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2026 Australian Open draw takeaways: Coco Gauff may face Venus Williams

Sport 6 Mins Read

The first tennis major of the calendar year is upon us.

The 2026 Australian Open gets underway this weekend and the biggest tennis stars in the game, including American Coco Gauff, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, are set to serve up intense competition after the draw was held. The tournament runs from Jan. 18 through Feb. 1.

Italian Jannik Sinner is the two-time reigning champion on the men’s side of the draw after defeating German Alexander Zverev in straight sets, while American Madison Keys looks to defend her title on the women’s side after denying Sabalenka’s quest for an Australian Open three-peat.

A record $74.9 million in prize money is up for grabs, including $2.79 million for both the men’s and women’s singles champions. Who has the easiest path to the title? Let’s break down the draw:

Coco Gauff could face Venus Williams in second round

Gauff won the second major of her career at the 2025 French Open, but her serving and forehand woes snuck up on her toward the back half of the season. Gauff finished the 2025 season with a total of 431 double faults, the most among WTA Tour players. Gauff started working with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan, who helped correct world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s serve, and Gauff’s progress was on display in Team USA’s quarterfinal run in the United Cup, where she breezed past Maria Sakkari and Iga Swiatek to open 2026.

Gauff is looking to keep up that momentum as the No. 3 seed at the Australian Open. She could face Venus Williams in the second round, with a potential third-round matchup against 2023 Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušova. In the fourth round, Gauff will likely meet fellow American Emma Navarro, who has defeated Gauff in their past two matches, including a win at the 2024 US Open. Gauff would have to get past No. 8 Mirra Andreeva or No. 12 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals to get out of her quarter of the bracket. Gauff is on Sabalenka’s side of the draw, setting up a potential 2025 French Open final rematch in the semifinals.

Madison Keys’ title defense starts with tough draw

Eight years after making her first Grand Slam final at the 2017 US Open, Keys finally broke through and won her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2025 Australian Open. Keys defeated five seeded opponents in her title run and will need to muster up a similar performance to successfully defend her title after a challenging draw.

Keys will face Oleksandra Oliynykova in the first round and will likely meet No. 22 Leylah Fernandez in the third round, before things get a little more difficult. Keys drew a potential fourth-round matchup against No. 6 Jessica Pegula or No. 25 Paula Badosa. Keys leads the head-to-head against both players. If she advances to the quarterfinals, Keys could potentially run into No. 4 Amanda Anisimova or No. 27 Sofia Kenin. No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 10 Belinda Bencic are on Keys’ side of the draw and could present a challenging semifinal matchup.

Carlos Alcaraz goes for the career Slam

The Australian Open is the lone title the six-time major champion hasn’t won. Alcaraz is one Australian Open victory away from becoming the ninth man to complete the career Grand Slam and the first since Novak Djokovic in 2016, but Alcaraz hasn’t found success on the Australian Open’s fast hard court. He’s failed to advance to the semifinals in Melbourne, with his best finish coming in the quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025.

Alcaraz’s first Australian Open semifinal appearance may be near after a favorable draw. He begins the tournament against Australian Adam Walton and will likely meet No. 19 Tommy Paul in the fourth round, who he’s defeated four matches in a row. Alcaraz could potentially face No. 6 Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals and, should he advance to the semifinals, Alcaraz could meet a familiar foe in No. 3 Alexander Zverev. The head-to-head between Alcaraz and Zverev is tied 6-6, with Alcaraz taking their last meeting at the 2025 ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati semifinal.

Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic in same half of draw

Sinner and Djokovic could potentially meet in the semifinals. Sinner leads the head-to-head with Djokovic 6-4 and has won the last five matchups against the 24-time major winner, including a semifinal win at the 2024 Australian Open. Djokovic would have to get past a potential quarterfinal matchup against No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 9 Taylor Fritz or No. 31 Stefanos Tsitsipas, which should be doable considering Djokovic has a combined 32-3 record against the three players. Sinner’s biggest challenge in the draw should come from No. 8 Ben Shelton, who he’ll meet in the quarterfinals if the seeds hold.

Best first-round matchups

The first round of the Australian Open features some compelling matchups. Australian Alex de Minaur will face Australian Open semifinalist Matteo Berrettini in the first round. Berrettini leads the head-to-head, 3-2. On the women’s side, No. 32 seed Marketa Vondrousova will face off against Hailey Baptiste in the first round. The two have never played each other, but Baptiste had a great year after reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career at the 2025 French Open. Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, made her way through qualifying and will also present a first-round challenge.

How to watch the Australian Open

The Australian Open will be broadcast across ESPN and ESPN 2. You can also stream on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

When is the Australian Open? Dates and schedule

  • Round 1: Jan. 18-20
  • Round 2: Jan. 21-22
  • Round 3: Jan. 23-24
  • Round of 16: Jan. 25-26
  • Quarterfinals: Jan. 27-28
  • Women’s semifinals: Jan. 29
  • Men’s semifinals: Jan. 30
  • Women’s final: Jan. 31
  • Men’s final: Feb. 1

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What to know about the NBA’s European league plans

Sport 4 Mins Read

It’s not bold to say the NBA’s intrigue in Europe is large right now. Fifteen percent of players currently in the NBA are European. Furthermore, three of the league’s top-five preseason MVP favorites were European — Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. I haven’t even mentioned San Antonio’s young superstar Victor Wembanyama.

All this is to say that it should come as no surprise that the NBA is looking to enter the European market. In December, the NBA, alongside FIBA, announced that they are moving forward with plans to introduce a new league in Europe as early as 2027, claiming that they would begin speaking with teams and owners interested in joining the league in January.

USA TODAY Sports reached out to the NBA to get updates on the unnamed European league. Here’s what to know:

What will the league entail?

Leah MacNab, NBA Senior Vice President and Head of International Strategy, told USA TODAY Sports, ‘We are planning to launch a 16-team league with 10 permanent teams and at least four rotational spots.’

MacNab expanded, claiming that the rotational spots will work similarly to the relegation system many European soccer leagues use.

‘It is a very European system,’ said MacNab. ‘We want to introduce a merit-based pathway into the league so that even teams in lower leagues can have the opportunity to play at the highest level of competition.’

According to MacNab, the 10 permanent teams will never fall out of the league. The rotational spots, meanwhile, will give more teams and players the opportunity to play on the largest stage, which will help expand the basketball market and share the rising interest with other teams that normally wouldn’t get such exposure.

Are there any teams currently lined up?

Not currently.

Although early reports claimed that the NBA would start speaking to teams and owners this month, MacNab claims that no such conversations have happened. MacNab even claimed that if the NBA had already begun speaking with teams, it would have been ‘unlawful.’ The process for finding teams to fill the league will begin soon, but has not begun.

Why are they choosing to start this league now?

Basketball is growing in popularity in Europe. That’s the bottom line. According to National Media Partnerships and International Communications Lead Mark Pozin, basketball has become the second-most popular sport in Europe with over 270 million fans across the continent. Furthermore, the top two most-viewed players globally on NBA social media are European: Luka Dončić (Slovenia; 845M+ views; 1st overall) and Victor Wembanyama (France; 708M+ views; 2nd overall).

Pair those popular players with the NBA playing two games in Europe as well, and there’s plenty of reason to believe the NBA could expand its market substantially with a league across the Atlantic.

Will we see NBA teams in Europe soon?

MacNab was intrigued by this idea but said that such a concept is still a long ways away. The league is not considering that an option for the near future. That said, even Americans have become more intrigued with international basketball. After all, this year’s All-Star Game bears the theme of USA vs. the world.

As it stands, future plans including more international preseason games, with potential matchups between NBA squads and teams in the newly formed European league. MacNab also hinted that tournaments between the two leagues could be in play as well, although details on the tournament, such as time of year, format, etc. are still in the works.

Will this affect NBA teams’ ability to sign international players?

It does not appear so. According to MacNab, most of the systems currently in place will remain in place until further notice. When asked whether or not an NBA-backed league in Europe could persuade some players to remain home rather than travel to the United States to play in the NBA, MacNab admitted that it was a possibility.

Per MacNab, the salaries in the NBA will still be larger, which will likely push many players into the NBA, but ultimately it will be up to the player to determine what they want from their basketball career and whether or not staying in Europe is in their best interest.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Greg Biffle home burglarized three weeks after fatal plane crash

Sport 2 Mins Read

Three weeks after Greg Biffle, his wife and their two young children died in a plane crash, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the estate where the retired NASCAR driver and his family lived in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Thus began an investigation into an alleged break-in and theft reported Jan. 8, and Iredell County Sheriff Dan Campbell told the Associated Press $30,000 in cash was stolen.

The investigation continues at the same time “A Gathering in Remembrance” is scheduled to be held Friday, Jan. 16, to honor the lives lost in the Dec. 18 plane crash.

In addition to the death of Biffle, his wife Cristina and his two children — daughter Emma and son Ryder — three other people died in the crash of the Cessna Citation. According to WTVD in Durham, North Carolina, the plane hit the ground short of the runway at Statesville Regional Airport and then burst into flames.

As the grieving continues, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office now is tasked to determine what happened during the apparent burglary of the Biffles’ home.

Campbell told the Associated Press that no arrests have been made and that investigators think someone entered a safe in the home. In addition to $30,000 missing, some guns and memorabilia also are gone, according to the Associated Press report.

Biffle, who won 19 races on the Cup Series, retired from full-time competition in 2016.

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With Dante Moore returning to Oregon, how do Jets pick up the pieces?

Sport 8 Mins Read

Wednesday, Moore announced he’ll forego the 2026 NFL Draft in order to play another season for the Ducks – in what’s very likely the best decision for him … and the New York Jets.

Moore, who’s started just 20 games in college – 15 in Oregon’s just completed season and five for UCLA in 2023 – was widely projected to be a top-five pick in this year’s draft, quite possibly second overall to the quarterback-starved Jets. (The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to take Indiana star and recently crowned Heisman Trophy-winning QB Fernando Mendoza in the top spot.)

Still, some NFL scouts believe Moore could have more professional upside than Mendoza.

“Around the league, there’s a debate on who’s one or who’s two,” ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller recently told USA TODAY Sports. “Some people love Mendoza – pocket passer, super accurate, poised, never seems to get rattled. He’s more of a distributor – he allows his guys to go make plays. I think there’s a lot of people that see that and like it. He’s kind of Jared Goff-esque … or Kirk Cousins-plus.

“Dante, I think he’s a little more explosive, he’s a little more dynamic. … He’s really not quite as experienced. And so it’s more of an upside bet.”

Mendoza thoroughly outplayed Moore in last Friday’s Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers scalding the Ducks 56-22. Mendoza’s performance, which included five touchdown passes and three incompletions, aligned with Miller’s description of him. However Moore threw an ugly pick-six on the first play from scrimmage, didn’t deal with Indiana’s defensive pressure effectively and – despite a promising second drive capped by a 19-yard TD pass to Jamari Johnson – wasn’t able to keep Oregon competitive in the CFP semifinal round, his 285 passing yards largely cosmetic.

The game was but a snapshot of Moore, who was third-team All-Big Ten 2025 and typically has a strong and accurate arm, and hardly a microcosm of his breakout season. Yet it was also more indicative of what he’ll see on an Sundays than a Saturday in Eugene or Corvallis.

Moore’s decision likely spares the perpetually rebuilding Jets – and a roster that began getting stripped of talent at November’s trade deadline – from a mistake. Though the NYJ touted the consistency of their offensive line at the end of the season, which they ended by losing a record five consecutive games by at least 23 points apiece, they hardly have the look of a team that’s one young quarterback away from competing. And for a franchise that’s failed to support and/or develop Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson and Justin Fields – and that’s just over the past 15 years – asking Moore to deliver in the pressure cooker that is the New York market without a reputable QB sensei would have been a highly suspect decision.

Also, the NFL has done no favors to inexperienced passers taken as top-five picks in recent years – think Mitch Trubisky, Trey Lance or Anthony Richardson.

So while Moore returns to school in hopes of further polishing his game – and, make no mistake, it’s a decision quite likely to cost him significant draft position (and money) in the 2027 draft, though could ultimately render him a better football player – where do the Jets go from here?

Here are four suggestions for Gang Green:

Bring in a veteran QB with upside

Hard to imagine Fields is sticking around for the second year of the deal he signed last year – especially given his ongoing inability to develop as a passer, and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand’s inability to consistently deploy the dual threat in a way that leverages Fields’ talents as a runner.

As is typically the case, the crop of free agent quarterbacks is going to be thin. Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell and Malik Willis – and he might actually have a fairly robust market – seem like the best options (and, no, we’re not advocating for Daniel Jones to return to New York).

Even though he’ll be 38 next season, maybe Cousins could be a temporary option – given the relative strength of the Jets’ line and his desire to remain a starter in the league, even if only in a bridge capacity. He’s certainly closer to Jared Goff, whom Engstrand worked with in Detroit, than anyone else on this list. And the rebooting Falcons could more easily trade Cousins now from a salary cap perspective – though they might be compelled to retain him as Michael Penix Jr. recovers from his most recent knee injury.

But maybe the sweet spot solution is Mac Jones. A failed 2021 first-rounder alongside Wilson, Lance and Fields, Jones – like Darnold before him – has seemingly benefited from a year in Kyle Shanahan’s quarterback halfway house with the San Francisco 49ers, winning five of eight starts this season while crafting a career-best 97.4 passer rating. Jones is a fiery competitor and has a demeanor teammates tend to gravitate toward. And as flush with draft capital as the Jets are after offloading Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner in November, sending, say, a third-rounder to the Niners for Jones, who’s already under contract for 2026, could be a worthwhile gambit.

Draft a quarterback … but not early

The Jets have two first-round picks this year. They should use both with the always prudent “best player available” approach in mind to build out this roster. And unless the Raiders pass on Mendoza for some hard-to-fathom reason, that means the NYJ should be steering clear of QBs on Day 1 of the draft. The Jets also possess two second-round picks. But even then, using one on Alabama’s Ty Simpson, for example, seems misguided given his own limitations. But if Simpson or LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier or Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, for example, are available in the middle rounds, any might be worth a flier given their upside and the general lack of expectations they’d carry forward from college at this point.

Draft a playmaker … early

Even if the Jets have no business taking a QB with the second pick, laying the groundwork for the eventual face of the franchise makes sense. WR Garrett Wilson and TE Mason Taylor, a second-round pick by this regime last year, could be the start of a nice suite of weapons.

But the Jets have probably over-targeted and overburdened the wispy Wilson in recent years – and he only played in seven games in 2025. Taking another Ohio State receiver, Carnell Tate – perhaps a similar, if slightly bigger (6-3, 195) version of Wilson – could be the right play. Buckeyes pass catchers translate very well to the NFL, and creating a tandem that could be a nice 1/1A combo would be sensible.

And though it’s quite lofty for his position, perhaps lengthy consideration should be given to Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love. The caveat is having a plan here – not tossing him into an unfortunate situation like the one Las Vegas’ Ashton Jeanty found himself in as a rookie. But remember, this offense – at least based on how it operates in Detroit – heavily relies on two backs, and the Jets may not have one frontliner if Breece Hall jets in free agency. Regardless, the dynamic Love might be perfectly utilized in some kind of time-share here, especially since his skills as a receiver would absolutely benefit any kind of quarterback − but especially a young one.

Keep the phone lines open

Are the Jets likely to field an offer at No. 2 the way the Cleveland Browns did last year, when they traded down so the Jacksonville Jaguars could reel in Heisman Trophy winning WR/CB Travis Hunter? Seems rather unlikely – especially in a draft so seemingly devoid of quarterback talent. But if the Jets can move out of the second spot – even if it means taking a bit less than a premium package – to slide back a handful of spots, they should. They have too many needs, especially defensively, to stick and pick in this draft unless they’re absolutely convicted about someone like Love or a defender such as Buckeyes pass rusher Arvell Reese. But given the obvious signal the team sent that it’s embarking on a lengthy rebuild, stockpiling assets – especially if that means extra ammo in what’s expected to be a loaded 2027 draft – seems like the chess move for GM Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Andy Schectman: Silver Price Breaking Out, Room to Run by Every Metric

Investing 1 Min Read

Andy Schectman, president of Miles Franklin, breaks down recent silver market dynamics, including the massive rise in entities standing for delivery of physical metal, increased CME Group (NASDAQ:CME) margin requirements and China’s silver export controls.

‘We’re beginning to see at the highest level a change of mentality, a change of perception of what these metals truly are,’ he said in the interview.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Cobalt Market 2025 Year-End Review

Investing 6 Mins Read

The cobalt market entered 2025 under pressure from a prolonged supply glut, but the balance shifted sharply as the year unfolded, due almost entirely to intervention from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

After starting the year near nine year lows of US$24,343.40 per metric ton, cobalt metal prices had risen to US$53,005 by the end of December, pushed upward by supply concerns stemming from export limits in the DRC.

“The cobalt market in 2025 was characterised by a significant price recovery following the DRC banning the export of all cobalt from its borders in February,” said Aubry. “By the end of 2025, sulphate prices increased 266 percent, hydroxide increased by 328 percent and metal prices by 130 percent year-to-date.”

Q1: Cobalt moves from glut to supply shock

As mentioned, cobalt metal prices hit their weakest level since 2016 in January. Global mine output had more than doubled over five years, far outpacing demand growth from electric vehicles and other end uses.

That dynamic changed abruptly in late February, when the DRC — which supplies roughly three-quarters of the world’s cobalt — imposed a four month suspension on cobalt hydroxide exports.

The news lifted cobalt from US$24,495 at the start of the year to above US$34,000 by the end of March, with intra-month highs nearing US$36,300. The move marked the sector’s first meaningful rebound in nearly two years.

As the DRC exhibited control over cobalt supply, the market began to look to the world’s second largest cobalt-producing nation: Indonesia. Indonesia’s cobalt output is largely a by-product of its laterite nickel industry, produced through high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) plants that process nickel-rich ores.

These facilities generate mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), an intermediate containing both nickel and cobalt that can be further refined into battery-grade materials. The model has enabled Indonesia to rapidly scale its cobalt supply, leveraging its dominant nickel position and integrated processing infrastructure.

Indonesia produced about 31,000 metric tons of cobalt in 2024 — roughly 10 percent of global supply — cementing its position as the world’s second largest producer behind the DRC.

Output growth is being driven by HPAL projects targeting up to 500,000 tons per annum (tpa) of mixed hydroxide precipitate, potentially yielding 50,000 tpa of cobalt, though scaling up may prove challenging.

Indonesian MHP, a lower-cost intermediate that is rich in nickel and cobalt, is increasingly viewed by Chinese refiners as a substitute for DRC-sourced cobalt hydroxide.

Q2 and Q3: A fragile equilibrium forms

The DRC’s export ban continued to underpin prices through the second quarter.

Standard-grade cobalt metal was trading near US$15 to US$16 per pound at the time, while cobalt sulfate posted even sharper gains. Despite the rally, sentiment remained cautious. Chinese refiners drew on existing inventories, and trade data showed cobalt units still flowing into China, particularly from Indonesia.

By June, prices had begun to ease as uncertainty mounted over how long the DRC would maintain controls.

Although China imported significant volumes earlier in the year, analysts warned Indonesian supply would be insufficient to fully offset reduced DRC cobalt shipments. Later that month, the DRC extended its export restrictions through September, reinforcing expectations that the market would move toward balance.

By mid-year, Chinese import data confirmed the impact — cobalt hydroxide inflows had fallen sharply, with analysts projecting constrained refinery feed into late 2025 or early 2026.

Prices stabilized in a broad US$33,000 to US$37,000 range through Q3, supported by tightening supply and diminishing inventories. Market participants increasingly viewed the DRC’s actions as a structural shift rather than a temporary correction, signaling the end of the cobalt surplus that had defined the previous two years.

By late 2025, the cobalt market had transformed from one of chronic oversupply to one approaching equilibrium — a reset driven not by demand growth, but by decisive supply-side intervention.

Q4: Cobalt quotas replace DRC ban, prices climb

After months of supply disruption, the DRC lifted its full cobalt export ban in mid-October, replacing it with a rigid quota system that will shape the market through 2026.

Under the new framework, annual DRC exports are capped at about 96,600 metric tons, roughly half of 2024 levels, with just 18,125 metric tons scheduled for shipment in Q4 2025.

This structural tightening helped sustain elevated prices that surged above US$47,000 by late October, levels not seen since early 2023, amid persistent feedstock shortages and constrained exports.

DRC quotas have provided a degree of market clarity, with major producers like CMOC Group (OTCPL:CMCLF) receiving significant allocations that underpin production plans. Despite robust output guidance, inventories outside the DRC remain tight, and market participants see continued upward price pressure as the quota system curtails supply.

“The DRC’s quota system is set to squeeze supply in the next two years — unless the country revises quotas higher,” wrote Fastmarkets’ Oliver Masson in a December market update.

“Prices are already considerably higher than they were at the beginning of the year, and they are likely to remain elevated for as long as current quota levels remain in force,’ he said. ‘Cobalt is mostly used in batteries, and the longer prices remain elevated, the more likely it is that EV manufacturers will seek to move to low-cobalt or cobalt-free chemistries where feasible. This could slow demand in the medium term.”

Cobalt price forecast for 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, analysts see the cobalt market shifting into a deficit as export caps bite and global feedstock availability shrinks. Fastmarkets projects a structural shortfall of about 10,700 metric tons against demand near 292,300 metric tons, driven by DRC quota limits and ongoing drawdowns of stocks.

Industry forecasters also anticipate that reduced shipments, combined with a stubbornly tight pipeline, will support stronger average prices next year. Some forecasts suggest cobalt could average near US$55,000 in 2026 as export quotas supplant the 2025 ban. Indonesian supply is emerging as a secondary source, with production climbing, but most analysts agree it will be insufficient to offset DRC constraints in the near term.

After a year of dramatic swings driven by supply policy in the DRC, 2026 is shaping up as the first sustained deficit environment in the cobalt market, with prices expected to remain elevated amid structural tightening.

“Prices have substantially recovered over 2025 and are expected to remain elevated in 2026 as the DRC limits exports,” said Aubry. “There is a significant potential upside risk as dwindling ex-DRC stocks present the risk of demand destruction towards the end of the year.”

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Iron Ore Price Forecast: Top Trends for Iron Ore in 2026

Investing 7 Mins Read

Iron ore prices have strengthened since bottoming out in September 2024, but the base metal faced headwinds in 2025 as tariff threats and investor uncertainty weighed on the market.

Usage in steel makes iron ore one of the most widely used and essential materials in the world, and as a result its fortune is highly dependent on the strength of the construction and manufacturing sectors.

Iron ore has also seen increased demand from electric vehicle (EV) batteries over the last several years.

Among all countries, China leads the world in steel production, but lacks domestic supply to meet demand; it is also the world’s largest importer of base metals. As one of the biggest manufacturing bases and a significant source of demand for construction and EV production, China exerts considerable influence on iron ore prices.

Additionally, as 2026 begins, the definitive period for the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is starting — it will apply levies to high-carbon imports such as steel.

How did iron ore prices perform in 2025?

Iron ore started 2025 at US$99.44 per metric ton (MT) on January 6, then hit US$107.26 on February 12.

The start of March saw a steep decline for prices as they retreated toward the US$100 mark, then climbed back to US$104.25 on April 2; a rout in the base metals market saw prices fall to US$99.05 on April 9.

While other metals recovered, iron ore continued to track lower, reaching US$97.41 on May 5 and ultimately sinking to a yearly low of US$93.41 on July 1. During the third quarter, iron ore prices gained momentum, rising above the US$100 mark in August and reaching a quarterly high of US$106.08 on September 8.

Prices were largely rangebound in Q4, dropping below US$104 only once on November 7, then recovering to post a yearly high of US$107.88 on December 4. Prices had retreated to US$106.13 by December 5.

Key iron ore price drivers in 2025

All in all, prices for iron ore didn’t fare too badly in 2025.

The biggest factor affecting growth was a significant fall-off during the first half of the year as pressures mounted from a continuing slump in the Chinese property sector and the threat of US tariffs.

The Chinese real estate sector has been in steep decline since 2021, when two of the nation’s top developers — Country Garden and Evergrande — declared bankruptcy after incurring hundreds of billions of dollars in debt. Since then, the government has introduced various stimulus measures, but has failed to turn the sector around.

As mentioned, because of the sheer size of the property market in China, it is a significant demand driver for steel products and has an outsized influence on the global iron ore market.

Another noteworthy headwind for iron ore price levels this past year was the threat of US tariffs. In early April, US President Donald Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs, which applied a 10 percent levy across the board, and threatened retaliatory tariffs to close trade deficits with most countries.

The move sparked fears of a global recession and triggered a rout in equities and commodities markets, sending prices plunging. However, most markets rebounded quickly as plans were dialed back after a squeeze in the bond market that sent 10 year treasury yields up by more than half a percentage point.

Further iron ore price pressures came later in the year, when the massive Simandou mine in Guinea shipped its first iron ore, destined for smelters in China, on December 2.

Two consortia of companies own the mine. Blocks three and four have a 45/40/15 ownership split between Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO), Chinalco and the Guinea government, and blocks one and two have a 45/35/20 split between Winning International, China Hongquiao Group (HKEX:1378,OTCPL:CHHQF) and United Mining Supply.

The mine will ramp up production over the next 30 months, and is expected to produce 15 million to 20 million MT in 2026 and 40 million to 50 million MT in 2027.

What trends will move the iron ore market in 2026?

“Construction accounts for about 50 percent of steel consumption in terms of end users. The weakness of the property market has, of course, weighed on steel demand and therefore pig iron production. However, the driver for China’s steel production has been industrialisation and urbanisation during the past two decades,” he said.

Sardain went on to state that despite a shift in focus from fixed assets to manufacturing, services and technology, overall steel demand is set to move lower. Although the decline won’t last forever and the property market will stabilize, the effect of even a mild rebound on steel production will be limited:

“However, steel production and iron ore demand have been supported by strong exports in markets such as Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa, mitigating the impact of a lower domestic steel demand. Whether steel exports can increase from their current level is debatable, and we forecast a lower steel production in China over time.’

On the tariff front, US levies aren’t likely to have much impact. Sardain pointed out that while US steel demand exceeds its production capacity, Chinese imports remain a minimal factor.

Meanwhile, the US is primarily producing steel in lower-carbon electric arc furnaces from ferrous scrap.

Although steel tariffs from Canada and Brazil are set at 25 and 50 percent, respectively, both countries have exemptions for iron ore pellets, and Canadian ferrous scrap is covered under CUSMA provisions.

But with the trade pact set to be renegotiated in 2026, it’s uncertain what it means for steel and, by extension, iron products, in the midterm. The best-case scenario is that Canadian steel will receive an exemption.

Still, the risk remains that current CUSMA blanket exemptions will be removed, allowing the US to apply additional tariffs on Canadian goods crossing the border. Likewise, in Europe, the CBAM came into effect on January 1, 2026.

While the impact may take some time to work through the market, it will still have downstream effects for producers that want to avoid tariffs on imported products. This may be one reason Chinese steel producers are switching from higher-carbon blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces in the smelting process.

“Currently, electric arc furnaces account for about 12 percent of China’s steel production, set to increase to 18 percent by the first part of the next decade,” Sardain said, noting that China is looking to cap its emissions by 2030.

The main challenge for iron ore is waning demand, as the primary input for electric arc furnaces is scrap steel, not raw iron. “Countries which will see their steel production increasing (primarily India, but to some extent Russia, Brazil or Iran) are not iron ore importers because they are self-sufficient. Steel production in the EU is flat to lower with more production coming from electric arc furnaces as part of the decarbonisation process,” Sardain said.

Soft demand growth, however, is expected to meet increasing mine supply, further dragging on prices in 2026.

Sardain suggested that all major iron ore miners will increase their production in 2026, with the largest boost coming from Guinea’s Simandou, which could shake up supply chains.

“The blocks one and two are owned by a Chinese-Singaporean consortium. It will provide China with the opportunity to diversify its supply from the major Australian producers (something that the country tried to do for the past 15 years unsuccessfully) and it will shift the supply-demand momentum in favour of China,” he said.

Additionally, the mine is important because of its 65 percent iron content.

Iron ore price forecast for 2026

Sardain expects iron ore prices to remain muted in 2026.

“We believe that price should drop below the US$100 per MT mark, although it could stay above this level in H1 due to seasonality … so, overall, prices staying between US$100 to US$105 per MT in H1, then declining below US$100 per MT in H2, with the ramp-up of the Simandou mine being a determining factor,” he said.

This is largely in line with estimates from other firms. BMI is predicting a 2026 price of US$95, while RBC Capital Markets sees iron ore averaging US$98; the overall consensus stands at US$94.

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

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Sankamap Provides Update on Late Filing of Financial Statements and Extension of MCTO

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Sankamap Metals Inc. (CSE: SCU) (‘Sankamap’ or the ‘Company’) the Company and its auditor continue to work diligently toward the completion and filing of the Company’s annual audited financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 (the ‘Required Filings’). The Company has obtained approval from the Alberta Securities Commission to extend the Management Cease Trade Order (‘MCTO’) under National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders (‘NP 12-203’) until January 31, 2026. Sankamap confirms that it has received the crucial confirmations from the Solomon Islands government, and that the majority of the audit work has now been completed, with only a limited number of minor confirmations and outstanding items remaining. The Company is actively working to provide the remaining items and is contacting any parties from whom confirmations are still outstanding. Subject to the completion of these remaining items, the audit file is expected to enter the final stages of review and be nearing completion.

The Required Filings were due to be filed by October 28, 2025. In connection with the anticipated delays in making the Required Filings, the Company made an application for a MCTO under NP 12-203 to the Alberta Securities Commission, as principal regulator for the Company, and the MCTO was issued on October 29, 2025. The MCTO restricts all trading by the Company’s CEO and CFO in securities of the Company, whether direct or indirect. The MCTO does not affect the ability of persons who are not directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade their securities. The MCTO will remain in effect until the Required Filings are filed or until it is revoked or varied.

The Company expects to proceed with the filing of its interim first-quarter financial statements shortly after the Required Filings have been completed and submitted.

The Company confirms that it intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines described in NP 12-203 by issuing bi-weekly default status reports in the form of a news release until it meets the Required Filings requirement. The Company has not taken any steps towards any insolvency proceeding and the Company has no material information relating to its affairs that has not been generally disclosed.

For further information with respect to the MCTO, please refer to the Company’s news releases dated October 21, 2025, November 4, 2025, November 18, 2025, December 3, 2025, December 17, 2025 and December 30, 2025, available for viewing on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Sankamap Metals Inc.

Sankamap Metals Inc. (CSE: SCU) is a Canadian mineral exploration company dedicated to the discovery and development of high-grade copper and gold deposits through its flagship Oceania Project, located in the South Pacific. The Company’s fully permitted assets are strategically positioned in the Solomon Islands, along a prolific geological trend that hosts major copper-gold deposits; including Newcrest’s Lihir Mine, with a resource of 71.9 million ounces of gold¹ (310 Mt containing 23 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t P+P, 520 Mt containing 39 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t indicated, 81 Mt containing 5 Moz Au at 1.9 g/t measured, 61 Mt containing 4.9 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t Inferred).

Exploration is actively advancing at both the Kuma and Fauro properties, part of Sankamap’s Oceania Project in the Solomon Islands. Historical work has already highlighted the mineral potential of both sites, which lie along a highly prospective copper and gold-bearing trend, suggesting the possibility of further, yet-to-be-discovered deposits.

At Kuma, the property is believed to host an underexplored and largely untested porphyry copper-gold (Cu-Au) system. Historical rock chip sampling has returned consistently elevated gold values above 0.5 g/t Au, including a standout sample assaying 11.7% Cu and 13.5 g/t Au2; underscoring the area’s significant potential.

At Fauro, particularly at the Meriguna Target, historical trenching has returned highly encouraging results, including 8.0 meters at 27.95 g/t Au and 14.0 meters at 8.94 g/t Au3. Complementing these results are exceptional grab sample assays, including historical values of up to 173 g/t Au3, along with recent sampling by Sankamap at the Kiovakase Target, which returned numerous high-grade copper values, reaching up to 4.09% Cu. In addition, limited historical shallow drilling intersected 35.0 meters at 2.08 g/t Au3, further underscoring the property’s strong mineral potential and the merit for continued exploration. With a commitment to systematic exploration and a team of experienced professionals, Sankamap aims to unlock the untapped potential of underexplored regions and create substantial value for its shareholders. For more information, please refer to SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under Sankamap’s profile.

1.Newcrest Technical Report, 2020 (Lihir: 310 Mt containing 23 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t P+P, 520 Mt containing 39 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t indicated, 81 Mt containing 5 Moz Au at 1.9 g/t measured, 61 Mt containing 4.9 Moz Au at 2.3 g/t Inferred)

2. Historical grab, soil and BLEG samples from SolGold Kuma Review June 2015, and SolGold plc Annual Report 2013/2012

3. September 2010-June 2012 press releases from Solomon Gold Ltd. and SolGold Fauro Island Summary Technical Info 2012

QP Disclosure

The technical content for the Oceania Project in this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol., a Qualified Person in accordance with CIM guidelines. Mr. John Florek is in good standing with the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (Member ID:1228) and a director and officer of the Company.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

s/ ‘John Florek’
John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol
Chief Executive Officer
Sankamap Metals Inc.

Contact:
John Florek, CEO
T: (807) 228-3531
E: johnf@sankamap.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute ‘forward-looking information’ and ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to Sankamap and there is no assurance that the actual results will meet management’s expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as ‘anticipates,’ ‘believes,’ ‘targets,’ ‘estimates,’ ‘plans,’ ‘expects,’ ‘may,’ ‘will,’ ‘could’ or ‘would.’

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding management’s expectations about obtaining the MCTO and completing the Required Filings within the anticipated timeline. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Sankamap does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements or information, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company’s continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca .

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280320

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CoTec to Host Investor Update

Investing 3 Mins Read

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / January 14, 2026 / CoTec Holdings Corp. (TSX-V:CTH)(OTCQB:CTHCF) (‘CoTec’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that the Company’s CEO, Julian Treger, will host an investor update on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. PST / 11:00 a.m. EST.

The update will highlight recent platform and strategic developments across the CoTec portfolio. Management will provide a high-level update on progress at MagIron, a CoTec investment advancing a U.S.-based iron ore and metallics strategy, as well as HyProMag USA, and discuss other key initiatives currently being advanced by the Company. The presentation will also include management’s outlook for 2026, outlining priorities, upcoming milestones, and areas of focus for the year ahead. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

Investors who wish to attend the presentation may do so by clicking here to register.

Should the above link not work, please copy and paste the following link to your web browser: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0NBXb4IIRXOVP0d2l7j5Vg#/registration

About CoTec

CoTec Holdings Corp. (TSX-V:CTH)(OTCQB:CTHCF) is redefining the future of resource extraction and recycling. Focused on rare earth magnets and strategic materials, CoTec integrates breakthrough technologies with strategic assets to unlock secure, sustainable, and low-cost supply chains for the United States and its allies.

CoTec’s mission is clear: accelerate the energy transition while strengthening U.S. economic and national security. By investing in and deploying disruptive technologies, the Company delivers capital-efficient, scalable solutions that transform marginal assets, tailings, waste streams, and recycled products into high-value critical minerals.

From its HyProMag USA magnet recycling joint venture in Texas, to iron tailings reprocessing in Québec, to next-generation copper and iron solutions backed by global majors, CoTec is building a diversified portfolio with long-term growth, rapid cash flow potential, and high barriers to entry. The result is a differentiated platform at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and strategic materials.

For more information, please visit www.cotec.ca

For further information, please contact:
Eugene Hercun, VP Finance, +1 604 537 2413

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement

Statements in this press release regarding the Company and its investments which are not historical facts are ‘forward-looking statements’ that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements relating to management’s expectations with respect to its current and potential future investments and the benefits to the Company which may be implied from such statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. For further details regarding risks and uncertainties facing the Company, please refer to ‘Risk Factors’ in the Company’s filing statement dated April 6, 2022, a copy of which may be found under the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca

Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE: CoTec Holdings Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

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Frozen MLB free agent market begins to thaw: Latest news on Big 3

Sport 3 Mins Read

The Philadelphia Phillies suddenly are cautiously optimistic about their hopes of signing free agent infielder Bo Bichette.

The New York Yankees are growing pessimistic about re-signing free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger.

And the New York Mets are hoping that their stunning short-term, up-front offer can be the ultimate influencer for free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker.

It has taken 10 weeks for the market to develop for the marquee free-agent class, and now with Alex Bregman’s five-year, $175 million contract expected to become official Wednesday with a Thursday morning press conference scheduled in Chicago, the attention turns to the Big 3: Tucker, Bellinger and Bichette.

Tucker, 28, who is also being courted by the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers, has been offered a three- or four-year contract by the Mets that will pay him an average of $50 million a season. It would be the third-highest AAV in baseball history behind Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers ($70 million AAV) and Juan Soto’s 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets ($51 million AAV). The Blue Jays have discussed a long-term contract with Tucker that pays him less money per season, while the Dodgers also are lurking with a huge short-term deal.

Bellinger, 30, and the Yankees have been negotiating all winter, with the Yankees calling him a priority, but their talks have hit a stalemate. The Yankees have offered a five-year deal worth $155 million to $160 million, according to two people with direct knowledge of the negotiations, with no deferrals and potential opt-outs. Bellinger, however, is seeking a seven-year contract.

The Yankees’ argument is that no position player this winter has received longer than a five-year contract, and their offer to Bellinger would make him the fourth-highest paid outfielder in baseball. Bellinger argues that since he’s younger than Kyle Schwarber (33 in March), Bregman (32 in March) and Pete Alonso (31), who received five-year deals this winter, he should receive a longer deal.

While the Yankees and Bellinger are at a stalemate, with the Yankees starting to question how badly he wants to return to New York, Bellinger could be the ideal back-up plan for the teams that don’t land Tucker. The Blue Jays, Mets and Dodgers have all expressed varying degrees of interest in Bellinger.

Bichette, 27, and the Phillies, meanwhile, had their first meeting Monday in a zoom call with both sides expressing strong interest in the other. The two sides came away from the meeting believing that there was genuine interest in one another.

The Red Sox, who believed their five-year, $165 million offer would lure Bregman back to Boston, now are expected to aggressively pursue Bichette. The Blue Jays remain in the hunt, and the Dodgers continue to hang around.

We’ll see how it plays out, but after 10 weeks of a deep free-agent freeze, suddenly, we’re starting to see a little thawing in the marketplace.

Who gets burned before breaking out that sunscreen in spring training?

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

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