FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

S&P/TSX Composite Index Rises As Shares in Base Metals Sector Rally

By

The S&P/TSX Composite Index climbed 1% mid-morning Thursday, buoyed by rising shares in the base metals sector.

Base metals jumped 3.6%, as copper futures prices rallied. The prices of gold and other precious metals also climbed after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday, marking the first hike since 2023.

The information technology sector rose 1.2%, while energy dipped 0.25%, tracking lower crude oil prices.

In stocks Osisko Metals (OM.TO) climbed 3.7% to CA$1.69 after it announced plans to create a new critical minerals company, Osisko Critical Minerals.

In other news Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament Thursday, confirming that Canada was ready to enter a stronger relationship with the European Union and stating that a "Canada-EU alliance would create a beacon for other democracies."

What else is happening in Mining & Metals?

Mining & Metals

ATEX Resources Reports Key Findings From Valeriano Drill Program in Chile

ATEX Resources (ATX.TO) after trade Wednesday announced key findings from its Phase VI drill program at the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project in Chile's Atacama Region.The company said Phase VI was its largest drilling campaign at Valeriano, with about 28,400 meters of drilling completed. This exceeded the original 25,000-meter target and was more than 70% higher than Phase V.Highlights included 40 meters grading 4.83% copper equivalent (CuEq) within an 86-meter interval grading 3.84% CuEq in hole ATXD25C. Additionally 78 meters grading 3.03% CuEq in ATXD23C, 186 meters grading 2.15% CuEq in ATXD26B, and 56 meters grading 2.36% CuEq in ATXD32, the company said."Following record snowfall in the Atacama region, Phase VII drilling is expected to commence in early October targeting a growing pipeline of B2B and high-grade porphyry targets, as well as broader system opportunities ahead of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in 2H 2027," the company added.

$ATX.TO
Mining & Metals

West Fraser Announces Term Loan Refinancing and Declares Dividend

West Fraser Timber (WFG.TO, WFG) said Wednesday it entered into a new $500 million three-year term loan, with part of the proceeds to be used to repay its existing $300 million term loan due in 2028.The new term loan matures in September 2029.West Fraser said its $1 billion syndicated credit facility remains outstanding on existing terms and matures in May 2030.The company has also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share, payable on Oct. 19 to shareholders of record on Sept. 29.Shares of the company dropped $0.07 to $72.75 in after-hours US trading after closing up CA$2.19 to CA$101.90 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

$WFG$WFG.TO
Mining & Metals

Precision Drilling Renews Share Buyback Program

Precision Drilling (PD.TO) said Wednesday after trade it received Toronto Stock Exchange approval to renew its normal course issuer bid.The company can buy back and cancel up to 1.23 million shares in the 12 months beginning on Sept.21.Under its previous NCIB, which terminates on Sept. 18, Precision bought back 668,674 shares from the approved 1.25 million shares at a weighted average price of CA$102.54.Precision Drilling shares closed down CA$3.94, to CA$120.45, on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

$PD.TO