• The Canadian economy continues its bull run from a strong start to the year
  • Overall growth in the first quarter of the year totalled 7 per cent according to the Bank of Canada which was accelerated due to a possible increase in interest rates
  • Additionally, the Canadian dollar rose to a near three-year high to US$.81/C$1.00
  • Canadian companies in the space also had a strong week with noteworthy news that caught the attention of our TMH audience
  • News from Therma Bright (TSXV:THRM), ScreenPro (CSE:SCRN), PyroGenesis (TSX:PYR), Naturally Splendid (TSXV:NSP) and Fortuna Silver (TSX:FVI) were our top stories of the week

The last week of April proved to be a busy time in the Canadian markets.

The Canadian economy has been on a bull run since the beginning of the year.

Overall, the economy grew by 7 per cent, according to the Bank of Canada, which was also accelerated due to a possible increase in interest rates.

The Canadian dollar also had a strong week as it soared to a near three-year high of US$.81/C$1.00.

On the heels of the strong week, a number of Canadian companies in the space also caught the attention of our TMH audience, including:

  • Therma Bright (THRM);
  • ScreenPro (SCRN);
  • PyroGenesis (PYR);
  • Naturally Splendid (NSP); and
  • Fortuna Silver (FVI)

Here’s a closer look at the news that drew our investor audience in.

Therma Bright partners with Afero to enhance AcuVid(TM) COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Saliva Test

On Wednesday (April 30), Therma Bright announced a partnership with Afero, which will bring Afero’s technology to Therma Bright’s COVID-19 rapid antigen screening test.

Following the completion of the agreement, it will enable Afero’s AcuVid COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Saliva Tests to be enhanced with encryption technology for tracking and reporting of AcuVid test results.

“Our AcuVid COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test, powered by Afero, will provide users our “Brighter Experience” – a complete end-to-end solution to ensure product tracking, quality control and test validation data are all cryptographically captured and secured to protect individual privacy for every test taken,” Rob Fia, CEO of Therma Bright, said in a release.

Over the five-day trading period, shares of Therma Bright dipped 1.1 per cent to C$0.45 as of 2:11 p.m. EDT on Friday (April 30).

ScreenPro partners with Datametrex (TSXV:DM) to process tests for major streaming company in Vancouver

Also in healthcare, ScreenPro announced a partnership with Datametrex (DM) on Monday (April 26) in which the companies have been selected to process COVID-19 tests for the world’s largest film and television streaming company, located in Vancouver.

According to the announcement, ScreenPro’s lab in Vancouver is already processing tests for one of the streaming company’s productions. Additionally, management is in ongoing discussion for future projects.

Shares of ScreenPro remain unchanged at $0.09 over the trading week while shares of Datametrex were up 5.36 per cent to $0.30 as of 2:31 p.m. EDT on Friday.

PyroGenesis (TSX:PYR) CEO discusses $4.8 million acquisition of AirScience Technologies

On Tuesday (April 27), PyroGenesis announced it had signed a binding letter of intent to acquire AirScience Technologies Inc. for $4.8 million.

Based in Montreal, AirScience Technologies is company that designs and builds biogas upgrading systems and equipment for biodigesters and landfill gas applications.

“PyroGenesis believes that AST’s experience in biogas upgrading, combined with PyroGenesis’ engineering and multidisciplinary skills, as well as its proven record of meeting the exacting demands of multibillion dollar companies and the US military, positions the combination well to address the opportunities arising from this growing need to clean biogas,” PyroGenesis CEO and chair P. Peter Pascali said in a release.

Shares of PyroGenesis dipped 1.11 per cent over the five-day trading period to $6.23 as of 2:46 p.m. EDT on Friday.

Naturally Splendid receives container of Natera Plant-Based Foods from Australia

Naturally Splendid announced on Monday that a third shipping container of Natera Plant-Based Foods from Australia had arrived.

To keep up with demand, the company said additional purchase orders are being placed with our Australian manufacturer, which are expected to arrive in Vancouver.

“Our Natera offerings are about consumer inclusion, not exclusion. We believe that consumers should be applauded for taking steps to include more plant-based meals into their diet as they transition from their meat diets and our products are created to support those choices with a wide variety of tasty alternatives to meat. Every journey begins with a single step and we are proud to be able to provide products that help consumers take those steps to include more plant-based choices in their diets,” J. Craig Goodwin, CEO of Naturally Splendid, said in a statement.

Shares of Naturally Splendid were up 18.18 per cent over the weekly trading period to $0.065 as of 2:42 p.m. EDT on Friday.

Fortuna Silver to acquire Roxgold (TSX:ROXG)

Closing out our top stories of the week is Fortuna Gold announcing on Monday that it will acquire Roxgold (ROXG).

Under the terms of the agreement, Fortuna Silver will acquire  all of Roxgold’s issued and outstanding shares.

Upon completion of the transaction, existing Fortuna and Roxgold shareholders will own approximately 64.3 per cent and 35.7 per cent of the pro forma company, respectively.

The acquisition is expected to close in late June or early July 2021.

Over the five-day trading period, shares of Fortuna Silver were down 13.55 per cent to $7.34. Meawhile, Roxgold’s shares were down 12.77 per cent to $2.0.2 as of 2:56 p.m. EDT on Friday.

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