Trio Petroleum acquires Novacor’s Saskatchewan heavy oil assets, adding 70 barrels/day production and 91.5M barrels in reserves, enhancing cash flow and growth potential.
Recommended:
Trump Orders New Wealth Fund for America
Did you catch the news? Recently, Trump’s Treasury Secretary let slip: “We’re going to monetize the most valuable asset of the United States.”
What did he mean, exactly? As you’ll see, Trump could soon unleash a massive new boom in America. One that could dwarf the rise of crypto and NVIDIA, combined.
Former Presidential Advisor, Jim Rickards says: “We’re talking about a state asset that’s so large – if you divide the figure by the number of households in America, it’d be enough to make every family millionaires.”
For the full story, click here.
Market-Moving News
Energy
Trio Petroleum Expands Footprint with Strategic Heavy Oil Asset Acquisition in Saskatchewan
Trio Petroleum has solidified its presence in the Canadian heavy oil sector with the acquisition of producing petroleum and natural gas properties from Novacor Exploration in the Lloydminster region of Saskatchewan.
The deal encompasses valuable assets in the TWP48 and TWP47 areas, currently yielding approximately 70 barrels of heavy crude oil per day from seven operational wells. These wells tap into the productive McLaren/Sparky and Lloydminster formations and benefit from low operational costs—around C$10.00 ($7.12) per barrel—enabling profitability even during periods of market volatility. Strategic location, favorable royalty structures, and cost-effective operations make these assets a strong addition to Trio’s portfolio.
The acquisition, priced at $650,000 in cash alongside the issuance of over 526,000 Trio common shares, reflects the company’s commitment to securing cash flow-positive projects with long-term upside.
According to a reserve report by Petrotech and Associates, the properties hold 91.5 million barrels of proved and probable oil reserves, with additional development potential through multilateral drilling in the Sparky GP formation. Trio’s CEO Robin Ross emphasized the company’s focus on acquiring assets with immediate revenue generation or transformational growth potential, aligning with their vision of building sustainable value through disciplined investment and operational efficiency.
Financial Services
MarketWise is off to a blazing start in 2025, with preliminary Q1 billings hitting $70 million—a 26% jump from late 2024. The fintech firm, which dishes out premium stock research and tools for DIY investors, credits the surge to its revamped digital platform. Subscriber numbers tell the story: 473,000 paying users and a whopping 3 million free users as of March 31. Interim CEO “Doc” Eifrig says the team’s “all-in” on delivering actionable insights, backed by its 400+ employees.
But here’s the real kicker for investors: MarketWise is doubling down on shareholder perks. Over the past year, it’s given 1.60 per share in dividends. The company had 1679 million in cash and zero debt. The company’s flexing its financial muscle to keep shareholders happy while prepping for long-term growth. Full Q1 results drop by May 15.
Healthcare
Pluri Secures Key Patents for Scalable MAIT Cell Expansion in Immunotherapy Breakthrough
Pluri, a biotechnology firm specializing in advanced cell therapies, has received new patents from both the US and Israeli patent offices for its innovative immune cell expansion technologies.
These patents specifically cover the large-scale culturing and activation of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells using Pluri’s proprietary 3D bioreactor systems. MAIT cells, derived from human placentas, are a unique subset of T cells known for their ability to target solid tumors, support tissue repair, and minimize the risk of Graft versus Host Disease due to their lower alloreactivity profile. Overcoming the long-standing challenge of expanding these cells outside the human body, Pluri’s advancements represent a significant step forward in the development of scalable immunotherapies.
CEO Yaky Yanay is bullish on its MAIT cell tech, calling it the “next frontier” for cancer care, especially after the FDA’s recent nods for rival therapies like TILs and TCR-engineered treatments. “MAIT cells could be a game-changer,” he says, pointing to their potential to outmaneuver tumors.
The biotech’s also flexing its government ties: It just landed a $4.2 million deal with U.S. agencies to advance avoplacel, its experimental cell therapy. The cash isn’t just about funding R&D—it’s a springboard for teaming up with big players to fast-track new immune therapies to patients. With science and patents locked in, Pluri’s betting its IP hoard will pay off as the immunotherapy gold rush heats up.
Recommended:
“A Crash of Epic Proportions Is Coming – Prepare Now”
50-year stock market legend Marc Chaikin just revealed his “secret weapon”… along with a powerful, little-known strategy that could help you potentially lock in rapid returns – even as markets crumble. Marc says that in the coming months, you are going to need it. So if you have any money in the market, you need to see this now.
Industrials
CSW Industrials Announces 12.5% Dividend Increase, Reflecting Continued Financial Strength
CSW Industrials, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSWI) has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share, marking a 12.5% increase from the previous quarter’s dividend.
The dividend will be payable on May 9, 2025, to shareholders of record as of April 25, 2025. This announcement represents the sixth dividend increase since 2017, underscoring the company’s consistent financial performance and commitment to shareholder returns. Chairman and CEO Joseph B. Armes highlighted the company’s robust balance sheet and strong cash flow generation, noting that CSWI has returned over $222 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases while continuing to grow through both organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions.
Tech
Cloudflare Unveils Workers VPC to Bridge Legacy Infrastructure with Modern Cloud App Development
Cloudflare has announced the launch of Workers VPC and Workers VPC Private Link—new solutions designed to break down the infrastructure barriers that have long hindered developers from building modern, global applications.
These tools allow developers to create secure, scalable apps on Cloudflare Workers while seamlessly connecting to data and resources housed in legacy public clouds and on-premises networks. With traditional Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) often acting as silos, limiting interoperability and imposing high data egress fees, Cloudflare’s approach enables a unified, cross-cloud development experience without the networking complexity or elevated security risk.
Workers VPC provides isolated environments within the Cloudflare platform, where resources can interact securely and independently of geographical boundaries. Meanwhile, Workers VPC Private Link offers private, encrypted connections between a Workers VPC and external VPCs, treating disparate infrastructure as a single cohesive environment.
CEO Matthew Prince emphasized the need for developer freedom, stating that the new capabilities are designed to let developers “build with whatever tools they want, no matter where their data lives.” With these advancements, Cloudflare is redefining how modern apps connect to legacy infrastructure—offering flexibility, scalability, and security for enterprises aiming to modernize without compromise.
Consumer Defensive
BBB Foods Reports Strong Q4 Growth with Aggressive Expansion and Private Label Surge
BBB Foods Inc. (NYSE: TBBB) delivered a robust performance in Q4 2024, posting a 32.7% year-over-year revenue increase and a 30.3% rise for the full year. The company surpassed expectations by opening 484 new stores, driven by a decentralized real estate strategy and strong demand in both existing and new markets.
Same-store sales surged by 13.4%, significantly outpacing industry benchmarks, while private label products climbed to 54% of total sales—up from 47% in 2023—highlighting growing consumer trust in BBB Foods’ value-driven offerings. With a net cash position of 1.4 billion pesos, the company maintains strong financial health, supporting its aggressive expansion and operational growth.
Despite the positive momentum, the company is facing cost pressures, with SG&A expenses increasing due to higher administrative costs tied to hiring and public company operations.
CEO Anthony Hattum addressed these concerns by emphasizing continued investments in compliance and talent, which are expected to decrease as a percentage of sales over time. He also acknowledged permitting delays as a bottleneck but remains confident in maintaining expansion through a well-prepared pipeline. Looking ahead, BBB Foods plans to launch four new regions in 2025, further scaling operations while continuing to grow private label penetration and enhance its market-leading value proposition, even amid a competitive Mexican retail environment.
Consumer Staples
Mizuho Favors Walmart in Retail Coverage Initiation, Citing Strong Earnings Outlook and Resilience
Mizuho Securities is doubling down on Walmart (WMT), slapping it with an “Outperform” rating and a 105 price target in its latest retail deep dive. Analysts called the retail giant a “must−own ” play for investors, praising its slick pivot to high-margin businesses like ads, Walmart+ memberships, and third-party marketplaces sales, with profits poised to top 105% of its price target in its latest retail deep dive. With profits poised to top $4/share by 2030, Mizuho argues Walmart’s years of tech and supply chain investments are finally paying off—making it a “king of the hill” even if the economy wobbles.
Target (TGT) landed a lukewarm “Neutral” rating, with Mizuho’s $92 target hinting at downside risk. Why? Margins are getting crushed by sluggish sales of home goods and apparel—categories still stuck in post-pandemic limbo. Worse, ~50% of Target’s products face Trump’s tariffs, adding fuel to the fire. Costco (COST) also got a Neutral nod, despite its rock-solid membership model and e-commerce growth. The catch? Shares trade at a sky-high 50x forward earnings—a “premium price tag” that’s hard to swallow even for a fan-favorite.
Mizuho’s take: Walmart’s combo of defensive appeal and upscale traction makes it the retail sector’s all-weather stock. Add its ad biz—now a $3 billion cash machine—and you’ve got a recipe for outperformance, no matter the macro mess.
Recommended:
Before the ‘Final’ Big Crash: Move Your Money Here Immediately
More pain could soon be on the way… and it could be far worse than anything we’ve seen so far this year. To respond, a Wall Street veteran is sharing the ONE strategy that once made him 20 times his money on a single trade – right as U.S. stocks collapsed. (He also saw additional gains like 30 times his money in 15 days… and 34 times his money in six days – but as you’ll see, even bigger gains may be coming soon.)
Everything Else:
- Donald Trump says US tariff policy ‘doing really well’
- Gold Price Forecast – Entering the Final Blowoff Phase
- Stock Market Rallies On Trump Tariff Pause
- US consumer sentiment plummets to 1952 levels
- Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Size Worth USD 3.89 Billion by 2034
- Oil Steadies En Route to Weekly Drop
- Senate Democrats ask SEC to probe Trump
- India stocks less bruised in Trump’s April storm
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading.
FAQ: Recent Business and Market Updates
What does Trio Petroleum’s acquisition in Saskatchewan involve?
Trio Petroleum acquired producing petroleum and natural gas properties from Novacor Exploration in Saskatchewan’s Lloydminster region for $650,000 and over 526,000 common shares. The assets include seven wells producing about 70 barrels of heavy crude oil daily, with low operating costs of ~C$10.00 ($7.12) per barrel. The properties hold 91.5 million barrels of proved and probable reserves, offering immediate cash flow and growth potential through further drilling.
How is MarketWise performing financially in 2025?
MarketWise reported a strong Q1 2025 with preliminary billings of $70 million, up 26% from Q4 2024, driven by its enhanced digital platform. It has 473,000 paid subscribers and 3 million free users. The company also paid $1.60 per share in dividends over the past year, holds $1,679 million in cash with no debt, and launched a share buyback program to boost shareholder value.
What is Pluri’s breakthrough in immunotherapy, and why does it matter?
Pluri secured patents for its 3D bioreactor technology to culture and activate MAIT cells, which are T cells that target solid tumors and support tissue repair with low risk of Graft versus Host Disease. This scalable method overcomes challenges in expanding MAIT cells outside the body, positioning Pluri as a leader in immunotherapy, especially for cancer treatment, with potential to rival FDA-approved therapies.
Why did CSW Industrials increase its dividend, and what does it signal?
CSW Industrials raised its quarterly dividend by 12.5% to $0.27 per share, payable on May 9, 2025. This marks the sixth increase since 2017, reflecting strong cash flow and a robust balance sheet. The company has returned over $222 million to shareholders via dividends and buybacks, signaling confidence in sustained financial health and growth through organic and acquisition-driven strategies.
What are Cloudflare’s Workers VPC and Workers VPC Private Link?
Cloudflare’s Workers VPC creates isolated environments for secure, scalable app development on its platform, connecting seamlessly to legacy cloud and on-premises networks. Workers VPC Private Link provides encrypted connections between Workers VPC and external VPCs, treating them as a unified system. These tools simplify cross-cloud development, reduce data egress costs, and enhance security for modern applications.
How did BBB Foods perform in Q4 2024, and what are its plans for 2025?
BBB Foods reported a 32.7% revenue increase in Q4 2024, with full-year growth of 30.3%, driven by 484 new stores and 13.4% same-store sales growth. Private label sales rose to 54% of total sales. Despite higher SG&A costs, the company’s net cash position of 1.4 billion pesos supports expansion. In 2025, BBB Foods plans to enter four new regions and grow its private label offerings.
Why does Mizuho favor Walmart over other retailers like Target and Costco?
Mizuho rated Walmart “Outperform” with a $105 price target, citing its shift to high-margin businesses like advertising, Walmart+, and third-party sales, with projected profits exceeding $4/share by 2030. Target received a “Neutral” rating due to weak home goods and apparel sales and tariff exposure, while Costco’s high valuation (50x forward earnings) also earned it a “Neutral” rating. Walmart’s resilience and growth make it a top retail pick.
How does Trio Petroleum’s acquisition align with its long-term strategy?
Trio Petroleum’s CEO, Robin Ross, stated the Saskatchewan acquisition fits its strategy of securing cash flow-positive assets with transformational growth potential. The low-cost operations, favorable royalties, and 91.5 million barrels of reserves support immediate revenue and future development, aligning with Trio’s goal of building sustainable value through disciplined investments.
What role does Pluri’s $4.2 million government deal play in its growth?
Pluri’s $4.2 million contract with U.S. agencies funds the development of avoplacel, an experimental cell therapy. Beyond R&D, the deal strengthens partnerships with major players, accelerating Pluri’s immunotherapy pipeline. Combined with its MAIT cell patents, this positions Pluri to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced immune therapies.
What challenges does BBB Foods face despite its strong growth?
BBB Foods faces rising SG&A expenses due to increased hiring and public company costs, as well as permitting delays that slow store openings. However, CEO Anthony Hattum remains optimistic, citing a strong real estate pipeline and plans to reduce costs as a percentage of sales over time while continuing aggressive expansion.
