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Watch: Braves outfielder makes one of the best throws you’ll ever see

Sport 2 Mins Read

Ronald Acuna Jr. made one of the best throws you’ll ever see Friday night during the Atlanta Braves’ game against the New York Yankees.

Fresh off representing the Braves in the All-Star Game played in Atlanta, the right fielder caught a fly ball hit by Cody Bellinger just on the grass in the right field corner. He then turned and fired the ball all the way to third base on the fly to nail Jorbit Vivas, who was attempting to tag up.

Acuna and the Braves were aided in part by some terrible baserunning by Vivas, who seemed to decelerate into the bag and failed to slide. Still, the Yankees third baseman wouldn’t have been out had Acuna not made an unbelievable throw. The Yankees did not challenge, and the double play ended the top of the third inning.

Acuna helped the Braves take a 3-0 lead after the first inning with an RBI double and he scored a run on an Ozzie Albies sacrifice fly. He finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI as the Braves went on to win 7-3.

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Sunk by his own secrets, Lloyd Howell was destined to fail

Sport 5 Mins Read

That the NFL Players’ Association ended up here — with their leader, Lloyd Howell, resigning amid multiple scandals Thursday — shouldn’t be a surprise. 

When you marry secrecy, you get secrets. And, well, Howell’s NFLPA had some secrets. 

Essential reporting from Pablo Torre and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio unearthed the initial ruling. ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler and Don Van Natta Jr. added layers by exposing a secrecy agreement between the NFL and NFLPA to keep the arbitration ruling buried. 

What should have been a slam dunk for Howell and his union inexplicably became a “nothingburger.” If only his tenure could be described that way. “Disaster” is a better fit. “Unhealthy” is more apropos.

For the players, who rely on this union even though the vast majority of them don’t really care about the details of the membership. For the fans, the vast majority of whom support the players’ rights to receive their fair share in the fight against 32 separate, billion-dollar enterprises — and don’t want to hear about collective bargaining agreement (CBA) drama. 

You think this stuff doesn’t have consequences? Look at the second-round draft picks from the 2025 class fighting for guaranteed money. Every day is a scrap for the next cent in the NFL. The NFLPA’s job is to give each player a chance in that battle. 

Howell was elected following a process that was shrouded in secrecy. None of the candidates were made public. Player membership received one day’s notice of the election, according to reports, and only 11 individuals voted. And the outcome was Howell, a former executive at consulting firm Booz Allen.

Former union president JC Tretter, now the chief strategist for the NFLPA, said the process was copacetic and within the union’s constitutional guidelines. This is a group that represents nearly 1,700 active players and many more former ones. Maybe Howell was the most qualified candidate and presented the best vision for the NFLPA’s future — not that the public (or many of the players) would have any idea. But it set the tone for the next two years. 

Once the dam broke for Howell, there was no plugging it. After Torre’s initial revelation, the confidentiality agreement between the league and union came to light. Then Torre reported another grievance case that went to arbitration — this time with a judge ruling against the union that Tretter’s comments on a podcast in 2023 violated the CBA for loosely suggesting players could use injuries as leverage. The NFL won that arbitration ruling, but nobody knew because of a different confidentiality agreement.

One of the most egregious points of Howell’s time leading the union is that he was a paid, part-time consultant for The Carlyle Group — one of the private-equity firms approved by the league to invest in NFL franchises. Conflict of interest and grift are en vogue in America in 2025. That doesn’t make any of this OK. The union head must be unequivocally committed to being on the side of the players. This is a role that requires servant leadership. Focusing on adding zeros to checking accounts and diversifying investment portfolios don’t mesh with that. 

Those are the controversies relevant to Howell’s dealings at the NFLPA. And the union stood by Howell, even releasing a statement of support from the executive committee four days before his resignation. It was his choice to resign, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The person did not want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation.

The final nail in the coffin appeared to be the ESPN report that he was involved in a sexual discrimination and retaliation lawsuit at his former job in 2011. Per ESPN, some players who voted for Howell were unaware of the suit. One month after his election, Howell’s firm settled a $377 million lawsuit with the government after a whistleblower claim of overcharging. Howell was the company’s chief financial officer. 

Perhaps a proper, public vetting process could have prevented this. 

Some good certainly happened at the NFLPA under Howell. The player surveys were a hit and led to tangible change, with owners prompted to improve life and conditions for the players and their families. 

The timing for the union is not ideal. The CBA expires in 2030, and that may feel distant. Labor negotiations have a funny way of making any timeline feel clustered. The work to avoid labor strife down the road had already been started. The new leader won’t have to start from scratch, but Howell’s resignation definitely puts the union behind the 8-ball in what is already an unfair fight against ownership.

Howell was never the right choice for the job. The original sin, though, is the secrecy of his selection. Hopefully the NFLPA has learned that lesson.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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RGTI Stock Surged 30% — Is This the Start of a Quantum Comeback?

Stock 3 Mins Read

One great habit to develop as an investor is regularly scanning the stock market. Whether you’re checking for stocks that are outperforming a benchmark, gapping up, reversing, or breaking out of a trading range, scanning keeps you in the loop and, importantly, helps you stay sharp and spot potential opportunities early on. 

During one of our routine scans, one stock stood out: Rigetti Computing, Inc. (RGTI), a company in a fast-moving quantum computing space. On Wednesday, RGTI closed the day up 30%, which turned some heads. What’s behind the move? Rigetti announced significant improvements in its platform, better performance metrics, and the 36-qubit system, a technical milestone in the quantum world.  

Should You Invest in RGTI?

If you ran any of the bullish predefined scans on StockCharts, you may have noticed RGTI popping up. That alone is a good reason to take a closer look at RGTI stock’s price action.

Looking at the daily chart of RGTI, the stock had a nice ride in late 2024. However, things cooled off in early January 2025 and, since then, the stock has been trading sideways until this week. On Wednesday, RGTI gapped up with strong volume, breaking out of that sideways range.

FIGURE 1. DAILY CHART OF RGTI STOCK. Since its rise in late 2024, the stock has been trading sideways until Wednesday, when it broke out of that range. Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Back in June, RGTI bounced off its 50-day simple moving average (SMA), which is starting to slope upward—a healthy technical signal. With Wednesday’s price move, RGTI is above its May 27 and July 8 highs.

RGTI’s price isn’t too far from its all-time high, set in January. If the stock breaks above that level and has strong momentum, we could see it push to new highs. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) and Percentage Price Oscillator (PPO) are showing early signs of positive momentum.

On the other hand, if the stock pulls back and Wednesday’s gap up doesn’t get filled, RGTI could reverse either at the May 27 or July 8 high. A reversal with a rise in momentum would confirm an upside continuation. If RGTI falls below these levels, fills Wednesday’s gap up, and finds support at the 50-day SMA, it could go back to trading sideways, waiting for the next catalyst. A decline below the 50-day SMA would invalidate the uptrend.

A Rising Tide in Quantum Stocks?

Other stocks in the Quantum Computing space, like IonQ, Inc. (IONQ) and D-Wave Quantum, Inc. (QBTS), also saw gains on Wednesday.

Quantum computing stocks can be a bit of a roller coaster; they rallied at the end of 2024, dipped earlier this year, and are now gaining ground, thanks to encouraging news on quantum computing developments. The technology is in its early stages and could take years before it’s truly mainstream. So while these stocks are gaining attention now, the momentum may not be consistent.

If you’re a long-term investor with patience and curiosity, it may be worth adding RGTI, QBTS, ION, and others to your ChartLists. Track them regularly and watch for continued technical strength or signs of trend reversals. 

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

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Three Bearish Candle Patterns Every Investor Should Know

Stock 4 Mins Read

There is no denying that the broad markets remain in a resilient uptrend off the April 2025 low.  But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from many years of analyzing charts, it’s to remain vigilant during bullish phases.  Even though I’ll assume the uptrend is still intact, that doesn’t mean I can stop looking for signs of potential weakness!

With that in mind, here are three bearish candle patterns that often pop up during bullish market phases.  By looking for these patterns in the stocks and ETFs that you own, you can hopefully get ahead of any corrective moves and take profits before it’s too late!

The Shooting Star Pattern

If you see a long upper shadow, little to no lower shadow, and the open and close are close together near the bottom of the day’s range, then you have identified a shooting star candle pattern.  If you’re familiar with the hammer candle pattern, then you can think of this as a hammer candle but basically everything is upside down!

The chart of AT&T (T) has featured a number of shooting star candles so far in 2025.  Just before the selloff in early April, there was a clear shooting star candle after the March rally.  Then during the rally off the April low, a shooting star pattern in early May suggested that the uptrend phase was nearing an exhaustion point.

The Bearish Engulfing Pattern

One of the most recognizable patterns in the candlestick library, the bearish engulfing pattern represents a short-term rotation from accumulation to distribution.  Basically, a large up candle is followed by a large down candle, and the second day’s “real body” (the open-to-close range) engulfs the range of the first day’s real body.  

Look at the strength in the uptrend for Paramount Global (PARA) going into early June.  Then just before the 4th of July weekend, a bearish engulfing pattern suggests a change of character as the bears take control.  It’s worth noting that these candle patterns are not long-term signals, but rather indicate short-term dynamics.  So a bearish engulfing pattern suggests weakness for the next one to three bars.

The Evening Star Pattern

If you took the bearish engulfing pattern, and then added another small candle in the middle of those two days, then you’d have an evening star pattern.  Now most candlestick textbooks will tell you that the “star” day in the middle should include a gap, so there’s no overlap between that day’s range and the other two candles.  In practice, I’ve found most people ignore this detail and rather look for patterns with enough similarities to this basic structure.

Going back to the AT&T chart we used earlier, we can see an evening star pattern at the end of June.  A big day is followed soon after by a big down day, with a small candle in the middle.  This is a great example of where additional weakness led the price below the 50-day moving average, serving to confirm the bearish outlook as represented by the evening star pattern.

It’s so easy to become complacent during an extended bull market rally.  Investors that regularly scan for bearish candle patterns have an edge, as they can anticipate potential turning points before the uptrend changes in dramatic fashion to a new downtrend phase!

RR#6,

Dave

PS- Ready to upgrade your investment process?  Check out my free behavioral investing course!

David Keller, CMT

President and Chief Strategist

Sierra Alpha Research LLC

marketmisbehavior.com

https://www.youtube.com/c/MarketMisbehavior

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.  The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.  

The author does not have a position in mentioned securities at the time of publication.    Any opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of any other person or entity.

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These HOT Industry Groups are Fueling This Secular Bull Market

Stock 1 Min Read

Join Tom as he covers key inflation data, earnings season highlights, and sector rotation trends. He breaks down recent price action in major indexes like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, with a close look at the 20-day moving average as a support gauge. Tom spotlights standout industry groups such as gambling, semiconductors, software, and aerospace, and shares charts of top-performing stocks like Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, and PNC. Tom highlights under-performing areas like insurance brokers and home improvement, then reviews several strong earnings reactions, including Monarch Casino’s 15% after-hours gain.

This video was published on July 17, 2025. Click this link to watch on Tom’s dedicated page.

Missed a session? Archived videos from Tom are available at this link. 

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Charbone Hydrogene annonce une mise-a-jour sur les reglements de dettes par emission d’unites

Investing 4 Mins Read

 

(TheNewswire)

 

     

   
             

 

    Brossard (Québec), le 1   8   juillet 2025 –   TheNewswire   –     CORPORATION CHARBONE HYDROGÈNE     (TSXV: CH,OTC:CHHYF   , OTCQB: CHHYF, FSE: K47   ) («   Charbone   » ou la «   Société   »), une rare compagnie cotée en bourse spécialisée dans la production et la distribution d’hydrogène vert en Amérique du Nord, annonce une mise-à-jour, concernant la clôture des unités pour le règlement de dettes annoncée précédemment, le 3 juin 2025, que, suite à des discussions avec la Bourse de croissance TSX, la Société a dû réviser le montant total et le nombre d’unités à émettre.  

 

  La Société a réglé avec certains fournisseurs sans lien de dépendance un montant total de 1 273 702 $, payable par émission d’unités. Un total de 16 982 689 unités seront émises à la clôture, au prix de conversion de 0,075$ l’unité. Tout règlement de dette sera formalisé par une entente officielle et est soumis à l’approbation finale de la Bourse de croissance TSX.  

 

  À propos de Charbone Hydrogène Corporation  

 

  Charbone est une entreprise intégrée spécialisée dans l’hydrogène ultrapur (UHP) et la distribution stratégique de gaz industriels en Amérique du Nord et en Asie-Pacifique. Elle développe un réseau modulaire de production d’hydrogène vert tout en s’associant à des partenaires de l’industrie pour offrir de l’hélium et d’autres gaz spécialisés sans avoir à construire de nouvelles usines coûteuses. Cette stratégie disciplinée diversifie les revenus, réduit les risques et augmente sa flexibilité. Le groupe Charbone est coté en bourse en Amérique du Nord et en Europe sur la bourse de croissance TSX (TSXV: CH,OTC:CHHYF); sur les marchés OTC (OTCQB: CHHYF); et à la Bourse de Francfort (FSE: K47). Pour plus d’informations, visiter     www.charbone.com     .  

 

  Énoncés prospectifs  

 

  Le présent communiqué de presse contient des énoncés qui constituent de « l’information prospective » au sens des lois canadiennes sur les valeurs mobilières (« déclarations prospectives »). Ces déclarations prospectives sont souvent identifiées par des mots tels que « a l’intention », « anticipe », « s’attend à », « croit », « planifie », « probable », ou des mots similaires. Les déclarations prospectives reflètent les attentes, estimations ou projections respectives de la direction de Charbone concernant les résultats ou événements futurs, sur la base des opinions, hypothèses et estimations considérées comme raisonnables par la direction à la date à laquelle les déclarations sont faites. Bien que Charbone estime que les attentes exprimées dans les déclarations prospectives sont raisonnables, les déclarations prospectives comportent des risques et des incertitudes, et il ne faut pas se fier indûment aux déclarations prospectives, car des facteurs inconnus ou imprévisibles pourraient faire en sorte que les résultats réels soient sensiblement différents de ceux exprimés dans les déclarations prospectives. Des risques et des incertitudes liés aux activités de Charbone peuvent avoir une incidence sur les déclarations prospectives. Ces risques, incertitudes et hypothèses comprennent, sans s’y limiter, ceux décrits à la rubrique « Facteurs de risque » dans la déclaration de changement à l’inscription de la Société datée du 31 mars 2022, qui peut être consultée sur SEDAR à l’adresse www.sedar.com; ils pourraient faire en sorte que les événements ou les résultats réels diffèrent sensiblement de ceux prévus dans les déclarations prospectives.  

 

  Sauf si les lois sur les valeurs mobilières applicables l’exigent, Charbone ne s’engage pas à mettre à jour ni à réviser les déclarations prospectives.  

 

  Ni la Bourse de croissance TSX ni son fournisseur de services de réglementation (tel que ce terme est défini dans les politiques de la Bourse de croissance TSX) n’acceptent de responsabilité quant à la pertinence ou à l’exactitude du présent communiqué.  

 

  Pour contacter Corporation Charbone Hydrogène :  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

Téléphone bureau: +1 450 678 7171

 

    
 

Courriel:   ir@charbone.com   

 

Benoit Veilleux

 

Chef de la direction financière et secrétaire corporatif

 

    

 

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

 

 

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Charbone Hydrogen Announces Updates on Units for Debts

Investing 3 Mins Read

 

(TheNewswire)

 

     

   
             

 

Brossard, Quebec, July 18, 2025 TheNewswire Charbone Hydrogen Corporation (TSXV: CH,OTC:CHHYF; OTCQB: CHHYF; FSE: K47) (the ‘Company’ or ‘CHARBONE ‘), North America’s only publicly traded pure-play company focused on green hydrogen production and distribution, is announcing regarding the previously announced, on June 3, 2025, closing of Units for debt settlements that, following discussions with the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company had to revise the total amount and number of units to be issued.

 

  The Company has settled with certain arm’s-length suppliers a total of $1,273,702, payable through the issuance of units. A total of 16,982,689 units will be issued upon closing, at a conversion price of $0.075 per unit. Any debt settlement will be documented in a formal agreement and is subject to final approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.  

 

  About Charbone Hydrogen Corporation  

 

  CHARBONE is an integrated company specialized in Ultra High Purity (UHP) hydrogen and the strategic distribution of industrial gases in North America and the Asia-Pacific region. It is developing a modular network of green hydrogen production while partnering with industry players to supply helium and other specialty gases without the need to build costly new plants. This disciplined strategy diversifies revenue streams, reduces risks, and increases flexibility. The CHARBONE group is publicly listed in North America and Europe on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: CH,OTC:CHHYF), the OTC Markets (OTCQB: CHHYF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: K47). For more information, visit     www.charbone.com    .

 

  Forward-Looking Statements  

 

  This news release contains statements that are ‘forward-looking information’ as defined under Canadian securities laws (‘forward-looking statements’). These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as ‘intends’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘believes’, ‘plans’, ‘likely’, or similar words. The forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations, estimates, or projections concerning future results or events, based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by management at the date the statements are made. Although Charbone believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, as unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to be materially different from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Charbone. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described under ‘Risk Factors’ in the Corporation’s Filing Statement dated March 31, 2022, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; they could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements.  

 

  Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Charbone undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.  

 

  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   .  

 

       

 

  Contact Charbone Hydrogen Corporation  

 

  
 
 

  Telephone: +1 450 678 7171  

 

  
 

  Email:     ir@charbone.com    

 

  Benoit Veilleux  

 

  CFO and Corporate Secretary  

 

  

 

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

 

 

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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LaFleur Minerals Commences Diamond Drilling at the Swanson Gold Deposit and Completes Independent Valuation of the Beacon Gold Mill

Investing 8 Mins Read

LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR,OTC:LFLRF) (OTCQB: LFLRF) (FSE: 3WK0) (‘LaFleur Minerals’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that it has commenced its diamond drilling program at its Swanson Gold Project (‘Swanson’) in the Abitibi region, Québec, after receiving all the necessary permits including the Authorization to Intervene (ATI) and the Forestry Intervention permits. These permit approvals mark a major milestone, allowing the Company to move forward with its fully funded, minimum 5,000 metre drilling program starting with the Swanson Gold Deposit. Simultaneously, the Company announces the completion of the independent valuation of its Beacon Gold Mill (‘Beacon Mill’) by Bumigeme Inc. (‘Bumigeme’) confirming: (1) the Beacon Mill is in excellent condition, (2) with rehabilitation and commissioning costs estimated at C$4.1 million, and (3) full replacement cost of the mill and tailings storage facility combined with permitting costs estimated to exceed C$71.5 million, underscoring the strategic value of the asset. LaFleur Minerals has also significantly expanded its land position at its wholly-owned Swanson Gold Project, now covering over 18,300 hectares across 445 claims and 1 mining lease, reinforcing its district-scale exploration potential.

These recent developments mark a major operational inflection point for LaFleur Minerals:

  • Aggressive Drilling and Land Expansion: The start of a fully funded 5,000-metre drilling campaign and a significant land expansion within the Swanson Gold Project unlocking substantial discovery potential.

BUMIGEME VALUATION COMPLETE

Independent mining engineering firm Bumigeme has completed its full evaluation of the Company’s Beacon Mill in Val-d’Or, Québec and concluded that the mill is in excellent condition with anticipated rehabilitation and re-commissioning costs of C$4.1 million as part of its planned restart program. Furthermore, Bumigeme estimated the replacement CAPEX cost to build a new similar gold mill today at C$49.5 million. This cost does not include the building of a new tailings storage facility (TSF) including a tailings pond, finishing basin, piping, pumping station, etc., which is estimated at C$12 million, and mining and environmental studies and permitting costs estimated at C$10 million. Bumigeme also estimates it would take a minimum of 18 months to build a new mill and TSF, in addition to a minimum of 5 years to complete all required studies and receive all necessary permits from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and local and Indigenous communities prior to construction. The results of this independent valuation confirm the strong value and incredible opportunity the Beacon Mill offers for future milling of gold deposits in the Abitibi region after re-commissioning work is complete. The results of the Bumigeme evaluation will also be incorporated into the Company’s ongoing work towards a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Swanson Gold Project.

The Company’s next immediate priority is to secure the necessary financing to complete the rehabilitation and re-commissioning of the Beacon Gold Mill with the aim to complete the mill restart program by early 2026.

DIAMOND DRILLING COMMENCES AT SWANSON

The diamond drilling program at the Swanson Gold Project (Figure 1) will focus on priority target areas including the Swanson Gold Deposit, as well as Bartec, Jolin, and Marimac target areas (Figure 2). These high-potential zones were selected following an extensive compilation of historical data and recently completed detailed exploration work by LaFleur Minerals, including:

  • High-resolution airborne magnetic and VLF-EM surveys

  • Prospecting and soil geochemistry surveys

  • Induced polarization (IP) survey program

Drilling has already commenced at the Swanson Gold Deposit and will test key structural, geological, geochemical and geophysical anomalies for additional gold mineralization potential along strike. The Company looks forward to sharing additional details and drilling assay results in the coming weeks.

ADDITIONAL CLAIM STAKING AT SWANSON

The Company is also pleased to announce it has recently staked an additional 32 mineral claims, covering approximately 1,824 hectares, on strike and to the northwest of the Swanson Gold Deposit (Figure 3). This claims expansion extends the project’s coverage of favourable geology to over 33 kilometres of strike length, significantly enhancing Swanson’s exploration potential. The Swanson Property represents one of the largest land and mineral packages in the renowned southern Abitibi Gold Belt, which hosts favourable geology and mineralized structures. The Swanson Gold Project now includes 445 mineral claims and 1 mining lease covering a total of 18,304 hectares, positioning it as a key district-scale gold exploration play on a project that hosts over 36,000 metres of historical drilling and multiple high potential drill targets.

Paul Ténière, CEO of LaFleur Minerals stated, ‘We are very pleased with results of the full evaluation of the Beacon Gold Mill by Bumigeme and it truly shows the incredible potential of this milling asset as we advance towards becoming a near-term gold producer. Our technical team has also done an exceptional job integrating historical exploration data with new geophysical and geochemical datasets to define compelling drilling targets at Swanson. Receiving the required permits clears the way for us to advance one of the most exciting exploration and drilling campaigns in the region. Not only are we launching a fully funded, data-driven drilling program, but we’ve also strategically expanded our land position in a way that meaningfully increases our discovery potential.‘

Figure 1: Swanson Deposit – 50 km from the Beacon Gold Mill

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6526/259175_463e41b81478eb51_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Swanson drilling target regions and proposed 2025 drill holes (in blue)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6526/259175_463e41b81478eb51_002full.jpg

Figure 3: Recent staking at Swanson

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6526/259175_463e41b81478eb51_003full.jpg

QUALIFIED PERSON STATEMENT

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared and approved by Louis Martin, P.Geo. (OGQ), Exploration Manager and Technical Advisor of the Company and considered a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

About LaFleur Minerals Inc.

LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR,OTC:LFLRF) (OTCQB: LFLRF) (FSE: 3WK0) is focused on the development of district-scale gold projects in the Abitibi Gold Belt near Val-d’Or, Québec. Our mission is to advance mining projects with a laser focus on our resource-stage Swanson Gold Project and the Beacon Gold Mill, which have significant potential to deliver long-term value. The Swanson Gold Project is approximately 18,304 hectares (183 km2) in size and includes several prospects rich in gold and critical metals previously held by Monarch Mining, Abcourt Mines, and Globex Mining. LaFleur has recently consolidated a large land package along a major structural break that hosts the Swanson, Bartec, and Jolin gold deposits and several other showings which make up the Swanson Gold Project. The Swanson Gold Project is easily accessible by road allowing direct access to several nearby gold mills, further enhancing its development potential. LaFleur Minerals’ fully-refurbished and permitted Beacon Gold Mill is capable of processing over 750 tonnes per day and is being considered for processing mineralized material at Swanson and for custom milling operations for other nearby gold projects.

ON BEHALF OF LaFleur Minerals INC.

Paul Ténière, M.Sc., P.Geo.
Chief Executive Officer
E: info@lafleurminerals.com
LaFleur Minerals Inc.
1500-1055 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 4N7

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding ‘Forward-Looking’ Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed ‘forward-looking statements’. All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words ‘expects’, ‘plans’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘projects’, ‘potential’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘may’, ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements related to the use of proceeds from the Offering. 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. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259175

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Digital Finance Fuels Record Savings Growth in Developing Nations: World Bank

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Formal saving in developing economies surged to its highest level in more than a decade in 2024, powered largely by the widespread use of mobile phones and digital financial tools, the World Bank said in its new Global Findex 2025 report.

For the first time, 40 percent of adults in low- and middle-income countries reported saving money through a bank or other financial institution—marking a 16-percentage-point increase since 2021 and the sharpest three-year rise since the Findex survey began.

Mobile-money services played an outsized role: 10 percent of adults in these economies used mobile accounts to save, up from 5 percent just three years prior.

‘This is real progress,’ said Bill Gates, chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which supports the survey. ‘More people than ever have the financial tools to invest in their futures and build economic resilience, including women and others previously left behind.’

The data points to a broader trend: digital access is quickly becoming the defining factor in who gets to participate in formal financial systems. While nearly 80 percent of the world’s adults now have a financial account, 1.3 billion people still do not—and most of them live in countries where mobile-phone penetration is already high.

According to the report, around 900 million adults without financial accounts do own mobile phones, and more than half of those have smartphones.

“Financial inclusion has the potential to improve lives and transform entire economies,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “Digital finance can convert this potential into reality, but several ingredients need to be in place.”

Banga cited the Bank’s work supporting digital identification systems, social protection programs with direct cash transfers, and efforts to modernize national payment infrastructure. “We’re helping to remove regulatory roadblocks—so that people and businesses have the financing they need to innovate and create jobs,” he said.

The Findex also recorded an increase in digital merchant payments. In 2024, 42 percent of adults in developing economies made at least one in-store or online purchase using a card or mobile phone—up from 35 percent in 2021.

Among adults receiving wages or government payments, a growing majority are being paid directly into accounts, a shift that has been shown to reduce leakage and fraud.

At the same time, the rise in digital finance has exposed new gaps in consumer protection and digital literacy. Although 4 billion adults in low- and middle-income countries own mobile phones, only about half use passwords or other basic security tools. This leaves hundreds of millions vulnerable to scams, account theft, or misuse of their data.

For the first time, the report incorporated data on personal device ownership and internet use through a new Digital Connectivity Tracker. It found that 86 percent of adults globally now own a mobile phone, including 68 percent with smartphones.

These figures are even higher in some regions: mobile-phone ownership tops 94 percent in Europe and Central Asia, and smartphone use is highest in East Asia and the Pacific, where 86 percent of adults own one.

Sub-Saharan Africa showed the largest gains in mobile-money use, with 35 percent of adults now saving formally—up 12 percentage points since 2021. Meanwhile, women in low- and middle-income countries have made notable strides in account ownership, closing much of the gender gap: 73 percent now have accounts, compared with just 37 percent in 2011.

Still, challenges persist. In the Middle East and North Africa, only 53 percent of adults have an account, and formal saving remains low at 17 percent. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 70 percent have accounts, but usage patterns vary widely by country and income level.

Gates underscored the stakes: “The case for investing in inclusive financial systems, digital public infrastructure, and connectivity is clear—it’s a proven path to unlocking opportunity for everyone.”

The Global Findex, compiled every three years since 2011, remains the world’s most comprehensive database on how adults access, use, and trust financial services. The 2025 edition surveyed over 130,000 people in more than 120 countries.

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

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WGC: Gold Keeps Climbing, Future Hinges on Economic and Geopolitical Crossroads

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Gold has notched an extraordinary first half of 2025, climbing 26 percent in US dollar terms and setting 26 new all-time highs — but the rally now faces a murky and fragile second act shaped by inflation, monetary policy, and unresolved global tensions, according to the World Gold Council’s (WGC) recent mid-year report.

Investors around the globe turned to gold as both a tactical hedge and a strategic store of value, pushing trading volumes to an all-time high of US$329 billion per day in the first six months of the year.

The WGC’s mid-year outlook suggests the precious metal’s momentum could continue, but with significant caveats. Under current consensus forecasts, gold is likely to remain rangebound in the second half, potentially rising another 0 to 5 percent.

However, sharp deviations in macro conditions — particularly those involving stagflation, recession, or worsening geopolitical risks — could lift gold by an additional 10 percent to 15 percent before year-end.

A record-breaking first half

Gold’s 26 percent gain in H1 made it one of 2025’s top-performing major assets. The yellow metal benefited from a rare combination of global factors: a declining US dollar — which had its worst start to a year since 1973 — muted Treasury yields, and a sharp uptick in geopolitical tensions, many linked to US trade policies and regional flashpoints.

These factors created fertile ground for strong inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs), over-the-counter (OTC) markets, and futures.

Gold ETF holdings surged by 397 metric tons in the first half — the highest since August 2022 — bringing total holdings to 3,616 tonnes and pushing total assets under management to $383 billion, a 41 percent increase from the start of the year.

Central banks, too, continued to buy gold, albeit at a moderated pace compared to the record-setting quarters of 2022 and 2023. Although net purchases have slowed, they remain significantly above the pre-2022 average of 500–600 metric tons annually.

Why investors piled in

According to the WGC’s Gold Return Attribution Model (GRAM), three key drivers contributed to gold’s H1 surge: risk and uncertainty, opportunity cost, and momentum.

Investor demand stemming from heightened geopolitical and financial risks contributed approximately 4 percent of gold’s return, with half of that explained by a measurable increase in the Geopolitical Risk Index.

A further 7 percent of the return was attributed to changes in opportunity cost, primarily due to the weakening dollar and low bond yields, which made non-interest-bearing gold relatively more attractive.

Lastly, momentum effects, including continued ETF inflows and trend-following investment behavior, added another 5 percent, supporting the metal’s climb through positive feedback loops.

Altogether, these macro and market-based dynamics explained around 16 percentage points of gold’s 26 percent performance in the first six months of the year.

The outlook: Three scenarios for H2

While gold’s fundamentals remain supportive, analysts are cautious about expecting a repeat performance in H2. The WGC outlines three macroeconomic paths that could shape gold’s direction in the second half.

In the base case, moderate global growth and inflation settling near 5 percent could keep real yields subdued, especially if the US Federal Reserve cuts rates by 50 basis points in the fourth quarter.

This environment would likely support gold prices modestly, with forecasts pointing to gains of up to 5 percent. Continued interest from ETF and OTC investors could offset softer consumer demand and increased recycling, both of which may act as speed bumps for further upside.

The bull case envisions a sharp rise in gold if economic conditions worsen — either through stagflation or a full-blown recession.

A flight to safety could trigger renewed ETF inflows, central bank diversification away from the dollar, and heavier positioning in COMEX futures. Under this stress-driven rally, gold could surge another 10 to 15 percent in H2, echoing the strong performance seen during previous crises like 2008 and the early pandemic years.

On the flip side, a more stable geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, such as a resolution to major global conflicts or normalization in trade, would dampen demand for gold. In this bear case, stronger yields and renewed investor appetite for risk assets could pull gold down by as much as 12 to 17 percent.

No matter the outcome, gold continues to serve as a resilient portfolio hedge. Its strong showing in the first half of 2025 reaffirmed its utility in volatile markets, particularly as traditional safe havens like US Treasuries struggle to deliver.

Even if jewelry and retail demand sees pressure, structural support could come from institutional players — including reports that Chinese insurers are quietly upping their gold allocations.

For now, gold may consolidate. But should conditions turn, the metal still has plenty of room to move, in either direction.

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

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