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February 19, 2025

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First Helium

Investor Insight

First Helium’s scalable development strategy, differentiated by a multi-commodity approach and supported by a well-defined project roadmap, positions it as a potential leader in helium production within North America.

Overview

First Helium (TSXV:HELI,OTCQB:FHELF,FRA:2MC) is a Canadian company focusing on exploring and developing helium resources in Alberta, Canada. The company’s primary asset is the Worsley project, which spans 53,000 acres and includes both helium-enriched natural gas, oil and other natural resources. First Helium has made significant progress with multiple discoveries, including a helium discovery well and successful oil wells. The company aims to grow its production and cash flow through ongoing exploration and drilling activities.

First Helium is poised for substantial growth in the coming years, with the scalability of the Worsley project providing a path to significant increases in production and revenue. The company has set ambitious financial goals, targeting over $100 million in annual revenue within the next three to five years. Based on current projections, vertical drilling alone could generate over $100 million in annual revenue, with cash flow estimated to reach $70 million annually.

Helium, a critical and scarce resource, is indispensable in various high-tech industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, space exploration, defense and healthcare. Helium’s demand is projected to grow 300 percent by 2030, driven by its irreplaceable role in industries that require precision, cooling and inert properties. Major companies like Google, Amazon, SpaceX, NVIDIA and Intel rely on helium for their operations. The global helium market, valued at $3.94 billion in 2021, is expected to grow to $13.26 billion by 2030.

However, the supply of helium is under pressure due to geopolitical uncertainties and production limitations from major global suppliers, including Qatar, Algeria and Russia. Additionally, the US, currently the largest producer of helium, is expected to become a net importer within the next three to five years. This shift opens significant opportunities for Canada, which is the fifth-largest global resource of helium but contributes less than 2 percent of the world’s annual production. The Canadian government has also classified helium as a critical mineral, underscoring its strategic importance in the transition to a sustainable future.

This global dynamic is creating opportunities for helium explorers such as First Helium to leverage a growing market. Led by an experienced management and technical team with successful track records in the oil and gas, mining and energy sectors, First Helium is well-placed for significant growth.

First Helium’s long-term vision is to establish a regional helium-enriched natural gas and oil play in Alberta, with the Worsley project serving as a template for future developments. The company is actively evaluating potential partnerships and acquisition opportunities to accelerate the development of its assets and capitalize on the growing demand for helium across North America and globally.

Company Highlights

  • Helium is a critical mineral with steady growth in demand. Major companies like Google, Amazon, SpaceX, Samsung, NVIDIA and Intel rely on it.
  • Helium prices have increased by over 50 percent in the last three years and the market is expected to grow 300 percent by 2030.
  • First Helium offers exposure to helium, natural gas and oil revenue streams, which diversifies risk and increases value.

Key Project

Worsley Helium Project

The company’s 100 percent owned flagship Worsley project, spans 53,000 acres (approximately 83 square miles) in a multi-commodity region of Alberta. The project is located in a historically productive area that has yielded over 315 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas and 17 million barrels of oil. The Worsley project is distinguished by its significant helium resources and multi-zone drilling potential for helium, natural gas and oil. Worsley area has produced over 1 Bcf of helium, which was not recovered in previous natural gas operations, highlighting the untapped potential of the region for helium extraction. In particular, the deeper Leduc formation to the eastern part of the land base remains largely unexplored due to higher nitrogen concentrations in the natural gas resource, which made the product unacceptable to the local gas pipeline transportation company, and discouraged further drilling by historic natural gas companies. This spells tremendous exploration opportunity for First Helium, as today’s helium processing equipment can separate helium, natural gas and nitrogen, resulting in marketable helium and natural gas.

First Helium’s vertical helium discovery well, 15-25, is ready to be brought into production and is expected to provide a steady stream of helium and natural gas supply. Additionally, the company has identified 12 follow-up vertical drilling targets, and a large structural opportunity based on proprietary 3D seismic data, which positions the project for significant scalability.

First Helium has secured a 10-year ‘take-or-pay’ helium offtake agreement with a major global industrial gas supply company, which would support robust and predictable cash flow. The agreement covers up to 80 percent of helium production from the Worsley project’s 15-25 well, with the potential to purchase 100 percent of production depending on the pace of growth. The agreement also provides First Helium with flexibility, allowing the company to market up to 20 percent of helium production on a potentially more lucrative “spot” sales or merchant liquefaction basis.

The Worsley project area benefits from an existing natural gas gathering infrastructure, expediting the timeline to bring helium to market. First Helium expects the first production to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, positioning it to become a key supplier in the growing North American helium market.

Worsley project indicative economics

The resource base of the Worsley project is significant. The project comprises one proven, undeveloped oil location with reserves of approximately 200,000 barrels of oil (as verified by third-party reserve engineers) and one natural gas/helium well. The unrisked, best estimate of contingent resources for this well includes just under 13 Bcf of natural gas and over 300 million cubic feet (MMcf) of helium. These reserves provide a stable foundation for the company’s growth, with the natural gas/helium production offering substantial economic upside due to the high-value nature of helium. Helium prices have increased by more than 50 percent over the past three years, with global import prices rising from approximately $US 310 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in January 2020 to over $US 476 per Mcf by November 2023. This price growth, combined with helium’s critical applications, underpins the strong economics of First Helium’s Worsley project.

The company’s operations focus on two key formations within the Worsley project area. The Leduc formation, known for its helium-enriched natural gas and light oil, offers substantial production potential. The Blue Ridge formation is another high-margin, helium-enriched premium natural gas play that adds further value. The company has drilled three wells in the area, achieving 100 percent drilling success on two oil wells, which have collectively generated approximately $13 million in revenue. These results highlight the resource-rich nature of the Worsley project and demonstrate First Helium’s capability to deliver consistent drilling success and revenue generation. The third well, drilled horizontally into the Blue Ridge formation, was cased, and is ready for completion and testing. If successful, it will establish a regional, repeatable, helium-enriched natural gas play.

The company has identified 12 highly prospective locations for additional drilling in the Leduc formation, and the successful testing of its horizontal well (5-27) is expected to add over 30 follow-up horizontal drill locations in the Blue Ridge formation at West Worsley, further enhancing the scale of the project.

After receipt of regulatory licensing approvals in late 2024 and early 2025, First Helium has begun drilling its proven undeveloped (PUD) 7-30 oil location at the Worsley property. Following drilling of the 7-30 vertical well, the contractor’s drilling rig will move directly to the 7-15 location to begin drilling in early February, barring any unforeseen delays.

Processing plant

In conjunction with proving up additional helium resource, the company is also exploring financing options for the construction of a helium processing plant, which would further enhance its production capabilities. The completion of this facility is expected to generate $3 to $5 million in annual project-level cash flow from the single 15-25 well alone, setting the stage for future growth and expansion.

Management Team

Ed Bereznicki – President, CEO and Director

Ed Bereznicki is a highly experienced energy sector executive with more than 25 years in corporate finance, capital markets, and M&A, focusing particularly on oil and gas exploration and production. He spent 15 years as a senior investment banker with firms such as Raymond James and GMP Securities, where he raised over $20 billion in equity and convertible debt for energy sector projects. His leadership roles extend to start-up energy ventures, where he has guided companies through IPOs, mergers and acquisitions. He has also handled risk management, pipeline operations, and international projects, making him an expert in leading large-scale energy and natural resource companies. His broad experience across financial and operational domains has contributed significantly to his ability to manage complex corporate growth initiatives in the helium sector.

Robert J. Scott – CFO and Director

Robert Scott is a chartered professional accountant and a chartered financial analyst with over 20 years of professional experience in financial management, corporate compliance, and strategic business planning. He has held senior management and board positions at multiple TSX-V listed companies, where he was instrumental in raising more than $200 million in equity capital for growth-stage companies. His extensive expertise covers IPOs, reverse takeovers, mergers and corporate restructuring. In addition to corporate finance, he has in-depth experience in merchant and commercial banking, which has bolstered his capability to guide companies through complex financial environments, especially in the natural resource sector.

Shaun Wyzykoski – Vice-president, Engineering

Shaun Wyzykoski brings 25 years of experience in the Canadian oil and gas industry, specializing in engineering, operations, acquisitions, and divestitures. He has held senior roles at several major energy companies, including chief operating officer of Orlen Upstream Canada, and senior engineering positions at Fairmount Energy and TriOil Resources. He was also part of the founding engineering group at Crescent Point Energy, one of Canada’s leading oil and gas producers. Wyzykoski’s expertise includes designing and executing complex operational strategies to leading acquisition efforts and integrating new technologies into exploration and production activities. His deep operational knowledge helps him drive efficiency and innovation at First Helium.

Marc Junghans – Geology and Asset Development Advisor

Marc Junghans is a seasoned geologist with more than 40 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, focusing on the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and U.S. markets. He co-founded and successfully sold two private-equity-backed junior oil and gas companies, where he served as vice-president of exploration. At Compton Petroleum, he helped grow production from 2,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) to 34,000 boed, leading exploration efforts that significantly enhanced the company’s value. He has held senior geological positions at major firms such as Husky Oil, Anderson Exploration, Canterra Energy, and Tundra Oil & Gas. Junghans has drilled over 170 horizontal wells across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, bringing invaluable technical expertise to First Helium’s asset development strategy.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

How to Invest in Biotechnology (Updated 2024)

Investors interested in the life science sector are well aware of the importance of biotechnology.

From finding cures for diseases to feeding future generations, many areas of day-to-day life are influenced by players in the biotechnology space, and expert projections show the industry’s future looks bright.

But how can investors gain exposure to biotechnology? Here’s a brief overview of how to invest in the expanding biotechnology market, from stocks to watch to exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

How to invest in biotechnology stocks?

The main method of investing in the biotech sector is through stocks. Right off the bat, when investing in the biotech sector it’s important to understand that there is a difference between a biotech company and a pharmaceutical company.

“From a philosophical standpoint, biotechnology is a risk-taking enterprise, while the pharmaceutical industry is about managing and diversifying risk,” Investopedia explains in an article. Notably, the publication points out that biotech stocks tend to have insignificant revenue compared to pharmaceutical stocks.

When investing in biotech, investors should also pay attention to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which requires that all companies in the sector establish sufficient bodies of information to show that their drugs are safe and effective. That is generally accomplished in the clinical trial phase of product testing, which typically consists of a series of three clinical studies.

Additionally, as with most other sectors, when investing in biotechnology stocks investors must decide on the level of risk they are willing to take. For instance, a large, established biotechnology company with a multibillion-dollar market cap is less likely to succumb to bad market conditions than a more speculative, newly listed company in the clinical trial phase.

How to invest in biotechnology ETFs?

While investing in biotech stocks is generally the more popular choice when it comes to getting involved in the sector, ETFs are a way to mitigate some of the risks that are inherent with investing in stocks.

ETFs hold assets like stocks, commodities and bonds, and trade close to their net asset value. Typically, ETFs track an index. For biotechnology, there are several indexes that can be followed, including the S&P Biotech Select Industry Index (INDEXSP:SPSIBI), the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index (INDEXNYSEGIS:BTK) and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI).

The largest ETF in the biotech sector is the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (ARCA:XBI), which launched on February 6, 2006, and tracks 137 holdings in its portfolio. Its top three weighted companies are Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CRNX), Exelixis (NASDAQ:EXEL) and Dyne Therapeutics (NASDAQ:DYN).

The second largest biotech ETF is the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:IBB), which launched on February 5, 2001. This ETF tracks 218 holdings, with the top three — Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD), Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN)— weighted at close to or over 8 percent each.

Investors may also want to consider small biotech ETFs — click here for an overview.

What’s the outlook for biotechnology?

It’s often a slow wait when it comes to gains in the biotech market as companies rely on FDA approvals and feedback.

In terms of the sector’s future outlook, Grand View Research predicts that the global biotechnology market will have a compound annual growth rate of 13.96 percent between 2024 and 2030 to reach US$3.88 trillion by the end of the forecast period.

It attributes this growth to the increasing need for new drugs to treat chronic diseases, such as strokes, cancer, asthma and hypertension. The focus is on diagnostics and therapeutic solutions for these chronic diseases. There is also increasing demand for biotechnology innovation in the agriculture sector in response to rising demand for organic food products.

For its part, Verified Market Research is forecasting the global biotechnology market will reach a value of more than US$5.25 trillion in 2030. The firm sees significant advancement and investment in research and development, the rising prevalence of infections and chronic diseases, and increasing government and regulatory support as major drivers of revenue growth for this life science sector in the coming years.

The nanotechnology drug market is a subsector of the biotech space that is also expected to see major growth in the coming years. Precendence Research forecasts that this sector will experience a CAGR of 8.13 percent between 2023 and 2032 to reach a total value of US$183.11 billion.

‘Nanotechnology is critical in the development of drug-delivery technologies that have the potential to expand the medical market,’ stated the report. ‘Nanotechnology can enhance the efficacy of medications that have failed clinical trials. It provides drug delivery systems, treatment, and management for chronic diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes.’

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Could Bitcoin Reach $200000? Market & Expert Insights

Bitcoin attracts bold predictions. Recent forecasts show that this top cryptocurrency may soon hit Bitcoin Reach $200000. Many trusted sources, including Yahoo Finance, CoinDesk, Bloomberg, and CNBC, have reported this forecast. This public news reflects rising optimism among market experts amid changing economic conditions.

Market Sentiment and Economic Drivers

Many analysts believe that economic uncertainty and rising prices create a strong chance for Bitcoin to serve as a safe asset. Investors now see Bitcoin as a reliable store of value. They shift funds to cryptocurrencies when they lose trust in traditional assets. In addition, new regulations in key markets push both large and small investors to spread their money across various assets.

Technical Analysis and Price Trends

Technical data supports a potential price surge. Long-term charts show an upward trend, while short-term drops offer good buying points. Trading volumes and network activity grow each day. Experts point to a limited supply and high demand as key reasons that Bitcoin Reach $200000 upto.

Investor Implications and Risk Management

Investors must stay alert in this volatile market. They should manage risk by diversifying their portfolios. Many experts advise reviewing holdings and allocating funds wisely. They also recommend keeping up with the latest market news and technical signals to guide decisions.

Conclusion

This forecast that Bitcoin may reach $200,000 comes from strong market sentiment, positive technical trends, and a unique economic climate. However, investors face a volatile market that demands caution. Experts urge both individual and institutional investors to monitor these trends closely and prepare for various market moves.

While reaching $200,000 is not guaranteed, this forecast offers valuable insight into the ever-changing crypto market. It shows that the market can shift quickly and that informed decisions are key. Investors should act wisely and stay updated on news and trends. By doing so, they can protect their investments and uncover new opportunities in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrencies.

The post Could Bitcoin Reach $200000? Market & Expert Insights appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

From tariffs to DOGE, what companies are saying about the impact of MAGA policies

During Mettler-Toledo’s earnings call earlier this month, executives found themselves fielding a barrage of questions about one key topic: tariffs.

The Ohio-based maker of industrial scales and laboratory equipment had already opened the call by breaking down the expected impact from President Donald Trump’s still-evolving trade policy. But when the event transitioned to the question-and-answer portion, the inquiries from analysts seeking further detail about potential tariffs were constant.

“Uncertainty remains across many of our core markets and the global economy,” Finance Chief Shawn Vadala said on the Feb. 7 call. “Geopolitical tensions remain elevated, and include the potential for new tariffs that we have not factored into our guidance.”

Mettler-Toledo’s experience wasn’t unique. America’s largest companies are getting inundated with queries about how or if Trump’s salvo of promises on issues ranging from international trade to immigration and diversity will alter businesses.

A CNBC analysis shows multiple core themes tied to Trump’s policies are popping up on the earnings calls of S&P 500-listed companies at an increasing clip. Take “tariff.” Just weeks into the new year, the frequency of the word and its variations on earnings calls hit its highest level since 2020 — the last full year of Trump’s first term.

On top of that, new acronyms and phrases, like the “Gulf of America” or “DOGE,” have found their way into these meetings as the business community assesses what Trump’s return to power means for them.

Curiously, Trump himself wasn’t racking up mentions on these calls. Many uses of the word “trump” in transcripts reviewed by CNBC referred to the verb, rather than the president.

Still, a review of call transcripts shows how key words tied to Trump’s policies have quickly become commonplace. With the first earnings season of 2025 more than 75% complete, the comments offer an early glimpse into how these companies view the new administration.

One of the most talked about policies has been Trump’s tariff plans. The president briefly implemented — and then postponed — 25% taxes on imports to the U.S. from Mexico and Canada. He also separately slapped China with a 10% levy and imposed aluminum and steel tariffs. Then, on Thursday, he discussed a plan to impose retaliatory tariffs on other trading partners on a country-by-country basis.

Given the uncertainty, it’s no surprise tariffs are a hot topic. The topic has come up on more than 190 calls held by S&P 500 companies in 2025, putting it on track to see the highest share in half of a decade.

The frequency picked up late last year as Trump’s return to the White House became clear. About half of calls in 2024 that mentioned forms of the word took place in the fourth quarter, according to a CNBC analysis of data from FactSet, a market research service.

“Studying tariffs has been at the top of the list of things that we’ve been doing,” said Marathon Petroleum CEO Maryann Mannen on the energy company’s Feb. 4 earnings call.

Several companies said they were not factoring potential impacts from these levies into their guidance, citing uncertainty about what orders will actually go into place. Others just aren’t sure: At Martin Marietta Materials, CFO James Nickolas said the supplier’s profits could either benefit or take a hit from tariffs depending on what form ultimately takes effect.

While Generac didn’t calculate how these import taxes could affect future performance, CEO Aaron Jagdfeld said the generator maker is ready to mitigate the financial hit by reducing costs elsewhere and raising its prices. Camden Property Trust CEO Richard Campo said a company analysis shows proposed tariffs would push up costs for materials from Canada and Mexico like lumber and electrical boxes. These comments offer support to the idea that Trump’s tariffs may drive up consumer prices and fan inflation.

Zebra Technologies CFO Nathan Winters said price increases could help mitigate profit pressure. Auto parts maker BorgWarner, meanwhile, anticipates another year of declining demand in certain markets, which CFO Craig Aaron attributed in part to potential headwinds from these levies.

Cisco’s R. Scott Herren agreed with other executives on the lack of clarity, describing the tariff situation as “dynamic” on the networking equipment maker’s earnings call last week. Still, the CFO said the company has planned for some variation of Trump’s tariff proposals to take effect and is expecting costs to increase as a result.

“We’ve game planned out several scenarios and steps we could take depending on what actually goes into effect,” he said.

The topic of immigration, meanwhile, has already come up on the highest share of calls since 2017.

Trump has promised mass deportations of undocumented immigrants during his second term in office. Cracking down on immigration has been a core component of Trump’s political messaging since he ran in part to “build the wall” between the U.S. and Mexico for his first term. Critics assert that his plans would shock the labor market and could result in higher inflation.

Immigration mentions tend to tick up during the first year of a new administration, CNBC data shows. But 2025 has surpassed the first years of Joe Biden’s presidency and Barack Obama’s second term, underscoring Trump’s role in elevating the issue within U.S. businesses.

Some companies grouped immigration with tariffs as drivers of broader unpredictability within the economy. Nicholas Pinchuk, CEO of toolmaker Snap-On, described anecdotes of strong demand for repair services from its clients, but said they were still stressed by red flags in the economic backdrop.

“It’s clear the techs are in a good position. But that doesn’t make them immune to the macro uncertainty around them: ongoing wars, immigration disputes, lingering inflation,” Pinchuk said. “Although the election is in the rear mirror and the new team may be more focused on business expansion, there’s a rapid fire of new initiatives. … It’s hard not to be uncertain about what’s up.”

Firms in a variety of sectors took questions about what changes in the composition of America’s population would mean. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile all fielded questions about whether a slowdown in immigration would hurt demand for certain phone plans. Michael Manelis, operations chief at apartment manager Equity Residential, said in response to an immigration-related inquiry that it hasn’t seen any upticks in lease breaks from tenants being deported.

In the Southern California market, real estate developer Prologis CEO Hamid Moghadam said deportations can decrease the pool of workers and, in turn, drive up employment costs in the region. That can exacerbate pricing pressures already expected as the Los Angeles community rebuilds in the wake of last month’s wildfires.

Other businesses insisted deportations wouldn’t create labor shortages for their operations because all of their workers are legally authorized. One such company, chicken producer Tyson Foods, said it hasn’t had factories visited by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or seen any declines in worker attendance.

“We’re confident that we’ll be able to continue to successfully run our business,” CEO Donnie King said on Feb. 3.

Topics that gained newfound relevance with Trump’s return to office have also already started emerging.

DOGE — the acronym for the new Department of Government Efficiency led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk — has been mentioned on more than 15 calls, as of Friday morning. This department has put Wall Street on alert as investors wonder if contracts between public companies and federal agencies could be on the chopping block with Musk’s team slashing spending.

Iron Mountain’s mine that stores government retirement records was ripped as an example of inefficiency by Musk during a visit to the Oval Office. But surprisingly, CEO Bill Meaney said the push for streamlining can actually benefit other parts of its business.

“As the government continues to drive to be more efficient, we see this as a continued opportunity for the company,” he said last week.

Executives at Palantir, the defensive technology company that was a top performer within the S&P 500 last year, are similarly hopeful. Technology Chief Shyam Sankar described Palantir’s work with the government as “operational” and “valuable,” and is hopeful that DOGE engineers will be “able to see that for a change.”

“I think DOGE is going to bring meritocracy and transparency to government, and that’s exactly what our commercial business is,” Sankar said during the company’s Feb. 3 call. “The commercial market is meritocratic and transparent, and you see the results that we have in that sort of environment. And that’s the basis of our optimism around this.”

He noted some concerns among other government software providers, and called those agreements “sacred cows of the deep state” during the call.

Elsewhere, the so-called Gulf of America has been a point of divergence after Trump’s executive order renaming what has long been known as the Gulf of Mexico. Chevron used the moniker Gulf of America repeatedly in its earnings release and on its call with analysts late last month. But Exxon Mobil, which held its earnings call the same day, opted instead to refer to the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico.

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