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Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH ) (OTCQX: SYHBF ) (Frankfurt: SC1P ) (‘Skyharbour’ or the ‘Company’) would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #804 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 19 – Monday January 20, 2025.

During the conference, Skyharbour’s President and CEO, Jordan Trimble, will be giving a Skyharbour corporate presentation on Sunday, January 19 th at 1:30 PM in Workshop 2 and will also be on The 2025 Uranium Forecast panel on Monday, January 20 th at 3:00 PM in the Speaker Hall.

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference 2025 will feature over 120 expert speakers, including globally respected economists, legendary money managers, and investors.

This year’s conference promises an array of exceptional opportunities, including exclusive keynote sessions featuring 120 renowned speakers, unparalleled networking with over 5,000 industry professionals and investors, and interactive exhibits showcasing groundbreaking innovations across the resource sector. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the commodities landscape, exploring emerging trends in precious metals, energy, critical minerals, and beyond.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference .

Skyharbour Engages Marketing Firm:

Skyharbour announces it has engaged Winning Media LLC (‘Winning Media’) to provide strategic digital media and consulting services to the Company. Winning Media delivers services to a diverse group of clients across North America, providing strategic digital media services, marketing, advertising and data analytic services. The Company and Winning Media act at arm’s length. Under the terms of the agreement, Winning Media will provide strategic digital media services commencing on January 13 th , 2025 for an expected 6 month term, including marketing services, news dissemination, data analytics services, content development, media buying and distribution, campaign reporting and optimization, as well as potentially attracting option / joint venture partners for business opportunities. The Company shall pay Winning Media an initial cost of USD $35,000 for such services. The engagement of Winning Media remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Yurchison Property Option Agreement Update:

The Company announces that the option agreement with Medaro Mining Corp. to acquire the Yurchison property dated November 1 st , 2021, as amended, has been terminated. Skyharbour will retain 100% ownership of the project.

Qualified Person:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Serdar Donmez, P.Geo., VP of Exploration for Skyharbour as well as a Qualified Person.

About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.:

Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada’s Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with interest in thirty-six projects covering over 614,000 hectares (over 1.5 million acres) of land. Skyharbour has acquired from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project, which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison’s Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco’s McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage uranium exploration property with high-grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zone that returned drill results of up to 6.0% U 3 O 8 over 5.9 metres, including 20.8% U 3 O 8 over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 265 metres. Adjacent to the Moore Project is the Russell Lake Uranium Project, in which Skyharbour is operator with joint-venture partner Rio Tinto. The project hosts several high-grade uranium drill intercepts over a large property area with robust exploration upside potential. The Company is actively advancing these projects through exploration and drill programs.

Skyharbour also has joint ventures with industry leader Orano Canada Inc., Azincourt Energy, and Thunderbird Resources at the Preston, East Preston, and Hook Lake Projects, respectively. The Company also has several active earn-in option partners, including CSE-listed Basin Uranium Corp. at the Mann Lake Uranium Project; TSX-V listed North Shore Uranium at the Falcon Project; UraEx Resources at the South Dufferin and Bolt Projects; Hatchet Uranium at the Highway Project; CSE-listed Mustang Energy at the 914W Project; and TSX-V listed Terra Clean Energy at the South Falcon East Project. In aggregate, Skyharbour has now signed earn-in option agreements with partners that total to over $36 million in partner-funded exploration expenditures, over $20 million worth of shares being issued, and $14 million in cash payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies complete their entire earn-ins at the respective projects.

Skyharbour’s goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions.

Skyharbour’s Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin:

https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/SKY_SaskProject_Locator_2024-11-21_v1.jpg

To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) visit the Company’s website at www.skyharbourltd.com .

Skyharbour Resources Ltd.

‘Jordan Trimble’

__________________________________
Jordan Trimble
President and CEO

For further information contact myself or:
Nicholas Coltura
Investor Relations Manager
‎Skyharbour Resources Ltd.
‎Telephone: 604-558-5847
‎Toll Free: 800-567-8181
‎Facsimile: 604-687-3119
‎Email: info@skyharbourltd.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains ‘forward‐looking information or statements’ within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, completing ongoing and planned work on its projects including drilling and the expected timing of such work programs, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its projects and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of uranium, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company’s views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, and those filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather or climate conditions, failure to obtain or maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to obtain or maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), decrease in the price of uranium and other metals, increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward‐looking statements or forward‐looking information, except as required by law.


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Gold Mountain Limited (ASX: GMN) (“Gold Mountain” or “the Company” or “GMN”) is excited to announce it has received 38 stream sediment samples from the Salinas South Project in the Lithium Valley and has defined anomalies over 5 km along regional structural strike direction.

Highlights

Work Undertaken

  • Encouraging assays were received from 38 stream sediment samples.
  • Lithium anomalies were identified over a 5.8 km distance, which includes high order anomalies over an artisanal working.
  • Anomalies interpreted to lie over a major concealed granite body at depth.

Future Workplan

  • Carry out soil sampling over the strongest lithium anomalies with coincident pathfinder element anomalies and the known artisanal working.
  • Continue on ground mapping to search for pegmatite outcrops.
  • Define drill targets and get environmental permits for drilling.

Managing Director David Evans commented

“Over the past few years, Gold Mountain has built up an impressive ground position in Brazil’s Lithium Valley, an emerging lithium hotspot, home to two producing mines and Latin Resources’ Colina deposit. The new results from Salinas South complement the recent announcement of 10 drill targets from our Salinas II Project and give the company a strong pipeline of targets for us to test right across this highly prospective region.”

Details

Strongly anomalous stream sediment sample results were received on the Salinas South 830.557/2023 tenement with strongly correlated beryllium (Be), rubidium (Rb), niobium (Nb) and potassium (K).

Table 1 shows the correlation chart for the anomalous lithium samples in tenement 830.557/2023

Note that correlations show spatial associations that include lithium pegmatites and may include other rock types. The presence of chrysoberyl in the area suggests that pegmatites have intruded mafic to ultramafic rocks to pick up the chromium necessary to form chrysoberyl rather than beryl. This gives additional criteria to search for lithium pegmatites and explains part of the unusual associated elements in the correlation chart such as Ni, Mg and Zn.

The Salinas South project consists of 26 tenements with a total area of 50,911 hectares in the Lithium Valley. Post tectonic granites surround the tenements which contain favourable weak, schistose host rocks.

The Salinas South Project area is thought to lie on the margins of a major granite at depth, with the margins also passing through the area of the Sigma Resources and CBL lithium mines. A strong NE trending structural direction is also present at the Salinas South Project, similar in direction to those identified at Sigma Lithium and in the vicinity of the Colina deposit held by Latin Resources. The structural directions are also visible on the radiometric and magnetic images of the Salinas South Project.

Structurally controlled occurrences of pegmatites including one known to contain lithium are located just to the northwest of the Salinas South Project area on prominent NE trending structures. Similar orientation structures are seen in the topography in the Salinas South 830.557/2023 tenement.

Mapping in 830.557/2023 during sampling identified an occurrence of pegmatite as well as late tectonic granites. Mapping elsewhere in the Salinas South tenements has also shown that there are significant scale pegmatites present. An artisanal working was identified. It lies within or adjacent to a high order lithium anomaly and is the highest priority target area in this tenement at present.

It was also evident that remnants of an old surface were present on many of the ridges, indicating that subdued anomalies could be anticipated from sources on the hills. Presence of an old lateritised surface indicates where lithium pegmatites may be concealed by leaching of lithium.

Click here for the full ASX Release

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Quantum computing is an emerging technology that has the potential to revolutionize many industries.

According to a late 2021 Statista forecast, the quantum computing market’s total revenue is projected to reach US$8.6 billion by 2027. To put that into perspective, the industry was worth only US$412 million in 2020.

In this article

    What is quantum computing?

    In simple terms, quantum computing is a form of computing that harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to process information. Unlike traditional computing, quantum computing does not use binary digits (either 0 or 1), or bits. Instead, quantum computing is based on qubits, which can represent much more information than bits can. Qubits can be both a 0 and a 1 simultaneously, which allows quantum computers to calculate larger datasets much faster than traditional computers.

    Quantum computers can also explore several possible solutions at once. This gives them a distinct advantage in solving problems related to optimization, cryptography, machine learning and financial modeling. In addition, quantum computers have promising applications in chemistry and material science. For example, quantum computing can simulate how a chemical compound might react in various scenarios.

    How does quantum computing work?

    Quantum computing is based on the principles of superposition and entanglement. In quantum mechanics, superposition describes the ability of a system to remain in multiple states at the same time until it is measured. Measurement in this context refers to any interaction between qubits and an external system, such as a detector or sensor, that would cause the qubits to collapse from multiple states to a single state.

    To understand the concept of superposition, it’s useful to imagine a coin spinning on its edge. When a coin is spinning, it is said to be in a state of superposition, meaning it is not defined as either heads or tails. However, if the coin is bumped or disturbed in any way, it will stop spinning and will end up displaying either heads or tails. In this analogy, the coin would be the qubits and the measurement would be whatever caused the coin to stop spinning.

    Qubits are sensitive to interference from their environment and are usually stored at very low temperatures in computing devices to protect them from influences such as temperature fluctuations, electromagnetic fields and other particles.

    For its part, entanglement describes a deep connection between two qubits, where the state of one qubit is directly dependent on the other qubit, no matter the distance between the two.

    There are two key properties of entanglement that all applications derived from it depend on. The first one, the Monogamy of Entanglement, states that entanglement between two qubits cannot be shared with a third. The second property of entanglement is called Maximal Coordination — it posits that the quantum state of a system is a combination of all the possible states that the system could be in, and that each state is measured by its probability.

    Maximal Coordination is an important feature of quantum mechanics that sets it apart from classical physics, and is what allows quantum computer systems to exhibit superposition and entanglement.

    What are the main uses of quantum computing?

    Quantum computing can be used in a wide range of industries, including finance, pharmaceuticals and logistics. For example, quantum computers could optimize stock portfolios, develop new drugs more quickly or improve supply chain management.

    Quantum computing has been applied to developing machine-learning algorithms as well, a realm that is still in relatively early stages of development and is brimming with potential for groundbreaking advancements.

    Two quantum algorithms that have already contributed greatly to the field of machine learning are Grover’s Algorithm, which can yield unstructured search results faster and improve pattern recognition in machines; and the Quantum Fourier Transform algorithm, which has properties that make it instrumental for understanding temporal dynamics, giving it a distinct edge for applications such as market trend analysis, weather forecasting and language recognition.

    Quantum computing, together with artificial intelligence, will undoubtedly catalyze the development of solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems. However, like many emerging technologies, the unique properties that make quantum computing such a promising field also present challenges and risks.

    Some experts have pointed out that quantum computers have the potential to break most encryption techniques that are currently used for cybersecurity. As quantum computers become more powerful, encryption techniques will need to be replaced with newer quantum-resistant alternatives. Staying one step ahead of the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats will be crucial.

    In response to these threat to cybersecurity, the Biden administration signed the Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity Preparedness Act into law in 2022. It requires federal agencies to adopt adequate defenses against quantum-computing-enabled attacks and migrate systems to post-quantum cryptography.

    For further information on how AI and quantum computing could affect cybersecurity, read our 2025 Cybersecurity Forecast.

    How to invest in quantum computing companies

    For those wondering how to invest in quantum computing, the major tech firms discussed below offer an entry point, as do venture capital funds invested in private quantum computing companies. Accredited investors can purchase pre-IPO shares in privately held companies via online investment platforms such as Hive and EquityZen.

    Major quantum computing stocks

    Some of the biggest names in tech are also the foremost quantum computing stocks, including IBM (NYSE:IBM), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and there are startups in the space as well.

    IBM has by far one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of quantum computing services and products. Its Quantum Computing Division offers over 100 qubit devices, and the company has a large quantum data center in New York. In October 2024, IBM brought quantum resources to Europe with the completion of its data center in Ehningen, Germany.

    IBM is known for developing the first commercially available quantum computer, IBM Quantum System One, in January 2019. In December 2023, the company announced the development of a newer model, IBM Quantum System Two, which is powered by three Heron chips, each one containing 133 qubits. Quantum System Two is designed to be modular and scalable to accommodate any future advancements made in quantum computing.

    Furthermore, IBM offers a software development kit called Qiskit, which is an open-source suite of software products that programmers can use to design their own algorithms and run simulations on classic computers before being executed on quantum computers. Qiskit is based on the Python programming language, making it accessible to anyone interested in learning. The newest version, Qiskit 1.3, was released in December 2024.

    In addition to these developments, IBM has several ambitious projects in quantum computing on its roadmap, and the company has an online platform, the Quantum Network, that gives users access to its cloud-based quantum computing services. In April 2023, EY Global Services joined the network to streamline and enhance its research capabilities.

    Google is another big name in tech that’s engaged in quantum computing. Its Quantum AI has been working to develop processors and algorithms since 2014, and claims to have been the first to achieve quantum supremacy with its quantum computer in 2019. In December 2024, Google achieved a breakthrough with its Willow quantum processor when it demonstrated significantly improved error correction and scalability in quantum computing. The company’s open-source framework, Cirq, allows users to write, manipulate, optimize and run quantum circuits on quantum computers and simulators.

    Microsoft has also made strides in quantum computing. Azure Quantum, a component of the company’s cloud-computing service, Azure, offers resources for users who want to learn more about quantum computing, including a development kit that can be used to custom-build quantum applications. Its chatbot, a quantum-focused version of Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant, can explain unfamiliar concepts and help users navigate the world of quantum computing more easily.

    On top of that, the company has been heavily researching ways to build a scaled quantum supercomputer. In May 2023, Microsoft researchers achieved a significant milestone when they successfully created a new type of qubit that can make quantum computers more error-resistant and stable. This represents a huge breakthrough in quantum computing and physics, and Microsoft’s journey to this achievement was detailed in the June 2023 issue of Physical Review B.

    Quantum computing startups

    As eager as the major tech companies are to advance the field of quantum computing, they are not alone. Several smaller startups have emerged throughout Europe, North America and Australia, including Q-Ctrl, Multiverse Computing, Universal Quantum, 1QBit and QC Ware, all of which are striving toward accessible quantum computing solutions.

    Quantinuum, one of the leading quantum computing companies, is a spinout of Honeywell International (NASDAQ:HON) formed through a merger of Honeywell Quantum Solutions and Cambridge Quantum in November 2021. The company received significant support in early 2024 when JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) led a group of investors in a US$300 million funding round.

    The investment firm has been a longstanding supporter of the computing business, and has worked with Quantinuum and its predecessor companies since 2020. JPMorgan Chase may be hoping to reap the benefits that quantum computing offers the financial industry. A Bank Underground blog post highlights the “high-level changes” coming to payment systems, including the enabling of more efficient payment systems and smart contracts.

    More recently, PsiQuantum, a private startup firm with an estimated valuation of US$3.1 billion, announced a partnership with the state of Illinois to build the largest US facility conducive to quantum computing. The California-based company is seeking to house a quantum computer containing up to 1 million qubits within the next decade. According to MIT, currently the largest quantum computers host around 1,000 qubits. Some of the company’s most notable investors are hedge fund manager Blackrock (NYSE:BLK) and Microsoft. There’s no date yet set for an initial public offering (IPO) for PsiQuantum.

    Quantum computing ETFs

    Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer another avenue for investing in the emerging quantum computer sector.

    There is currently just one pure-play quantum computing ETF: Defiance Quantum ETF (NASDAQ:QTUM), which tracks companies developing and commercializing quantum computing applications and other advanced technologies. QTUM’s great performance is indicated in its yearly returns, up 48.26 percent as of January 15, 2025.

    QTUM holds 72 companies, and its top holdings by weight are Onto Innovation (NYSE:ONTO) at a weight of 1.7 percent, Teradyne (NASDAQ:TER) at 1.65 percent, KLA (NASDAQ:KLAC) at 1.58 percent and Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE:TSM) at 1.54 percent.

    Investor takeaway

    Quantum computing is still in the early stages. However, as quantum computing continues to advance, investors considering getting exposure to this emerging technology will be able to choose between companies that are actively researching and developing quantum computing technology, as well as companies that are positioned to benefit from the adoption of quantum computing in their industries.

    Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

    This post appeared first on investingnews.com

    Major oil and gas stocks have historically offered investors high dividend yields, especially when prices are strong.

    The US oil and gas market has responded surprisingly well to the continued volatility in the global markets, including ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Russian-Ukrainian war and economic uncertainty.

    For those who prefer a long-term approach to investing, oil and gas stocks with high dividends allow for a steady flow of income and the opportunity for investors to increase their equity holdings.

    A dividend is part of a company’s profits that is paid out regularly to shareholders, typically quarterly. When determining which dividend stocks are good options, there are some terms investors should know, including dividend yields, payout ratios and debt-to-equity ratios.

    A dividend yield represents the dividend income per share divided by the share price. Currently, the oil and gas segment of the stock market is flush with dividend yields of over 4 percent.

    A dividend’s payout ratio is the total amount of dividends paid out to shareholders relative to the company’s net income. Lastly, the debt-to-equity ratio shows how much company financing is generated from debt rather than equity.

    The energy sector stocks on this list had strong dividends yields of greater than 4.9 percent as of that date, as well as debt-to-equity ratios of 0.35 and lower.

    1. Vitesse Energy (NYSE:VTS)

    Company Profile

    Market cap: US$775.81 million
    Dividend yield: 9.14 percent
    Debt-to-equity ratio: 0.2

    The top high-dividend oil stock on this list is Vitesse Energy, which owns financial interests in oil and gas wells operated by leading US operators primarily in the Bakken oil field in the state of North Dakota.

    Prior to its December 2024 definite agreement to acquire Lucero Energy (TSXV:LOU,OTCQB:PSHIF), Vitesse was not itself an oil and gas producer, but it would become one if the acquisition closes. As of Q3 2024, Lucero had approximately 6.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) of two-stream net production.

    Vitesse shareholders of record as of December 16 received a quarterly dividend payment of US$0.525 per share on December 31, 2024. If the Lucero acquisition is approved and completed, Vitesse expects to increase its cash dividend from US$2.10 to US$2.25 per share on an annualized basis.

    2. TXO Partners (NYSE:TXO)

    Company Profile

    Market cap: US$709.03 million
    Dividend yield: 8.25 percent
    Debt-to-equity ratio: 0.25

    TXO Partners is acquiring, developing and operating conventional oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid reserves in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico, the San Juan Basin of New Mexico and Colorado and the Williston Basin of Montana and North Dakota.

    TXO’s most recent quarterly dividend payment to shareholders was distributed on November 22, 2024, at US$0.58 per common unit. It was paid to those who were eligible unitholders of record on November 15.

    3. Granite Ridge Resources (NYSE:GRNT)

    Press ReleasesCompany Profile

    Market cap: US$900.83 million
    Dividend yield: 7.31 percent
    Debt-to-equity ratio: 0.3

    Granite Ridge Resources invests in public and private oil and gas operators drilling high-grade wells in the United States across five unconventional basins: the Permian, Eagle Ford, Bakken, Haynesville and DJ. In its third-quarter 2024 results, the company reported average production of 25,177 boe/d from its portfolio of assets, generating a reported net income of US$9.1 million.

    Granite Ridge paid out a quarterly dividend of US$0.11 per share of common stock on December 16, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 29.

    4. Diamondback Energy (NASDAQ:FANG)

    Press ReleasesCompany Profile

    Market cap: US$51.03 billion
    Dividend yield: 5.15 percent
    Debt-to-equity ratio: 0.35

    Diamondback Energy is a Texas-based oil and gas company headquartered with operating unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves assets in the Permian Basin. The company completed a merger with another Texas oil and gas company, Endeavor Energy Resources, on September 10, 2024. Diamondback reported average production of 571.1 million boe/d for the third quarter 2024.

    Diamondback shareholders received a quarterly cash dividend of US$0.90 per common share on November 21, 2024. The company says it has returned over US$8.6 billion to its shareholders since 2018.

    5. Epsilon Energy (NASDAQ:EPSN)

    Company Profile

    Market cap: US$139.01 million
    Dividend yield: 4.92 percent
    Debt-to-equity ratio: 0.1

    Epsilon Energy has oil and gas operations in the hydrocarbon-rich regions of Pennsylvania, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. The company entered the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin jurisdiction in Alberta, Canada, via two joint venture agreements in October 2024.

    Epsilon reported revenues of US$7.29 million for Q3 2024, up 16 percent from the same quarter in the previous year. On December 31, Epsilon paid a quarterly dividend of US$0.0625 per share to its shareholders on record as of December 16, bringing its annualized dividend payout to US$0.25 per share.

    Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

    This post appeared first on investingnews.com

    Foul-mouthed superheroes and family-friendly fare propped up the domestic box office during the final months of 2024.

    Full-year ticket sales were down just 3.4% from 2023, reaching $8.74 billion, a far cry from the nearly 27% shortage seen at the midway point of 2024.

    The combination of Disney and Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” Disney Animation’s “Moana 2” and Universal’s “Wicked,” all of which were released after June, buoyed ticket sales and turned a billion-dollar deficit into just $300 million, according to data from Comscore.

    “While 2024 was one of the most challenging ever for theatres, the massive comeback that began in June due to the residual impact of the strikes and resultant production delays that threw the release slate into disarray in the early part of the year is nothing short of remarkable,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.

    Box-office analysts had predicted the 2024 box office would lag significantly behind the $9 billion tallied in 2023. After all, the production calendar was disrupted by dual Hollywood labor strikes the year prior, postponing major blockbuster releases into the second half of 2024. Some were even delayed until 2025 and 2026.

    “Expectations entering the year were saddled with the weight of release delays caused by industry strikes, on top of the ongoing adjustment to modern consumer habits that have taken hold in a world of shorter theatrical windows and increased demand for state-of-the-art experiences inside cinemas themselves,” said Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory.

    The first-half ticket sales slump was a disappointment after the box office had seen steady annual growth in the wake of the pandemic. However, industry analysts foresee a rebound in 2025 and the potential to break the $10 billion mark in 2026.

    The next two years are stacked with blockbuster franchises and films tied to popular, existing intellectual property. And while there has been some worry that the industry had become too inundated with licensed material, particularly in the superhero genre, 2024 has proven that audiences will still come out in droves for these films.

    In fact, all of the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2024 were from major film franchises or tied to popular IP. And that’s a good sign, considering 2025 and 2026 are set to be packed with big titles.

    “The year will see a resumption of a franchise-heavy-driven lineup,” wrote Eric Handler, managing director at Roth MKM, in a recent research note. “Vying for the highest-grossing movies of the year should be ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ and ‘Wicked: For Good,’ all of which should be able to surpass $400 [million].”

    Disney, in particular, benefited from franchise films in 2024. The company is responsible for three of the four top-grossing films of the year — Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” and Disney Animation’s “Moana 2.”

    “Inside Out 2” jump-started the box office, taking in more than $650 million domestically and becoming the first film since Warner Bros.′ “Barbie” to top $1 billion at the global box office.

    Joy, voiced by Amy Poehler, left, and Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, in a scene from "Inside Out 2."
    Joy and Anxiety in a scene from ‘Inside Out 2.’ Disney

    This was an import win for Disney’s Pixar animation hub. A once prolifically successful studio, Pixar has suffered at the box office in the wake of the pandemic. Much of its difficulties have come, in part, because Disney opted to debut a handful of animated features directly on streaming service Disney+ during theatrical closures and even once cinemas had reopened.

    As a result, prior to “Inside Out 2,” no Disney animated feature from Pixar or its Walt Disney Animation studio had generated more than $480 million at the global box office since 2019. “Inside Out 2″ ultimately became the highest-grossing film of 2024.

    The second-highest was Disney’s first-ever R-rated Marvel feature. “Deadpool & Wolverine” hit theaters in July and quickly earned the record for the highest debut of an R-rated film ever. It went on to top $1 billion at the global box office, the only R-rated film other than Warner Bros.′ “Joker” to do so, and also became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time.

    “Deadpool & Wolverine” brought a much-needed boost to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has struggled with consistency at the box office in the wake of the record-shattering “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019.

    Handler said the superhero genre is seeking “a bit of redemption,” noting that Marvel has three major releases in 2025: “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts*” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”

    Warner Bros. will also debut its first film under James Gunn and Peter Safran, its new heads of the DC Studio. All eyes will be on “Superman: Legacy,” especially after the woeful box office of “Joker: Folie a Deux.”

    Disney also had “Moana 2,” the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year. It arrived at Thanksgiving, shattering the record for the highest-opening film during that five-day holiday period with $221 million in domestic ticket sales. It went on to snag $404 million domestically and over $900 million globally.

    Together, these films alongside other theatrical releases helped Disney reach more than $2.2 billion at the domestic box office last year, accounting for about 25% of the industry’s total haul.

    Universal, fueled by “Wicked,” “Despicable Me 4,” “Twisters” and “Kung Fu Panda 4″ represented 21.6% of the total market share with $1.8 billion in box-office receipts for the year. “Wicked” was the third-highest-grossing film of 2024, collecting $432 million domestically and breaking the curse of movie musicals at the box office. It also became the highest debut of a Broadway adaptation in cinematic history.

    Warner Bros. tallied $1.19 billion, or 13.7% market share. Sony snared $1 billion, or 11.5%, and Paramount rounded out the top five with $880 million, or 10%.

    “The late year ’24 moviegoing rally has set up a solid 2025 for movie theatres,” Dergarabedian said. ”[G]iven the more stable calendar with a more orderly cadence, frequency and importantly a greater number of wide release films … the resultant momentum will virtually guarantee even bigger results for theatrical exhibition this year.”

    Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC. NBCUniversal is the distributor of “Wicked,” “Despicable Me 4,” “Twisters” and “Kung Fu Panda 4,” and the owner of Fandango.

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    Speaker Mike Johnson is replacing Rep. Mike Turner as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee after a debacle that started with a warning about Russian space nuclear technology last year, a source familiar with the decision confirmed to Fox News Digital.

    Johnson, R-La., was unhappy with Turner, R-Ohio, after a seemingly unexpected warning he issued about the need to declassify information about Russian anti-satellite technology.

    A hawk by nature, Turner sometimes went up against the Trumpist wing of his Republican Party on matters like support for Ukraine aid and Section 702 of FISA. 

    The decision to replace Turner took many by surprise. Though Johnson had not officially named him as chairman, Turner attended a dinner of House GOP committee chairs with President-elect Trump over the weekend. 

    Rep. Jim Himes, top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, told reporters the removal of Turner as chairman ‘sends a shiver down my spine,’ adding that Turner was not the kind to ‘bend the knee’ to Trump. 

    Last February, Turner warned of a ‘serious national security threat’ that he was urging President Biden to declassify information on. 

    ‘I am requesting that President Biden declassify all information relating to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat,’ he added.

    Johnson was then left to quell the public alarm. 

    Johnson said he ‘saw Chairman Turner’s statement on the issue, and I want to assure the American people there’s no need for public alarm.’ 

    ‘I’m not at liberty to disclose classified information and really can’t say much of that, but we just want to assure everyone, steady hands are at the wheel, we’re working on it. There’s no need for alarm.’ 

    In the days that followed, details of the Russian threat soon began to filter through to the press, painting a picture of an adversary capable of disabling U.S. military satellites and other critical space-based infrastructure.

    Turner has at times throughout the years been unafraid to stand up to Trump – in September, he criticized the rumors about Haitian migrants eating pets that were amplified  by Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. 

    ‘This is incredibly tragic and completely untrue. This should not have happened, it’s been tearing the community apart,’ Turner told Jake Tapper at the time.

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    Florida’s Republican Sen. Marco Rubio sailed through his confirmation hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, all but assuring he will assume the role of top diplomat under the new Trump administration later this month.

    Rubio’s confirmation hearing — a process usually full of verbal diatribes, strong political agendas and illusive answers — was full of pleasantries, with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers applauding his work in the Senate and his in-depth knowledge of complex issues across the globe.

    Here were the top moments from Rubio’s hearing.

    Protests erupt in confirmation hearing for Sen. Marco Rubio.

    PROTESTERS

    While Rubio may have been welcomed by his Senate colleagues, his hearing wasn’t entirely contention-free.

    The Secretary of State-hopeful’s opening remarks were interrupted by several protesters affiliated with a group known as Code Pink, who were protesting the Israel-Hamas war and wore pink shirts that read ‘stop killing the children of Gaza.’

    Two of the demonstrators forced to leave the chamber were male, before a female protester also stood up and yelled out in Spanish. 

    She was quickly escorted from the room and the hearing promptly restarted.

    ‘I get bilingual protesters,’ Rubio said to the panel of Senators with a grin before resuming his remarks.

    IN JEST

    Rubio’s quip about the protesters appeared to set the tone for his hearing.

    Though Rubio faced tough questions about detailed geopolitical issues on nearly every continent, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle also joked around with their Senate colleague.

    Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott introduced Rubio at the top of the hearing and quipped that ‘finally’ he will get to be the senior Senator of Florida after the duo have served together in the upper chamber since 2019.

    Democrat from New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker drew chuckles when he said, ‘Senator Rubio the President [elect] made a great decision in choosing you.

    ‘You’re a thought leader in foreign policy. I, however, don’t think most Americans know how great of a thought leader you are in NCAA, NFL and high school football, and I’m a little disappointed that you’re not going to the head of the NCAA right now.’

    To which Rubio replied, ‘Not yet,’ garnering laughs from the room.

    In another bipartisan moment rarely seen during Cabinet nomination hearings, Illinois Democrat Sen. Tammy Duckworth told a touching story from one of her first encounters with Rubio — a stark contrast to her questioning of Pete Hegseth the day prior. 

    In 2018, not only was Duckworth relatively new to the upper chamber, but the soon-to-be new mom was also pushing the congressional body to change its rules and allow new parents to bring their infant onto the Senate floor during a vote.

    Duckworth, who is physically disabled after surviving a 2004 RPG attack on her helicopter in Iraq, described rolling across the Senate floor in her wheelchair when she heard someone call out her name. 

    ‘And you came running down from the top back of the Senate chambers to tell me, ‘I’m with you. I will support you’,’ she said.  ‘And I just want to thank you for that kindness… It was a moment of true bipartisanship.’

    Rubio responded and said, ‘I think what I exactly said is, ‘What’s the big deal? This place is already full of babies’,’ once again drawing laughs.

    SERIOUS MATTERS

    The five-hour hearing wasn’t all fun and laughs, as Rubio was pressed on issues with major security implications like the war in Ukraine, China, NATO and Artic security.

    Rubio surprised no one with his tough-on-China approach and his commitment to remaining a strong ally of NATO’s.

    Though one area Senators may have hoped Rubio would have come out more definitively was over what continued support for Ukraine may look like and how the incoming Trump administration will handle the question of Ukraine becoming a NATO member. 

    Both Ukraine and Russia have signaled they are open to negotiating a ceasefire. But securing a lasting peace deal could be difficult as Ukraine entering the NATO alliance has been deemed a non-negotiable by both Kyiv — who wants the alliance’s security — and Moscow — which has fervently opposed Ukrainian NATO membership.

    ‘The truth of the matter is that in this conflict there is no way Russia takes all of Ukraine. The Ukrainians are too brave, and fight too hard, and the country is too big,’ he said.

    But Rubio added that ‘there’s no way Ukraine is also pushing these people [Russians] all the way back to where they were on the eve of the invasion.’

    Rubio pointed out that Ukraine will not be able to keep up with the sheer number of bodies that Russia can throw in to the war.

    ‘It’s important for everyone to be realistic. There will have to be concessions,’ Rubio said. ‘This is not going to be easy. ‘[It’s] going to require a lot of hard diplomacy.’

    THE CHINA PROBLEM

    The security threats surrounding China came up in nearly every issue Rubio was asked to address, including its growing presence in Africa and Latin America, its oppressive practices in the South China Sea, concerns over trade, human rights abuses, tech and its growing relationships with other adversarial nations.

    But one issue newer to headlines as of late is China’s involvement in the Panama Canal.

    ‘This is something that’s existed now for at least a decade in my service,’ he said referring to a 2017 trip he took to Panama. ‘Chinese companies control port facilities at both ends of the canal — the east and the west. And the concerns among military officials and security officials, including in Panama, at that point, [was] that could one day be used as a choke point to impede commerce in a moment of conflict.’

    ‘This is a legitimate issue that needs to be confronted,’ he added.

    The issue over Chinese control over the major waterway resurfaced earlier this month when Trump refused to say whether he would rule out military intervention in the Panama Canal.

    Rubio was pressed on this issue multiple times, though he was clear that he was not yet at a point where he knew enough about the legal parameters of U.S. intervention in Panama to give a thorough response. 

    KAINE GUSHES 

    Virginia Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine applauded Rubio for being ‘extremely well-prepared’ for his confirmation hearing as the next secretary of state — a stark contrast to his tense engagement with Hegseth during his hearing one day prior.

    ‘We’re used to seeing nominees who know a lot about a couple of things, and sometimes, who know very little about virtually everything,’ he said. ‘But I think you’ve seen a hearing with a nominee who, agree or disagree with the points he’s made, he’s not talking out of a briefing book.

    ‘He’s not having a thumb through a binder to decide how to answer a particular question,’ Kaine continued. ‘I’ve always been struck by working with Sen. Rubio on this committee, since I came to the Senate in January 2013, that he has a very well-developed sense of the world and a passion in all corners of it.’

    Kaine’s sentiment appeared to be shared by the entirety of the committee, and many of the senators expressed confidence that Rubio will be unanimously confirmed for the top job.

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    The election of Donald Trump in November and a swing back to Republican power in Washington is already starting to make an impact in the business world, according to Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon.

    The bank executive said on a conference call Wednesday that other CEOs are feeling better about the direction of the economy and their businesses since the presidential election, even though Trump has yet to take office.

    “There has been a meaningful shift in CEO confidence, particularly following the results of the U.S. election,” Solomon said, according to a transcript from FactSet.

    “Additionally, there is a significant backlog from sponsors and an overall increased appetite for dealmaking supported by an improving regulatory backdrop,” he continued.

    The comments line up with some survey data that suggests renewed confidence among business leaders. The latest Chicago Fed Survey of Economic Conditions showed an improved outlook for the next 12 months. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to its highest level since October 2018 in December.

    To be sure, executives on JPMorgan Chase’s earnings call said that the optimism among business leaders has not yet resulted in loan growth, according to a FactSet transcript.

    Stocks rose sharply in the immediate aftermath of Trump’s win, as investors cheered the prospect of lower taxes and fewer regulations. However, many of those gains have since disappeared, in part due to a recent rise in interest rates.

    Trump, who is set to return to the White House on Monday, is seen as broadly more business-friendly than outgoing President Joe Biden. During his campaign, Trump floated lowering taxes and reducing regulation, including around energy. However, his proposed tariffs have made some investors and business leaders nervous about the potential for higher prices and a disruptive trade war.

    Solomon’s comments came on a conference call discussing Goldman’s fourth-quarter results. The bank beat estimates on the top and bottom lines for the period, with its profit roughly doubling year over year.

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    A Muslim cleric who has praised Iran and refused to call Hezbollah a terrorist organization was reportedly tapped to deliver a benediction at President-elect Trump’s inauguration. 

    Husham Al-Husainy is a well-known Iraqi-American imam in Michigan, overseeing the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center in Dearborn. Al-Husainy was among a swath of Muslim voters in Michigan who indicated ahead of Election Day that they would support Trump instead of the Democratic Party’s ticket in November.  

    ‘I lean towards Mr. Trump because I found him closer to the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran. Because I support peace, no war,’ he said back in October, Fox News Digital reported at the time. He added that the country ‘deserves to have a strong leader where he can bring peace in this world.’

    Before he indicated support for the former and upcoming president, Al-Husainy reportedly made a series of questionable comments. A Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, the Middle East Media and Research Institute, for example, reported this week that the Muslim cleric praised Iran in a 2022 interview.

    ‘Thank God We Have the Islamic Republic of Iran; Its Light Goes to Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and All Over,’ he said in the interview, the nonprofit posted on X. 

    The conservative nonprofit The Middle East Forum described the cleric as a ‘radical antisemitic, pro-Hezbollah Shia imam,’ who reportedly hosted a 2015 rally in Dearborn where he ‘wished death upon Saudi Arabia’ amid the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war. 

    In 2007, Al-Husainy joined Fox News’ Sean Hannity on the ‘Hannity & Colmes’ program, where he was pressed on whether he considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization. The cleric joined the program following his invitation to the DNC’s winter meeting that year to deliver the invocation. 

    ‘I’ll ask you again. Is Hezbollah – this is a yes or no question. Is Hezbollah a terrorist organization? Yes or no?’ Hannity asked the imam. 

    ‘Now if – I give you a time to ask me a question. Now give me time to answer it, please,’ Al-Husainy said. 

    ‘Yes or no?’ Hannity continued. 

    ‘First of all – first of all, Hezbollah is a Lebanese organization. And I’ve got nothing to do with that. But there is a biblical meaning of Hezbollah. It is in Judaism and Christianity and Islam meaning people of God and that means yes,’ the imam responded. 

    Later in the segment, Hannity again asked if Hezbollah is a terrorist organization. 

    ‘​​This is – your idea of a political or… you know what Hezbollah means? I support the people of God,’ Al-Husainy said. 

    The State Department has recognized Hezbollah as a terrorist organization since 1997. 

    Fox News Digital reached out to the Trump transition team regarding the invitation and Al-Husainy’s previous comments, but did not receive a reply. 

    Matt Foldi, the former congressional candidate and current editor-in-chief of the Washington Reporter, shared a photo on X this week reportedly showing the official program of Inauguration Day, including that Al-Husainy, a Catholic priest, the Rev. Frank Mann, Rabbi Ari Berman and a Detroit pastor, Lorenzo Sewell, are slated to deliver benedictions. 

    Fox News Digital also attempted to reach Al-Husainy via the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center, but did not immediately receive a reply. 

    Dearborn, Michigan, is home to the proportionally largest Muslim population in the U.S. and became the birthplace of the ‘Abandon Biden’ movement last year as Arab voters spoke out about the administration’s handling of the conflict in Gaza. The movement morphed into ‘abandoning’ Vice President Kamala Harris after Biden dropped out of the race in July, and ultimately endorsed Trump on Election Day. 

    Muslim voters overall favored Harris by 32 percentage points in the 2024 election. Trump won 32% of their vote, while Harris won 63%. In 2020, Biden had won 64% of the Muslim vote, and Trump had won 35%. Trump faced mixed support from Muslim and Arab American voters, but in swing states like Michigan, their support became especially crucial. 

    Arab American voters in Dearborn said following the election that they voted for Trump over Harris in protest of her stance on the Israel-Hamas war. 

    ‘They didn’t vote for Trump because they believe Trump is the best candidate,’ Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani told Politico in November. ‘No, they voted for Trump because they want to punish the Democrats and Harris.’

    Fox News Digital’s Michael Lee contributed to this report. 

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