Managing Director Ken Aitken joined The Market Online’s Sonia Madigan to discuss further.

Join the discussion. See what HotCopper users are saying about Metgasco (ASX:MEL) and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Tuckanarra, near Meekatharra in WA, has been of interest to miners over many decades – there are four existing open pits there, along with other historical workings.

Now Odyssey is introducing modern mining techniques to reveal the project’s real potential.

Executive Director, Matt Syme joined The Market Online’s Sonia Madigan to discuss further.

Join the discussion. See what HotCopper users are saying about Odyssey Gold (ASX:ODY) and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.

Join the discussion. See what HotCopper users are saying about Redcastle Resources (ASX:RC1) and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Smartpay had entered an ‘exclusivity arrangement’ with another party which made a cash offer of NZ$1.20 per share, trumping Tyro’s NZ$1 a share offer – which was to be mostly scrip.

The Other ‘unnamed’ Party has until June 9 to conduct due diligence and exclusively consider its offer. However from late May until that date, Smartpay can engage with anyone putting a ‘superior’ deal forward.

Back in March, Smartpay revealed it had two proposals – one from Tyro and the other from an ‘international strategic’.

This morning Tyro announced: “Tyro confirms it is no longer participating in an acquisition process with Smartpay.”

“Tyro submitted a proposal and was conducting due diligence as part of a competitive process.

“Tyro was informed of Smartpay’s decision to enter an exclusivity arrangement with anotherparty for a cash offer of NZ$1.20 per share on Friday 2 May.

“This was prior to conclusion of the agreed due diligence process and receipt of an update to Tyro’s cash and scrip synergistic merger proposal.”

Tyro last traded at 77.5 cents and has a $409 million market cap; Smartpay last traded at 76c and has a $183 million market cap.

Join the conversation: See what investors are saying about both Tyro Payments (ASX:TYR) and Smartpay Holdings (ASX:SMP).

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Along the way, we’re joined by markets reporter Caroline Smith who also provides insights as we discuss the nuclear debate and the information – and mis-information (ie fear campaign!) – that’s been circulating in the sometimes ugly marketing and media circus surrounding the upcoming vote.

We look at a host of other promises from each side of the fence and address the biggest election issues: The cost of living and housing crises.

Before we go, you’ll hear us explore the question… Are Australia’s Prime Ministers paid enough to really attract the quality of talent needed to run a country?

For the full podcast episode, you can listen below – right here in the browser.

Join the discussion: See what’s trending right now on Australia’s largest stock forum and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

Disclaimer: This article contains information and educational content provided by Jevons Global Pty Ltd, a Corporate Authorised Representative (AR1250727) of BR Securities Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 92 168 734 530) which holds an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL 456663). The Market Online does not operate under a financial services licence and relies on the exemption available under section 911A(2)(eb) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) in respect of any advice given.

The information is intended to be general in nature and is not personal financial advice. It does not take into account your personal financial situation or objectives and you should consider consulting a qualified financial professional before making any investment decision. All brands and trademarks included in this report remain the property of their owners.

The material provided in this podcast is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

So, is Liberal leader Peter Dutton right in claiming nuclear is crucial for Australia’s future energy needs? Or, Is Labor’s Anthony Albanese being responsible in saying the costs and historical risks outweigh the reward.

Hear from the experts at this week’s WA Mining Club May event at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

The panellists you’ll see in this debate filmed by HotCopper are:

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Join the discussion. See what HotCopper users are saying about Artemis Resources (ASX:ARV) and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Having said that, the revenue is down from the December quarter.

Wealth Within senior analyst Fil Tortevski shows the charting methodology and macro factors that may suggest Lynas is lining up for a ‘huge opportunity’.

“In light of what is happening around the world with the rare earths, there is a huge opportunity,” he said.

“Lynas is – bar China – the biggest rare earth player out there. So, this could open up a whole bunch of new supply chains for the stock.”

Wealth Within’s chief analyst Dale Gillham says LYC trading volumes have increased immensely and more consistently since 2017-18.

Hear their full analysis in this week’s Hot Stock Tips show.

Lynas last traded at $8.60.

Join the discussion: See what HotCopper users are saying about Lynas Rare Earths and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The next stock discussed in this week’s Wealth Within video, is Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX), which plunged some 8% after the U.S FDA delayed approvals for Telix’s new drug for imaging rare brain cancer – despite prior approval.

So is it time to take profits – given the stock has tripled in vertical-type rises in just over a year?

Wealth Within’s Gillham and Tortevski discuss what’s likely to happen, based on chart analysis.

Despite the news from the FDA, Telix last traded at $26.95.

Join the discussion: See what HotCopper users are saying about TLX.

Flight Centre Travel Group (ASX:FLT) is the third stock discussed today.

It has downgraded its FY25 profit guidance due to weaker U.S. travel demand. It has also announced a $200 million share buyback and cost-cutting measures.

Mr Tortevski said while it might look like a ‘sell right now’, it could present opportunities if the company makes the right structural changes.

Mr Gillham added: “It looks all doom and gloom downgrading profits, but that whole buyback is good capital management by the company’.

“That’s a great thing that it’s buying back shares, so I love what it’s doing.

“Obviously the times are a little bit tougher for them at the moment, but as we see interest rates come down we’ll see the economy being stimulated, travel will pick up.

“This is a stock that you would watch.

“Maybe in six months time it will give you a great buy, that once in a life time opportunity to pick up a really good stock while the news is a little bit bad on it.”

FLT last traded at $12.73.

Join the discussion: See what HotCopper users are saying about FLT.

Dale Gillham is Chief Analyst at Wealth Within and international bestselling author of How to Beat the Managed Funds by 20%. He is also the author of Accelerate Your Wealth—It’s Your Money, Your Choice, which is available in bookstores and online at www.wealthwithin.com.au

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.

Join the discussion. See what HotCopper users are saying about Equinox Resources (ASX:EQN) and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Today it set out its ‘Master Plan’ looking forward to a time (2047) when double the number of passengers – some 38 million a year – use the facility, and air cargo is tipped to increase by 40%.

But it also admitted plans for a second runway – previously due to be operational by 2028 – would be pushed out by at least a decade.

Auckland Airport’s chief strategic planning officer Mary-Liz Tuck said the ‘trigger point’ had been revised thanks to operational and airfield efficiency measures.

“Building another runway at AKL is part of our planning roadmap and our current airfield investments, including a major airfield expansion to the north of the international terminal and a consolidated cargo precinct alongside, are being built with this in mind,” she said.

“Construction of a second runway is a big commitment and one that we will only consider if it is in the best interests of New Zealand.

“First, we will fully explore all the ways we can ensure our current airfield operates as efficiently as possible.

“If the existing runway cannot provide the capacity New Zealand requires, then we will commence consultation with airlines on the second runway.”

The Master Plan was last updated in 2014 and Ms Tuck says a lot has changed since then.

“When you’re considering how to plan a well-functioning airport across several decades you need to look beyond the short-term cycles, by using projected passenger volumes over the long run – this is a fundamental part of long-term airport planning,” she said.

The Master Plan explores terminal integration, that second runway and what a future mass rapid transport corridor looks like. It also goes into sustainability, innovation and community wellbeing.

“It is an evolution, building on previous plans, while ensuring we are responding to what New Zealand needs from its main international gateway not just for today, but well into the future,” Ms Tuck said.

“While the Master Plan guides our investment decisions, it is not a detailed construction or capital plan.

“It is about making sure we’re building appropriately today with the future of the airport in mind.

“At its heart, it is a blueprint that makes sure we are building the right thing at the right time in the right place.

“It is not a commitment to build certain assets, nor does it set out the business case for constructing infrastructure, but lays out the direction of development for the airport.”

Ms Tuck said the plan laid out ‘important discussions we need to have ahead of making investment decisions’.

AIA last traded at $7.51 and has a market cap around $12.7 million.

Join the discussion: See what HotCopper users are saying about AIA and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

The ‘merger of equals’ transaction has been declared through a ‘definitive arrangement agreement’ which will see Alkane acquire all the shares of Mandalay. The name and ASX-listing Alkane Resources will stay and the merged company will seek a new listing on the TSX.

Under the arrangement, Mandalay shareholders will receive 7.875 shares of Alkane for each Mandalay share held.

The companies reported it was about increasing scale and trading liquidity, with the implied market cap of the combined entity expected to be A$1,013 million. With that, the companies are hoping to make the ASX300.

The initial production goal for this year will be 160,000 g/t.

Prior to this announcement, Alkane had a market cap of $454 million and last closed at 75c – up from 61c since April 7, when it announced it had struck high grade gold intercepts in drilling at Tomingley Caloma and Roswell in Central West NSW.

These grades included 3.1 metres at 196.95g/t from 115m deep, including a metre at 589g/t from 116m down.

The executive team will be Perth-based, led by Alkane’s Managing Director Nic Earner.

Today’s ASX announcement said the transaction would create ‘a diversified Australian centric gold and antimony producer with a portfolio of three operating mines and a strong balance sheet’.

“Alkane’s established Tomingley gold mine (Australia), currently ramping up after a major capital expansion, will complement the well established and stable production from Mandalay’s Costerfield underground gold/antimony mine (Victoria, Australia) and the Björkdal underground gold mine (Sweden).”

Alkane’s Nic Earner said the deal would ‘take Alkane to a new level, bringing together two companies with complementary assets and a shared vision for growth’.

“Mandalay’s two high-quality mines match the attributes of Tomingley: a proven history of consistentproduction, cash generation and exploration upside,” he said.

“The combination of assets, leadership, andsupportive long-term shareholders enhances our scale and financial strength, and positions us well to continue to pursue additional growth opportunities.”

Mandalay’s CEO and President Frazer Bourchier said the company had the support of its major shareholders.

The combined entity will have a cash balance around A$188 million.

The companies are briefing investors in a call at 9.30am (AEST).

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Download your free Thematic Insights report HERE.

The region’s governments are becoming increasingly aware of the need to shore up future supplies of a wide range of commodities and are working to attract more activity.

The region has been perhaps best recognised for lithium and the ‘Lithium Triangle’ spanning Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. However, with lower lithium pricing, the focus has shifted to include materials including gold, silver, copper, mineral sands, phosphate, uranium, and more.

Because many jurisdictions have been under-explored in Latin America, ASX-listed companies are finding projects of a quality that’s now very difficult to secure in Australia.

What’s also pleasing those companies working in the region is that operational costs, such as power and labour, are dramatically cheaper. They are finding that approval processes are moving faster.

In this webinar, you’ll hear about the risks and the potential rewards – with facts and figures for investors to consider.

We ask company leaders what attracted them to Latin American projects, we discuss the potential impacts of Donald Trump’s tariffs, and we look at their experiences in developing a variety of projects.

Our guests include experts and company leaders:

Join the discussion: See what’s trending right now on Australia’s largest stock forum and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

In this HotCopper Thematic Insights report, we explore jurisdictions that are rolling out the welcome mat to ASX-listed exploration and mining investment.

We weigh up the risks vs. rewards, and we talk to companies with first-hand experience working in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru.

Learn about companies in Latin America, including Lodestar Resources (ASX:LSR); Viridis Mining & Minerals (ASX:VMM); EV Resources (ASX:EVR); Advance Minerals (ASX:AVM); Battery Age Minerals (ASX:BM8); Equinox Resources (ASX:EQN); and, Magnum Mining & Exploration (ASX:MGU).

Download your FREE report here.

To learn more, see the associated Webinar and hear this week’s HotCopper Podcast.

Join the discussion: See what’s trending right now on Australia’s largest stock forum and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

“Don’t panic. The worst thing you can do now is crystalise a loss,” says Andrew Baxter.

Baxter is an investment advisor, educator, author, and regular HotCopper commentator. In this interview, he discusses what’s been happening in markets this week – and how to handle the volatility as an investor.

We explore whether it might be time to buy the likes of CBA (ASX:CBA), BHP Group (ASX:BHP), Santos (ASX:STO), and Woodside (ASX:WDS).

Baxter also talks about Australia’s underlying inflation issues, the cost of living crisis, and what Trump’s tariffs might mean for interest rates.

For more info about Andrew Baxter’s Money and Investing series you can go to his regular podcast; read The Wealth Playbook: Your Ultimate Guide to Financial Security and The Wealth Playbook on Audible.

Join the discussion: See what’s trending right now on Australia’s largest stock forum and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

Disclaimer: Wealth Magnet Pty Ltd (ABN 52 618 868 830) trading as Australian Investment Education is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR no. 1255231) of Grange Financial Services Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 488609).

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.

“The board is considering these unsolicited approaches and will keep the market updated in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations should material terms be finalised,” CEO Tommy Logtenberg said.

“The company has not made any decision on the capital markets business and there is no certainty that any transaction will result, or if so on what terms, following these approaches.”

According to independent Similarweb data in January, HotCopper has 7.5 million visitors monthly, with more visitors returning more often – and for longer – than competitors including Market Index, Stockhead, Proactive Investors, and Livewire Markets.

GUM last traded at 9cps at midday on Friday.

Join the discussion. See what HotCopper users are saying about Gumtree Australia and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

“You can stare down the equity markets, but you can’t stare down the bond market,” he said.

Hear Sean Langcake’s take on the tariff turoil in this interview with HotCopper today.

We explore the fear that’s taken hold, the impacts on world markets, what that’ll mean for Australia’s ASX, investors, and also our interest rates outlook.

We also discuss what this volatility means for retirees.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.

Magnum will buy the Parker Gold Project in Western Arizona, which has been “recognised for large tonnage copper and gold potential.”

Surface rock samples revealed up to 83.87 grams per tonne of gold, 359g/t of silver, 8.37% copper, and 16.1% lead, with visible gold spotted in some samples.

The project is in a district already hosting gold and copper producers – but no modern exploration has been done on its prospects.

“While records are sparse and production poorly defined, ores delivered to the smelter during a second phase of mining in 1941-42 held approximately 6 to 7 grams per tonne of gold and 2.3% copper,” the company told investors today.

“The Parker Gold Project has promising exploration potential for gold-copper discovery.

“Crucially, recognition of the possible presence of an IOCG [iron oxide copper gold] mineralisation model opens up the tonnage potential in the area.”

MGU will also be acquiring the Mormon Canyon copper, gold and silver project in north-eastern Idaho, which has more than 4km of strike length with minimal past drilling.

The project has drill-ready targets and historical grades of up to 3.32g/t gold and 4.72% copper. The company says there are 4.4 square kilometres of untested vein systems and Mormon Canyon is close to critical infrastructure.

The Parker and Mormon Canyon projects will cost Magnum $200,000, divided into four equal instalments to Monomatapa. MGU has already started due diligence with a field program to confirm and expand historic exploration.

Magnum will also acquire 100% of EV Resources Inc., which holds the La Cienega Gold Project in La Paz County, Arizona. This project is in the Buckskin Mountains; old copper mine workings and several outcrops have been documented on a mineralised trend covering a 2.5km strike.

The cost is a 2% net smelter return royalty to EVR for minerals produced from the La Cienega Gold Project in the U.S.

In other company updates, Magnum claims U.S. tariff risks spur renewed interest in Magnum’s Buena Vista Magnetite Iron Project in Nevada.

“The speculated imposition of import tariffs being applied to U.S. mineral imports has triggered a renewed interest in domestic mineral resources,” the company told investors.

“Magnum is investigating strategies that may capitalise on this appetite for home-sourced commodities. These include, but are not limited to project proposal realignments, possible consolidation plays, and joint venture opportunities.”

More market news

Levy beef: Trump whacks Oz with 10% tariffs on “Liberation Day”

Meet GeoGeorge: The HotCopper poster so accurate he got hired as an analyst

Elsewhere, Magnum is continuing due diligence around its green iron Hismelt project in Saudi Arabia and is completing due diligence for a proposed acquisition of the Azimuth and Palmares REE projects in Brazil.

Join the discussion: See what HotCopper users are saying about Magnum Mining & Exploration and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

This deal was never really in doubt for the AI-driven sales enablement platform provider, as it was backed by 30% stake-holding institutions – Regal Funds Management and SQN Investors.

Those institutions wanted the Vector cash-out deal, despite there being a higher-priced option on the table from Investcorp AI Acquisition Corp (IAAC SID), that could have seen the company on a path to the Nasdaq. That offer valued shares at more than double Vector’s price – at about 48c.

What disappointed smaller shareholders may not realise (and there are many) is there’s a clear link between SQN and Vector – and I’ll get to that in a moment.

You’d think the 48-cent offer would be a no-brainer over a 22c deal right?

But despite already carrying a huge loss – having bought into BTH at around 80c a share – Regal Funds Management and SQN wanted cash for their holdings, rather than Investcorp’s higher value share-based takeover option.

That option – and the chance of Nasdaq success – is what many smaller shareholders preferred, even though BTH’s management understood that the Investcorp offer provided ‘less certainty.’

The bottom line is institutional investors did not want to accept Investcorp’s offer.

SQN Investors bought at 80c and now they’ll be selling to Vector Capital at 22c. 

Overall, the deal values the company at A$183 million and will see BTH leave the ASX.

BTH is believed to have been one of the biggest AI players on the ASX, achieving as much as 25% of its revenue directly from AI products.

David Keane says the Vector purchase is proof that big U.S. investors will invest into a successful Australian company.

And maybe not all BTH’s knockers might really think poorly of the company and its potential.

Those knockers include the founder of SQN Investors, Amish Mehta. SQN is one of the institutions with the voting power that confirmed the Vector Capital deal.

Case in point: SQN’s Mehta was quoted slagging off BTH in the AFR on December 6, when he said: “Of the 110 investments SQN has made, this is the single worst.”

Well, that was two months after he signed up to work for Vector Capital in the role of MD, and as a member of its Investment Committee.

A committee that already liked BTH enough to want to buy it and had been discussing a takeover since last June.

A committee that must have believed it could make a good buck here and pretty quickly (watch closely because some insiders are thinking this company might realise a far higher value in the number of years you can count on one hand!).

A committee that could get the vote from big institutions with skin in the game – SQN alone was already holding more than 9%.

Mehta is – in a way – both the seller of BTH and buyer. Through Vector he’s now seizing the opportunity that was SQN’s failed investment!

Vector Capital – which Mehta now leads – has invested in and sold out of significant businesses, including Rocket Lab USA, which is an aerospace manufacturer and now trades on the Nasdaq making Vector one of the leading tech-focussed private equity (PE) investors.  

As for Regal, which had been a strong supporter of Bigtincan since before its IPO, Keane says: “The common view is that due to the change in market conditions away from growth-oriented tech, together with the need for Bigtincan to continue to invest in AI, meant that ASX institutional investors felt that a strong global investor was needed to drive the company to the next level.”

David Keane and his management team have been promised their roles will continue and they’ll get to guide the strategic direction of the company and serve their customers. 

Keane understands Vector Capital plans to expand the Hobart-based AI team, and he hopes this investment in Australia will continue.

“This deal is important because it shows that Aussie technology can be world-leading,” he said.

“We can build great companies by focusing on the core product offering and can find a way to move internationally from a public company base.

“The deal allows Bigtincan to accelerate innovation and product development without the constraints of public market pressures, ensuring continued investment in AI, automation, and platform enhancements.

“The market is at a pivotal moment, with AI reshaping the future of sales enablement. This deal ensures Bigtincan has the resources and strategic flexibility to lead this transformation while competitors face financial constraints.

“While in some ways it’s bitter-sweet to leave the ASX – I have to acknowledge that Vector Capital’s investment validates Bigtincan’s long-term potential, ensuring it remains well-funded for future growth. It provides certainty.”

Bigtincan has celebrated its share of success in the marketplace. 

Its customers include global enterprises, including 100 of the Fortune 500, from Nike, Seek (ASX:SEK), and GUESS to AT&T, Prudential, Merck, Red Bull, and Starwood Hotels.

Bigtincan has been named in the Top 25 Companies in Sales Enablement for 2024 by The Software Report. And, CEO David Keane was listed as one of the Top 25 Executives in Artificial Intelligence.

Bigtincan is the first enablement provider in the Microsoft 365 “Works With Copilot” app store. 

It has a suite of AI capabilities under the GenieAI umbrella, which spans the entire platform and includes Genie Assistant, SearchAI, AuthoringAI with translation, MeetingsAI, CoachingAI, and RolePlayAI.

Building and growing Bigtincan has seen David Keane and his Board face many challenges.

“Many things would have produced different outcomes,” he said.

“Certainly, the challenge of needing to invest ahead of the market in new technologies, and the results of the required capital raising in 2024, will only be judged in future years.

“It could prove to have been a mistake, however, it could also prove to be the beginning of what creates a significantly more valuable business under the Vector umbrella.”

While investors love to see the value of their shares skyrocket and gain the windfall that can come from selling into a spike or on an upward trend, it may become overvalued in that process and that’s likely outside the direct control of company management.

In the case of BTH, if you got caught in the hype, and you bought at a peak that never returned, it could be a very painful experience. In August 2021, BTH traded at $1.36, with many who purchased during the run making significant returns.

There are also some not-so-happy traders who bought BTH at the wrong time.

For full disclosure. I was one of those shareholders.

So, I guess I’ve been well qualified to write this.

BTH last traded at 22cps.

Join the discussion: See what HotCopper users are saying about Bigtincan Holdings and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

Disclaimer: Bigtincan Holdings was a client of HotCopper at the time this piece was written.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

The company’s Felix™ System has successfully completed its Phase III clinical trial, proving it works faster than traditional methods, without adverse effects, and with scientists preferring it over the most widely used traditional IVF technologies.

Memphasys reached its primary endpoint comparing its Embryo Utilisation Rate against existing Density Gradient Centrifugation (DGC) and Swim-Up IVF techniques.

The trial has proven Felix is as good as the Swim-Up technique and “superior” to the world’s most used DGC method. And, Felix has other benefits in relation to both existing methods, which I’ll run through shortly.

To say Memphasys is working to address an unmet need is an understatement – the demand for solutions to fertility issues is enormous.

Most of us know of someone who’s been through the IVF process. It’s stressful, expensive, and utterly devastating if it doesn’t work. Memphasys’ technology could be the answer for would-be parents who’ve seen other IVF options and multiple rounds of IVF fail.

“Yes” and “Absolutely,” Memphasys MD and CEO Dr David Ali told HotCopper.

“The trial was extremely rigorous, and we chose an endpoint of embryo utilisation because that’s the benchmark of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycle success. We now have data that meets this benchmark.  

“We’ve really met the acid test in proving that our device works effectively.”

Memphasys partnered with Monash IVF Group (ASX: MVF), another Australian reproductive and fertility services company, for the trials.

IVF has long focussed on female fertility, but andrology – the science of male reproduction – suggests 50% of the onus of creating a baby actually lies with men. That’s right, male infertility is just as likely to be the problem in failed conception!

Memphasys’ work was based on the male side of fertility being the ‘forgotten half’.

Male infertility can be caused by issues including low sperm count, poor sperm quality, hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, and more.

Global authority on reproductive biology, Emiritus Professor Dr John Aitken, leads a team studying fertility at The University of Newcastle’s Centre for Reproductive Science. He wrote the book The Infertility Trap and is the Scientific Director of Memphasys.

“Our understanding of the male reproductive system is approximately 20 years behind our understanding of the female system,” he said.

“One in 20 men is infertile, yet we do not have a medical specialty in male reproduction.”

(You can read more about Professor Aitken’s work in the area here.)

It’s in this male reproduction side where Memphasys is positioned – and is set to make a real difference for patients and its shareholders.

Memphasys’ Felix™ system “works with sperm in a way other devices can’t,” Dr David Ali said.

Dr Ali is also an expert in the field; he holds a PhD in Pharmacokinetics and is a published researcher. He’s presented at international conferences and worked in drug discovery, clinical project management, clinical pathology, business development, and operations at senior levels – so there are no novices here.

“Our trial results reinforce the ability of Felix to effectively separate high-quality sperm and improve embryo utilisation rates.

“While other methods are focussed on sorting sperm according to the motility, size and quality, the process takes 45 minutes to an hour.

“The whole Memphasys Felix process can take six minutes!”

It’s not hard to see this will eventually reduce staffing costs – labs will need fewer people and fewer qualified people as you can have a technician run the Felix device rather than an andrologist or embryologist.

Perhaps even more importantly, the risk of damage and contamination is reduced due to the single cartridge design. The risk of sperm getting mixed up and confused is much lower, need we say more!

“The clinical trial reported no adverse events related to the FelixTM System,” Dr Ali said.

“And 100% of scientists preferred the FelixTM System over DGC; while more than half of the scientists preferred the FelixTM Systemover Swim-Up.”

“As of now, we have a product that’s clinically validated,” he said.

“Memphasys is preparing data to enter the CE Mark regulatory process”.

“Once registration is achieved this will provide the company with the opportunity to market the Felix™ System in Europe, Australia and India, as well as in markets where mutual recognition of conformity assessment is already recognised.

“This includes countries like Japan, Canada, U.S., and Switzerland, where Felix is already being sold.”

But that’s only the start.

“We already have distribution agreements in Japan, Canada, and New Zealand through Vitrolife, a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Heranova in China, and R&D sales through Panacea Medizintech LLC in the United Arab Emirates (UAE),” Dr Ali said.

“We are having conversations with external parties who wish to engage us in distribution arrangements or licensing deals. If a particular entity is interested in buying the device, I’m interested in looking at a deal around that.

“The message to our shareholders will be commercialisation, commercialisation, commercialisation in 2025, getting this product registered, trying to expedite that time, and to get it sold in market, and do commercial deals – that will be the focus.”

The commercial opportunity is substantial. On that, Dr Ali has told HotCopper: “China is 33% of the global market, one of their clinics could do up to the same number of cycles as Australia would do in one year.”

“It’s a huge market; there’s huge opportunity there.”

Next on the hit list would be Japan as well as India, the latter of which has seen 11 couples deemed sterile birth healthy children in the wake of a 2023 trial of Felix.

“When you think that both China and India have mandates given by the Government to increase the population, there’s no reason why Felix won’t fit into the reproductive paradigm in those countries,” he said.

“Really importantly, our revenue model is extremely exciting as well,” Dr Ali explained.

“It’s based off the printer and ink revenue model. Nowadays you purchase a printer unit which is relatively cheap – as is our console.

“The revenue and return sales are generated by the consumable… which is the cartridge. Each cartridge is a single-use cartridge, so if you’re doing 20,000 cycles a year, you will be using 20,000 cartridges, for example, and you must use new cartridges each time. It’s a really good way to generate revenue.”

MEM’s Felix™ System is an automated sperm separation device, utilising electrophoresis and a proprietary membrane technology to gently separate sperm for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures.

The Felix™ device consists of two main components: a console, which supplies electrical power, and a sterile disposable cartridge for sperm isolation and selection.

Memphasys has identified a need in the equine industry.

“We’ve found the device can actually be used off the shelf to separate sperm for horses or horse breeding,” he said.

“No more R&D has to go into changing Felix or altering Felix from its current state, which is a huge advantage.

“We are currently talking to people in the equine market that are interested in the device and applying it to horses.

“There are applications across many other animals – we’ll be happy to explore those.”

There’s a new RoXsta (rapid in-vitro antioxidant assessment) in the wings too.

Memphasys’s RoXsta device will quickly measure oxidative stress which can affect fertility in both humans and animals because oxidation can affect sperm quality.

“It’s a very high-value area to look at,” Dr Ali said.

“We expect to be the first in market as a point of care rapid clinical diagnostic and we see clinicians in the IVF space could use this device within their clinic rooms.

“They’ll be able to get readings on oxidative stress levels for their patients and then be able to prescribe the right medication or antioxidants to them almost immediately.

“This will transform oxidative stress diagnostics.

“It will help to resolve and manage many key factors in: Male fertility; cardiovascular disease; livestock health; food technology; and the cosmetics industry – it can be used in multiple industries globally and for multiple applications within those industries.

“We are hopeful for another huge success.”

Given all of this, you’d have to think that big pharma and device companies could be watching, or even circling.

Time will tell.

Memphasys last traded at 0.7c.

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The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Any volatility in the markets can be unnerving at the very best of times, so I asked HotCopper contributor, investment expert, educator, and economic author Andrew Baxter how to read current market conditions.

“We’ve had the talk of tariffs, we’ve had interest rate moves, we’ve had a lot of social programs going on – the dispute between Russia and Ukraine and the very public spat in the White House – it’s been a lot for people to digest,” Baxter said while speaking to HotCopper in the Expert Exchange series.

“Part and parcel of that is why we’ve seen the savage level of sell-off we have over the last week or so, as people come to grips with the news flow and try to make sense of it.

“Maybe we’re on the other side of it.”

“We’ve been in an incredibly strong bull market,” Baxter said.

“Since 2022, we’ve seen the market in the bottom left to top right trend.

“So seeing a pullback of 10% or 15%, I guess it’s like running up a hill: [When] you get to the top of it you’ve got to stop and pause for breath.

“We’ve seen that pull back [before].

“When you look at the underlying earnings, we’ve come out of an earnings season which has been largely solid, about 40% up on expectations… so the underlying machinery that’s driving markets remains intact.

“It’s the newsflow and the chaos around that, I think, which has really seen us on the back foot – so to speak.”

Andrew Baxter called it a “buying opportunity” – as long as the buying horizon isn’t too short. In this interview, he shares thoughts on what some of those buying opportunities could be.

You can hear more from Andrew on the Money And Investing podcast, right here on Hot Copper as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

Join the discussion: See what’s trending right now on Australia’s largest stock forum and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

Disclaimer: Wealth Magnet Pty Ltd (ABN 52 618 868 830) trading as Australian Investment Education is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR no. 1255231) of Grange Financial Services Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 488609).

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.