PRE-OPEN
Canadian markets are looking to a mildly higher open, helped by higher oil and gold prices, as investors weighed signals that a Middle East peace deal could be struck soon.
Canada
European buyers, including Germany's Uniper, are exploring the possibility of purchasing liquefied natural gas from Canada's Pacific coast and shipping it through the Panama Canal as part of a long-term strategy to diversify supply, an effort made more urgent in the wake of the Iran war, two sources familiar with the matter said.
Canadian wholesale trade grew by 2.0% in February from January on higher sales in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector, Statistics Canada said.
Canadian home sales edged lower in March from February and prices declined as global economic uncertainty and higher borrowing costs weighed on activity, data from the Canadian Real Estate Association showed on Thursday.
Amex Exploration Inc. (TSXV: AMX) (FSE: MX0) (OTCQX: AMXEF) provide an update on its recently announced maiden drill program on the Perron West Project in Ontario. Details of the program can be found in the Company's press release dated March 25, 2026. Amex is pleased to share that pad construction progressed well over the past weeks and that the first of two drill rigs has arrived on site, been mobilized to its first pad and begun drilling. A second drill rig is expected to arrive on site in the coming days, which is in addition to the on-going drill program on the original Perron Project in Québec.
As a reminder, Amex controls a vast land package in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, streching across Québec and Ontario containing an impressive 70km strike length of prospective geology. Upon inclusion of the properties outlined in the option agreement announced on March 13, 2026, the Company now holds an immense, contiguous combined property spanning 570.94km2.
Among the many targets to be tested, the first drill will commence in Target Area A, where Amex will test for a potential repetition of a rhyolitic block to the west of the Patten Pluton. The rhyolitic Beaupré Block in Québec is currently host to the vast majority of Amex's mineralization and therefore any repeats of this geological environment represent prime regional exploration targets for the Company.
Barton Gold Holdings Limited (ASX: BGD)(OTCQB:BGDFF)(FRA:BGD3) confirm the completion of pit optimisation drilling at its South Australian Challenger Gold Project ( Challenger ), adjacent to its wholly-owned Central Gawler Mill (CGM). Foraco Drilling was engaged to complete the program.
A total 1,322m diamond drilling ( DD ) was completed across 23 holes to generate additional geotechnical data and sample materials for metallurgical testwork. These analyses will support the optimisation of Challenger open pit designs and operations. Together with 8,065m of recently completed RC drilling, Barton is targeting conversion of existing open pit mineralisation (and new near-surface targets), to JORC (2012) 'Indicated' Resources and, subject to the completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), to 'Ore Reserves'.
The design concept of the DFS is to target an initial 3 - 4 year Stage 1 'baseline' operation utilising only historical higher-grade tailings from tailings storage facility 1 ( TSF1 ) and limited, near-surface materials without disturbing Challenger's historical high-grade underground mine, its mineralisation or its infrastructure access.
Commenting on Challenger's development drilling programs, Barton MD Alexander Scanlon said :
"We are pleased to have completed this program in support of Challenger's ongoing DFS, and we thank Foraco Drilling for their safe execution despite the challenges of recent extreme rains across outback South Australia.
"Challenger's significant open pit and near-surface gold mineralisation, immediately adjacent to our existing Central Gawler Mill, provides an ideal foundation for an initial 'baseline' operation that underwrites a lower-risk restart while maximising development optionality across the Challenger underground mine, Tarcoola, Tolmer and Wudinna. "Foraco will now move on to development drilling programs at our neighbouring large-scale Tunkillia Gold Project.”
Eastport Critical Metals Corp. (TSXV: EVI) (OTCQB: EVIIF) announce the launch of the Phase II Geochemistry and Geophysical Exploration Program (the "Program") at the Selebi-East Project ("Selebi-East" or the "Project") prospective for nickel, copper and platinum group elements ("PGE"), in northeast Botswana. The Program builds on existing soil anomalies and untested conductors in the same geological domain as the nearby Selebi Mine operated by NexMetals Mining Corp.
"We are maintaining aggressive momentum across our critical metal's portfolio during this high-intensity phase for Eastport. Despite market volatility, we remain engaged and motivated by the progress at our projects and the clear signs that we are still in the early innings of a powerful resurgence in discovery-driven mineral assets.
Rising inflationary pressures, looming supply constraints, and the growing imperative for secure supply chains are compelling global capital to seek out stable jurisdictions and high-quality exploration opportunities like those we hold in Botswana, recently voted number 2 in the Fraser Institute Policy and Perception Index.
At Selebi-East, our focused campaign, combining targeted soil geochemistry with deep-penetrating ground EM and gravity, perfectly illustrates our strategy: leverage proven geology in the same belt as the neighbouring Selebi Mines, utilise existing infrastructure, and maintain a clear timeline to generate drill-ready targets. We are excited to unlock the next chapter of nickel-copper-PGE potential right next door to an active nickel-copper camp.”
Emergent Metals Corp. (TSXV: EMR, OTC: EGMCF, FRA: EML, MUN: ELM) announce that Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV: LG) ("Lahontan") has reported analysis of pulp samples from its 2025 maiden drilling program (the "Program") at Emergent's West Santa Fe Property ("West Santa Fe" or the "Property"). Lahontan has the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Property by completing US$1.8 million in cash or share payments and US$1.4 million in work expenditures on the Property (total US$3.2 million) over seven years.
West Santa Fe hosts a gold and silver exploration target located about 13 km from Lahontan's flagship Santa Fe Mine. It represents a potential satellite deposit to the Santa Fe Mine, or potentially a stand-alone project, subject to exploration success. The exploration database includes 171 drill holes totaling about 13,000 meters, with historic drilling and metallurgical test work completed in the 1980s and 1990s. Lahontan completed six modern exploration reverse circulation ("RC") holes in late 2025, totaling 593 meters.
As announced in a Lahontan press release on April 13, 2026, Lahontan's metallurgical test work showed high levels of cyanide ("CN") extraction for gold and silver, which corroborates and validates historic metallurgical test work at West Santa Fe (see Lahontan'spress releasefor details).
FireFox Gold Corp. (TSXV: FFOX)(OTCQB:FFOXF) report the results from the remaining three holes of the 2025 reconnaissance drill program at the Company's 100%-held Sarvi gold project ("Sarvi") in Lapland, Finland. The target concept for this small reconnaissance drill program was to examine interpreted regional scale structures cutting through discrete magnetic highs and magnetic gradients (transitions from highly magnetic to less magnetic rocks) in the Keulakko permit on the western side of the project area. As previously reported, reconnaissance drilling by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) nearby encountered narrow intervals of moderate gold grade (See Company news release dated November 18, 2025).
Drill hole 25SA002 was drilled as part of a northeast-southwest oriented fence testing a structural-magnetic corridor located 250 to 500m east of the GTK holes. The hole was drilled in the opposite direction to the previously reported hole 25SA003 which returned a high-grade gold interval of 1.75 metres averaging 27.48 g/t, including 0.8 metres at 53.50 g/t gold (see Company news release dated January 21, 2026.) Drill hole 25SA002 encountered a narrow gold mineralized interval yielding 1.0 metre at 2.68 g/t Au from 51.5 metres downhole depth. The Company plans to follow up this scouting drill program with additional surface sampling, detailed geophysical surveying and drilling later this year.
Carl Löfberg, FireFox's CEO, commented "Now that we have our first look below surface, we are starting to better understand the critical structures and host lithologies for gold in this area. We look forward to executing the next programs which will continue to delineate the targets and help us unlock the gold potential at Sarvi.” View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) a Canadian developer of high-grade flake graphite deposits and advanced graphite materials for battery, defence, and industrial applications, is pleased to announce the appointment of General (Retired) Wayne Eyre, former Chief of the Defence Staff ("CDS") of the Canadian Armed Forces ("CAF"), to its Advisory Board.
This appointment comes at a time when global security priorities are increasingly shaped by access to secure, reliable supply chains for critical minerals essential to defence systems, energy storage, and advanced technologies. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292837
Foremost Clean Energy Ltd. (NASDAQ: FMST) (CSE: FAT) provide an update from its ongoing 2026 drill program at the Hatchet Lake South Uranium Project (“Hatchet Lake”), located in the eastern Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. Drilling has intersected unconformity-related uranium mineralization in five drillholes, highlighted by 0.34% eU₃O₈ over 4.6 metres, including a high-grade interval of 1.0% eU₃O₈ over 1.4 metres. Three drill fences stepping out from discovery hole TF-25-16 (6.2 metres of 0.10% U₃O₈; see news release dated October 29, 2025) have expanded the mineralized footprint of the system to over 150 metres of strike length (Figure 2) now designated the “Tuning Fork Uranium Zone”. The zone is defined by continuous uranium mineralization and hydrothermal alteration along brittle reactivated structures at the Athabasca unconformity.
Jason Barnard, Foremost’s President and CEO, commented: “These preliminary results from our 2026 drill program at Hatchet Lake continue to build on the 2025 Tuning Fork discovery and on the strong geological foundation established by previous drilling completed by our largest shareholder and strategic ally, Denison Mines Corp. (“Denison” (TSX: DML) (NYSE American: DNN)). Step-out drilling from drill hole TF-25-16 has now intersected uranium mineralization across three drill fences, expanding the mineralized footprint to over 150 metres of strike length, demonstrating the growing scale of the system.”
“The consistent presence of uranium mineralization and hydrothermal alteration at the unconformity across all drill fences is also highly encouraging. We are well positioned to keep expanding this area through continued drilling.We look forward to further advancing this exciting Tuning Fork Uranium Zone as we work to define its full scale and significance within the Hatchet Lake Project.”
Fuerte Metals Corporation (TSXV: FMT) (OTCQB: FUEMF)announces that it has filed its annual financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025. The Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements, Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") and Annual Information Form ("AIF") are available on the Company's website at www.fuertemetals.com and have been filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF) (FSE: 4QS) announce it has engaged Dias Airborne Limited (“Dias”) to complete a 1,741 line-kilometre high-resolution airborne magnetic survey across its 100%-owned Magno Project in the Cassiar District of northern British Columbia.
The survey is expected to commence in June 2026, with an anticipated 14-day duration, and will be flown at 100 metre line spacing over the Company’s priority target corridors, highlighting the Magno Zone, Kuhn Zone, and D Zone. This marks the first modern geophysical survey completed over the consolidated Magno land package.
CEO Commentary:
“This survey represents a major step forward in systematically unlocking the district-scale potential of Magno,” stated Rob Birmingham, CEO of GoldHaven. “By integrating modern high-resolution geophysics with our growing geological database and 2025 surface discoveries, we believe we are significantly improving our ability to define high-confidence drill targets across multiple mineralized systems at Magno.”
Goldstorm Metals Corp. (TSXV: GSTM) (FSE:B2U) announce that, due to strong investor demand, it has increased the size of its non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"), previously announced on April 9, 2026, from $4,000,000 to up to $7,000,000, consisting of the sale of any combination of (i) units (the "HDUnits") at a price of $0.20 per HD Unit; (ii) flow through units (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.24 per FT Unit; and (iii) charity flow through units (the "Charity FT Units") at a price of $0.31 per Charity FT Unit.
Each HD Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.30 per Common Share for a period of 36 months following the closing of the Offering. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292773
Group Eleven Resources Corp. (TSXV: ZNG) (OTCQB: GRLVF) (FSE: 3GE) announce new assay results from its Ballywire discovery ("Ballywire") at the 100%-owned PG West Project ("PG West"), Republic of Ireland.
"Today's results represent another major step forward in our understanding of the Deeper Cu-Ag target at Ballywire," stated Bart Jaworski, CEO. "With significant Cu-Ag bearing fault structures now pierced by five holes along two drill fences located 350m apart, we have increasing conviction that Deeper Cu-Ag mineralization may extend across the entire discovery to date. Extending the mineralized strike length of the discovery by 600m to 3.2km bodes well for our ongoing drilling along our 6km prospective trend. Today's impressive Waulsortian-hosted mineralization is also very encouraging. With a robust treasury and our most ambitious drill campaign to date – recently bolstered by our $12m financing allowing go-forward funded drilling to increase from 20,000m to approx. 67,000-75,000m, we are poised to continue unlocking this discovery's full potential.” To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292809
Honey Badger Silver Inc. (TSXV: TUF) (OTCQB: HBEIF) (FSE: 1QA) (Tradegate: 1QA) announce that it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement offering of subscription receipts of the Company (the "Subscription Receipts") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$11.5 million (the "Offering"), including the full exercise of the agents' option.
The Offering was completed pursuant to an agency agreement with SCP Resource Finance LP, as lead agent and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Stifel Canada, Research Capital Corporation, and ATB Capital Markets Corp. (collectively, the "Agents"). A total of 71,875,000 Subscription Receipts were issued at a price of C$0.16 per Subscription Receipt.
Each Subscription Receipt will convert into one unit of the Company (a "Unit") upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions (as defined herein). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") for a period of three years following the closing of the Acquisition (as defined herein), at an exercise price of C$0.24 per Warrant Share.
CEO Commentary
Chad Williams, Executive Chairman of Honey Badger, commented:
"We are very pleased to have successfully closed this financing, which reflects strong investor confidence in Honey Badger's strategy and the transformative nature of the Prairie Creek acquisition. With this capital in place, we are well-positioned to complete the acquisition and advance what we believe is one of the most compelling high-grade silver development opportunities globally. We are also extremely happy with the quality and breadth of investors in this offering. Many insiders and Company advisors purchased well over 10% of the total amount placed, thereby demonstrating conviction in Honey Badger's future. Long-standing supporters and globally important investors also figured prominently in the investor roster.”
ICG Silver & Gold Ltd. (CSE: ICG) (FSE: JI0) announce a significant expansion of the Tuscarora District ("Tuscarora", the "District", or the "Project") located in Elko County, Nevada, through the payment and staking of 104 additional unpatented mining claims on the western flank of the property. The acquired claims cover approximately 2,000 acres of highly prospective ground and represent a strategic step toward consolidating the broader Tuscarora District. Given the growth in exploration and development activity in northern Nevada, as evidenced by First Majestic Silver Corp.'s planned restart of the Jerritt Canyon mine, which sits only 16 kilometers away from the Tuscarora District, ICG has made it a top priority to consolidate key claims.
"The newly acquired claims reinforce the district-scale nature of the Tuscarora District, and highlight the prospectivity of the Beard Hill and Dacite targets," said Steven Sirbovan, President, CEO & Director of ICG Silver & Gold Ltd. "The addition of Carlin-style host rock on the western flank is a great complement to the layer cake of epithermal systems we are seeing on the central and eastern portions of our Project.”
Metalsource Mining Inc. (CSE: MSM) (OTCQB: MSMMF) (FSE: E9Z) announce recently received assay results from ongoing exploration drilling at the Silver Hill Project, located approximately 15km south of Lexington, NC.
Drill hole SH26-08 intersected 447 g/t silver equivalent (AgEq) over 13 metres, highlighting the scale and strength of mineralization. Within this broad interval, the company identified multiple zones of exceptional grade.
The results from SH26-08, combined with previously reported high-grade gold intercepts from SH26-07, indicate the emergence of a robust and expanding high-grade polymetallic system at Silver Hill. The system is characterized by both high precious metal grades and significant base metal mineralization.
While SH26-07 confirmed the presence of bonanza-grade gold, SH26-08 demonstrates that intervals of high-grade lead-zinc-silver mineralization extend down dip and remain open.
Importantly, drilling continues to show that mineralization extends approximately 260 metres from surface and remains open at depth, underscoring the significant expansion potential of the system.
The consistent presence of sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite provides a clear mineralogical signature, enabling the exploration team to efficiently identify and target high-grade zones in real time, accelerating discovery and reducing uncertainty. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292826
RZOLV Technologies Inc. (TSXV: RZL) (OTCQB: RZOLF) (FSE: S711) report the results of recent metallurgical test work in which the Company achieved approximately 97.0% gold recovery on a complex copper-gold ore using the RZOLV formula, without pretreatment.
The tested material graded approximately 9.6 g/t gold and 2.12% copper and is hosted within an alkaline gold-copper porphyry system. The gold mineralization is interpreted to be low-sulphidation epithermal mineralization.
The Company believes these results are significant because copper-bearing gold ores are widely recognized as challenging for conventional cyanide processing. SGS technical publications note that copper minerals can materially increase cyanide consumption and complicate solution management, and that where cyanide-soluble copper becomes significant, operators may consider adding a SART circuit to precipitate copper sulphide and recover cyanide for recycle. By achieving approximately 97.0% gold recovery on this copper-bearing ore without pretreatment, RZOLV believes the test work supports the potential for a simpler and potentially lower-cost processing route relative to a conventional cyanide alternative on similar mineralization. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292813
Scorpio Gold Corp.(TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9) announce results from five step-out holes of the Phase Two drill program at the Manhattan District Project ("Manhattan"), Nevada, USA: 26MN-059 through 26MN-063. The results are discussed below. Scorpio Gold has drilled 72 drill holes to date from its Phase Two diamond drilling program, 25MN-011 through 25MN-045, 26MN-046 through 26MN-077, 26MN-079, and 26MN-081, for a grand total of 20,518 m. With the results herein, Scorpio Gold has reported assays on 48 of these (25MN-011 through 25MN-045 and 26MN-046 through 26MN-063), totalling 17,393 m, and assays are pending from 16 holes (26MN-064 through 26MN-077, 26MN-079, and 26MN-081), totalling 3,125 m. The pending results will be reported as they become available.
"The Zanzibar Trend has quickly emerged as a priority-one target for the Company, representing a newly defined zone that splays off the main Reliance structure. Surface mineralization first demonstrated in hole 25MN-044, which returned 3.14 g/t gold over 49.62 metres, has now been successfully followed up with a step-out to the southeast along a 700-metre largely untested strike corridor extending from Goldwedge to Mustang Hill. Drill hole 26MN-063 further demonstrates continuity along the trend, particularly along the eastern limb of the Manhattan Anticline. As a splay off the principal structural corridor and with limited historical testing, we believe this trend has significant potential to be additive to the existing resource base, supported by the presence of promising grades encountered to date. We continue to allocate focused drilling to this area, with one of our three active rigs currently dedicated to advancing the Zanzibar Trend," stated Harrison Pokrandt, VP Exploration of Scorpio Gold. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292741
Tiger Gold Corp. (TSXV: TIGR) (FSE: D150) (OTCQB: TGRGF) report assay results from six drillholes from its ongoing diamond drilling campaign at the Tesorito deposit at its Quinchía Gold Project in Colombia's prolific Mid-Cauca gold belt. Drilling at Tesorito forms part of Tiger's broader 20,000-metre drill program, which is ongoing with three diamond drill rigs active across the project.
Robert Vallis, President & CEO, commented, "TSDH-78 is another strong result from one of the strongest sections drilled at Tesorito to date and further supports the continuity of higher-grade mineralization in this part of the deposit. Together with the other holes drilled, we continue to improve our understanding of the Tesorito system and help define the extent of mineralization in this area. TSDH-78 also provides important geological information in relation to the potential feeder-style mineralization identified in TSDH-71, and we now look forward to receiving assays from TSDH-80, which was drilled to test the expected continuation of that zone below TSDH-71.” To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292823
World Markets
Euro STOXX 50 futures were up 14 points at 5,901, FTSE futures lost 10.5 points to 10,575, German DAX futures gained 31 points to 24,289, by 0430 GMT.
European equities also advanced as growing optimism over a potential resolution to the Middle East conflict lifted market sentiment, while investors assessed a stream of corporate earnings reports across the region.
Stocks pushed higher in Asian trading as optimism grew about a deal to end the Iran war with the U.S. ratcheting up pressure on Tehran, while traders digested a buffet of economic data and critical earnings reports.
Oil prices edged higher, as supply concerns outweighed hopes that peace talks between the U.S. and Iran will reach a deal to end the war that has bottled up oil output from the key Middle East producing region.
The S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rallied to record closing highs on Wednesday as investors were encouraged by corporate earnings and hopeful of progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations.
The U.S. dollar held near its lowest level since early March against major currencies, as the White House's optimism over a peace deal with Iran buoyed sentiment and encouraged traders to shed safe-haven positions.
U.S. Treasuries retreated on Wednesday, reversing some of their recent gains but holding within narrow ranges, as investors remained anxious about developments in the Middle East, even as Trump said the conflict could end soon.
Gold prices rose, supported by a weaker dollar, while investors weighed growing optimism over a potential U.S.-Iran deal to end the war that has pushed up energy prices and fuelled fears of higher inflation.
S&P 500 Index Mini Futures: 7,070.25; up 0.14%; 9.75 points DJIA Mini Futures: 48,712.00; up 0.09%; 43 points Nikkei: 59,338.67; up 2.07%; 1204.43 points MSCI Asia, Ex-JP: 818.62; up 1.09%; 8.81 points EUR/USD: $1.1809; up 0.08%; 0.0010 point GBP/USD: $1.3577; up 0.11%; 0.0015 point USD/JPY: 158.72 yen; down 0.17%; 0.27 point Spot Gold: $4,830.19; up 0.84%; $40.25 U.S. Crude: $91.72; up 0.47%; $0.43 Brent Crude: $95.04; up 0.12%; $0.11 10-Yr U.S. Treasury Yield: 4.2716%; down -0.007 point 10-Yr Bund Yield: 3.0390%; down 0.006 point
US
Futures are modestly higher, buoyed by signs of de‑escalation in the Middle East along with a wave of solid earnings which allayed concerns about the economy. Investors will also be watching earnings from streaming giant Netflix later in the day, along with key U.S. economic data, including the Labor Department’s weekly jobless claims report and the Federal Reserve’s industrial production figures.
Trump yet again on Wednesday threatened to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell from his separate seat on the U.S. central bank's Board of Governors if Powell does not vacate that post as well when his term as Fed chief ends on May 15, intensifying a complicated standoff that has upended the Fed's usually smooth transition of power.
Alphabet Inc: The European Commission has sent preliminary findings to Google on proposed measures to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, which would allow third-party search engines to access Google search data, including that of artificial intelligence chatbots with search functionalities, the commission said. Interested parties have until May 1 to submit their views on the proposed measures, with a final decision to be made in July.
Bank of New York Mellon Corp: BNY reported a rise in first-quarter profit, helped by strong fee income and higher values of client assets. BNY saw assets under custody and administration climb 12% year-on-year to $59.4 trillion as of March 31, while assets under management stood at $2.1 trillion. Fee revenue jumped 11% in the quarter to $3.77 billion. BNY's net interest income surged 18% to $1.37 billion, boosted by higher yields on the reinvestment of matured assets. The company posted net income of $1.63 billion, or $2.24 per share, compared with $1.22 billion, or $1.58 per share, a year earlier. Revenue rose to a record $5.4 billion, up 13% from a year ago.
Duke Energy Corp: The company has sought approval from North Carolina regulators to raise its prices and recover more than $800 million from customers for higher fuel and power purchase costs incurred during an extreme winter cold snap. It was seeking to recover winter fuel and power costs totaling about $500 million at Duke Energy Carolinas and $309 million at Duke Energy Progress, it said on Wednesday, which would on approval raise monthly bills by about $6.90 and $7.88, respectively, starting June 1. Duke Energy has proposed spreading the recovery over 19 months, instead of the typical 12-month period, to limit the immediate impact on customers.
Madison Air Solutions Corp: The company said on Wednesday it had raised $2.23 billion in the biggest U.S. initial public offering so far this year. The Chicago, Illinois-based heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) firm sold 82.7 million shares in the IPO at $27 each, compared with the marketed range of $25 to $27. The IPO valued it at $13.2 billion. Madison Air estimates its products address a roughly $40 billion North American market, where it holds about an 8% share, according to its filing, with data centres among the faster growing verticals. Madison Air will begin trading on the NYSE on Thursday under the symbol "MAIR".
Meta Platforms Inc, Snap Inc & Alphabet Inc: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told social media companies to take responsibility for children's safety on their platforms and meet parents' demands for credible protection rather than "tweaks around the edges". He said he wanted to hear what actions the platforms were going to take because "right now, social media is putting our children at risk" at the start of a meeting with executives from Meta, Snap, Google, TikTok and X. "Companies have to grip this and work with us to do better by British children and to demonstrate credibly and quickly how these products can be made appropriate for children," Starmer said.
Roblox Corp: The company has reached a settlement with Nevada over claims it failed to protect young users, agreeing to pay $10 million to the state and make nationwide changes to how it allows children to use its chat and gaming functions, the state’s attorney general said on Wednesday. It will implement age verification for all users, based on age-estimation technology and government-issued identification, and will monitor account behavior to ensure that users have not lied about their ages, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said. Roblox will also expand parental controls, restrict who users under 16 may chat with and end all encryption on chats for minors, Ford said.
ECONOMIC DATA 0830 Initial jobless claims: Expected 215,000; Prior 219,000 0830 Jobless claim 4-week average: Prior 209,500 0830 Continued jobless claims: Expected 1.810 mln; Prior 1.794 mln 0915 Industrial production MM for March: Expected 0.1%; Prior 0.2% 0915 Capacity utilization SA for March: Expected 76.3%; Prior 76.3% 0915 Manufacturing output MM for March: Expected 0.1%; Prior 0.2% 0915 Industrial production YY for March: Prior 1.44%
Europe / Asia
Optimism grew that the war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of Trumptalking up hopes for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
China's economy picked up speed early in 2026 powered by a burst of exports that masked weak domestic demand, but Beijing warned of a "complex and volatile" environment as the Iran war jacks up energy prices and hits global demand.
UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher warned on Wednesday that proposed Swiss capital requirements threatened its business model and would do little to improve financial stability, while raising questions over the bank's future in Switzerland.
Investors in Monte dei Paschi di Siena on Wednesday handed back the reins of the world's oldest bank to ousted boss Luigi Lovaglio, settling a boardroom clash that followed last year's takeover of rival Mediobanca.
U.S. spirits group Sazerac has offered to buy Brown-Forman for about $15 billion, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, complicating Pernod Ricard's attempt to merge with the Jack Daniel's maker.
ECONOMIC DATA (GMT) 0600 United Kingdom GDP Estimate 3M/3M for Feb: Expected 0.2%; Prior 0.2% 0600 United Kingdom GDP Estimate MM for Feb: Expected 0.1%; Prior 0.0% 0600 United Kingdom GDP Estimate YY for Feb: Expected 0.6%; Prior 0.8% 0600 United Kingdom Services MM for Feb: Expected 0.2%; Prior 0.0% 0600 United Kingdom Services YY for Feb: Expected 0.9%; Prior 0.9% 0600 United Kingdom Industrial Output MM for Feb: Expected 0.2%; Prior -0.1% 0600 United Kingdom Industrial Output YY for Feb: Expected -0.9%; Prior 0.4% 0600 United Kingdom Manufacturing Output MM for Feb: Expected 0.3%; Prior 0.1% 0600 United Kingdom Manufacturing Output YY for Feb: Expected -0.3%; Prior 1.3% 0600 United Kingdom Goods Trade Balance for Feb: Expected -20.200 bln; Prior -14.449 bln GBP 0900 Euro Zone HICP Final MM for March: Expected 1.2%; Prior 0.6% 0900 Euro Zone HICP Final YY for March: Expected 2.5%; Prior 2.5% 0900 Euro Zone HICP-X F, E, A, T Final MM for March: Expected 0.8%; Prior 0.8% 0900 Euro Zone HICP-X F, E, A, T Final YY for March: Expected 2.3%; Prior 2.3%
