Middlefield CEO outlines shift to ETF structure for Canadian income fund

Middlefield Chief Executive Officer Dean Orrico joined Steve Darling from Proactive to discuss the evolution of the Middlefield Canadian Enhanced Income UCITS ETF and the firm’s decision to transition from a traditional investment trust structure to an actively managed ETF. Orrico explained that the fund had operated for nearly two decades as a London-listed investment trust before being converted, a move driven by the rapid growth of ETFs in North America and their increasing adoption across European markets. Importantly, he emphasized that the transition enhances efficiency without changing the fund’s core strategy, noting that it continues to follow the same disciplined investment approach, management style, and income-focused mandate developed over the years. The shift to an ETF structure brings several key advantages. Among them are improved liquidity and tighter price alignment with net asset value, eliminating the persistent discount that often impacted the investment trust. In addition, the fund now benefits from lower total expense ratios, making it more cost-effective for investors. Active market makers further support the structure by ensuring consistent liquidity and smoother trading across major exchanges. Orrico also pointed to the broader macroeconomic environment as a tailwind for the strategy. With significant exposure to Canada’s core sectors—including energy, financials, and materials—the fund offers diversification benefits, particularly for European investors looking to reduce reliance on U.S.-dominated portfolios. He highlighted that ongoing geopolitical disruptions and evolving global energy dynamics are increasing attention on resource-rich economies like Canada. As global supply chains adjust and demand for critical resources grows, Canada’s position as a stable and reliable supplier is becoming more prominent. Overall, the transition reflects Middlefield’s effort to modernize its product offering, aligning with investor demand for greater liquidity, transparency, and cost efficiency, while continuing to deliver a proven Canadian income strategy. #proactiveinvestors #Middlefield #DeanOrrico #ETF #UCITSETF #ActiveETF #IncomeInvesting #CanadianEquities #DividendIncome #InvestmentStrategy #AssetManagement #CapitalMarkets #PortfolioDiversification #EnergyStocks #Financials #Materials #GlobalInvesting #ProactiveInvestors

Abacus Global Management CEO Jay Jackson joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce record-setting origination and transaction activity for the full year ended December 31, 2025, marking a milestone year for the company as it set new benchmarks across all key portfolio metrics. Jackson highlighted that Abacus acquired a total of 1,310 life insurance policies during 2025, showcasing the strength of its origination platform and its ability to consistently source high-quality deals within the secondary market. The company deployed $580.8 million in capital over the year, reflecting both the scale of its operations and its deep commitment to the life settlement asset class. In addition to strong origination, Abacus demonstrated significant portfolio activity, trading 1,059 policies throughout the year. This level of transaction volume underscores the company’s ability to actively manage liquidity while optimizing portfolio performance. The total face value of policies traded reached approximately $1.8 billion, further solidifying Abacus’ position as a leading participant in the secondary market. Financially, the company generated $178.6 million in realized gains from portfolio transactions in 2025, compared to $49.3 million in unrealized gains. This highlights Abacus’ ability to effectively monetize its assets and convert portfolio value into tangible returns. By year-end, the company held $468.9 million in policies on its balance sheet at fair value, providing a strong foundation for continued growth. Jackson emphasized that these results represent more than incremental progress, describing them as industry-defining achievements. He added that the company’s strong operating momentum, growing asset base, and expanding institutional relationships position Abacus Global well to continue delivering value for shareholders in the years ahead. #proactiveinvestors #abacusglobalmanagement #nasdaq #abl #EarningsBeat #FinancialGrowth #LifeSettlements #InvestorDemand #CashFlow #AssetManagement #Finance #Investing #AssetManagement #LifeSettlements #CapitalMarkets #FinancialResults #Growth #Investments #WealthManagement

Midnight Sun Mining Corp Vice President Business Development Adrian O’Brien joined Steve Darling from Proactive to outline the company’s latest progress at its Dumbwa Project in Zambia, where ongoing drilling continues to define what could become a significant large-scale copper discovery. O’Brien explained that the project has now moved firmly into the resource delineation phase following its initial discovery in August. To date, the company has completed 166 drill holes, establishing approximately four kilometres of strike length—an early indication of the scale of the mineralized system. The broader exploration target lies within a 20-kilometre copper-in-soil geochemical anomaly, which O’Brien described as one of the largest and highest-grade anomalies ever identified in Zambia. Rather than pursuing widely spaced step-out drilling, Midnight Sun is employing a systematic, tight-spacing drill strategy designed to build a detailed and reliable understanding of the deposit. This methodical approach is expected to support the development of a robust resource estimate and reduce geological uncertainty as the project advances. The company is currently targeting between 1 billion and 1.5 billion tonnes of mineralization within the first 12 kilometres of the anomaly, with this phase of drilling anticipated to be completed by the third quarter. This scale highlights the potential for Dumbwa to emerge as a major copper asset within Zambia’s prolific Copperbelt region. O’Brien also emphasized the company’s strong financial position, with approximately $35 million in treasury supporting an aggressive drill campaign of roughly 10,000 metres per month across five active rigs. This level of funding provides the flexibility to maintain momentum and accelerate exploration efforts. Beyond the technical progress, O’Brien pointed to increasing geopolitical interest in Zambia’s copper sector, as global demand for critical minerals continues to rise. Heightened competition among major economies to secure stable copper supply chains could further elevate the strategic importance of the Dumbwa Project as it advances toward potential development. #proactiveinvestors #midnightsunminingcorp #tsxv #mma #otc #mdngf #mining #CopperExploration #ZambiaMining #KazhibaProject #OxideCopper #FirstQuantum #MineralExploration #Mining2025 #CobaltExploration #MiningUpdates #Copper #Zambia #Mining #Exploration #CriticalMinerals #CopperBelt #ResourceDevelopment #Drilling #Commodities #railines

Connecting Excellence Group Plc (AQSE:XCE, OTCQB:XCELF) CEO Scott Ellam talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnionabout the company’s strong financial performance, growth strategy, and its evolving Bitcoin treasury approach. Ellam discussed the company’s reported 20% net fee income growth for the first half of the financial year, emphasising that this performance was not driven by its December IPO. Instead, he explained it reflects sustained momentum built since 2021, noting that “there’s no cause and effect between the net fee income increase and the IPO.” A key focus for the business is scaling through talent acquisition. The company is targeting experienced, high-performing executive recruiters who can bring established client relationships and generate significant revenue. Ellam highlighted the scalability of this model, stating: “We have the opportunity to expand the business, and we have a scalable platform for growth.” He also addressed rising average fees, which have increased due to higher salaries and demand for senior talent, reinforcing the company’s shift toward higher-value placements. On the balance sheet side, Ellam outlined the firm’s Bitcoin treasury strategy, with over 50 Bitcoin held. He described this as a long-term decision, acknowledging short-term volatility but expressing confidence in long-term performance trends. Looking ahead, XCE is balancing investment across hiring, potential acquisitions, and Bitcoin accumulation, aiming to compound growth across both its operational and capital markets strategies. For more insights like this, visit Proactive's YouTube channel, like this video, subscribe, and enable notifications so you never miss an update. #ConnectingExcellence #ScottEllam #ExecutiveRecruitment #GrowthStrategy #BitcoinTreasury #IPO #RecruitmentIndustry #BusinessGrowth #HiringStrategy #CapitalMarkets #CryptoStrategy #UKStocks #InvestorInsights #ScalableBusiness #TalentAcquisition

American Resources Corp CEO Mark Jensen joined Steve Darling from Proactive to provide an update on its subsidiary ReElement Technologies Corporation and the continued progress of its Phase 1 refining campus buildout in Marion, Indiana. Jensen announced that ReElement has expanded its Phase 1 development plan to include four production lines capable of processing both recycled and primary feedstocks. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to deliver more than 16,000 metric tons of annual separated and purified oxide capacity, positioning the company as a significant emerging player in the rare earth and critical minerals refining space. The project remains on schedule and is tracking substantially under budget, with initial production targeted for the third quarter of 2026. Full commissioning of Phase 1 is expected to take place through the remainder of the year, marking a key milestone as the company transitions from development into scaled operations. Jensen emphasized that the Marion expansion reflects the company’s ability to execute efficiently while partnering with high-quality supply chain and investment groups focused on reshaping the global refining industry. Over the past year, ReElement has moved from product validation into scaled deployment, steadily increasing capacity while optimizing its cost structure to remain competitive on both pricing and volume in global markets. At the core of the company’s strategy is its “refining-first” platform, designed for flexibility and adaptability. The system can process a wide range of feedstocks and adjust in real time to changing inputs and market dynamics. Through advanced process controls and data-driven optimization, ReElement is reducing chemical usage, lowering energy consumption, and cutting overall operating costs compared to traditional refining approaches. These innovations allow the company to compete not only on product purity and versatility but also on economic efficiency—delivering a scalable and commercially viable solution for domestic and allied markets. With more than 80% of global rare earth refining capacity currently concentrated outside the United States, the development of domestic refining infrastructure is increasingly viewed as critical to strengthening supply chain security. ReElement’s ability to process both recycled and primary materials into high-purity outputs directly addresses the midstream refining gap, offering a modular and environmentally responsible alternative to conventional solvent-based refining methods. These traditional processes are often difficult to deploy outside of China due to environmental, capital, and operational challenges, further highlighting the strategic importance of ReElement’s approach. #proactiveinvestors #americanresourcescorporation #nasdaq #arec #ReElementTechnologies #MiningIndaba2026 #AfricanMining #CriticalMinerals #RareEarthElements #SupplyChainSecurity #StrategicMetals #CleanEnergyMaterials #IndustrialInnovation #GlobalMining #USIndustry #AlliedSupplyChains #MiningConference #ProactiveInvestors #marion #indiana

Ecora Royalties PLC (LSE:ECOR, TSX:ECOR, OTCQX:ECRAF, FRA:HGR) PLC CEO Marc Bishop Lafleche talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company’s 2025 results and outlook for 2026, highlighting a transformative year driven by critical minerals and strong portfolio performance. Lafleche described 2025 as a “landmark year” for the company, with more than half of portfolio contributions coming from critical minerals and base metals growing significantly year-on-year. He emphasised that Ecora’s revenue base is now supported by long-life assets, strengthening the company’s long-term cash generation profile. A key development during the year was the acquisition of the Mimbula copper stream, which increased Ecora’s exposure to copper and positioned it as a core commodity within the portfolio. Alongside this, the company demonstrated strong financial discipline by reducing net debt despite the acquisition, reflecting robust cash flow generation and active portfolio management. Looking ahead, Lafleche outlined a “distinctly multi-layered” growth profile, stating: “Ecora’s growth profile is now distinctly multi-layered,” with opportunities spanning short-term production increases, medium-term development assets, and longer-term de-risking milestones. For 2026, growth is expected to be driven primarily by increased volumes from key assets such as Voisey’s Bay and Mimbula, alongside potential brownfield expansions and development milestones across the portfolio. The company also continues to evaluate new royalty and streaming opportunities, with a focus on expanding its exposure to critical minerals while maintaining copper at its core. Watch the full interview to learn more about Ecora Royalties’ strategy, growth catalysts, and outlook. For more videos like this, visit Proactive’s YouTube channel, like this video, subscribe to the channel, and enable notifications so you never miss an update. #EcoraRoyalties #MiningStocks #Copper #CriticalMinerals #Investing #NaturalResources #Commodities #StockMarket #MiningInvestment #BaseMetals #EnergyTransition #RoyaltyCompanies #GrowthStocks #ProactiveInvestors #MarketOutlook

IXICO PLC (LSE:IXI, OTC:PHYOF, FRA:PYPB) CEO Bram Goorden talked with Proactiv's Stephen Gunnion about the company’s new collaboration with Medidata and how it supports IXICO’s growth strategy in the clinical trials space. Goorden described the agreement as a significant milestone, highlighting Medidata’s position as “a multibillion dollar player in the clinical trial space” with a global footprint across thousands of trials. The partnership combines Medidata’s electronic data capture and clinical trial technologies with IXICO’s proprietary neuroimaging analytics to create a more seamless solution for biopharma clients. He explained that the collaboration strengthens IXICO’s ability to scale, giving the company access to larger and more complex clinical trials. Goorden noted that the deal aligns with IXICO’s long-term ambition to expand its presence in high-value studies while enhancing operational reach. The CEO also pointed to recent commercial momentum, including a £1.5 million contract extension for a global Phase 2 trial and the appointment of a new chief commercial officer, Tanya Voloshen. These developments reflect what he described as “a very busy quarter” for the company. Looking ahead, Goorden emphasised that the Medidata collaboration represents the beginning of a broader “tech bio strategy,” adding that it is expected to support recurring revenue streams and accelerate growth. For more insights like this, visit Proactive’s YouTube channel, give this video a like, subscribe to the channel, and enable notifications for future content. #IXICO #Medidata #ClinicalTrials #Biotech #Neuroimaging #TechBio #Pharma #HealthcareInnovation #LifeSciences #CEOInterview

Alusid CEO Alasdair Bremner talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company’s expanding European footprint, highlighting new distribution agreements and growing demand for its low-carbon ceramic tiles. Bremner explained that Alusid is gaining traction beyond the UK, noting that its products “use roughly half the carbon or half the energy compared to pretty much any other competitor.” The company’s latest agreement in the Netherlands will see its Mas product stocked locally, while partnerships with FRONT Materials BV and Tegelgroeop Nederlands are supporting product development tailored to the European market. He emphasised the strategic importance of Tegelgroeop, which operates across the Benelux region and sits within the wider BME Group, offering a significant opportunity for future expansion. In parallel, Alusid has also secured a partnership with Kakelspecialisten in Sweden, one of the largest tile distributors in the country and part of the Saint-Gobain Group. Bremner highlighted that the Nordic region is particularly attractive due to strong demand for sustainable materials, driven by both client expectations and evolving legislation. He said: “Our lower carbon proposition is credible. It’s verified externally, and it’s built into the product from the start.” The company’s manufacturing process not only reduces carbon emissions but also lowers energy use, providing cost and resilience benefits in a challenging energy environment. Looking ahead, Alusid is using recent pre-IPO funding to accelerate product development, expand international distribution, and invest in new formats, including larger tiles and moulded products. For more insights like this, visit Proactive’s YouTube channel, like this video, subscribe, and enable notifications for future updates. #Alusid #SustainableMaterials #GreenConstruction #LowCarbon #CeramicTiles #ESG #ClimateTech #ConstructionInnovation #EnergyEfficiency #EuropeanMarkets #FrontierIP #Netherlands #Nordics #CleanTech #BuildingMaterials

Delivra Health Brands CEO Gord Davey joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce the upcoming U.S. launch of the company’s Dream Water Kids Sleep Gummies, with distribution expected across retail, distributor, and e-commerce channels beginning in June 2026. The new product is specifically formulated to support healthy sleep routines in children, featuring a blend of chamomile, lemon balm, and 1 mg of melatonin. Designed with both effectiveness and safety in mind, the gummies are lightly sweetened using honey and cane sugar, and are free from artificial colors, flavors, gelatin, and gluten—appealing to parents seeking cleaner, more natural wellness solutions for their families. Davey explained that the launch underscores Delivra’s broader strategy to expand its portfolio of wellness products and address growing consumer demand for trusted, convenient sleep support options for children. He noted that parents are increasingly looking for gentle, reliable solutions to help establish consistent bedtime routines, and the Dream Water Kids Sleep Gummies aim to fill that need. Following multiple phases of product testing, the company reported strong positive feedback from participants, which ultimately led to an accelerated timeline for commercialization. Originally planned for a later rollout, the product’s U.S. debut has now been moved up to June 2026 to capitalize on early momentum and market interest. Delivra Health believes the introduction of Dream Water Kids Sleep Gummies will further strengthen its presence in the growing sleep aid category, while reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality, science-backed wellness products tailored to everyday consumer needs. #proactiveinveestors #delivrahealthbrandsinc #tsxv #dhb #otcqb #dhbuf #DreamWater #GlobalExpansion #DreamWater #DreamWater #SleepGummies #KidsHealth #Wellness #Melatonin #NaturalHealth #ConsumerHealth #USLaunch #Ecommerce

Aftermath Silver CEO Ralph Rushton joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce the first batch of assay results from the company’s Phase 3 diamond drilling program at its Berenguela silver-copper-manganese deposit in the Department of Puno, southern Peru. Rushton said the latest results cover 17 drill holes totaling 1,061.6 metres, part of an initial 45-hole program. Encouraged by positive geological indicators, strong drill access, and the efficiency of a smaller diamond drill rig, the company has expanded the program significantly to 90 holes totaling approximately 6,000 metres. The company also made a strategic shift from its originally planned 2,000-metre reverse circulation (RC) program to diamond drilling at a comparable cost. This transition provides enhanced geological insight, including improved core recovery, structural interpretation, and geotechnical logging—key factors in advancing the project toward development. The reported drill holes are primarily focused on infill drilling along a 225-metre strike length within the boundaries of the existing mineral resource. The objective is to better define near-surface, high-grade mineralization that could support a potential starter pit as part of future mining operations. Aftermath Silver is concentrating its efforts on the western portion of the deposit, where higher-grade silver-copper mineralization has been identified close to surface. This area is considered a strong candidate for initial open-pit development, offering the potential for lower-cost, early-stage production. Rushton noted that the latest intercepts rank among the strongest results seen across the company’s three phases of drilling to date. He also highlighted the consistent and encouraging association between silver and copper mineralization, which could enhance the overall economic profile of the Berenguela project moving forward. #proactiveinvestors #aftermathsilverltd #tsxv #aag #otcqx #aagff #mining #BerenguelaProject #SilverProject #CopperProject #Manganese #PreFeasibilityStudy #PFS #MiningDevelopment #PeruMining #Mining #Silver #Copper #PeruMining #DrillingResults #ResourceDevelopment #MineralExploration #JuniorMining #Commodities