key role in the pathogenesis of AKI, immune-mediated platelet activation, and HIT. CAD-1005 is a selective inhibitor of 12-LOX and the only one in clinical-stage development. It has promising preclinical data in AKI and more recent preliminary Phase 2 data in HIT. Genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of 12-LOX has been shown to be protective against disease development and/or progression in animal models of diabetes, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases.

About Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)

Heparin is the most widely used in-hospital anticoagulant, with more than 12 million patients receiving it in the United States each year. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially life-threatening, immune-mediated complication of heparin administration that occurs when antibodies to heparin activate platelets, leading to clots throughout the circulatory system, markedly lowering platelet counts, and increasing the risk of bleeding. Complications of HIT include deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, myocardial infarction, amputation, and death, with mortality rates for HIT exceeding 20% in some studies. CAD-1005 is the only treatment in clinical development that targets the underlying immune drivers of HIT.

Safe Harbor

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potentially,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the plans for a Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial of CAD-1005 being studied to prevent Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery; enrollment to begin later this year; data intended to support clinical development and strategic partnership discussions; CAD-1005’s potential as a multi-billion-dollar critical care platform; the dual-indication program creating a high-value inflection point for Cadrenal to secure a well-capitalized strategic partner and fund its pipeline expansion through non-dilutive collaborations; being strongly positioned for upcoming strategic collaboration and licensing meetings at BIO 2026; potential to establish proof-of-concept in the multi-billion-dollar AKI market and the trial generating key safety and mechanistic data that could help to de-risk the pivotal Phase 3 registration path. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the ability to raise sufficient capital to continue progress of CAD-1005; the ability to advance to Phase 3 study evaluating CAD-1005 in patients with HIT; the ability to successfully design and complete the Phase 2a study and derive the results needed for further clinical development; and the other risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including subsequent periodic reports on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by federal securities laws, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For more information, please contact:

Lytham Partners, LLC, Robert Blum, Managing Partner, 602-889-9700, [email protected]

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Nuvei to Acquire Payoneer for $2.75 Billion in a Bet on the Future of Cross-Border Payments

The global payments consolidation wave just produced one of its most significant transactions of 2026. Nuvei, the Montreal-based payment technology company, announced Monday it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Payoneer Global (Nasdaq: PAYO) for $2.75 billion in an all-cash deal. Under the terms of the agreement, Nuvei will acquire all outstanding Payoneer shares for $7.40 per share in cash, with the boards of directors of both companies having unanimously approved the transaction. The deal is expected to close in mid-2027, subject to shareholder approval, regulatory clearances, and customary closing conditions.

The acquisition combines two complementary players in digital payments to create a single platform capable of supporting the full transaction lifecycle for businesses operating across local and international markets.

The Scale of the Combined Company

The numbers behind the merger illustrate why the deal matters. At close, the combined company is expected to generate approximately $3 billion in annual revenue and process more than $500 billion in annual payment volume for over 2.4 million customers. The merged entity will give businesses a single partner to accept, hold, and move money — including stablecoin transactions — across more than 190 countries and territories.

That last detail is worth pausing on. The explicit inclusion of stablecoin transaction capabilities signals that Nuvei views digital asset rails as a core component of the future cross-border payments infrastructure rather than a peripheral feature. As businesses increasingly seek faster and lower-cost mechanisms for moving money internationally, stablecoin settlement has emerged as a genuine alternative to traditional correspondent banking networks, and the combined company is positioning to serve that demand directly.

What Each Company Brings

Nuvei contributes its payment processing and merchant acquiring capabilities — the infrastructure that allows businesses to accept payments from customers across channels and geographies. Payoneer brings its extensive cross-border payments network, which serves businesses in 190 countries and territories and specializes in international payouts, treasury services, and embedded financial products. Payoneer reported strong first quarter 2026 results ahead of the announcement, posting earnings per share of $0.06 against a forecast of $0.04 and revenue of $261.6 million, above the anticipated $255.08 million, driven by strength in its business-to-business segment.

The strategic logic is the creation of a unified platform. Rather than businesses stitching together separate providers for payment acceptance, international payouts, card issuance, treasury management, and foreign exchange, the combined Nuvei-Payoneer entity aims to offer all of those capabilities through a single integrated relationship.

Goldman Sachs is serving as lead financial advisor to Nuvei, with Barclays also advising. Qatalyst Partners is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Payoneer. Committed financing is being provided by BMO Capital Markets, RBC Capital Markets, Barclays, UBS, and Wells Fargo.

The Fintech Consolidation Signal

For investors tracking financial technology companies in the small and microcap space, the Nuvei-Payoneer deal reinforces a clear theme. Payments and fintech infrastructure companies with established cross-border networks, recurring revenue, and clean regulatory positioning across multiple jurisdictions are commanding strategic premiums as the industry consolidates around scale.

The $7.40 per share price represents a premium to Payoneer’s market capitalization prior to the announcement, and the deal continues a pattern of larger payment platforms acquiring specialized capabilities rather than building them organically. As global commerce shifts further toward digital and cross-border channels, the companies that own the infrastructure connecting those flows — particularly those incorporating next-generation rails like stablecoin settlement — remain among the most actively pursued acquisition targets in fintech.

Aurania Resources (AUIAF) – Takeaways from the Annual General Meeting


Monday, June 15, 2026

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Annual General Meeting. On June 11, Aurania shareholders approved all resolutions at the company’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. Dr. Keith Barron, Chairman, President, and CEO, provided an update, which can be viewed here.

Immediate Plans. In August, Aurania expects to commence a drill program at the Thor’s Valley Gold Project in Iceland. The program will entail twinning seven drill holes and one step-out hole. At the Balangero Nickel-Cobalt Project in Italy, Aurania expects to obtain permits to conduct 15 sonic drill holes and a 20 to 30-tonne bulk sample prior to the release of a Preliminary Economic Assessment. In Brittany, management is taking a second look at LiDAR data to confirm historic mine workings and continues its community engagement efforts.


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*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. 

Mortgage Rates Climb to 6.52% as Hot Inflation and a Blowout Jobs Report Bury Rate Cut Hopes

The brief window of mortgage rate optimism that opened earlier this spring is closing quickly. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed to 6.52% in the week ending Wednesday, according to Freddie Mac, up from 6.48% the prior week and continuing a drift higher that has now persisted for four consecutive weeks. Rates have been anchored around 6.5% since mid-May — high enough to meaningfully suppress affordability for buyers and far enough above the lows of late 2024 to keep the refinance market largely frozen for the millions of homeowners who locked in rates between 6% and 7% over the past two years.

The catalyst for this week’s move is not one data point but two arriving in rapid succession. Last Friday’s May jobs report showed the economy added 172,000 positions — nearly double the 88,000 economists had expected. Three days earlier, the May Consumer Price Index showed inflation running at 4.2% year over year, the highest reading since 2023, driven primarily by energy costs directly tied to the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Together the two reports delivered a blunt macro message: the US economy is not slowing down, inflation is not cooling, and the Federal Reserve has neither the room nor the justification to cut interest rates anytime soon.

The Fed Picture Has Shifted Materially

Markets have responded accordingly. According to CME FedWatch data, approximately two-thirds of traders now expect the Federal Reserve to raise benchmark interest rates at least once before the end of 2026. As recently as March, the consensus expectation was for two rate cuts by year-end. That expectation has been fully reversed by the combination of persistent energy-driven inflation, a resilient labor market, and a new Federal Reserve chair in Kevin Warsh whose hawkish reputation the market is still calibrating.

Warsh chairs his first FOMC meeting June 16-17 — five days from today. A rate hike is not expected at this meeting, but his post-decision press conference and the committee’s updated dot plot will be the most consequential signal for mortgage rates in the second half of 2026. If the dot plot reflects a committee leaning toward one or more hikes before year-end, Treasury yields will move higher and mortgage rates will follow.

The Housing Market Is Adapting — Imperfectly

Despite rates holding near 6.5% for the past month, buying and selling activity actually picked up in May — a signal that buyers are gradually recalibrating expectations around a higher-rate environment rather than waiting indefinitely for relief. The traditional spring selling season has not collapsed. It has simply compressed into a narrower band of motivated buyers and sellers willing to transact at current levels.

The challenge for smaller companies in the real estate ecosystem is that this adaptation is uneven. Regional homebuilders, independent mortgage originators, title insurance companies, and real estate technology platforms in the sub-$2 billion market cap range are all operating in a market where transaction volume remains structurally suppressed relative to the 2020-2022 cycle. Community banks and smaller mortgage lenders face an additional layer of complexity: the spread between their cost of funds and their lending rates determines profitability, and in a higher-for-longer environment, that spread is being compressed by competition for deposits.

For mortgage REITs — many of which trade in the small and microcap range — the combination of elevated short-term rates, a flat yield curve, and refinance activity near multi-decade lows represents a direct earnings headwind that is not resolving on any near-term timeline.

The 30-year fixed rate at 6.52% is not the ceiling. The FOMC meeting next week will determine whether it becomes the floor.

Release – Aurania Shareholders Approve All Resolutions at Annual Meeting

Aurania Resources Ltd.

Research News and Market Data on AUIAF

June 12, 2026 7:00 AM EDT | Source: Aurania Resources Ltd.

Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – June 12, 2026) – Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) (“Aurania” or the “Company”) announces that its shareholders approved all resolutions at the Company’s Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) which was held on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The formal part of the Meeting was followed by an update from Aurania’s President & CEO, Dr. Keith Barron. To access the replay of Dr. Barron’s update on YouTube, click this link: https://youtu.be/1zy_uvtShrw

At the Meeting, shareholders approved the financial statements for the year-ended December 31, 2025, and the report of the auditors thereon, the appointment of auditors, election of directors, and the Company’s incentive stock option plan for the upcoming year. Details of these matters are disclosed in the Management Information Circular for the Meeting dated April 27, 2026, and posted under the Company’s profile on www.sedarplus.ca on TSX Trust’s website at http://docs.tsxtrust.com/2167, and on Aurania’s website.

About Aurania
Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and critical energy in Europe and abroad.

Information on Aurania and technical reports are available at www.aurania.com and www.sedarplus.ca, as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/auranialtd/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/auranialtd, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurania-resources-ltd-.

For further information, please contact:

Carolyn Muir
VP Corporate Development & Investor Relations
Aurania Resources Ltd.
(416) 367-3200
[email protected]
 

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

info

Source: Aurania Resources Ltd.

SpaceX Opens at $150, Makes Elon Musk the World’s First Trillionaire, and Sends Smaller Space Stocks Reeling

History was made on Wall Street Friday morning. SpaceX (Nasdaq: SPCX) began trading on the Nasdaq at $150 per share — 11% above its $135 IPO price — in the largest public market debut in history. Shares immediately surged to an intraday high of $168.40, pushing the company’s market capitalization above $2 trillion and lifting Elon Musk’s net worth to an estimated $1.3 trillion or more, making him the first person in human history to achieve trillionaire status on paper.

The milestone is as much a reflection of what SpaceX has built over 24 years as it is of the scale of investor demand that greeted the stock on its first day of public trading.

The Numbers Behind the Debut

The SpaceX IPO officially priced at $135 per share Thursday evening, raising approximately $75 billion — the largest capital raise in IPO history — and assigning the company a market capitalization of $1.77 trillion from day one. The offering was oversubscribed four times, meaning institutional investors who wanted allocations did not receive them and are now buying shares in the open market, providing additional upward price support on the first trading day.

The demand dynamic is amplified by an unusually small public float. Only approximately 4% of SpaceX shares are available for public trading, with early investors, employees, and insiders holding the remaining 96% subject to lock-up restrictions. That combination of overwhelming institutional demand against a tiny available float is the primary mechanical driver of today’s opening price action.

The IPO is also one of the largest single wealth creation events in venture capital history. Founders Fund, which invested $600 million in SpaceX and holds approximately a 3% stake, is sitting on estimated returns of more than $50 billion at the $135 IPO price. Andreessen Horowitz’s stake is valued at more than $10 billion. Sequoia’s position is worth over $20 billion. Approximately 4,400 current and former SpaceX employees are expected to become millionaires as a result of the listing, with roughly 400 reaching centimillionaire status.

The Index Inclusion Catalyst Is Days Away

One of the most consequential structural factors supporting SPCX in the near term is not investor enthusiasm — it is mandatory index buying. SpaceX successfully lobbied multiple major indexes, including the Nasdaq-100, to change their inclusion eligibility rules ahead of the IPO. Under the revised Fast Entry rule that took effect May 1, SpaceX will join those indexes in a matter of days rather than the months the prior process would have required. Once included, every ETF and passive fund benchmarked to those indexes will be required to purchase SPCX at whatever price the market sets — creating a structural buyer with no price sensitivity arriving imminently.

What Is Happening to Smaller Space Stocks Today

While SPCX trades sharply higher, virtually every small and microcap space company that had been rallying in anticipation of today’s debut is selling off hard in the same session. York Space Systems is down more than 16%. Firefly Aerospace has fallen over 16%. EchoStar is off nearly 15%. Voyager Technologies is down more than 13%. AST SpaceMobile has declined more than 12%.

The pattern is a textbook “sell the news” rotation. Investors who accumulated positions in smaller space names as proxies for SpaceX IPO excitement are now rotating directly into SPCX. Capital that had been parked in accessible small cap space vehicles while SpaceX remained private is moving into the real thing now that it is publicly available.

The Question That Matters Going Forward

The more important question for investors in smaller space companies is not what happens today. It is what happens over the next six to eighteen months as SpaceX operates as a public company with $75 billion in fresh capital and a publicly traded stock as acquisition currency. The company’s vertical integration across launch, satellite connectivity, AI, and lunar operations means it competes with or could potentially acquire virtually every other company in the space technology sector.

For some smaller names, a well-capitalized public SpaceX validates and accelerates the sector’s commercial development. For others, it is a better-funded competitor now operating with full public transparency. The index buying wave arriving in the coming days will be the next major price catalyst to watch — both for SPCX and for the smaller companies trading in its orbit.

Elon Musk gave SpaceX less than a 10% chance of success when he founded it in 2002. On Friday June 12, 2026, the market assigned it a $2 trillion valuation. The 24-year wait is over.

Power Metallic Mines Inc. (PNPNF) – LIFE Offering Closed; Mr. Eric Sprott Joins Shareholder Roster


Friday, June 12, 2026

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

LIFE Offering. Power Metallic Mines closed its previously announced brokered Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (LIFE) offering that raised C$28.2 million in gross proceeds. The company issued 22.583 million common shares of the company at a price of C$1.25 per share. The agents received an aggregate cash fee of C$1.4 million. We had already assumed the issuance of equity in our financial model. Prominent mining investor Mr. Eric Sprott invested C$2.0 million through his company, 2176423 Ontario Ltd., with the acquisition of 1.6 million shares. 

Use of Proceeds. The proceeds will be used to advance the company’s flagship Nisk Project in Quebec and its Jabul Baudan exploration license in Saudi Arabia, and to fund general working capital and corporate needs.


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Consumer Confidence Rose in June for the First Time in Three Months

The American consumer is feeling marginally better in June — but marginally is doing a lot of work in that sentence. The University of Michigan’s preliminary Index of Consumer Sentiment came in at 48.9 for June, up from 44.8 in May, which had been the lowest reading in the survey’s 74-year history. The improvement represents a 9% month-over-month gain and breaks a three-consecutive-month decline that had been weighing on every consumer-facing sector of the market.

The bounce, however, leaves sentiment still 19.4% below where it stood a year ago and below April’s final reading of 49.8. Survey director Joanne Hsu described views of the economy as “still relatively dour,” and noted that Americans continue to feel burdened by recent price increases and worry that elevated inflation will remain stubborn going forward. The improvement is real. It is not a turning point.

What Drove the June Bounce

The primary catalyst is straightforward: gas prices have pulled back from their recent highs. After surpassing $4.50 per gallon nationally and breaching $4 in every US state simultaneously in May — a historic first driven entirely by the US-Iran conflict and the disruption to Strait of Hormuz oil flows — pump prices have eased modestly. The national average is now below $4.50, though still approximately $1 above pre-war levels. California continues to post averages above $6 per gallon.

Lower-income consumers drove the largest share of the sentiment improvement in June, which is consistent with the fact that gasoline represents a proportionally larger share of spending for households at the lower end of the income spectrum. When gas prices fall even modestly, it has an outsized effect on the confidence of the consumers who feel energy costs most acutely.

Inflation expectations also showed tentative improvement. Year-ahead inflation forecasts fell to 4.6% from 4.8% in May, and long-run expectations declined to 3.4% from 3.9% — which had been the highest reading since October 2025. Both moves are directionally encouraging but remain well above the 2.8% to 3.2% range that prevailed throughout 2024. GasBuddy cautioned that the coast is “anything but clear” given continued uncertainty over a permanent Iran peace agreement and its implications for oil supply.

The Mortgage Rate Counterweight

The June sentiment improvement needs to be read alongside a data point moving in the opposite direction. As we covered earlier, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 6.52% this week, driven by the same hot inflation data and blowout jobs report that are now showing early signs of easing in consumer sentiment. Mortgage rates have now hovered near 6.5% for four consecutive weeks, suppressing housing affordability and keeping the refinance market effectively frozen for millions of homeowners.

The consumer is getting a mixed signal: modest relief at the pump on one hand, and a housing market that remains structurally inaccessible for many buyers on the other. Gas prices and mortgage rates are pulling in opposite directions, and the net effect is a consumer who is slightly less pessimistic than last month but far from confident.

The Small Cap Implications

For consumer-facing companies in the sub-$2 billion market cap space, June’s sentiment bounce is welcome but insufficient to change the operating environment materially. Regional restaurant operators, specialty retailers, leisure travel companies, and consumer discretionary brands have been navigating compressed discretionary spending for months. A move from 44.8 to 48.9 in the sentiment index does not meaningfully alter that dynamic.

What would change it is a sustained decline in energy costs tied to a durable Iran peace agreement, which remains unresolved, combined with a Federal Reserve that begins signaling rate relief. Neither of those conditions is in place heading into next week’s FOMC meeting. The consumer is breathing slightly easier in June. The pressure has not lifted.

Release – Xcel Brands Announces License Agreement for Trust. Respect. Love by Cesar Millan with EcoStrong

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Research News and Market Data on XELB

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NEW YORK, June 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xcel Brands (NASDAQ: XELB), an industry-leading media and consumer products company specializing in building influencer led brands through social commerce and livestream shopping, is pleased to announce a new licensing partnership for Trust. Respect. Love by Cesar Millan with licensing partner EcoStrong for product categories that include cleaning products, odor management, shampoo and conditioners.

The partnership will introduce a collection of innovative pet care, pet shampoo, and home cleaning products inspired by Cesar Millan’s philosophy that trust, respect, and love are the foundation of every meaningful relationship between pets and their owners. The collection includes environmentally safe cleaning, grooming, and odor control solutions designed to support healthier homes and happier pets.

“We are excited to partner with EcoStrong as our licensing partner for the Trust. Respect. Love by Cesar Millan. Cesar Millan is one of the most recognized and trusted names in the pet space, and this partnership allows us to expand his philosophy into thoughtfully designed pet care products that align with today’s consumer demand for effective and environmentally safe solutions. EcoStrong’s expertise and innovation in pet safe products make them an ideal partner for this category launch,” said Robert D’Loren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xcel Brands.

“Cesar Millan has spent his career helping people build stronger relationships with their pets, and his mission aligns perfectly with EcoStrong’s commitment to creating safer, healthier environments for pets and their families,” said Bryan Sims, Chief Executive Officer and President of EcoStrong.

The Trust. Respect. Love by Cesar Millan collection will combine practical everyday functionality with products designed to help pet owners maintain clean and comfortable living environments while also supporting the health and wellness of their pets through premium grooming essentials, including pet shampoos and other pet care products.

“For me, trust, respect, and love are not just words — they are the foundation of every relationship with a dog,” said Cesar Millan. He further stated, “I’m excited to work with EcoStrong Pet Products and Xcel Brands to create products that support healthier homes and happier pets.”

About Cesar Millan 
Cesar Millan is a world-renowned dog behaviorist with over 25 years of experience transforming relationships between humans and their dogs. As the original host of the hit TV series, the Dog Whisperer, to his most recent Better Human, Better Dog, to his best-selling books and iconic workshops, Cesar has become a trusted guide for millions of dog lovers worldwide. With social media following over 21 million people and a legacy that spans two decades on television around the world, Cesar’s influence extends far and wide. Trusted by celebrities, world leaders, and first-time pet owners alike, Cesar is committed to helping you achieve lasting harmony with your dog. Cesar moves forward in his journey with purpose, and you can follow this journey at www.cesarmillan.com.

For further information please contact:

Gaetano Mastropasqua
[email protected]

About Xcel Brands
Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: XELB) is a media and consumer products company engaged in the design, licensing, marketing, live streaming, and social commerce sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, fine jewelry, home goods, pet products and other consumer products, and the acquisition of dynamic consumer lifestyle brands. Xcel was founded in 2011 with a vision to reimagine shopping, entertainment, and social media as social commerce. Xcel is an industry leader in developing influencer led brands and owns the Halston and C. Wonder brands, as well as the co-branded influencer led brands Tower Hill by Christie Brinkley, Trust. Respect. Love by Cesar Millan, GemmaMade by Gemma Stafford and Off/Duty by Coco Rocha brand and holds noncontrolling interests or long-term license agreement in Mesa Mia by Jenny Martinez. Xcel also owns and manages the Longaberger by Shannon Doherty brand through its controlling interest in Longaberger Licensing, LLC. Xcel is pioneering a modern consumer products sales strategy which includes the promotion and sale of products under its brands through interactive television, digital live-stream shopping, social commerce, brick-and-mortar retailers, and e-commerce channels to be everywhere its customers’ shop. The company’s previously owned and current brands have generated more than $5 billion in retail sales via livestreaming in interactive television and digital channels alone and has over 20,000 hours of content production time in live-stream and social commerce. The brand portfolio reaches more than 46 million social media followers with broadcast reaching 200 million households. Headquartered in New York City, Xcel Brands is led by an executive team with significant live streaming, production, merchandising, design, marketing, retailing, and licensing experience, and a proven track record of success in elevating branded consumer products companies. For more information, visit www.xcelbrands.com.

For further information please contact:

Xcel Brands
[email protected]

About EcoStrong

EcoStrong is one of the fastest-growing consumer brands in the pet care category, known for developing high-performance household and pet care solutions powered by the latest advancements in natural, plant-based, and bio-enzymatic technologies. Its portfolio includes innovative cleaning products, odor eliminators, stain removers, laundry care products, and pet grooming solutions that deliver professional-grade results while maintaining a strong commitment to safety and sustainability. By combining scientific innovation with environmentally responsible product development, EcoStrong helps consumers care for their homes, their pets, and the planet without sacrificing effectiveness.

For more information about EcoStrong see www.ecostrong.com

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Release – NeuroSense Granted South Korean Patent Covering PrimeC Composition for ALS

Research News and Market Data NRSN

  • Patent claims cover PrimeC’s proprietary formulation, manufacturing process and use in ALS
  • Expands intellectual property protection in one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical markets, following recent patent advancements in Japan, Brazil, Australia and the United States
  • Further strengthens global patent portfolio as NeuroSense prepares to initiate Phase 3 development of PrimeC

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NeuroSense Therapeutics Ltd. (NASDAQ: NRSN) (“NeuroSense”  or the “Company”), a late-clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel treatments for severe neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) has issued Korean Patent Number 10-2969898 covering the composition of PrimeC, the Company’s lead drug candidate for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The granted patent claims cover key aspects of PrimeC, including its proprietary tablet formulation, manufacturing process, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and pharmaceutical use for the treatment of ALS.

The patent is expected to provide patent protection for such aspects of PrimeC in South Korea through 2042.

“This patent grant further strengthens our growing global intellectual property estate surrounding PrimeC,” said Alon Ben-Noon, Chief Executive Officer of NeuroSense. “South Korea is an important pharmaceutical market, and this milestone reflects the continued recognition of the novelty and proprietary nature of PrimeC as we advance toward Phase 3 development.”

The South Korean patent grant follows patent grants received in other major jurisdictions, further expanding NeuroSense’s global intellectual property portfolio and supporting the long-term development and commercialization strategy for PrimeC.

PrimeC is a novel oral therapy designed to simultaneously target multiple biological mechanisms associated with ALS progression, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and dysregulated iron metabolism.

NeuroSense previously reported compelling results from its Phase 2b PARADIGM study, including meaningful slowing of disease progression, significant biological activity across multiple ALS-related biomarkers, including microRNAs, and long-term data demonstrating a meaningful survival benefit. The Company has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate its pivotal Phase 3 PARAGON study in ALS.

About NeuroSense

NeuroSense Therapeutics is a late-clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel treatments for severe neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, PrimeC, is a novel oral therapy designed to target multiple key biological pathways underlying disease progression, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and dysregulated iron metabolism.

NeuroSense has generated compelling clinical data from its Phase 2b PARADIGM study in ALS, demonstrating meaningful slowing of disease progression. The Company also reported significant biological activity across multiple biomarkers associated with ALS, including microRNAs, supporting PrimeC’s multi-target mechanism of action. Notably, long-term follow-up data indicated a meaningful survival benefit, representing a potentially important advancement in the treatment of ALS.

NeuroSense has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial (PARAGON) in ALS, which is expected to enroll approximately 300 participants, primarily in the United States.

For additional information, we invite you to visit our website and follow us on LinkedInYouTube and X. Information that may be important to investors may be routinely posted on our website and these social media channels.

About PrimeC

PrimeC, NeuroSense’s lead drug candidate, is a novel extended-release oral formulation composed of a unique fixed-dose combination of two FDA-approved drugs: ciprofloxacin and celecoxib. PrimeC is designed to synergistically target several key mechanisms of ALS and AD, that contribute to neuron degeneration, inflammation, iron accumulation and impaired ribonucleic acid (“RNA”) regulation to potentially inhibit the progression of ALS and AD.

About ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that causes complete paralysis and death within 2-5 years from diagnosis. Every year, more than 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS in the U.S. alone, with an annual disease burden of $1 billion. The number of people living with ALS is expected to grow by 24% by 2040 in the U.S. and EU.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on NeuroSense Therapeutics’ current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the benefits of the Korean patent, development, regulatory progress and potential commercialization of PrimeC, are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. The future events and trends may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward looking statements. These risks include the uncertainty regarding the benefits of the Korean patent; outcomes and the timing of current and future clinical trials; timing for reporting data, including from the study of PrimeC in Alzheimer’s disease; that the study will not be successful; the ability of NeuroSense to remain listed on Nasdaq; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in NeuroSense’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). You should not rely on these statements as representing our views in the future. More information about the risks and uncertainties affecting NeuroSense is contained under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2026 and NeuroSense’s subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and NeuroSense undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

SOURCE NeuroSense

For further information: For further information: Email: [email protected], Tel: +972 (0)9 799 6183

Release – InPlay Oil Corp. Announces Annual Meeting Voting Results for Election of Directors

InPlay Oil logo

Research News and Market Data on IPOOF

Jun 10, 2026, 21:31 ET

CALGARY AB, June 10, 2026 /CNW/ – InPlay Oil Corp. (TSX: IPO) (OTCQX: IPOOF) (“InPlay” or the “Company”) announced today the voting results for the election of directors at its annual meeting of shareholders held on June 10, 2026 (the “Meeting”). The following eight nominees were elected as directors of InPlay to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected or appointed, with common shares represented at the Meeting voting in favour of individual nominees as follows:

DirectorPercentage ApprovalPercentage Withheld
Douglas Bartole99.94 %0.06 %
Regan Davis98.66 %1.34 %
Joan Dunne99.97 %0.03 %
Craig Golinowski99.93 %0.07 %
Tamir Polikar99.83 %0.17 %
Ehud Erez94.40 %5.60 %
Stephen Nikiforuk99.96 %0.04 %
Dale Shwed99.84 %0.16 %

In addition, all other resolutions presented at the Meeting were approved by InPlay’s shareholders, including the appointment of PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors. For complete voting results, please see our Report of Voting Results which is available through SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

InPlay is a junior oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in Alberta focused on light oil production. The company operates long-lived, low-decline properties with drilling development and enhanced oil recovery potential as well as undeveloped lands with exploration possibilities. The common shares of InPlay trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol IPO and the OTCQX Exchange under the symbol IPOOF.

SOURCE InPlay Oil Corp.

For further information please contact: Doug Bartole, President and Chief Executive Officer, InPlay Oil Corp., Telephone: (587) 955-0632; Kevin Leonard, Vice President Corporate & Business Development, InPlay Oil Corp., Telephone: (587) 955-0635

Superior Group of Companies (SGC) – Noble Virtual Conference Highlights


Thursday, June 11, 2026

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Noble Virtual Conference. On June 3rd, the company presented at the Noble Virtual Conference to the investment community. The presentation conducted by Michael Benstock, Chairman and CEO, and Michael Koempel, President and CFO, highlighted the company’s three diversified and profitable segments, accelerating momentum in its Branded Products business, and a capital allocation strategy centered on dividends, buybacks, and acquisitions. A replay of the presentation can be viewed here.

Diversified operations. The company operates three segments: Healthcare Apparel, Branded Products, and Contact Centers, each holding a modest share of a large, fragmented market with ample room to grow. 


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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. 

Townsquare Media (TSQ) – Noble Virtual Conference Highlights


Thursday, June 11, 2026

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

George Proost, Research Intern, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Conference highlights. On June 3rd, Bill Wilson, CEO, and Stuart Rosenstein, Executive Vice President and CFO, participated in a fireside chat at Noble’s virtual equity conference. The discussion focused on the company’s successful evolution into a digital-first local media powerhouse, highlighting strong performance in its digital segments, the strategic use of AI, and its commitment to shareholder returns through a significant dividend and debt reduction. A replay of the presentation is available here.

Favorable digital advertising outlook. Total digital advertising grew about 7% in Q1, and management stated that Q2 is pacing stronger, led by a programmatic platform that grew over 20% year over year and now represents roughly 65% of the segment. Connected and streaming TV is the fastest-growing channel, followed by social. Management expects the acceleration to continue through the back half of the year.


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.