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(Bloomberg) —

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. appointed former BHP Group executive Alberto Calderon to its top job, ending a nearly year-long head hunt that’s weighed on the shares of the No. 3 gold producer.

Calderon, a 61-year-old Colombian who once served as a junior minister in a government that fought drug lord Pablo Escobar, will join AngloGold on Sept. 1. The Ivy League economist, who was in the running to become chief executive officer at BHP before the position went to Andrew Mackenzie, served as CEO of Melbourne-based explosives maker Orica Ltd. until February.

AngloGold hasn’t had a permanent CEO since Kelvin Dushnisky’s abrupt departure last September after holding the position for just two years. The Johannesburg-based miner’s shares have underperformed peers in the past year as the CEO hunt dragged on and the company had to suspend operations at a mine in Ghana. While Calderon’s experience lies in industrial metals, coal and oil, his background may help AngloGold to advance its key expansion projects in Colombia.

Read more: CEO Vacuum at AngloGold Turns It Into Worst Mining Stock

“It’s not going to be easy, but I hope I can explain what a world class mining company like AngloGold can do,” Calderon said in a video interview, commenting on his task of getting the Colombian authorities to approve the miner’s Quebradona and Gramalote projects. “I think I have a good chance of persuading them.”

AngloGold’s shares climbed as much as 5.8% in Johannesburg, the most in seven weeks. That pared the stock’s losses over the past 12 months to 42%.

While AngloGold emerged from a mining empire created by Ernest Oppenheimer a century ago, it sold its remaining South African operations last year to focus on more profitable mines elsewhere in Africa, Australia and the Americas. The new CEO may face questions about whether the company could finally move its primary listing from Johannesburg — an idea that’s been bandied about for years.

“It’s not the immediate priority for me but it’s something that in due time the board and myself will consider again and give our views to the market,” Calderon said.

A potential London listing is among the options that Calderon will consider as he tries to close the discount at which AngloGold trades to larger rivals Newmont Corp. and Barrick Gold Corp.

“If we can bring credibility back to our projects, be more predictable in our production and cost focus, if we are seen as the excellent operators that we are, I think we can bring a lot of that discount value back into this company and that’s my plan,” he said.

Calderon will take over from interim CEO Christine Ramon, who will return to her previous position as AngloGold’s chief financial officer. During her time at the helm, Ramon sketched out a plan to expand output at key operations in Tanzania, Ghana and Guinea, while potentially investing more than $2 billion in two new mines in Colombia from 2022.

Leadership Experience

Calderon, who gained experience of South Africa during his time as head of BHP’s aluminum business, was CEO of both Cerrejon Coal Co. and Ecopetrol in his home country of Colombia. Prior to that, he held leadership positions at the International Monetary Fund.

“It’s an excellent appointment, and it removes uncertainties about the leadership crisis,” said Rene Hochreiter, an analyst at Noah Capital Ltd. In Colombia, “he can probably get things done better than say an American or South African,” he said.

Calderon’s six years at Orica coincided with a difficult period for the company. The explosives maker had to contend with a steep rise in the price of natural gas, it’s main input cost, and more recently Orica’s profits hit by the Covid-19 economic slowdown and China’s ban on Australian coal imports. Orica shares fell by more than a third during Calderon’s tenure.

AngloGold joined rivals in increasing its dividend after record gold prices boosted earnings last year, but producers have had to work hard to retain investor interest this year as bullion’s rally sputtered.

The new CEO must also get the company’s key Ghana mine back on track after underground operations at Obuasi were suspended in May following the death of a worker. That setback will curb output this year, just as the mine was ramping up following a $545 million redevelopment.

“We have the right person to lead this company forward and realize its outstanding potential, drawing on his huge leadership experience in the resources sector across a variety of geographies,” said AngloGold Chairman Maria Ramos said in the statement.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says

“AngloGold’s appointment of experienced mining executive Alberto Calderon as CEO is a good starting point for the company to narrow the valuation gap with many of its gold-mining peers. While the market may take a “wait and see” approach given Calderon’s lack of specific gold-mining background, the combination of his recent Australian-based role and his Colombian heritage fits in well with the geographical spread of AngloGold’s assets and the company’s growth ambitions.”

— Grant Sporre, BI commodities and metals analyst

Click here to read the full research note

(Updates with Bloomberg Intelligence analyst comments in final paragraph)

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(Bloomberg) —

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. appointed former BHP Group executive Alberto Calderon to its top job, ending a nearly year-long head hunt that’s weighed on the shares of the No. 3 gold producer.

Read more: CEO Vacuum at AngloGold Turns It Into Worst Mining Stock

AngloGold’s shares climbed as much as 5.8% in Johannesburg, the most in seven weeks. That pared the stock’s losses over the past 12 months to 42%.

While AngloGold emerged from a mining empire created by Ernest Oppenheimer a century ago, it sold its remaining South African mine last year to focus on more profitable operations elsewhere in Africa, Australia and the Americas. The new CEO may face questions about whether the company could finally move its primary listing from Johannesburg — an idea that’s been bandied about for years.

“It’s not the immediate priority for me but it’s something that in due time the board and myself will consider again and give our views to the market,” Calderon said.

A potential London listing is among the options that Calderon will consider as he tries to close the discount at which AngloGold trades to larger rivals Newmont Corp. and Barrick Gold Corp.

Calderon will take over from interim CEO Christine Ramon, who will return to her previous position as AngloGold’s chief financial officer. During her year at the helm, Ramon sketched out a plan to expand output at key operations in Tanzania, Ghana and Guinea, while potentially investing more than $2 billion in two new mines in Colombia from 2022.

Leadership Experience

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In this article, we will be looking at the 11 best materials stocks for 2021. To skip our detailed analysis of these stocks, you can go directly to see the 5 Best Materials Stocks for 2021.

In a time of financial volatility induced by a global pandemic and inflation all but knocking on our doors, as per comments made by the Federal Reserve, one industry has managed to weather the storm and retain its relevance within investor circles: basic materials. According to the Wall Street Journal, in light of inflation concerns, investors have begun racking up their shares in energy and materials stocks as of May 2021, on the expectation that the incoming inflation would accompany financial growth for these stocks. These two groups of stocks were leading the S&P 500's sectors in May, with a 6.9% gain for the materials sector, performing much better than other sectors like technology and other growth stocks which contributed to the 0.4% fall in the US stock index.

The materials sector has been on a steady rise since the end of 2020, with the sector having gained 16% near the end of last year, performing better than all the other sectors in the S&P 500 index. This trend has continued, as mentioned above, well into 2021, with analysts and investors anticipating that it will continue on this path as the economy gets more revved up. Bloomberg has reported that raw materials account for over half of the 20 best performing exchange-traded products in 2021, while investors allocated about $2.6 billion in May to tracking materials stocks in light of consumer activity and construction surges. Moves by major firms like Aberdeen Standard Investments and Tidal ETF Trust indicating interest in the materials sector is proof that investor circles are fixating on the sector. Aberdeen Standard Investments has filed for two broad commodities ETFs and an industrial metals fund, for instance, while Tidal ETF Trust filed for the SonicShares Global Shipping ETF, as per Bloomberg reports.

Jason Bloom, the head of fixed income and alternatives ETF strategy at Invesco, has commented that higher inflation can be expected in the next 5-10 years, and hence, investors making moves into the materials sector to model their portfolio along safer lines is reasonable. For Bloom, the materials sector serves as a "potent" hedge against inflation. As such, materials sector companies like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) are gaining an edge in the stock market. Hence, we have compiled a list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

Because of the pandemic, the entire hedge fund industry is feeling the reverberations of the changing financial landscape. Its reputation has been tarnished in the last decade, during which its hedged returns couldn’t keep up with the unhedged returns of the market indices. On the other hand, Insider Monkey’s research was able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that outperformed the S&P 500 ETFs by more than 124 percentage points since March 2017. Between March 2017 and May 28th, 2021, our monthly newsletter’s stock picks returned 206.8%, vs. 91.0% for the SPY. Our stock picks outperformed the market by more than 115 percentage points (see the details here). We were also able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that significantly underperformed the market. We have been tracking and sharing the list of these stocks since February 2017, and they lost 13% through November 16th. That’s why we believe hedge fund sentiment is an extremely useful indicator that investors should pay attention to. You can subscribe to our free newsletter on our homepage to receive our stories in your inbox.

Without further ado, let's look at the 11 best materials stocks for 2021. We chose these stocks based on hedge fund sentiment, fundamentals, future growth catalysts and analysts' ratings.

Best Materials Stocks for 2021

11. Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14

Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) is a manufacturer and processor of steel products in Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, the US, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. The company has two segments: Steel and Mining. It ranks 11th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

This April, Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) announced its dividend of $2.1, with a forward yield of 5.17%. In the first quarter of 2021, Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) had an EPS of $3.07, beating estimates by $0.4. The company's revenue was $3.25 billion, up 43.05% year over year and beating estimates by $54 million, and its gross profit margin is 24.62%. The stock has a forward PE ratio of 4.01 and has gained 32.09% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 14 hedge funds held stakes in Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) worth roughly $203 million. This is compared to 13 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $104 million. Like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) is a good materials stocks to invest in.

10. BHP Group (NYSE: BHP)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 23

BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) is a natural resources business operating in Australia, Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, North America, South America, and internationally. The company has four segments: petroleum, copper, iron ore, and coal. It ranks 10th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

This June, BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) announced plans to double its spending on exploration for base metals in the next 5 years, as per Laura Tyler, the Chief Technical Officer for the company in a report by Reuters. Continuing the report, BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) was said to be expected to bring in stronger profits this quarter because of the rise in iron ore prices. Reuters has also reported that BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) is one of two companies offering Samarco a $238 million debtor-in-possession loan to bail the miner out of bankruptcy. In the fiscal second quarter of 2021, BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) had an EPS of $0.38, and its revenue was $7.25 billion, up 7.56% year over year. The company has a gross profit margin of 78.75% and the stock has gained 7.51% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 23 hedge funds held stakes in BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) worth roughly $1.35 billion. This is compared to 18 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $1.21 billion. Like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) is a good materials stocks to invest in.

Harding Loevner, an investment management firm, mentioned BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) in its first-quarter 2021 investor letter. Here's what they said:

“Our purchase of Australian mining company BHP is an example of a quality company at a moderate valuation that should deliver attractive long-term returns. We believe the market has undervalued its enduring competitive advantage due to its low cost iron and copper mining operations which has allowed the company to deliver consistent profits and cash flows across the inevitable ups and downs of the global metals cycle. While the variability of commodity prices prevents BHP from scoring in the top ranks of measured quality, we are willing to bear some of that uncertainty in return for a more attractive valuation given the company’s strong business fundamentals.”

9. CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24

CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) is a producer and distributor of cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, clinker, and other construction materials across the globe. The company ranks 9th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

This June, CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) raised its FY 2021 EBITDA guidance to $3.1 billion, crossing expectations and in light of rising demand for its products. The company also mentioned that it would be reducing net debt by $2 billion in 2021, through free cash flow generation and other means. It also expects growth investments to add approximately $400 million to its EBITDA by 2023. This May, CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) also announced its partnership with BP to work on net-zero emissions in their production processes and transportation. In the first quarter of 2021, CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) had an EPS of $0.38, beating estimates by $0.34. The company's revenue was $3.41 billion, up 10.56% year over year and beating estimates by $159 million. The company's gross profit margin is 32.5% and its stock has gained 61.82% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 24 hedge funds held stakes in CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) worth roughly $471 million. This is compared to 22 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $455 million. Like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) is a good materials stocks to invest in.

8. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 25

Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) is a company operating in the mining, exploration, and processing of mineral resources worldwide. It offers aluminum, copper, diamonds, gold, borates, and other minerals, and ranks 8th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) has announced its partnership with Schneider Electric (OTC: SBGSY) to work on a sustainable market ecosystem for both companies. The two are working on reducing their carbon footprint through the deal, and will also be evaluating new opportunities like the efficient production of other materials for renewable technologies. The company has a gross profit margin of 41.92%. The stock has a trailing PE ratio of 13.61 and has gained 6.89% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 25 hedge funds held stakes in Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) worth roughly $1.59 billion. This is compared to 26 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $1.71 billion.

7. MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29

MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) is a company operating in the integrated rare earth mining and processing business. The company owns the Mountain Pass facility in the Western Hemisphere, and it ranks 7th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

On June 30th, Baird initiated its coverage of MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) with an Outperform rating and a $45 price target. The firm referred to the company as a "rare magnetic opportunity," with analyst Ben Kallo commenting that the company's Mountain Pass is a unique asset and MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) deserves a premium valuation. Earlier this June, the Russell 3000 index added MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) while deleting some other basic materials companies. In the first quarter of 2021, MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) had an EPS of $0.13, beating estimates by $0.05. Its revenue was $59.97 million, beating estimates by $15.57 million, and it has a gross profit margin of 59.1%. MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) has gained 29.38% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 29 hedge funds held stakes in MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) worth roughly $2.62 billion. This is compared to 32 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $2.74 billion. Like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) is a good materials stocks to invest in.

6. Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 30

Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) explores, acquires, develops, and produces natural resources in Asia, Europe, and North America. The company's segments include Steelmaking Coal, Copper, Zinc, and Energy. It ranks 6th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

This May, Deutsche Bank upgraded Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) shares to Buy with a $30 price target. Analyst Abhinandan Agarwal commented that the stock's delivery of the QB2 copper project will transform the portfolio and open the path for free cash flow, returns, and lower emissions in production. The analyst has estimated a 45% increase in Teck Resources Limited's (NYSE: TECK) copper equivalent volumes, a development that would make the company's balance sheet more robust. In the first quarter of 2021, Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) had an EPS of $0.5, missing estimates by -$0.02. The company's revenue was $2.07 billion, up 23.43% year over year but missing estimates by $56.46 million, and its gross profit margin is 17.43%. Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) has gained 20.14% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 30 hedge funds held stakes in Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) worth roughly $1.07 billion. This is compared to 31 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $798 million. Like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) is a good materials stocks to invest in.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Materials Stocks for 2021.

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Disclosure: None. 11 Best Materials Stocks for 2021 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Mosaic (MOS), which belongs to the Zacks Fertilizers industry, could be a great candidate to consider.

This fertilizer maker has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 75.75%.

For the most recent quarter, Mosaic was expected to post earnings of $0.50 per share, but it reported $0.57 per share instead, representing a surprise of 14%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $0.24 per share, while it actually produced $0.57 per share, a surprise of 137.50%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Mosaic lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Mosaic currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.27%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner.

Investors should note, however, that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss, but a negative value does reduce the predictive power of this metric.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

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Zacks Investment Research

Investors focused on the Basic Materials space have likely heard of Impala Platinum Holdings (IMPUY), but is the stock performing well in comparison to the rest of its sector peers? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.

Impala Platinum Holdings is a member of the Basic Materials sector. This group includes 251 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #4. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.

The Zacks Rank is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. IMPUY is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IMPUY's full-year earnings has moved 6.32% higher within the past quarter. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

Based on the latest available data, IMPUY has gained about 22.82% so far this year. At the same time, Basic Materials stocks have gained an average of 19.54%. As we can see, Impala Platinum Holdings is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

Looking more specifically, IMPUY belongs to the Mining – Miscellaneous industry, a group that includes 47 individual stocks and currently sits at #106 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 31.07% so far this year, so IMPUY is slightly underperforming its industry this group in terms of year-to-date returns.

IMPUY will likely be looking to continue its solid performance, so investors interested in Basic Materials stocks should continue to pay close attention to the company.

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Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (IMPUY) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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By Ernest Scheyder

(Reuters) – General Motors Co is investing in a U.S. lithium project that could become the country's largest by 2024, making the automaker one of the first to develop its own source of a battery metal crucial for the electrification of cars and trucks.

The deal, announced on Friday, comes as automakers around the world scramble for access to lithium and other electric vehicle (EV) metals as internal combustion engines are phased out.

Detroit-based GM said it will make a "multimillion-dollar investment" in and help develop Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) Ltd's Hell's Kitchen geothermal brine project near California's Salton Sea, roughly 160 miles (258 km) southeast of Los Angeles.

"This will supply a sizeable amount of our lithium needs," said Tim Grewe, GM's director of electrification strategy.

The company declined to be more specific on its investment amount, but said the project's lithium will be used to build EVs in the United States and that GM engineers and scientists will visit the site once pandemic-related travel restrictions end.

While other automakers, including China's Great Wall Motor Co and BYD, have invested in lithium producers before, none appear to have taken such an aggressive step to be part of the production process, as GM is taking with CTR.

The move could spark other automakers to follow suit with similar partnerships, especially as demand for the metal is expected to outstrip supply by 20% within four years, according to industry consultant Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

The Hell's Kitchen project could be producing 60,000 tonnes of lithium – enough to make roughly 6 million EVs, depending on design – by mid-2024 if all goes as planned, said Rod Colwell, CTR's chief executive. The company expects to obtain federal environmental permits by the end of next year.

That output would make CTR's Hell's Kitchen the largest U.S. producer of the white metal, with production roughly twice as much planned by a rival Nevada project from Lithium Americas Corp.

"There's a great window of opportunity here to develop more lithium in the United States," Colwell said.

The announcement comes two weeks after GM boosted its electric and autonomous vehicles budget by 75% to $35 billion.

The geothermal process involves extracting super-hot lithium-rich brine from reservoirs 8,000 feet (2.4 km) underground and using the heat to produce electricity, after which lithium is extracted from the brine.

The brine is then reinjected into the earth, making the process more sustainable than open-pit mines and brine evaporation ponds, the two most-common existing methods to produce the white metal.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc operates geothermal power plants at the Salton Sea and has in the past studied ways to produce lithium there. The Salton area is estimated to contain more than 15 million tonnes of lithium, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

CTR, which received California state funding last year, said its project will emit 15 times less carbon dioxide than lithium mines in Australia, the world's largest producer.

GM is also talking with other U.S. lithium companies for supply, including those who plan to produce the metal from clay, brine and other geological sources, Grewe said.

The announcement comes the day after U.S. President Joe Biden promoted a video on his Twitter feed featuring U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy driving in a GM-produced electric Chevy Bolt.

GM said there was no connection between the tweet and Friday's announcement.

(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Aurora Ellis)

Sale Process Ongoing for South America Chemicals Business

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., July 01, 2021–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP), a leading global provider of essential minerals, today announced it has completed the sale of the company’s South America specialty plant nutrition business to a subsidiary of ICL Group. The successful transaction represents a significant step in Compass Minerals’ prioritization of core assets and, by strengthening its balance sheet, enhances the company’s ability to pursue potential strategic growth opportunities.

Compass Minerals received upon closing gross sale proceeds of R$2.16 billion or approximately $432 million based on current exchange rates, comprised of a cash payment of approximately $325 million including $12 million in working capital adjustments, and an additional $107 million in net debt assumed by ICL. Compass Minerals is also eligible for an additional payment of up to approximately R$88 million in 2022, assuming the maximum amount of earn-out consideration. As previously announced, the company intends to use proceeds from the sale primarily to pay down debt.

The company’s South America chemicals business was not included in this completed transaction and that prior-announced sale process is ongoing.

About Compass Minerals

Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP) is a leading global provider of essential minerals focused on safely delivering where and when it matters to help solve nature’s challenges for customers and communities. Its salt products help keep roadways safe during winter weather and are used in numerous other consumer, industrial and agricultural applications. And its plant nutrition business manufactures products that improve the quality and yield of crops, while supporting sustainable agriculture. Additionally, its specialty chemical business serves the water treatment industry and other industrial processes. The company operates 16 production and packaging facilities with more than 2,000 employees throughout the U.S., Canada, Brazil and the U.K. Visit compassminerals.com for more information about the company and its products.

About ICL

ICL Group LTD is a leading global specialty minerals and chemicals company that creates impactful solutions for humanity's sustainability challenges in global food, agriculture, and industrial markets. ICL leverages its unique bromine, potash and phosphate resources, its passionate team of talented employees, and its strong focus on R&D and technological innovation to drive growth across its end markets. ICL shares are dually listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NYSE and TASE: ICL). The company employs over 11,000 people worldwide, and its 2020 revenues totaled approximately $5.0 billion.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements about growth opportunities and use of proceeds. Forward-looking statements are those that predict or describe future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. We use words such as "may," "would," "could," "should," "will," "likely," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "forecast," "outlook," "project," "estimate" and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events to identify forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. These statements are based on the company’s current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially. The differences could be caused by a number of factors, including without limitation (i) impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, (ii) weather conditions, (ii) pressure on prices and impact from competitive products, (iv) foreign exchange rates and the cost and availability of transportation for the distribution of the company’s products, (v) any inability by the company to successfully implement its strategic priorities or its cost-saving or enterprise optimization initiatives, and (vi) the timing and the outcome of the sale process for the company’s South America chemicals business. For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties that may affect the company’s business, see the "Risk Factors" and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 filed with the SEC. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law. Because it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, this list cannot be considered a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210701005851/en/

Contacts

Media Contact Rick AxthelmSVP and Chief Public Affairs Officer+1.913.344.9198MediaRelations@compassminerals.com

Investor Contact Douglas KrisSenior Director of Investor Relations+1.917.797.4967krisd@compassminerals.com

Dixons Carphone has reinstated its dividend after posting a 34 per cent rise in annual profit, with the electronics retailer helped by a boom in online demand. For the year to May 1 Dixons reported an adjusted pre-tax profit of £156m on revenue of £10.3bn. Online sales more than doubled year on year to £4.7bn.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Lithium Corp. (“American Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: LI | OTCQB: LIACF | Frankfurt: 5LA1) announces a live upcoming summit where its Management Team will be discussing the Company’s recent merger with Plateau Energy Metals, as well as near-term exploration and development plans, particularly at the TLC Project in Nevada.

This inaugural Webinar event will take place on Tuesday, July 06, at 11.00 am PDT / 2.00 pm EDT. Management will be available to answer questions following the presentation. To join webinar by computer, register from this link: https://my.6ix.com/nzxIDKkS

With the recent consolidation of the combined assets of both companies, American Lithium is positioned as one of the largest developers of energy metals throughout the Americas. We intend to leverage this key competitive advantage to become a global industry leader while ensuring all our projects are sustainable and utilize best environmental practices. To find out more, please tune in to the Webinar.

The Company is also pleased to announce the recent launch of its new website at: www.americanlithiumcorp.com. Our social media channels are also now very active. Please follow us:

Twitter: @lithiumamerican

Instagram: /americanlithium/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/american-lithium-corp/

About American Lithium
American Lithium is actively engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of lithium projects within mining-friendly jurisdictions throughout the Americas. The company is currently focused on enabling the shift to the new energy paradigm through the continued exploration and development of its strategically located TLC lithium claystone project in the richly mineralized Esmeralda lithium district in Nevada as well as continuing to advance its Falchani lithium and Macusani uranium development projects in southeastern Peru. Both Falchani and Macusani have been through preliminary economic assessments, exhibit strong additional exploration potential and are situated near significant infrastructure.

Please watch our informative project update videos and related background information at https://www.americanlithiumcorp.com

On behalf of the Board of Directors of American Lithium Corp.

“Simon Clarke”

CEO & Director

Tel: 604 428 6128

For further information, please contact:

Tyler Ross, Investor Relations, at 604-428-6128

Email: info@americanlithiumcorp.com

Website: www.americanlithiumcorp.com

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

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the plans, objectives and advancement of the TLC, Falchani and Macusani (the “Projects”), exploration drilling plans, in-fill and expansion drilling plans, results of exploration and development plans, expansion of resources and testing of new deposits, environmental and social community permitting, and any other statements regarding the business plans, expectations and objectives of American Lithium. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", “indicate”, “scheduled”, “target”, “goal”, “potential”, “subject”, “efforts”, “option” and similar words, or the negative connotations thereof, referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Although American Lithium believes that the current opinions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available at the time, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since American Lithium can provide no assurance that such opinions and expectations will prove to be correct. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to: American Lithium’s ability to achieve its stated goals, including the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Plateau Energy Metals Inc. (“Plateau”); the estimated costs associated with the advancement of the Projects; risks and uncertainties relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the extent and manner to which measures taken by governments and their agencies, American Lithium or others to attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 could affect American Lithium, which could have a material adverse impact on many aspects of American Lithium’s businesses including but not limited to: the ability to access mineral properties for indeterminate amounts of time, the health of the employees or consultants resulting in delays or diminished capacity, social or political instability in Peru which in turn could impact American Lithium’s ability to maintain the continuity of its business operating requirements, may result in the reduced availability or failures of various local administration and critical infrastructure, reduced demand for the American Lithium’s potential products, availability of materials, global travel restrictions, and the availability of insurance and the associated costs; risks related to the certainty of title to the properties of American Lithium, including the status of the “Precautionary Measures” filed by American Lithium’s subsidiary Macusani Yellowcake S.A.C. (“Macusani”), the outcome of the administrative process, the judicial process, and any and all future remedies pursued by American Lithium and its subsidiary Macusani to resolve the title for 32 of its concessions; risks regarding the ongoing Ontario Securities Commission regulatory proceedings; the ongoing ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, including but not limited to local communities and all levels of government; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that any future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with our expectations; risks that permits will not be obtained as planned or delays in obtaining permits; mining and development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes (including work stoppages, strikes and loss of personnel) or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and development; risks related to commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; risks related to foreign operations; the cyclical nature of the industry in which American Lithium operates; risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms or delays in obtaining governmental approvals; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the uncertain global economic environment and the effects upon the global market generally, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic measures taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19, any of which could continue to negatively affect global financial markets, including the trading price of American Lithium’s shares and could negatively affect American Lithium’s ability to raise capital and may also result in additional and unknown risks or liabilities to American Lithium. Other risks and uncertainties related to prospects, properties and business strategy of American Lithium are identified in the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of Plateau’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed on June 25, 2021, in the “Risk Factors” section of American Lithium’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed on June 25, 2021, and in recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. American Lithium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Cautionary Note Regarding Macusani Concessions
Thirty-two of the 151 concessions held by American Lithium’s subsidiary Macusani, are currently subject to Administrative and Judicial processes (together, the “Processes”) in Peru to overturn resolutions issued by INGEMMET and the Mining Council of MINEM in February 2019 and July 2019, respectively, which declared Macusani’s title to the 32 of the concessions invalid due to late receipt of the annual validity payment. Macusani successfully applied for injunctive relief on 32 concessions in a Court in Lima, Peru, and the grant of the Precautionary Measures (Medida Cautelar) has restored the title, rights and validity of those 32 concessions to Macusani until a final decision is obtained in at the last stage of the judicial process. If American Lithium’s subsidiary Macusani does not obtain a successful resolution of Processes, Macusani’s title to the concessions could be revoked.

(Bloomberg) —

China’s biggest bank dumped a plan to finance a $3 billion coal-fired power plant in Zimbabwe, dealing a blow to coal developers in Africa that see the Asian country as the last potential funder of their projects.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. told Go Clean ICBC, an ad-hoc body representing 32 environmental groups, that it won’t fund the 2,800-megawatt Sengwa coal project in northern Zimbabwe, according to a June 18 email seen by Bloomberg that was sent to 350.org, one of the Go Clean groups. ICBC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Western and South African banks have come under increasing pressure from their shareholders not to fund developments that could contribute to climate change, leaving Chinese lenders as one of the last avenues to secure finance. That door may now be closing, should China plan to improve its own environment credentials.

“This is highly significant, obviously for Zimbabwe but also for Chinese overseas energy financing,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst for the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. “It is the first time, to my knowledge, that a Chinese bank has pro-actively walked away from a coal-power project.”

The Sengwa project was being developed by RioEnergy Ltd., a unit of RioZim Ltd. RioEnergy Chairman Caleb Dengu said last year that ICBC had signed a formal notice of interest in funding the plant, to be constructed by China Gezhouba Group, while associated transmission lines would be built by Power Construction Corp. of China Ltd.

ICBC’s withdrawal marks the second time the bank’s coal-funding plans have been scrapped. A permit to build a coal-fired plant in Lamu in Kenya was canceled by the government last year.

ICBC described Sengwa as a “bad plan due to environmental problems,” 350.Org said in the email.

The Chinese lender has been under scrutiny over the environmental impact of funding coal projects and is in discussion with the coalition to “chart a clear road map to stop funding coal,” Go Clean ICBC said in the email. Nathalia Clark, the associate director of Global Communications at 350.org, declined to give further details.

The coalition had planned to roll out a global campaign last week against the lender’s coal activity, which it suspended after ICBC said it would halt engagement if it did so.

Over the past two decades, China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China have funded more than $50 billion of coal projects across Asia, Europe, Africa and South America, according to research from Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center. A plan proposed last year would make it tougher for the so-called Belt and Road Initiative to finance environmentally damaging projects like coal power plants and metal smelters.

While President Xi Jinping in September put the country on a path to zero out carbon emissions by 2060, he plans to let coal consumption increase through 2026 and the fuel is expected to remain an important part of the country’s energy mix for a decade beyond that.

RioEnergy is seeking alternative financiers, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said, asking not to be identified because ICBC’s withdrawal hasn’t been formally announced. Simba Mhuriro, the general manager at RioEnergy, said he wasn’t privy to the matter and couldn’t comment. Wilson Gwatiringa, a spokesman for RioZim also declined to comment. Winston Chitando, Zimbabwe’s mines minister, said he wasn’t aware of ICBC’s decision.

Sengwa was initially owned by London-based miner Rio Tinto Group, the one-time parent of RioZim. It was set aside as Zimbabwe’s relations with the U.K., its former colonial ruler, deteriorated. After the project was revived in 2016, General Electric Co. and a unit of Blackstone Group LP didn’t pursue initial inquiries.

The backing of ICBC was seen by RioEnergy as a fresh start in a plan to develop the plant and end recurrent power outages in Zimbabwe. Climate activists say the company will struggle to find another funder.

“Opportunities to fund coal power are rapidly diminishing, given the climate and other impacts of coal,” said Robyn Hugo, director of climate change engagement at Just Share, a Cape Town-based shareholder activist group. “There is simply no basis to consider new coal-fired projects and all plans to do so are likely to be strongly opposed.”

(Adds analyst comment in fourth paragraph, activist in last)

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(Bloomberg) — Rio Tinto Group declared force majeure on customer contracts at Richards Bay Minerals after escalating violence forced it to suspend activity at the minerals sands operation in South Africa.

Managing Director Werner Duvenhage said the company is prioritizing the safety of its 5,000 workers at RBM, which exports titanium dioxide slag, used to create ingredients for products including paint, plastics, sunscreen and toothpaste. The closing of Rio’s only South African business follows the death last month of RBM manager Nico Swart, who was shot on his way to work.

“It has become impossible for us to run the business,” Duvenhage said by phone. “We won’t go back until it’s safe for our people.”

The suspension of operations at RBM is a blow to the South African government’s efforts to attract new investment. Violence around RBM forced the operation to shut temporarily in 2019, with work subsequently halted on a $463 million expansion project.

In recent weeks, mining equipment and infrastructure have been destroyed and access roads blocked. South Africa mining operations frequently are dogged by community protests, which relate to issues ranging from poor municipal services to labor conditions. Duvenhage said there have been reports that the latest violence may be connected to youth unemployment.

The violence around mining communities, including the burning of equipment and the intimidation of mine workers, hurts South Africa’s reputation as an investment destination, said Minerals Council South Africa, an industry lobby group for bigger producers.

“The closure of mining operations due to security concerns negatively impacts on production, employment and investment, and will ultimately have severe adverse economic and social consequences,” the council said in a statement.

RBM’s furnaces are currently being run on low power as they can’t be shut down completely. The company is engaging with both regional and national governments to get a better understanding of the cause of the violence, Duvenhage said.

South Africa’s mines and energy ministry didn’t respond to a request for comment.

(Updates with industry group comments starting in sixth paragraph)

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Edmonton, Alberta–(Newsfile Corp. – June 30, 2021) – Grizzly Discoveries Inc. (TSXV: GZD) (OTCQB: GZDIF) (FSE:G6H) ("Grizzly" or the "Company") is saddened to report that Mr. Ian Lambert, COO of Grizzly, passed away on June 2, 2021 at the age of 75 after a short illness. Ian was a strong voice and advocate in the resource industry for more than 30 years, and COO and director of Grizzly since March 15, 2013.

Brian Testo, Chairman of the Board, said, "Ian was a respected and valued member of the Grizzly family, as well as a dear friend, and he will be sorely missed."

Ian provided tremendous strength and drive behind Grizzly for many years. Despite his illness and ongoing treatment, Ian tenaciously carried out his duties and attended board and management meetings diligently. His dedication, humour, and guidance will be greatly missed by the Grizzly team.

The Board of Grizzly would like to extend their sincerest condolences to Ian's wife Cathie, four children, and family at this difficult time.

Contributions to The School for Special Children, a charity dear to his heart in Mexico, or to the BC Cancer Agency can be made in his name, by visiting www.schoolforspecialchildren.org or www.bccancer.bc.ca.

ABOUT GRIZZLY DISCOVERIES INC.

Grizzly is a diversified Canadian mineral exploration company with its primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange, with 93 million shares issued, focused on developing its over 156,000 acres of precious and base metals properties in southeastern British Columbia. Grizzly is run by a highly experienced junior resource sector management team, who have a track record of advancing exploration projects from early exploration stage through to feasibility stage.

On behalf of the Board,

GRIZZLY DISCOVERIES INC.

Brian Testo, CEO, President
Tel: 780 693 2242

For further information, please visit our website at www.grizzlydiscoveries.com or contact:

Chris Beltgens
Corporate Development
Tel: 604 347 9535
Email: cbeltgens@grizzlydiscoveries.com

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89124

Iron ore prices are currently trending around $220.50 per ton — more than double the last year’s levels. In fact, in June last year, iron ore prices had breached $100 per ton mark for the first time since August 2019 driven by China’s massive infrastructure stimulus amid supply concerns from coronavirus-impacted Brazil. The situation this year has not changed much, with demand-supply imbalance favoring the prices of the steel making ingredient this year as well, leading to a year-to-date gain of 39%.

As of now, prices are being supported by a decline in portside stockpiles in China.. Imported iron ore stocked at Chinese ports declined for four consecutive weeks to 123.95 Mt (million tons) as of Jun 25, 2021 — the lowest level in eight months. On top of this, weekly Australian iron ore shipments have been disappointing through June. Iron ore prices are gaining further thanks to increasing concerns over Brazil’s supply. Brazilian miner, Vale S.A VALE recently announced that it has halted production at its Timbopeba mine and part of its Alegria mine following a warning from an authority about tailings dam risks. The closures will reduce its iron ore output by around 40,000 tons a day.

Meanwhile iron ore demand from China is gaining from rise in infrastructure spending and renewed vigor in manufacturing activity. Despite the China government’s efforts to curb steel output to reduce carbon emissions, demand for iron ore showed resilience as mills that were not subject to output curbs continued to ramp up production. Healthy profit margins buoyed by higher demand and a rally in steel prices have led to a rise in production. Per the World Steel Association, global crude steel production was up 16.5% year over year to 174.4 Mt in May. This was primarily driven by record high production from China on the back of firm domestic demand and healthy margins at mills. Steel production in China, which accounts for more than half of the global steel output, went up 6.6% year over year to 99.5 Mt in May.

Among the other major Asian producers, India witnessed a 46.9% surge in production to 9.2 Mt in May as steel demand is picking up in the country following the resumption of industrial activities with the lifting of lockdowns and restrictions. In North America, crude steel production climbed 47.7% to 10.1 Mt in May with the resumption of operations across major steel-consuming sectors, leading to a recovery in capacity utilization and domestic steel production.

The World Steel Association projects steel demand to grow 5.8% in 2021 and reach 1,874.0 million. China's steel demand is expected to improve 3.0% this year. Further, the ongoing recovery in automotive and constructions sectors across the world will drive demand for steel and thereby for iron ore. In the United States, massive government spending to rebuild infrastructure including railroads, highways and bridges will significantly boost steel demand, thus raising the requirement of more iron ore.

Industry Outperforms S&P 500 & Broader Sector

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

In tandem with iron ore prices, the Zacks Mining – Iron industry has gained 119.9% in a year’s time, outperforming the S&P 500 and the Basic Materials sector’s rally of 40.4% and 46.7%, respectively.

The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #4, which places it in the top 2% of more than 250 Zacks industries. The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bullish near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

3 Iron Ore Stocks to Scoop Up

We have handpicked three iron mining stocks that are well-poised to ride on the rally in iron ore prices. These stocks have a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and have outperformed the S&P 500’s growth in the past year. These also have solid earnings growth projections.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BHP Group BHP: Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, BHP engages in exploration, development, and production of oil and gas properties; and mining of copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, uranium, gold, iron ore, and metallurgical and energy coal. The company produced 248 Mt of iron ore in fiscal 2020. BHP anticipates producing between 245 Mt and 255 Mt of iron ore in fiscal 2021. Efforts to make operations more efficient through smart technology adoption across the entire value chain will aid in reducing costs, thereby bolstering the company’s margins. Its focus on lowering debt is also commendable. The company has four major projects under development in petroleum, iron ore and potash, which will drive growth in the long run.

The company has a long-term estimated earnings growth rate of 4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2021 earnings indicates year-over-year improvement of 86.5%. The consensus estimate has moved up 3.8% over the past 30 days. The stock has appreciated 49.5% in the past year. It flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Rio Tinto plc RIO: Headquartered in London, the U.K., Rio Tinto engages in mining of aluminum, silver, molybdenum, copper, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, iron ore, and uranium. The company produced 333.4 Mt of iron ore in 2020. Rio Tinto expects to produce 325 Mt to 340 Mt of iron ore in fiscal 2021. The company boasts a world-class portfolio of high-quality assets and continues to strengthen it by increasing investment in high-value projects to ensure long-term growth. It also remains committed to making its operations as efficient as possible through the use of technology and innovation, including automation. A strong balance sheet and a disciplined capital allocation support its ability to sustain production, increase investment in development projects (in high-return iron ore and copper), while delivering superior returns to shareholders.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2021 earnings indicates year-over-year improvement of around 104%. The consensus estimate has been revised upward by 16% over the past 60 days. The Zacks Ranked #1 stock has gained 53% in a year.

Vale: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil-based Vale produces and sells iron ore and iron ore pellets for use as raw materials in steelmaking in Brazil and internationally. The company produced 300 Mt of iron ore in 2020. Backed by the start-up of new iron ore assets, the company expects to achieve 350 Mt capacity by 2021-end and 400 Mt per year by the end of 2022. It remains committed to introducing more high-quality ore in the market. Vale’s efforts to improve productivity and cut costs will aid margins. Further, investment in growth projects and efforts to lower debt will benefit it.

The company has a long-term estimated earnings growth rate of 32.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2021 earnings suggests year-over-year growth of around 154%. The consensus estimate has moved north by 27% over the past 60 days. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.1%, on average. In a year’s time, the stock has gained 122%. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

+1,500% Growth: One of 2021’s Most Exciting Investment Opportunities

In addition to the stocks you read about above, would you like to see Zacks’ top picks to capitalize on the Internet of Things (IoT)? It is one of the fastest-growing technologies in history, with an estimated 77 billion devices to be connected by 2025. That works out to 127 new devices per second.

Zacks has released a special report to help you capitalize on the Internet of Things’s exponential growth. It reveals 4 under-the-radar stocks that could be some of the most profitable holdings in your portfolio in 2021 and beyond.

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Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research

LONDON, June 29, 2021–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rio Tinto has declared force majeure on customer contracts at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa due to an escalation in the security situation at the operations. This has led to the decision to cease operations until the safety and security position improves.

Rio Tinto chief executive Minerals, Sinead Kaufman, said: "The safety of our people is our top priority.

We continue to offer our full support to the investigating authorities and I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the regional and national governments and South African Police Service as we work together to ensure that we can safely resume operations."

All mining and smelting operations at RBM have been halted until further notice. The Zulti South project has remained on full suspension since the security and community issues in 2019.

This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Steve Allen, Rio Tinto’s Group Company Secretary.

riotinto.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210629006102/en/

Contacts

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations, UK

Illtud Harri
M +44 7920 503 600

David Outhwaite
M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Americas

Matthew Klar
T +1 514 608 4429

Media Relations, Australia

Jonathan Rose
M +61 447 028 913

Matt Chambers
M +61 433 525 739

Jesse Riseborough
M +61 436 653 412

Investor Relations, UK

Menno Sanderse
M: +44 7825 195 178

David Ovington
M +44 7920 010 978

Clare Peever
M +44 7788 967 877

Investor Relations, Australia

Natalie Worley
M +61 409 210 462

Amar Jambaa
M +61 472 865 948

Rio Tinto plc

6 St James’s Square
London SW1Y 4AD
United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000
Registered in England
No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 7, 360 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333
Registered in Australia
ABN 96 004 458 404

Category: RBM

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Lithium Corp. (“American Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSX-V:LI | OTCQB: LIACF | Frankfurt:5LA1) is pleased to provide details of a recent breakthrough on process development at its Tonopah Lithium Claims Project (“TLC”) located close to Tonopah, Nevada.

Highlights:

Ongoing process work at Hazen Research Inc. has shown that roasting TLC lithium bearing claystones with sulfate and chloride salts, followed by water leaching, results in 82% of lithium being extracted with a significantly lower impurity load as compared to acid leaching.
This alternative processing method will be investigated further at both Hazen Research Inc. in Golden, Colorado (“Hazen”) and at TECMMINE in Lima, Peru (“TECMMINE”).
Test work at Hazen has so far utilized non-upgraded TLC claystones. Additional work will also commence on mechanically upgraded TLC claystones with even better results anticipated.
Full roasting / water leaching results will be compared to results for sulfuric acid leaching to ascertain which method is best from an economic and environmental perspective.
TLC claystone mineralization continues to demonstrate exceptional ability to be concentrated and amenable to multiple process options with lithium carbonate having already been produced.
This latest round of process work is focused on optimizing flow-sheet design to deliver strong environmental and economic benefits to enable a robust Preliminary Economic Assessment.

Dr. Laurence Stefan, COO of American Lithium, states, “The early success of roasting demonstrates once again the robust nature of the TLC lithium resource and its processing versatility. This new metallurgical approach opens the door widely to produce either lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide or both from the TLC project. The extremely low level of impurities in the leachate provides many advantages over the successful sulfuric acid leaching technique that has been the focus to date. We are excited to investigate the roasting route further and will be comparing the overall environmental and economic profiles of each route to make the best decision for the project moving forward.”

American Lithium Provides TLC Process Update:

The TLC project has previously shown that its Li-rich claystones are amenable to rapid sulfuric acid leaching, with lithium extraction in sulfate solution reaching 92% in 10 minutes, for some of the samples. While the flowsheet for sulfuric acid leaching has been successful and is being further optimized, an alternative roasting / water leaching technique has demonstrated early success and will be investigated with additional laboratory test work.

Experiments performed at Hazen Research Inc. in Golden, Colorado, demonstrate that roasting the lithium bearing claystones at 900°C with sulfate and chloride salts (sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and/or gypsum – calcium sulfate dihydrate) and then leaching in 60°C water for 2 hours, results in 82% of the lithium being extracted into aqueous solution. This roasting process followed by water leaching not only increased the final pH of the solution to 8.5, making the eventual final lithium carbonate or hydroxide precipitation much easier, but also produced an astonishingly low level of impurities, when compared to sulfuric acid leaching.

Heavy elements such as iron, aluminum, and manganese in the leachate are below detection limit (<10 ppm), with magnesium extraction below 1% (54 ppm) and calcium extraction below 3% (500 ppm). As expected, sodium and potassium are leached in greater quantities, but still at manageable levels (Na 78%; K 52% extraction in aqueous solution). Test work at TECMMINE shows a good rubidium extraction of 63%. The high extraction of potassium and rubidium presents the opportunity to produce saleable by-products such as potash as fertilizer and rubidium hydroxide for industrial applications. The overall impurities level in the aqueous solution obtained to date, through roasting and water leaching, presents a legitimate alternative route to producing battery-grade lithium chemicals from TLC claystone mineralization.

Additional test work is underway to build on these initial results and further investigate the roasting process-route at Hazen and at TECMMINE and the results will be fully compared to sulfuric acid leaching once sufficient data is compiled. American Lithium plans to compare the roasting option to acid leaching both in terms of capex, opex, environmental footprint and economic performance.

As previously announced on March 23, 2021, TLC claystones can be upgraded by up to 66%, in terms of lithium grades, using hydrocyclones and centrifuges. The preliminary test work on roasting was performed on non-upgraded claystones and further progress and efficiencies are anticipated from testing upgraded samples.

In parallel, hydrochloric acid leaching test work has started with TECMMINE. TECMMINE was instrumental in optimizing the leaching and precipitation of battery grade lithium from the Company’s high-grade Falchani project in Peru and will be a key player in the optimization of flowsheets for TLC.

Dr. Laurence Stefan, COO of American Lithium, concluded “As we continue to optimize processes for the extraction of lithium from TLC claystone mineralization, we will be comparing overall environmental and economic performance for all relevant routes. American Lithium is fortunate that we have so many excellent options from which to produce battery grade lithium compounds from TLC which will enable us to select the best overall route for feasibility and to have other options if needed in the future. We currently anticipate finalizing this process this Fall.”

Qualified Person
Dr. Jarrett Quinn, Ph.D., P. Eng. (OIQ 5018119), Consulting Metallurgist for American Lithium, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information related to metallurgical testing at Hazen Research Inc. contained in this news release.

Mr. Ted O’Connor, P.Geo., a Director of American Lithium, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information related to TECMMINE contained in this news release.

Please watch our informative project update videos and related background information at https://www.americanlithiumcorp.com

For more information, please contact the Company at info@americanlithiumcorp.com or visit our website at www.americanlithiumcorp.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of American Lithium Corp.

“Simon Clarke”

CEO & Director

Tel: 604 428 6128

For further information, please contact:

American Lithium Corp.
Email: info@americanlithiumcorp.com
Website: www.americanlithiumcorp.com

Denver, CO, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intrepid Potash Inc. (NYSE:IPI) (“Intrepid”) today announced the appointment of Lori A. Lancaster as a new independent director to Intrepid’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective July 28, 2021. She will replace Terry Considine who announced his retirement, effective the same day, on June 27, 2021. Ms. Lancaster brings additional financial, merger and acquisition, and oil and gas experience to the Board.

“The depth of Lori’s investment banking experience serving clients across the natural resources and energy sectors is a wonderful fit for a growing and diversified company like Intrepid.” said Bob Jornayvaz, Intrepid’s Executive Chairman, President, and CEO. “Lori has been involved with over $60 billion of M&A deals in her 20 year investment banking career in addition to numerous capital-raising transactions, initial public offerings, structured financings, and debt offerings. We believe her experience and guidance will significantly benefit Intrepid and its shareholders.”

Jornayvaz continued, “We also want to thank Terry for his 13 years of service on Intrepid’s Board. As a member of the Colorado Business Hall of Fame and as CEO of Apartment Income REIT Corporation, Terry’s distinguished business career speaks for itself. We will miss his integrity, quick wit, and his innate ability to drive our team’s focus to the key points of any discussion. As one of the original members of Intrepid’s Board of Directors, Terry’s steady leadership and support have been invaluable to Intrepid team and we wish Terry the best of luck with his future endeavors.”

Ms. Lancaster is a senior executive with nearly 20 years of experience and leadership in investment banking. In her banking career, she covered both public and private companies operating in a variety of sectors and regions within natural resources and global energy. Ms. Lancaster most recently served as Managing Director for UBS Securities LLC in its Global Energy Group from 2013 to 2016. Prior to UBS, Ms. Lancaster worked for Nomura Securities International and Goldman Sachs & Co. as Managing Director in each company’s Natural Resources Group. Ms. Lancaster currently serves as an independent director for Laredo Petroleum where she serves as the Finance Committee Chair and a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Lancaster previously served as an independent director for HighPoint Resources and Energen Corporation.

About Intrepid:

Intrepid is a diversified mineral company that delivers potassium, magnesium, sulfur, salt, and water products essential for customer success in agriculture, animal feed, and the oil and gas industry. Intrepid is the only U.S. producer of muriate of potash, which is applied as an essential nutrient for healthy crop development, utilized in several industrial applications, and used as an ingredient in animal feed. In addition, Intrepid produces a specialty fertilizer, Trio^®, which delivers three key nutrients, potassium, magnesium, and sulfate, in a single particle. Intrepid also provides water, magnesium chloride, brine, and various oilfield products and services.
Intrepid serves diverse customers in markets where a logistical advantage exists and is a leader in the use of solar evaporation for potash production, resulting in lower cost and more environmentally friendly production. Intrepid's mineral production comes from three solar solution potash facilities and one conventional underground Trio^® mine.

Intrepid routinely posts important information, including information about upcoming investor presentations and press releases, on its website under the Investor Relations tab. Investors and other interested parties are encouraged to enroll at intrepidpotash.com, to receive automatic email alerts for new postings.

Contact:
Matt Preston, Vice President of Finance
Phone: 303-996-3048
Email: matt.preston@intrepidpotash.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Melior Resources Inc. (TSXV: “MLR”) (“Melior” or the “Company”) refers to its press release of April 28, 2021 regarding the Default Notice received from Pala Investments Ltd (“Pala”) and the subsequent Standstill Agreement entered into with Pala.

The Company announces that it has today entered into a further standstill amending agreement with Pala pursuant to which Pala has agreed to extend the standstill period until September 30, 2021.

Furthermore, Melior has also today entered into a further amended demand promissory note (the “Amended Promissory Note”) with Pala extending the maturity of the loan from June 30, 2021 to September 30, 2021. All other terms of the Amended Promissory Note remain unchanged.

MELIOR RESOURCES INC.
Martyn Buttenshaw
Interim Chief Executive Officer
+41 41 560 9070
info@meliorresources.com

The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.

Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today.

One company to watch right now is ANGLO AMER ADR (NGLOY). NGLOY is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 6.24, while its industry has an average P/E of 7.48. Over the past year, NGLOY's Forward P/E has been as high as 12.90 and as low as 5.75, with a median of 8.42.

We should also highlight that NGLOY has a P/B ratio of 1.70. Investors use the P/B ratio to look at a stock's market value versus its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks solid versus its industry's average P/B of 3.22. Over the past 12 months, NGLOY's P/B has been as high as 2.04 and as low as 1.03, with a median of 1.49.

These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that ANGLO AMER ADR is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, NGLOY feels like a great value stock at the moment.

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By Clara Denina

LONDON (Reuters) -Diversified miner Glencore will become the sole owner of the Cerrejon thermal coal mine in Colombia by buying out partners BHP and Anglo American, boosting its coal assets at a time when others are looking to exit the sector.

Glencore said on Monday it expects to pay $230 million for the combined 66% stake owned by BHP Group and Anglo when the deal completes in the first half of 2022. It sees production volumes at the mine declining materially by 2030.

Mining companies have been reviewing their ownership of thermal coal assets as they transition out of polluting fossil fuels to meet emissions targets and shift towards sustainable investments.

But global demand for coal is expected to jump 4.5% in 2021, after a record pandemic-led drop last year. An increase in coal-fired power generation in Asia, where many countries including China are still building new capacity, accounts for three-quarters of the rebound, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said recently.

Over the last 12 months, coal has outperformed other commodities including oil, copper and iron ore. Thermal coal futures on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange hit an all-time high of 944.20 yuan a tonne on May 12, having surged 159% from a two-year low in mid-April 2020.

Glencore said owning 100% of Cerrejon would not compromise its climate commitments. It plans to become a net-zero emission company by 2050 and has set a goal of managing the depletion of its coal mines by the mid-2040s, rather than selling them.

"The disposal of Glencore's current stake in the mine would not be consistent with our stated commitment to a responsible managed decline of our coal portfolio, nor would it result in a genuine reduction of absolute greenhouse gas emissions," Glencore said in a statement.

The company wants to increase its medium-term absolute total emissions reduction target to 50% from 40% by 2035 compared to 2019 levels and said it will introduce a new short-term reduction target of 15% by 2026.

"For this to be achieved we would presume that this will mean lower production than previously from its existing portfolio," RBC Capital Markets analysts said in a note.

BHP, the world's largest listed miner, is looking to reduce operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 30% by 2030 vs 2020, while Anglo American wants to reduce GHG emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2016 and achieve net zero by 2040.

BHP is also looking to offload its coal assets in Australia, while Anglo spun off its coal portfolio in South Africa earlier this month.

Cerrejon, where current mining concessions are due to expire in 2034, is an integrated mining and transportation complex in Colombia's La Guajira province, in the northeastern part of the country, which includes an open-pit mine, a 150-km (93-mile) railway line and a Caribbean port.

Production reached 25.8 million tonnes in 2019, before falling to 12.4 million tonnes in 2020, due to the pandemic and a three-month strike which paralysed operations.

Glencore's share price was down 0.9% by 1120 GMT, in line with the rest of the mining sector, having risen almost 35% this year to outperform both BHP and Anglo.

(Reporting by Clara Denina, additional reporting by Pratima Desai, Sonali Paul, Dmitry Zhdannikov, and Tom Daly; editing by Louise Heavens, Kirsten Donovan)

Last year we predicted the arrival of the first US recession since 2009 and we told in advance that the market will decline by at least 20% in (Recession is Imminent: We Need A Travel Ban NOW). In these volatile markets we scrutinize hedge fund filings to get a reading on which direction each stock might be going. In this article, we will take a closer look at hedge fund sentiment towards The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS).

Is MOS a good stock to buy? The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) investors should be aware of a decrease in support from the world's most elite money managers of late. The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) was in 38 hedge funds' portfolios at the end of the first quarter of 2021. The all time high for this statistic is 39. There were 39 hedge funds in our database with MOS positions at the end of the fourth quarter. Our calculations also showed that MOS isn't among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds (click for Q1 rankings).

So, why do we pay attention to hedge fund sentiment before making any investment decisions? Our research has shown that hedge funds' small-cap stock picks managed to beat the market by double digits annually between 1999 and 2016, but the margin of outperformance has been declining in recent years. Nevertheless, we were still able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that outperformed the S&P 500 ETFs by more than 115 percentage points since March 2017 (see the details here). We have been able to outperform the passive index funds by tracking the moves of corporate insiders and hedge funds, and we believe small investors can benefit a lot from reading hedge fund investor letters and 13F filings.

Kerr Neilson of Platinum Asset Management

At Insider Monkey, we scour multiple sources to uncover the next great investment idea. For example, lithium mining is one of the fastest growing industries right now, so we are checking out stock pitches like this emerging lithium stock. We go through lists like the 10 best battery stocks to pick the next Tesla that will deliver a 10x return. Even though we recommend positions in only a tiny fraction of the companies we analyze, we check out as many stocks as we can. We read hedge fund investor letters and listen to stock pitches at hedge fund conferences. You can subscribe to our free daily newsletter on our homepage. Now let's analyze the latest hedge fund action encompassing The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS).

Do Hedge Funds Think MOS Is A Good Stock To Buy Now?

Heading into the second quarter of 2021, a total of 38 of the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey were long this stock, a change of -3% from one quarter earlier. Below, you can check out the change in hedge fund sentiment towards MOS over the last 23 quarters. With the smart money's positions undergoing their usual ebb and flow, there exists an "upper tier" of notable hedge fund managers who were upping their stakes considerably (or already accumulated large positions).

The largest stake in The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) was held by Slate Path Capital, which reported holding $164.8 million worth of stock at the end of December. It was followed by Adage Capital Management with a $112.2 million position. Other investors bullish on the company included Platinum Asset Management, AQR Capital Management, and Scopus Asset Management. In terms of the portfolio weights assigned to each position Slate Path Capital allocated the biggest weight to The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS), around 10.69% of its 13F portfolio. Brightline Capital is also relatively very bullish on the stock, designating 8.74 percent of its 13F equity portfolio to MOS.

Due to the fact that The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) has witnessed falling interest from the entirety of the hedge funds we track, it's safe to say that there lies a certain "tier" of hedge funds who sold off their positions entirely last quarter. Interestingly, Renaissance Technologies said goodbye to the largest stake of all the hedgies tracked by Insider Monkey, worth close to $54.6 million in stock, and Ken Heebner's Capital Growth Management was right behind this move, as the fund dropped about $8.1 million worth. These bearish behaviors are interesting, as total hedge fund interest dropped by 1 funds last quarter.

Let's check out hedge fund activity in other stocks – not necessarily in the same industry as The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) but similarly valued. We will take a look at Bill.com Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BILL), Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC), RPM International Inc. (NYSE:RPM), Banco de Chile (NYSE:BCH), Sibanye Stillwater Limited (NYSE:SBSW), Host Hotels and Resorts Inc (NASDAQ:HST), and Fidelity National Financial Inc (NYSE:FNF). All of these stocks' market caps are closest to MOS's market cap.

[table] Ticker, No of HFs with positions, Total Value of HF Positions (x1000), Change in HF Position BILL,51,2411036,-1 LNC,36,715298,0 RPM,20,79868,-5 BCH,5,53333,2 SBSW,16,272595,-1 HST,25,240687,3 FNF,39,1164238,-1 Average,27.4,705294,-0.4 [/table]

View table here if you experience formatting issues.

As you can see these stocks had an average of 27.4 hedge funds with bullish positions and the average amount invested in these stocks was $705 million. That figure was $945 million in MOS's case. Bill.com Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BILL) is the most popular stock in this table. On the other hand Banco de Chile (NYSE:BCH) is the least popular one with only 5 bullish hedge fund positions. The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) is not the most popular stock in this group but hedge fund interest is still above average. Our overall hedge fund sentiment score for MOS is 69.1. Stocks with higher number of hedge fund positions relative to other stocks as well as relative to their historical range receive a higher sentiment score. This is a slightly positive signal but we'd rather spend our time researching stocks that hedge funds are piling on. Our calculations showed that top 5 most popular stocks among hedge funds returned 95.8% in 2019 and 2020, and outperformed the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) by 40 percentage points. These stocks gained 19.3% in 2021 through June 25th and beat the market again by 4.8 percentage points. Unfortunately MOS wasn't nearly as popular as these 5 stocks and hedge funds that were betting on MOS were disappointed as the stock returned -1.1% since the end of March (through 6/25) and underperformed the market. If you are interested in investing in large cap stocks with huge upside potential, you should check out the top 5 most popular stocks among hedge funds as many of these stocks already outperformed the market since 2019.

Get real-time email alerts: Follow Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS)

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Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.

Investors interested in stocks from the Mining – Miscellaneous sector have probably already heard of Billiton (BBL) and BHP (BHP). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out.

The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits.

Billiton and BHP are both sporting a Zacks Rank of # 1 (Strong Buy) right now. This system places an emphasis on companies that have seen positive earnings estimate revisions, so investors should feel comfortable knowing that these stocks have improving earnings outlooks. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in.

Value investors analyze a variety of traditional, tried-and-true metrics to help find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

The Value category of the Style Scores system identifies undervalued companies by looking at a number of key metrics. These include the long-favored P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that help us determine a company's fair value.

BBL currently has a forward P/E ratio of 8.98, while BHP has a forward P/E of 10.96. We also note that BBL has a PEG ratio of 2.17. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. BHP currently has a PEG ratio of 2.64.

Another notable valuation metric for BBL is its P/B ratio of 1.19. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, BHP has a P/B of 2.25.

These are just a few of the metrics contributing to BBL's Value grade of A and BHP's Value grade of D.

Both BBL and BHP are impressive stocks with solid earnings outlooks, but based on these valuation figures, we feel that BBL is the superior value option right now.

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We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. Having said that, unprofitable companies are risky because they could potentially burn through all their cash and become distressed.

So should Red Metal (ASX:RDM) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'.

See our latest analysis for Red Metal

Does Red Metal Have A Long Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is the amount of time it would take to burn through its cash reserves at its current cash burn rate. In December 2020, Red Metal had AU$3.5m in cash, and was debt-free. In the last year, its cash burn was AU$783k. That means it had a cash runway of about 4.5 years as of December 2020. There's no doubt that this is a reassuringly long runway. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

How Well Is Red Metal Growing?

It was fairly positive to see that Red Metal reduced its cash burn by 28% during the last year. But the operating revenue growth of 204% was even better. We think it is growing rather well, upon reflection. In reality, this article only makes a short study of the company's growth data. You can take a look at how Red Metal is growing revenue over time by checking this visualization of past revenue growth.

Can Red Metal Raise More Cash Easily?

We are certainly impressed with the progress Red Metal has made over the last year, but it is also worth considering how costly it would be if it wanted to raise more cash to fund faster growth. Companies can raise capital through either debt or equity. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate).

Since it has a market capitalisation of AU$34m, Red Metal's AU$783k in cash burn equates to about 2.3% of its market value. That means it could easily issue a few shares to fund more growth, and might well be in a position to borrow cheaply.

So, Should We Worry About Red Metal's Cash Burn?

As you can probably tell by now, we're not too worried about Red Metal's cash burn. In particular, we think its revenue growth stands out as evidence that the company is well on top of its spending. And even though its cash burn reduction wasn't quite as impressive, it was still a positive. After taking into account the various metrics mentioned in this report, we're pretty comfortable with how the company is spending its cash. Its important for readers to be cognizant of the risks that can affect the company's operations, and we've picked out 3 warning signs for Red Metal that investors should know when investing in the stock.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

The Mosaic Company MOS declared that it has submitted an early redemption notice to the trustee of its $450-million 3.75% senior notes. The notes, due Nov 15, 2021, are anticipated to be called at par on Aug 15, 2021 and expected to lead to an immaterial expenses in the third quarter. The yearly interest expenses on these notes were roughly $17 million.

Mosaic stated that this is its first step in reaching the goal of reducing total long-term debt by $1 billion. The company has generated significant cash flow through disciplined cost management and favorable markets. The cashflow will continue to be allocated in a balanced approach to strengthen the balance sheet, investing in the business and returning capital to shareholders.

Notably, Mosaic ended the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $692 million, up around 20.6% year over year.Net cash provided by operating activities increased roughly 68% year over year to $318.8 million in the quarter.

Shares of Mosaic have gained 158.5% in the past year compared with 87.7% rise of the industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company, in its last earnings call, noted that it expects strong fundamental trends witnessed in the last three quarters to continue through 2021. Strong crop demand, affordable inputs and favorable weather indicate strong grower economics.

Chinese phosphate exports are expected to remain low in 2021 due to high domestic demand and recent industry restructuring limit supplies available for export.

The company projects $80-$90 per ton improvement in realized prices in the Phosphates segment, sequentially, in the second quarter. In the Potash segment, $20-$30 per ton improvement in realized prices is expected in the second quarter.

The Mosaic Company Price and Consensus

The Mosaic Company price-consensus-chart | The Mosaic Company Quote

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Mosaic currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are Nucor Corporation NUE, Olin Corporation OLN and Cabot Corporation CBT.

Nucor has a projected earnings growth rate of around 344.9% for the current year. The company’s shares have surged 141.1% in a year. It currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Olin has an expected earnings growth rate of around 506.7% for the current year. The company’s shares have skyrocketed 333.4% in the past year. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

Cabot has an expected earnings growth rate of around 137.5% for the current fiscal. The company’s shares have surged 61.8% in the past year. It currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.

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MELBOURNE (Reuters) -A Rio Tinto Ltd forerunner failed to protect 18,000-year-old artefacts showing how people lived during the last Ice Age, part of destruction that the mining giant kept secret for decades, an Australian Aboriginal group alleged on Friday.

The group said that Rio, despite pledges to improve how it protects Indigenous heritage after its destruction of sacred sites last year, did not come clean about the 1990s destruction of heritage at an iron ore mine that local Aboriginal people still do not have access to.

Australian mining "is an industry that hasn’t behaved responsibly and an industry that needs far greater oversight in heritage protection and agreement making," the Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation (WGAC) said in a statement.

The troubled relationship between mining, a core industry for Australia's economy, and the nation's Aboriginal heritage attracted global attention last year when Rio, with state approval, blew up two ancient rock shelters considered sacred to Indigenous people in Western Australia.

Outrage at the legal destruction featured in Black Lives Matter protests in a country where Aboriginal people have long suffered higher rates of imprisonment, unemployment and lower life expectancy.

The furore led Rio to replace top executives and promise to overhaul its heritage protection practices.

Friday's claims, in a submission to a government inquiry, concern different sites in the same region, around the Marandoo iron ore mine. The group said it had learned that material dating back at least 18,000 years and other artefacts had been thrown in a Darwin rubbish heap.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said in a statement: "We’re not proud of many parts of our history at Marandoo and we reiterate our apology to the Traditional Owners of the land, the Eastern Guruma People, for our past actions. We know we have a lot of work ahead to right some of these historical wrongs, which fell well short of the standards we expect today."

Trott's statement did not address the Indigenous group's specific allegations. Rio declined to comment beyond the statement.

The Aboriginal group's submission highlights an Australian legal structure that has long greenlighted mining development at the expense of historically important cultural sites.

"Any site dating from the last Ice Age is significant because people were using these sites as refuges, so we can get a sense of how they were reacting to glacial conditions," said Duncan Wright, a specialist in Indigenous archaeology at Australian National University.

"If you had sites of this significance in England, they would be protected – it's like destroying Stonehenge," said Wright, who has not seen the material. The sites could, in fact, have been significantly older, given the technology available in the 1990s, he said.

HERITAGE 'IN THE BIN'

Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd and the Western Australia state government knew by May 1992 "that rock shelter 'MG2' in Manganese Gorge contained Aboriginal cultural material dating back 18,000 years," the first evidence of Aboriginal habitation through the Ice Age, WGAC said in the submission. Rio acquired Hamersley in 2001.

Material from that rock shelter was accidentally dumped in landfill, and Hamersley later approved plans to discard unanalysed material from 20 of 28 sites that were salvaged, it said.

"It is a wound that has not healed – that so many cultural sites were lost, blasted into fragments, without even a record, note or photograph kept," the group said. "Nothing remains today beyond a deep hole in the ground."

The group said this contravened state regulations requiring the miner to safeguard salvaged material, part of an arrangement that exempts Rio from complying with state heritage laws.

Indigenous groups have mounted opposition to state government revisions of heritage protection laws that have legalised the destruction of ancient sites.

Trott said Rio also supports repealing the law that created the exemption, the Marandoo Act 1992, and that "discussions with Traditional Owner groups to better understand and reflect their wishes are ongoing."

The Aboriginal group said artefacts in early reports had included grinding material, hearths, marine shell, bone, stone and wooden items from an area that contained numerous rock shelters, a ceremonial area and a waterhole with engravings.

"So little was the respect for either the State’s conditions, or for the cultural heritage that was destroyed on a massive scale, hundreds of Eastern Guruma cultural artefacts ended up in the bin," it said.

The group noted reports of vandalism at the M2 rock shelter, including a drill rig putting a hole through its roof.

WGAC said they remain unable to assess the heritage at Marandoo that is not included in their legal native title claim, and that Rio does not pay royalties on the three oldest of its six mines on its ancestral land.

"It is not surprising that this sort of behaviour occurred in Western Australia, some 28 years before Juukan Gorge," the area of last year's destruction, the WGAC board in a statement.

(Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by William Mallard)

Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.

Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use fundamental analysis and traditional valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are being undervalued by the market at large.

One company value investors might notice is Billiton (BBL). BBL is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 6.73, which compares to its industry's average of 7.35. BBL's Forward P/E has been as high as 14.06 and as low as 6.45, with a median of 10.47, all within the past year.

Investors should also recognize that BBL has a P/B ratio of 1.16. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. BBL's current P/B looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/B of 3.16. Within the past 52 weeks, BBL's P/B has been as high as 1.32 and as low as 0.78, with a median of 1.07.

These are just a handful of the figures considered in Billiton's great Value grade. Still, they help show that the stock is likely being undervalued at the moment. Add this to the strength of its earnings outlook, and we can clearly see that BBL is an impressive value stock right now.

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – June 24, 2021 – Zacks Equity Research Shares of PulteGroup, Inc. PHM as the Bull of the Day, Panasonic Corporation PCRFY as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Caterpillar Inc. CAT and Rio Tinto Group RIO.

Here is a synopsis of all four stocks:

Bull of the Day:

The pandemic and the subsequent low interest rates brought about a banner year for the U.S. housing market. Though sales have slowed, prices have continued to climb in 2021 and homebuilders are poised to grow amid a nationwide housing shortage.

Pulte’s Pitch

PulteGroup is one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S., with operations in over 40 major markets across 23 states. The company operates under multiple brands, including its namesake Pulte, as well Centex, Del Webb, John Wieland Home, and others.

PulteGroup builds homes in popular areas from California and Texas to the Midwest, Florida, and beyond. The list of major markets includes Austin, Dallas, San Diego, Chicago, Miami, and many others. PHM also reaches a diversified set of customers, which helps it grow and gain exposure to different buying trends.

The Atlanta-based company claims that 29% of its homes are sold to first-time buyers, while 45% come from “move up” clients and 26% from “active adults.” And PHM has exposure to various levels of the housing market, from the under $250K group to $500K and above. In 2019, 30% of its homes closed between $300K to $399K, with another 45% coming at $400K or higher.

Growth & Outlook

PulteGroup has posted sales growth for nearly a decade straight, including some impressive years of top-line expansion. The company’s revenue climbed 8% in 2020 and it surged 19% in the first quarter of 2021. The recent pop was driven by a 12% increase in the number of homes closed, alongside a 4% increase in average sales price that saw it hit $430K, which reflected “price increases realized across all buyer groups.”

More importantly, PHM ended the first quarter with a backlog of 18,966 homes valued at $8.8 billion, up 50%. Meanwhile, its adjusted earnings surged 60%. And its CEO Ryan Marshall nicely summarized the broader industry trends that provide solid tailwinds for PulteGroup and other homemakers, on top of “favorable demographics, low interest rates and improving consumer.”

“The need for almost 4 million additional homes as recently estimated by Freddie Mac to meet buyer demand, and expectations for an acceleration in economic growth as the pandemic continues to recede, keep us optimistic about future housing conditions and the opportunity to drive additional gains in our business results.”

The booming housing market pushed U.S. home sales to their highest levels since 2006 in 2020. And a tight market saw U.S. existing-home prices hit a record high in May. Like PulteGroup’s chief executive pointed out, there is a huge need for more homes, with one recent report stating the country was 5.5 million units below necessary levels.

With this positive backdrop in mind, Zacks estimates call for PHM’s fiscal 2021 revenue to soar 35% to reach $14.9 billion and mark its strongest top-line growth in roughly 20 years. The company is then expected to follow up this growth with another 9% sales expansion in 2022.

At the bottom-end, its adjusted earnings are expected to climb by 48% and 11%, respectively over this stretch. PulteGroup also boasts a long history of quarterly earnings beats and its consensus bottom-line estimates have surged since its last report, with its FY21 figure up 26% and FY22 30% higher.

Other Fundamentals

In a sign of strength, PulteGroup in December raised its quarterly dividend by 17%, with its current 1% yield roughly matching peers such as Lennar and Toll Brothers. And PHM executives last quarter announced the firm increased its share repurchase authorization by $1 billion.

PHM shares have crushed their industry over the last five years, up 210% vs. 135%. This includes a 60% jump in the last 12 months, which once again helped it outpace the Home Builders space and the benchmark S&P 500 index’s 45%. The stock has pulled back since hitting records in May, closing regular hours Wednesday nearly 15% below its highs at $53.49 a share.

PulteGroup is currently trading under its 50-day moving average, but well above its 200-day. The stock also sits well below neutral RSI levels (50) at 40. Plus, PHM is trading at an 18% discount to its own year-long median and nearly 50% under its highs at 6.7X forward earnings, marking solid value compared to its industry’s 7.9X average. All of this provides PulteGroup stock plenty of possible runway.

Bottom Line

PulteGroup’s positive earnings revisions help it land a Ranks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at the moment. On top of that, seven of the 11 brokerage recommendations Zacks has for PHM come in at “Strong Buys,” with one more “Buy” and none below a “Hold.”

In the end, millennials continue to reach their prime homebuying years and a shortage of homes could help PulteGroup and other homebuilders continue to grow. And let’s remember that mortgage rates are still extremely low despite climbing off their early 2021 bottoms. Plus, PHM’s Building Products-Home Builders industry sits in the top 8% of our over 250 Zacks industries.

Bear of the Day:

Panasonic is a historic technology firm that has seen its earnings revisions trend in the wrong direction recently. The stock has also fallen around 20% since February and PCRFY shares have yet to mount a real recovery, while lagging its industry over the past several years.

The Short Story

Panasonic is a tech titan that operates multiple units: appliances, life solutions, connected solutions, automotive, and industrial solutions. The company is currently working to expand its battery business far beyond Tesla as the electric vehicle age begins.

Panasonic also made a splash when it announced in April its plans to buy U.S. supply-chain software provider Blue Yonder Holding Inc. The deal is valued at roughly $7 billion and is projected to help bolster the firm’s software business in the SaaS age. Wall Street has, however, not reacted too kindly to the deal, with PCRFY down around 8% since the end of April.

The recent pullback is part of a larger downturn since February for a stock that has struggled to keep up with the booming tech sector. The nearby chart shows PCRFY shares are up just roughly 20% in the last five years. When it comes to the technical side, Panasonic is currently trading below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages. The rough stretch in 2021 comes as the Nasdaq has rebounded to reach new highs.

Bottom Line

Panasonic has seen some downward earnings revisions activity recently to help it land a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) at the moment. And its Audio Video Production industry sits in the bottom third of over 250 Zacks industries.

All that said, investors might want to hold off on Panasonic stock until it flashes signs of a possible comeback before considering the consumer electronics standout.

Additional content:

Caterpillar (CAT) Designing Zero-Emission Machines

Caterpillar recently entered into a collaboration agreement with Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. to develop, test and produce zero-emission machines for the latter’s Matawinie graphite mine. Caterpillar expects to become the exclusive supplier of an all-electric mining fleet for the mine by 2028.

The Matawinie project, which will provide high-purity graphite concentrate for electric vehicles, is planned to be the first open pit operation in the world that will exclusively use electric equipment. This is an important milestone in the mining industry as it can be used as a launch pad for other miners focused on cutting down their emissions utilizing Caterpillar’s cutting-edge technologies.

Fully owned by Nouveau Monde, Matawinie is a high-purity flake graphite deposit located in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, 150 km north of Montréal, Québec. The project is estimated to contain probable reserves of 59.8 Mt (million tons) grading 4.35% graphitic carbon.

The mine is expected to produce 100,000 tons of graphite concentrate annually for the battery electric vehicle and energy storage markets. Also, the combination of high-quality infrastructure, skilled workforce and a dynamic regional business ecosystem make it a worthy investment. Nouveau Monde is targeting commercial operations by 2023.

Dedicated to stringent sustainable development standards, Nouveau Monde is committed to having both its equipment used for mining operations and its ore concentration and processing activities become fully electric within the first five years of production. This operating model, which is the world’s first for an open-pit mine, represents a potential reduction of over 300,000 tons of CO2 emissions over the mine’s lifespan. Notably, Caterpillar has been helping its customers decrease their carbon footprints through machinery and power solutions that minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

This news comes on the heels of Rio Tinto announcement that it will deploy the world’s first fully autonomous water truck in partnership with Caterpillar at its $2.6 billion Gudai-Darri iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. Water spraying is a vital part of mining operations and this new technology will enhance productivity by enabling digital tracking of water consumption, while cutting down water wastage. Rio Tinto intends to make Gudai-Darri one of the world’s most technologically advanced mines.

Cutting down the mining sector’s carbon emissions is the need of the hour. Day by day, more and more mining companies are exploring options to electrify their mines. The switch from diesel to electricity will also cut costs and boost their license to operate.

Electrified mines will require less maintenance and human intervention. The use of automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) will increase as drones, autonomous vehicles and remote-controlled operational systems are rolled out more widely across mining operations.

At Bernstein 37th Annual Strategic Decisions Conference earlier this month, Caterpillar’s CEO Jim Umpleby pointed toward a “long healthy cycle” in mining and strong commodity prices. Umpleby also highlighted that the energy transition has immense potential for Caterpillar in the long haul.

The intensifying global focus on shifting from fossil fuels to zero emissions will require huge amounts of commodities. This will lead to higher demand for mining equipment. Caterpillar given its focus on energy and emissions reduction will have a competitive edge.

Per a Research and Markets report, the global market for mining equipment, which was estimated at $119 billion in 2020, is projected to witness a CAGR of 6.1% and hit $179.8 billion by 2027. Metal mining is projected to record a 7.6% CAGR and attain $83.5 billion by 2027.

Price Performance

Shares of Caterpillar have surged 68.8% over the past year compared with the industry’s rally of 45.1%.

Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to Consider

The company currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report

PulteGroup, Inc. (PHM) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Panasonic Corp. (PCRFY) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research

Here are four stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, June 24th:

Rio Tinto Group (RIO): This company that engages in finding, mining, and processing mineral resources has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 16% over the last 60 days.

Rio Tinto Group Price and Consensus

Rio Tinto Group price-consensus-chart | Rio Tinto Group Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has a dividend yield of 7.38%, compared with the industry average of 0.00%. Its five-year average dividend yield is 6.06%.

Rio Tinto Group Dividend Yield (TTM)

Rio Tinto Group dividend-yield-ttm | Rio Tinto Group Quote

Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX): This data storage technology and solutions provider has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 2.5% over the last 60 days.

Seagate Technology Holdings plc Price and Consensus

Seagate Technology Holdings plc price-consensus-chart | Seagate Technology Holdings plc Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 3.16%, compared with the industry average of 0.00%. Its five-year average dividend yield is 5.77%.

Seagate Technology Holdings plc Dividend Yield (TTM)

Seagate Technology Holdings plc dividend-yield-ttm | Seagate Technology Holdings plc Quote

TowneBank (TOWN): This retail and commercial banking services provider has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 18.7% over the last 60 days.

TowneBank Price and Consensus

TowneBank price-consensus-chart | TowneBank Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 2.33%, compared with the industry average of 1.93%. Its five-year average dividend yield is 2.44%.

TowneBank Dividend Yield (TTM)

TowneBank dividend-yield-ttm | TowneBank Quote

Avient Corporation (AVNT): This specialized polymer materials, services, and solutions provider has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 18.3% over the last 60 days.

Avient Corporation Price and Consensus

Avient Corporation price-consensus-chart | Avient Corporation Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 1.73%, compared with the industry average of 1.46%. Its five-year average dividend yield is 2.07%.

Avient Corporation Dividend Yield (TTM)

Avient Corporation dividend-yield-ttm | Avient Corporation Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

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Towne Bank (TOWN) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Here are five stocks added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) List today:

Rio Tinto Group (RIO): This mining company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 16% over the last 60 days.

Rio Tinto PLC Price and Consensus

Rio Tinto PLC price-consensus-chart | Rio Tinto PLC Quote

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT): This distributor of industrial products in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 12.8% over the last 60 days.

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. Price and Consensus

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. Quote

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD): This provider of global logistics solutions has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 21.1% over the last 60 days.

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. Price and Consensus

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. Quote

USA Truck, Inc. (USAK): This company that operates as a truckload carrier in the United States, Mexico, and Canada has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 27.2% over the last 60 days.

USA Truck, Inc. Price and Consensus

USA Truck, Inc. price-consensus-chart | USA Truck, Inc. Quote

Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX): This provider of data storage technology and solutions has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 2.5% over the last 60 days.

Seagate Technology Holdings PLC Price and Consensus

Seagate Technology Holdings PLC price-consensus-chart | Seagate Technology Holdings PLC Quote

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here

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Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 4 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2022.

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Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

USA Truck, Inc. (USAK) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Seagate Technology Holdings PLC (STX) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research

TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2021 / The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS), today announced that it has submitted an early redemption notice to the trustee of its $450 million 3.75 percent senior notes. The notes, which mature on November 15, 2021, are expected to be called at par on August 15, 2021, and will result in an immaterial expense in the third quarter. The annual interest expense on these bonds was approximately $17 million.

"In 2019, Mosaic set a goal of decreasing total long-term debt by $1 billion, and this is the first step in reaching that milestone," said Joc O'Rourke, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Through disciplined cost management and favorable markets, we have generated significant free cash flow, which will continue to be allocated in a balanced approach across the three primary pillars of our capital allocation philosophy: strengthening the balance sheet, investing in the business, and returning capital to shareholders."

About The Mosaic Company
The Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single-source provider of phosphate and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry. More information on the company is available at www.mosaicco.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about proposed or pending future transactions or strategic plans and other statements about future financial and operating results. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of The Mosaic Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk at Mosaic's potash mines with regard to brine inflows; other accidents and disruptions involving Mosaic's operations, including potential mine fires, floods, explosions, seismic events, sinkholes or releases of hazardous or volatile chemicals; actual costs of various items differing from management's current estimates, including, among others, asset retirement, environmental remediation, reclamation or other environmental regulation, Canadian resources taxes and royalties; the economic impact and operating impacts of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic; the potential drop in oil demand/production and its impact on the availability and price of sulfur; the predictability and volatility of, and customer expectations about, agriculture, fertilizer, raw material, energy and transportation markets that are subject to competitive and other pressures and economic and credit market conditions; the level of inventories in the distribution channels for crop nutrients; the effect of future product innovations or development of new technologies on demand for our products; changes in foreign currency and exchange rates; international trade risks and other risks associated with Mosaic's international operations and those of joint ventures in which Mosaic participates; customer defaults; the effects of Mosaic's decisions to exit business operations or locations; changes in government policy; changes in environmental and other governmental regulation; the effectiveness of Mosaic's processes for managing its strategic priorities; adverse weather conditions affecting operations in Central Florida, the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Canada or Brazil; and risks associated with cyber security, including reputational loss; as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in The Mosaic Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The Mosaic Company Contacts:

Media:
Ben Pratt, 813-775-4206
benjamin.pratt@mosaicco.com

Investors:
Laura Gagnon, 813-775-4214
Paul Massoud, 813-244-0669
investor@mosaicco.com

SOURCE: The Mosaic Company

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/652858/Mosaic-Announces-Early-Redemption-of-Its-450-Million-Notes-Due-November-15-2021

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Search Minerals Inc. (“Search” or the “Company”) (TSXV: SMY), is pleased to announce that Search Minerals has been selected to participate in the Government of Canada Accelerated Growth Service (“AGS”) initiative, which supports high growth companies.

AGS, as a ‘one-stop shop’ model, provides Search with coordinated access to Government of Canada resources as Search continues to move quickly to production and contribute to the establishment of a stable and secure rare earth element North American and European supply chain.

Under AGS, Search has been partnered with a designated AGS client lead, supported by one representative from each participating government department. The Search AGS team is led by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), which has invested in several Search Minerals projects over the past few years.

Greg Andrews, President/CEO, comments; “We are extremely pleased to be accepted into the AGS program. The AGS program provides Search access to a team of experts in various government departments with a coordinated effort to advance our Critical Rare Earth Element project in Newfoundland and Labrador. The development of our resources along with advancement of our patented Direct Extraction technology, has positioned Search to be a secure supplier of rare earth elements from Newfoundland/Labrador. We are looking forward to working with our Innovation Advisors to identify funding opportunities for the next steps of our demonstration scale processing of material from our District.”

Andrews added: “There has been a coordinated effort among our ally countries for collaboration to establish a secure rare earth element supply chain, and Search is poised to capitalize on these government led initiatives.”

Recent US and Canadian Government Announcements

June 8, 2021 – Canada and the U.S. have been collaborating under the Canada–U.S. Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration, advancing mutual interest in securing supply chains for the critical minerals needed for important manufacturing sectors, including communication technology, aerospace and defence, and clean technology. A 100 day supply chain review report commissioned by President Biden stated: “The United States and other nations are dependent on a range of critical minerals and materials that are the building blocks of the products we use every day. Rare earths metals are essential to manufacturing everything from engines to airplanes to defense equipment. Demand for many of these metals is projected to surge over the next two decades, particularly as the world moves to eliminate net carbon emissions by 2050.” https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/100-day-supply-chain-review-report.pdf
June 15, 2021 – Canada and European Commission builds on this commitment: “…a new strategic partnership on raw materials to help ensure the security of supply chains for the critical minerals and metals that are essential to the transition to a cleaner and digitized economy, including for use in electric vehicles and advanced battery storage. The new partnership will also advance collaboration on research and innovation in raw material extraction and processing and create new trade opportunities and private and public investment for our businesses.” https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2021/06/15/prime-minister-concludes-productive-canada-european-union-summit

Search Minerals is making significant progress to close the gap in the rare earth supply chain from upstream producers to downstream customers.

For further information, please contact:

Greg Andrews
President and CEO
Tel: 604-998-3432
E-mail: info@searchminerals.ca

About Search Minerals Inc.

Led by a proven management team and board of directors, Search is focused on finding and developing resources within the emerging Critical Rare Earth Element (“CREE”) District of South East Labrador. The Company controls a belt 63 km long and 2 km wide including its 100% interest in the FOXTROT and DEEP FOX Projects, which are road accessible and at tidewater. Exploration efforts have advanced FOX MEADOW, AWESOME FOX and SILVER FOX as new CREE prospects very similar to and in close proximity to FOXTROT and DEEP FOX.

Search has continued to optimize our patented Direct Extraction Process technology with the generous support from the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and from ACOA. We have completed two pilot plant operations and produced highly purified mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate and mixed REO concentrate for separation and refining.

About Accelerated Growth Service

The Accelerated Growth Service initiative coordinates government support for high growth companies in areas such as financing, advisory support, export and innovation services.

Each participating company has a dedicated Accelerated Growth Service client lead supported by a team of representatives from each participating government department.

The Accelerated Growth Service team, in partnership with the company, identifies growth challenges and works collaboratively to resolve these challenges. The team can also connect the company to other departments and organizations with programs specific to their needs. Find out more here: The Accelerated Growth Service – Canada.ca

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Bottom Line

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Bottom Line

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