While concerns about COVID variants remain, the prospect of thriving summer consumption has the Canadian market in good spirits.

The S&P/TSX Composite has risen over 70 per cent since March 2020, demonstrating the resiliency of the big banks and the country’s energy industry in the face of a worldwide shutdown.

Yields on short-term Canadian bonds have also risen around 0.2 per cent over the past few months, signaling that consumers are spending more freely and inflation is on its way.

Our readers have been equally enthused this week, pouring over a series of stories in the mining, finance and health care sectors. Let’s dive in.

NEO Battery Materials (TSXV:NBM) provides corporate updates

NEO Battery Materials has provided updates on its recent corporate activities and initiatives. These include the following:

  • After the successful integration of its silicon technology in commercial graphite anodes, NEO is now in the scale-up phase of developing its first prototype of the silicon anode material
  • The company will begin testing and modifying its silicon anode materials with sulphide-based solid-state electrolytes to enable compatibility and working performance with solid-state batteries
  • Over the past three months, the company has signed 11 NDAs which include solid-state electrolyte developers, battery cells, materials, metals developers and manufacturers and financial advisory firms

Shares of NBM are up by 32.79 per cent since the beginning of the week as of 11:00 am ET on Friday, July 2, 2021.

Fairfax (TSX:FFH) and MCC Holdings to acquire Mosaic Capital (TSXV:M)

Mosaic Capital Corporation has agreed to be acquired for C$5.50 per share in an all cash transaction.

The company entered into an arrangement with 2356340 Alberta Inc., a private company owned by an entity controlled by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (FFH) and MCC Holdings Ltd., to be acquired for a consolidated enterprise value of $277.3 million.

The purchase price represents a 61.7 per cent premium to the $3.40 closing price of Mosaic’s common shares on the TSXV on June 25, 2021.

Shares of M are up by 62.28 per cent since the beginning of the week as of 11:00 am ET on Friday, July 2, 2021.

Chesapeake (TSXV:CKG) releases higher than expected results from drill program

Chesapeake Gold has released results from five large diameter core drill holes at its flagship Metates Project in Durango, Mexico.

The drill program was meant to confirm the higher-grade nature of the Metates intrusive hosted mineralization.

According to CEO, Alan Pangbourne, “the assay results on average are over 18 per cent higher than the comparable block model gold equivalent grades in the current resource model. Two of the five holes are the best ever holes drilled at Metates and four are in the previous top 20 based on a grade – thickness product.

The new drill assays will be integrated into a new mineral resource estimate along with the metallurgical test results which we anticipate completing with the prefeasibility study supporting the proposed heap leaching processing option in 2022.”

Shares of CKG are up by 3.71 per cent since the beginning of the week as of 10:03 am ET on Friday, July 2, 2021.

Therma Bright (TSXV:THRM) secures U.S. distribution for its Venowave Lightweight Deep Vein Thrombosis device

Therma Bright has secured DME Authority for Venowave, a lightweight Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis device.

The multi-year agreement provides Therma Bright with a $10M annual minimum purchase commitment.

Venowave is designed for the emerging “Hospital to Home” use market in the front-line battle against blood clot prevention. It delivers a continuous peristaltic wave motion that directly engages the body’s venous system to more naturally and accurately increase blood flow, aiding in the prevention of blood clot formation.

Shares of THRM are down by 2.82 per cent since the beginning of the week as of 10:03 am ET on Friday, July 2, 2021.

Gratomic (TSXV:GRAT) to trade graphite on the TM2 Metals Exchange

Rounding off the week, Gratomic will soon begin trading graphite on the metals exchange platform Technology Metals Market (TM2).

TM2 is the world’s first technology metals marketplace in partnership with NASDAQ providing access to high-value metals in a secure and efficient venue with strict regulation and governance. 

Gratomic continues to develop its M97 graphite product and commission its Aukam processing plant as scheduled.

M97 is high-quality vein graphite that can be adapted and customized in Lithium-Ion battery applications based on specific OEM requirements.

The product will begin public trading once accepted by the exchange and sufficient quantities exist to provide reliable liquidity.

Shares of GRAT are up by 13.19 per cent since the beginning of the week as of 11:30 am ET on Friday, July 2, 2021.

Stay tuned for our Top 5 report every Friday for your weekly update on what’s trending on The Market Herald Canada.

More From The Market Online

@ the Bell: Stocks level-out ahead of Easter long weekend

A rebound in oil prices and growth in metal prices helped push Canada’s main stock index higher as investors await economic data.
Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investing concept

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs are live – what happens to Canada’s crypto ETFs?

Three since the first spot Bitcoin ETF was introduced in Canada, these funds are finding formidable competition from U.S. counterparts.

@ the Bell: Markets advance on mining and financial support

Canada's main stock index inched higher on Wednesday, tracking an uptick in precious metals prices, though a drop in oil prices capped gains.
The Market Online Video

Prospera Energy plots success with proven reserves, M&A plans

Prospera Energy (TSXV:PEI) CEO Samuel David discusses the company's latest news and the forecast for 2024 in an exclusive interview.