Our roundup of Canadian small-caps of between $100-million and $2.5-billion in market capitalization making news and on the move today.
Cronos Group Inc. (CRON-Q; CRON-T) said it has entered into a joint-venture agreement with an affiliate of Agroidea SAS, Colombia’s leading agricultural services provider. “This partnership establishes a newly formed entity, NatuEra S.à r.l., in Colombia that will develop, cultivate, manufacture and export cannabis-based medicinal and consumer products for the Latin American and global markets,” the company stated.
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VersaBank (VB-T) reported net income of $4.7-million for the third quarter ended July 31, up from $2.7-million a year ago, “primarily due to higher interest income earned on lending assets as well as lower non-interest expenses partially offset by higher interest expense.”
Core cash earnings rose 48 per cent to $6.4-million from $4.4-million, the company stated.
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Invictus MD Strategies Corp. (GENE-X) said its subsidiary Acreage Pharms Ltd. has signed a purchase order with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis to supply the province with a selection of cannabis products for the upcoming adult recreational market. The agreement includes an initial one-year term, with two one-year renewal options, the company stated.
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Cascades Inc. (CAS-T) said it plans to close two sheet plants in Barrie and Peterborough, Ont. as part of “ongoing efforts to reorganize and optimize its corrugated packaging platform” in the province.
"This decision will enable us to better align our existing production capacity and to improve service for our valued customers," said CEO Charles Malo.
The two plants will be closed no later than Dec. 31, affecting approximately 65 employees.
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Taseko Mines Limited (TKO-N; TKO-T) says a recent Supreme Court of British Columbia decision allows the company to proceed with investigative work at the New Prosperity site. “This decision reaffirms provincial government authority over mine development in the province and will be beneficial to the future of the New Prosperity gold-copper project and also helpful to the mining industry, in general, in British Columbia,” the company stated in a release after markets closed on Tuesday.
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Corsa Coal Corp. (CSO-X) reported a loss from continuing operations of $4.9-million or 5 cents per share for the second quarter compared to income from continuing operations of $5.7-million or 4 cents per share for the second quarter 2017. Total revenue from continuing operations was $57.3-million, an improvement of 6 per cent as compared to the second quarter of 2017, the company said.
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Ballard Power Systems (BLDP-Q; BLDP-T) said Weichai Power Co. Ltd. has made $163-million investment in Ballard, representing a 19.9-per-cent interest in the company. The price is at a 15-per-cent premium to its 30-day average trading price. The two companies have also established a joint venture to support China’s burgeoning fuel cell electric vehicle market.
The collaboration also includes a $90-million technology transfer program to the JV related to Ballard's next-generation LCS fuel cell stack and power modules for bus, commercial truck and forklift applications in China and a commitment by Weichai to build and supply at least 2,000 fuel cell modules for commercial vehicles in China, as announced by Weichai today.
In addition, Zhongshan Broad-Ocean Motor Co. Ltd., a current Ballard investor and Chinese partner, has agreed to invest another $20-million at the same 15-per-cent premium to maintain its 9.9-per-cent ownership position in Ballard.
As a result, the Weichai and Broad-Ocean equity investments in Ballard will total approximately $183-million.
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PetroShale Inc. (PSH-X) reported revenue of $36.2-million in the second quarter, an increase of 242 per cent over the second quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) increased to $20.3-million, 347-per-cent higher than the second quarter of 2017.
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Endeavour Silver Corp. (EXK-N; EDR-T) announced a company-wide initiative to reduce capital, operating and other costs in Canada and Mexico.
" As a result of the drop in precious metals prices this quarter, management felt it prudent to seek cost savings at head office and temporarily adjust its exploration, development and mining activities to reduce operating, capital and other costs until such time as gold and silver prices rebound," the company stated.
CEO Bradford Cooke stated, "This austerity program is our proactive response to the current low metal prices. Once metal prices recover, Endeavour Silver will be in a position to deliver more robust returns thanks to improved operational performance and a strong growth profile.”
The company said the reduced expenditures and revised exploration, development and mining plans are expected to boost production and reduce operating and capital costs in the fourth quarter.
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NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NB-T) said it plans to raise $2-million in non-brokered private placement basis of about 3.2-million units at a price of 63 cents each.
Proceeds of the private placement will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, the company stated.
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Westport Fuel Systems Inc. (WPRT-T; WPRT-Q) said it has entered into development and supply agreements with Weichai Westport Inc. to develop, market, and commercialize a heavy-duty, natural gas engine.
"Under the new development program for the Chinese market, Westport Fuel Systems will support the adaptation of the Westport HPDI 2.0 technology onto one of Weichai Power's heavy-duty engine platforms, building on the years of experience WWI has with Westport HPDI technology," the company stated.
“We have achieved another milestone by fully and formally supporting our partner, Weichai, a dominant engine producer in China, in the development of clean heavy-duty vehicles to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in China,” said Westport CEO Nancy Gougarty.
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Namaste Technologies Inc. (N-X) signed a wholesale supply agreement with Manitoba-based Kief Cannabis Company Ltd. Under the terms of the agreement, Namaste will purchase bulk cannabis products under its subsidiary Cannmart Inc .to offer on its online platform.
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Grande West Transportation Group Inc. (BUS-X) reported second-quarter revenue of $25.3-million up from $11.8-million a year ago. Net income was $2-million or 3 cents per share compared to $221,883 or nil a year earlier. Analysts were expecting earnings of 2 cents per share in the latest quarter and revenue to come in at $23.5-million.
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Green Thumb Industries Inc. (GTII-CN) reported second-quarter revenues of $13.6-million, which it said is an increase of 291 per cent year-over-year and was in line with expectations of $13-million. Net income was $400,000 compared to a loss of $1.3-million a year ago.