Explosive News: Power Metallic Mines Nears a Decisive Milestone — How Are BASF and BYD Performing?

Power Metallic Mines: Enormous Anticipation Ahead of Key Milestone

All eyes are on the Canadian company's next milestone. The company will soon publish its first combined resource estimate for the "Nisk" and "Lion" zones. This will provide investors with a much more robust basis for assessing the value of the deposits. Furthermore, based on these results, a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) is to be prepared and published. The resource estimate and PEA will set the course for a potential revaluation of the stock.

The high-grade polymetallic Nisk project in the Canadian province of Québec includes not only the well-known Nisk deposit but also the Lion and Tiger zones. Geologically, this distinction is important. Nisk is primarily known as a nickel-copper-cobalt system containing platinum-group metals. The more recent Lion discovery, on the other hand, is copper-dominant and also contains palladium, platinum, gold, silver, and some nickel.

Lion is impressing with its high-grade mineralization. Most recently, in July, 36.42 m assayed 2.83% copper equivalent, including 6 m grading 12.38%. Further results from the summer drilling program are expected in September and the fall, so things are shaping up to be exciting on this front as well.

Likewise, the metallurgy is first-rate. Preliminary tests conducted by the expert firm SGS on representative Lion samples yielded phenomenal recovery rates of 98.9% for copper, 93.9% for palladium, and 96.8% for platinum. The Nisk project also stands out positively due to its location, which features good infrastructure and proximity to Hydro-Québec's substation.

With the CAD 28.2 million capital increase completed this summer, the company has a comfortable cash reserve to take the next steps in its development. This transaction was also a major endorsement, as well-known commodity investors such as Eric Sprott participated in the round.

BASF: Annual Targets Raised; Focus on Share Buybacks and Spin-Off

BASF is one of the world's largest chemical companies and produces a broad range of basic chemicals, plastics, coatings, catalysts, and solutions for agriculture, nutrition, and personal care. Strategically, BASF is increasingly investing in lower-carbon production processes, battery materials, and the recycling of valuable raw materials.

In June 2025, the company commissioned a commercial plant for the production of so-called "black mass" in Brandenburg. Black mass contains, among other things, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. These raw materials can be chemically recovered and reused for cathode materials. In the future, the plant is expected to process up to 15,000 metric tons of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and production scrap annually.

Following a strong second quarter, the Group recently raised the bar for the current fiscal year and increased its EBITDA target to EUR 6.9 to 7.7 billion, up from the previous range of EUR 6.2 to 7.0 billion. In addition, the company launched a new share buyback program of up to EUR 1 billion, to run through April 2027. Furthermore, reducing debt by the end of the year is a top priority.

Preparations are also underway for the potential IPO of the agricultural chemicals division. BASF has significantly strengthened this agricultural chemicals business through acquisitions in recent years. In 2025, the division generated revenue of EUR 9.6 billion. The parent company would certainly benefit from an IPO.

BYD: Strong Growth in Overseas Business

In July, the group sold 419,211 vehicles worldwide, an increase of 21.8% compared to the previous year. Overseas business performed particularly well, with growth of a staggering 124.3%. Europe is becoming increasingly important for the Chinese company. The continent offers high selling prices, a growing market for electric vehicles, and the opportunity to reduce dependence on the highly competitive Chinese domestic market.

In the first half of 2026, the share of battery-electric vehicles in EU new registrations rose from 15.6% to 20.7%. As a result, the Chinese automaker posted growth of 168%, reaching 130,743 vehicles and keeping its competitors at bay. BYD's market share jumped from 0.9% to 2.2%. With its first European passenger-vehicle plant in Szeged, Hungary, where mass production is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 after delays, the Chinese automaker is further strengthening its competitive position. Analysts predict an average upside potential of 35% for the stock over the next 12 months.

Power Metallic is on the verge of a major milestone. The initial mineral resource estimate, expected soon, could provide a reliable quantification of the project's potential for the first time and trigger a revaluation of the stock. At BASF, the operating business is gaining momentum. The planned spin-off of its agricultural activities promises additional upside potential for the stock once the details take shape. BYD is impressing with strong export growth, while the intense price war in its home market of China remains a challenge.