BOSTON, Apr 8, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - IDC today opened IDC Directions 2026, its flagship client event, bringing together technology leaders, analysts, and industry experts to examine the forces reshaping the global technology market and to introduce a major evolution in how technology intelligence is delivered.At the center of this year's event is IDC Quanta™, a new AI-powered platform that establishes what IDC defines as the technology intelligence layer for the AI economy.As artificial intelligence accelerates the pace of business and compresses decision cycles, IDC is redefining its role from a destination for research and data to an embedded intelligence capability that delivers trusted insight directly into the workflows where decisions are made."AI is compressing time across the entire technology market, and that breaks the traditional research model," said Lorenzo Larini, CEO of IDC. "Leaders don't need more noise. They need intelligence that shows up in the moment, grounded in data they trust, and ready to use. IDC Quanta makes that possible. We believe it will define the next chapter of this industry."Defining the Technology Intelligence LayerIDC Quanta™ emerged from collaboration with some of the industry's most forward-leaning technology providers and enterprise buyers, shaping a platform built for how decisions are made today. Demoed at Directions, IDC Quanta™ is built on five differentiated design principles that redefine how technology intelligence is delivered:EMBEDDED - Intelligence inside your workflows: IDC Quanta™ delivers intelligence directly within the tools professionals already use, starting with email and expanding to collaboration and AI platforms. By removing the need to search, switch contexts, or manually synthesize insights, IDC enables faster, more seamless decision-making.CONTEXTUAL - Your business context, combined with IDC intelligence: Organizations can securely bring their own data, documents, and third-party content into IDC Quanta™, analyzing it alongside IDC research in a single environment. The platform retains context across interactions, enabling more relevant, personalized, and continuously improving insights.SECURE - Enterprise-grade privacy and control: IDC Quanta is designed with strict data isolation and governance at its core. Customer data remains private, is never used to train models, and is fully protected within a secure workspace, ensuring organizations can confidently apply intelligence to high-stakes decisions.AWARE- The insights you need without asking: IDC Quanta delivers scheduled intelligence automatically, helping decision-makers stay ahead. It uncovers insights faster using trend signals, anonymized peer patterns, and suggested next questions, eliminating the need for repeated prompts for frequently needed information.RIGOROUS - Intelligence you can stand behind: IDC Quanta is grounded in more than 60 years of proprietary data, research, and analyst expertise, delivering sourced, citable answers with full transparency into underlying methodology and inputs. Unlike common AI tools, every output is traceable to trusted IDC intelligence.Powering AI-Driven Decision WorkflowsIDC also announced it is building a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for the technology intelligence layer of the AI economy and is collaborating with Anthropic to bring IDC's intelligence directly into Claude workflows.Through this collaboration, organizations will gain entitlement-based access to IDC's proprietary research, data, and methodologies natively within Anthropic environments via MCP and plugins. This approach enables IDC intelligence to be accessed not as a separate destination, but as a seamless extension of the AI tools enterprises already use.The result is a new class of agentic workflows, where AI moves beyond answering questions to executing research tasks on behalf of the user. These workflows can include navigating sources, synthesizing customer and IDC intelligence data, generating structured outputs, and producing actionable deliverables.By embedding IDC intelligence into AI-native environments, IDC Quanta transforms AI from a capable assistant into a reliable operator for enterprise decision-making.From Research to Embedded IntelligenceIDC Quanta™ represents a fundamental shift from static research consumption through gated portals to continuous, embedded intelligence that scales across the enterprise."In my world, where it used to take human time weeks to draw conclusions, reading hundreds of reports, I can now do that in minutes," said Mark Terranova, director, Worldwide Analyst Relations at Kyndryl. "That means I can service my stakeholders internally much quicker with better insights. AI needs to interact with the human. That's how you get good answers and that's a key differentiator for IDC right now, in my opinion."IDC Quanta™ is expected to be generally available in summer 2026. Sign up to be notified at launch: idc.com/jointhewaitlist.About IDCInternational Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of trusted technology intelligence, advisory services, and events. With more than 1,000 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 100 countries. IDC's analysis and insights help IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on X at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.CONTACTIDC | Kiní Schoop | press@idc.comEscalate PR for IDC | IDC@escalatepr.comSOURCE: IDC Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 8, 2026) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces that Gold Fields Netherlands Services B.V. ("Gold Fields"), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Gold Fields Ltd, has increased its equity position in the Company through market purchases.On April 6, 2026, Gold Fields acquired 2,441,686 common shares of the Company at a weighted average price of approximately C$4.15 per share, for total consideration of approximately C$10.1 million. Following the transaction, Gold Fields beneficially owns 14,489,879 common shares of Founders, representing approximately 12.50% of the issued and outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis, up from approximately 10.39% following the closing of Gold Fields' initial C$50 million strategic investment in November 2025.Colin Padget, President & CEO, commented, "Gold Fields' decision to meaningfully increase their ownership in Founders through market purchases is a strong endorsement of our exploration strategy and the district-scale potential of the Antino Gold Project. With an aggressive surface exploration and 70,000+ metre diamond drill program underway and multiple high-priority targets advancing across our 102,360-hectare land package, we are well-positioned to continue delivering value for all shareholders."Gold Fields' early warning report in connection with the transaction has been filed under Founders' profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.About Founders Metals Inc.Founders Metals Inc. is a Canadian gold exploration company building a district-scale gold camp in southeastern Suriname. The Company controls a 102,360-hectare contiguous land package in the Guiana Shield - the largest uninterrupted package of highly prospective greenstone belt geology in the region. Founders is backed by strategic partnerships with Gold Fields and B2Gold and is executing one of the most active exploration programs in the global junior gold sector. The Company is committed to responsible exploration, strong community engagement, and disciplined capital allocation as it advances Suriname's next major gold camp.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,Per: "Colin Padget"Colin PadgetPresident, Chief Executive Officer, and DirectorContact InformationKatie MacKenzie, Vice President, Corporate DevelopmentTel: +1 306 537 8903 | katiem@fdrmetals.comCautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding long term value creation and the Company's prospects. Forward-looking information can generally be identified by words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" occur or be achieved.Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and reasonable assumptions but are subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including: general business and economic uncertainties; exploration results; mining industry risks; and other factors described in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, other factors may cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.All material information on Founders Metals can be found at www.sedarplus.ca.To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/291616 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Vancouver, BC, Apr 8, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Military Metals Corp. (CSE: MILI) (OTCQB: MILIF) (FSE: QN90) (the "Company" or "MILI") is pleased to announce the completion of a maiden Inferred Mineral Resource estimate (MRE) of 6.5 Mt at 1.02% Sb and 1.06 g/t Au for 67 thousand tonnes (kt) of antimony and 222 thousand ounces (koz) of gold at the Company's wholly owned flagship Trojárová Project (the "Project") in Western Slovakia.Highlights:Inferred Mineral Resource of 6.5 Mt at 1.02% Sb and 1.06 g/t Au for 67 kt of antimony and 222 koz of gold (Table 1)Resource estimate incorporated 53 diamond drill holes totaling 7,167 m of drilling and 55 intervals of underground chip samples totaling 202 m Historical MRE is now replaced by a modern MRE that is prepared in accordance with the 2014 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards (CIM, 2014) and the CIM Best Practice Guidelines of Mineral Resources and Reserves (2019)Scott Eldridge, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "The maiden mineral resource estimate of the Trojárová Project firmly underpins the value of Military Metals. Following our 2025 confirmation drilling campaign Trojárová has emerged as the largest antimony resource in the European union that is defined by a modern regulatory standard 1, and among the largest antimony resources globally. At a time when the need for secure, domestically sourced critical minerals is more pressing than ever, these results strengthen the project's potential importance to, and alignment with, the EU's objective of building a dependable, home-grown supply of critical raw materials."1The Company defines "a modern regulatory standard" as NI 43-101, JORC, or S-K 1300 disclosure standards. Table 1 - Trojárová Mineral Resource Estimate - April 6, 2026ClassificationTonnageAverage GradeContained Metal(Mt)Sb (%)Au (g/t)Sb (kt)Au (koz)Inferred6.51.021.0667222 Notes:The Mineral Resource Estimate was completed by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. ("SLR") in accordance with the 2014 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards and the CIM Best Practice Guidelines of Mineral Resources and Reserves (2019).SLR is independent of Military Metals Corp.The Mineral Resource is reported on a 100% ownership basis.Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 0.8% SbEq.The formula for SbEq is SbEq = Sb % + (Au g/t * 0.562).Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term antimony price of US$29,000 per tonne and a gold price of US$3,000 per ounce.A uniform bulk density of 2.82 t/m3 was applied based on the length-weighted mean from laboratory density determinations from the Project's main mineralized zone.Metallurgical recovery is 85% for antimony and 85% for gold.The Mineral Resource excludes a 50 m crown pillar.Resource estimation domains were modelled to a 2.0 m minimum width.Totals may vary due to rounding.The 2026 Trojárová Mineral Resource EstimateThe maiden Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") incorporates all historical and modern drilling completed on the project, as well as historical underground sampling, comprising 53 diamond drill holes totaling 7,167 m and 55 underground face chip sampling intervals totaling 202 m. Three historical drill holes without analytical results available were excluded. Six mineralization wireframes, each supported by a minimum of two drill holes, were manually built based on a 0.1% SbEq threshold. A minimum wireframe width of 2.0 m was applied to all zones. Mineral Resources above the 0.8% SbEq cut-off were reported in four of the six mineralization wireframes (Figure 1).Inferred Mineral Resources correspond to areas supported by at least two drill holes with nominal drill spacing of no more than 150 m. Classification boundaries were locally refined manually to reflect geological interpretation, grade continuity, and zone thickness.The MRE is constrained within estimation domains meeting a 2.0 m minimum mining width. A 50 m crown pillar was also excluded from the MRE.Resource classification follows the CIM (2014) Definition Standards. Modeling and estimation were completed in Leapfrog Geo and Leapfrog Edge, and validation included database checks, wireframe-to-block volume comparisons, statistical reviews, and visual inspections on sections, plans, and longitudinal sections. Reporting assumes an antimony price of US $29,000 per tonne and a gold price of US$3,000/oz, with an effective date of April 6th, 2026.The average grade, minimum mining width and other results or assumptions above do not guarantee future production.Figure 1: Trojárová deposit showing Inferred Mineral Resources above cut off (grey), and mineralization wireframes (red)To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10818/291609_7fe684b144344ad4_001full.jpgExploration Growth PotentialTo date no significant mineralization has been intersected beyond the boundaries of the current Inferred Mineral Resource estimate. However, mineral exploration beyond these boundaries has also been limited. There is geological evidence of the mineralizing structure or other sympathetic structures continuing northward along strike within the boundaries of the Trojárová project. Additional exploration along this corridor could identify targets for future drilling. Furthermore, the Inferred Mineral Resource is open to depth, where additional drilling has the potential to incorporate additional volume into future mineral resource estimates.About the Trojárová ProjectDiscovered in the late 1970s, Trojárová was the focus of extensive surface and underground exploration over a 2 km strike length from 1983 to 1995, including 66 diamond drill holes for a total of 9,049 m and 1.7 km of underground workings. Efforts continued over the years as additional trenches were dug, and holes were drilled. Starting in 1990, underground development began, ultimately comprising a 300-metre-long adit connected to a 700-plus-metre-long drive in the footwall of the mineralized zone, with seven crosscuts into the mineralized zone for sampling.These efforts culminated in a comprehensive study comprising drill logs, analyses, drill plans, maps and sections, deposit model studies, petrographic studies, metallurgical studies and more, now detailed in a multi-volume compendium of reports produced by the Slovak Geological Institute published in 1992.The historical work carried out appears comprehensive, detailed and at a professional standard. The Company considers this historical data relevant, as it will use it as a guide to plan future exploration programs and informs the Inferred Mineral Resource estimate. The Company also considers the data to be reliable for these purposes.The Company completed a confirmation drilling campaign in the winter of 2025 to validate historical work. Seven diamond drill holes totaling 1,383 m were drilled (Figure 2).Figure 2: Map of Military Metals' Trojárová Project, Western Slovakia.To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10818/291609_7fe684b144344ad4_002full.jpgQualified PersonThe Mineral Resource estimate was prepared by Luke Evans, M.Sc., P.Eng., Principal Resource Geologist, Global Technical Director, Geology Group Leader for SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. It is reported in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards (2014). The scientific and technical information in this news release related to the Trojárová Mineral Resource estimate has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Evans, who is independent of Military Metals Corp. and a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101.SLR is unaware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that could materially affect the Mineral Resource estimate.David Murray, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration at Military Metals Corp. a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.A technical report will be prepared by Qualified Persons in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101 and will be filed on SEDAR+ within 45 days of this press release.About Military Metals Corp. The Company is a British Columbia-based mineral exploration company that is primarily engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties with a focus on antimony.For more information about Military Metals Corp. and its critical minerals initiatives, please visit: https://www.militarymetalscorp.com.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/military-metals/X: https://x.com/militarymetalsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564717587797ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSFor more information, please contact:Scott EldridgeCEO and Directorscott@militarymetalscorp.com or info@militarymetalscorp.comFor inquiries, please call 604-537-7556Cautionary Statement regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains "forward-looking information." Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, the continuation of the value of antimony, and the future needs of Europe and the E.U. specifically. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release. These include geopolitical developments related to the supply and value of antimony, the continued use of antimony and availability of alternatives, availability of capital and labour in respect of the property that is the subject of this news release, the results of any future exploration activities, which cannot be guaranteed, and any other future activities in respect of the property held by the Target. Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's public filings under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances, management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by securities legislation. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/291609 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

A new funding model pits 9 professional investor funds against 1 crowd-driven fund to test who can best identify breakout companies in gaming, XR, and interactive media.LAS VEGAS, NV, Apr 8, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Droid Investment Funds today announced the launch of the 10 Fund Competition, an innovative startup funding model built around a simple but powerful question: Who is better at spotting the future—professional investors or the crowd?Structured as a live contest, nine professionally managed funds and one crowd fund will discover and accelerate promising companies across gaming, esports, XR, spatial computing, creator tools, and interactive commerce.Unlike traditional venture capital models where allocation decisions occur behind closed doors, this competition makes startup selection visible, dynamic, and participatory. Professional fund managers bring deep industry experience, elite networks, and rigorous investment discipline. The crowd fund represents collective market conviction. Over time, both sides will be measured publicly by the performance of the companies they back.“We are building more than a funding platform,” said Andrew Prell, Founder of Convergence 4D. “We are building a public competition around conviction, discovery, and startup selection. For too long, founders have had to rely on closed circles and private gatekeepers. This model opens the process and lets the market see, in real time, whether institutional judgment or community insight is better at identifying the next generation of winners.”Far from being a new idea, the 10 Fund Competition traces back to 2018, when Prell published the underlying framework in Blockchain vs. The VC and The Virtuous Circle of Token Based Investment Funds. The ideas gained traction; in a recorded public forum at a Silicon Valley conference that year, leading economists questioned whether the model represented entirely new principles of token-based economics.Beyond Capital: Real-World Network Effects For founders, the opportunity goes well beyond capital. Startups entering the competition gain unprecedented visibility, market validation, and compound momentum. They are entering an environment where investor support and market attention accelerate together.At the center of this model is the crowd fund, serving as a live benchmark. Rather than treating the public as spectators, the structure gives the crowd a meaningful, active role in discovery.“This is a real test,” Prell added. “Can a well-informed crowd outperform traditional investors? Can collective conviction see opportunities that professional capital overlooks? We believe that question is worth answering publicly.”As the platform grows, the 10 Fund Competition will become a capital formation engine and a public scoreboard for startup discovery. Droid Investment Funds is currently finalizing the manager lineup and expanding early access for founders ahead of launch.About Droid Investment Funds Droid Investment Funds backs startups in gaming, XR, esports, and interactive media. Its 10 Fund Competition brings together professional managers and a crowd fund in a public contest to support high-potential companies.Media Contact:Jarvis GaoMedia RelationsTeam@silicanexus.com702-490-3674 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, Apr 8, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Guoyuan International issued a research report on Essex Bio-Technology on 1 April 2026. Essex posted steady operating performance growth in 2025 and kicked off its international expansion, as the Phase III clinical trial of bevacizumab met its primary endpoint and Beifushu® was successfully introduced to Singapore. The global commercialisation of innovative drugs is expected to drive the company’s earnings growth. The institution maintains a BUY rating on the Company with a target price of HK$6.84, representing 84.9% upside from the current price.Essex Bio-Technology’s core R&D pipeline has secured a series of critical milestones. The global phase 3 clinical project of bevacizumab ophthalmic injection (AURA2) has completed the last patient last visit in Australia, European Union countries and the United States, with data analysis now in progress. A Biologics License Application (BLA) for anti-VEGF ophthalmic injection EB12-20145P (HLX04-O, bevacizumab) was accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Results from the phase 3 clinical trial of HLX04-O in Chinese patients showed that the primary endpoint was met, with the mean change in BCVA from baseline at week 48 being non-inferior to that in the ranibizumab group, and HLX04-O had a good safety profile in wet-AMD patients. Currently, no bevacizumab products marketed globally are approved for wet-AMD indication, suggesting substantial market potential. Meanwhile, Essex Bio-Technology has secured exclusive global rights to SkQ1 eye drops from Mitotech and is advancing its US phase III clinical trial, with favourable safety and tolerability demonstrated in VISTA-1 and VISTA-2 trials, which boasts huge commercial potential targeting the large moderate-to-severe dry eye disease market in the PRC.Essex Bio-Technology’s internationalisation strategy has also achieved landmark progress. Beifushu® has been successfully introduced to Singapore via the Special Access Route (SAR) at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), marking the product’s first entry beyond the PRC and laying a solid foundation for future launches in Southeast Asia and global markets. The company has entered into a collaboration with Beijing Airdoc Technology Co., Ltd. to jointly operate artificial intelligence-based retinal businesses, and signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Seefunge Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. for its emedastine difumarate and oxybuprocaine hydrochloride eye drops, further optimising the ophthalmic product portfolio and business layout.Supported by Essex Bio-Technology’s steady 2025 operating performance, with revenue amounted to HK$1,814.0 million (+8.6% YoY), profit for the year amounted to HK$318.0 million (+3.5% YoY), gross profit margin remained at a high industry level of 89.2%; coupled with its robust innovative drug pipeline and smooth global expansion, Guoyuan Internatioanl forecasts the company’s 2026-2028 revenue at HK$1,871.0 million, HK$2,130.0 million and HK$2,475.0 million respectively. The institution maintains the target price of HK$6.84, representing 12x 2025 PE and 84.9% upside from the current price, and reiterates the BUY rating for Essex Bio-Technology.Important Disclosure:This content extracts and integrates original content and key highlights from the research report “Essex Bio-Technology (1061.HK) Updated Report: Steady Growth in Performance, International Expansion Begins” published by Guoyuan International on 1 April 2026. All information is for reference only and does not constitute investment advice. Investment involves risks, please make decisions with caution. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

SINGAPORE, Apr 8, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Alpix, a decentralized perpetuals exchange developed by a team of blockchain practitioners and active traders, today shared early observations from its closed beta testing phase of its integrated AI-assisted trading platform. Since launch, Alpix has surpassed 20 thousand registered users, reflecting growing demand for self-custodial on-chain perpetuals and AI-assisted trading tools.The initial testing period indicated that certain strategies were able to generate positive returns under specific market conditions, while more neutral and balanced approaches demonstrated relatively stable performance over the test window.Alpix combines an on-chain perpetuals exchange with an AI-assisted trading application and a crypto-linked debit card concept, aiming to provide a unified ecosystem for on-chain execution, automated strategies, and real-world usability."We designed the Alpix AI Trader as a tool to assist users in navigating the market with continuous data analysis and automated execution," said a Alpix spokesperson. "Early testing suggests that different strategy profiles may suit different user preferences, particularly in terms of risk tolerance and market conditions."Early Beta Testing ObservationsDuring a closed beta involving a limited number of users and internal accounts, Alpix AI Trader demonstrated the following characteristics:Performance varied across strategy types and market conditions Some directional strategies showed stronger performance during periods of heightened market volatility, while outcomes varied depending on timing and execution.More balanced strategies showed relatively stable behaviour Market-neutral and balanced approaches generally exhibited more consistent, moderate performance with comparatively lower drawdowns during the observed period.Continuous on-chain executionThe AI-assisted system operated continuously, analysing market data and executing trades on-chain when enabled by users. Trading activity during testing contributed to platform-level liquidity and execution flow.All observations are based on limited beta testing and historical data. Performance may vary significantly in live market conditions, and no results should be interpreted as indicative of future outcomes. Trading involves risk, including potential loss of capital.A Three-Pillar Trading EcosystemAlpix Perpetuals Exchange: Alpix provides on-chain perpetual futures trading through user-controlled wallets, aiming to reduce reliance on centralized custody. The platform features a simplified fee structure and supports a range of trading pairs. Users can connect via widely used Web3 wallets such as MetaMask, Binance Wallet, and WalletConnect.Alpix AI Trader dApp: The integrated AI-assisted trading application is designed to analyze market data and support automated trade execution based on predefined strategy profiles. It supports a range of approaches, including long-only, short-only, and market-neutral configurations, allowing users to select strategies aligned with their individual risk preferences. Automated trading activity may also contribute to overall platform liquidity and market participation.Crypto Debit Card and Future Utility Exploration: Alpix is exploring the development of a crypto-linked debit card intended to enable real-world spending of digital assets, subject to regulatory and operational considerations. Additional features under consideration include staking mechanisms and user participation models that may expand platform functionality over time.Future Token and Governance ConsiderationsAlpix is evaluating the potential introduction of a platform token and a decentralized governance framework.The proposed model would aim to enable broader community participation in platform development and decision-making processes, subject to further design, regulatory review, and implementation timelines.No token issuance has been finalized, and details may evolve as the platform develops.About AlpixAlpix is a decentralized perpetuals exchange focused on combining self-custodial trading infrastructure with AI-assisted strategy tools and potential real-world payment integrations.The platform is designed for users interested in on-chain trading, automated strategies, and emerging decentralized financial ecosystems, with ongoing development toward expanded functionality and governance models.For more information, visit app.alpix.io Media ContactIgnatius ChenX: https://x.com/Alpix_ioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpix.io/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alpix.io Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, Apr 8, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Sigenergy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sigenergy” or the “Company”, Stock Code: 06656.HK), a phenomenal "fast-track dark horse" in the global AI+ energy storage sector, today officially announced the launch of its Initial Public Offering (IPO). The Hong Kong Public Offering commences on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, and is expected to close at 12:00 noon on Monday, April 13, 2026. Trading of the Company’s H shares on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEX) is expected to begin on Thursday, April 16, 2026.According to the Global Offering documents, Sigenergy (06656.HK) plans to offer a total of 13,573,900 H Shares (subject to the Over-allotment Option). The offering comprises a Hong Kong Public Offering of 10% and an International Offering of 90% of the total offer shares, with an additional Over-allotment Option of 15%. The offer price is set at HK$324.20 per H Share, with a board lot size of 100 H Shares.Sigenergy’s IPO is underpinned by a powerhouse ensemble of world-class capital, featuring a prestigious cornerstone lineup of 19 investors. This A-list roster includes Temasek Holdings, UBS Asset Management (Hong Kong), Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Hillhouse Investment, BNP Paribas Asset Management, Barings, ORIX Group, CPE, Perseverance Asset Management, Greenwoods Asset Management, Boyu Capital, Fullgoal Fund, China Pacific Insurance (Group), and AXA. This diverse group of top-tier global sovereign wealth funds, international asset managers, leading private equity firms, and major insurance giants underscores the profound confidence global investors have in Sigenergy’s leadership within the AI-native energy storage sector, its superior product capabilities, and its highly certain growth trajectory.As of December 31, 2025, the Company’s revenue skyrocketed from RMB 58 million in 2023 to RMB 9 billion in 2025—a phenomenal increase of over 150 times that marks a landmark growth trajectory in the industry. Meanwhile, Sigenergy’s profitability has seen significant improvement, achieving a turnaround to profit in 2024. The gross margin climbed steadily from 31.3% in 2023 to 50.1% in 2025. With an adjusted net margin reaching 35.9% in 2025, both core indicators rank among the highest in the global distributed energy storage sector. Sigenergy is poised to become the youngest Chinese enterprise to achieve the fastest listing on the HKEX.Sigenergy focuses on the integrated innovation of "AI + New Energy," building a systematic competitive advantage centered on its "AI in All" strategy, which deeply integrates hardware with intelligent technology. The Company's flagship product, SigenStor, is the world's first "5-in-1" integrated solar-storage-charging system, redefining distributed energy product standards through its ultra-integrated architecture. The Company has established an all-scenario product matrix covering residential, commercial and industrial (C&I), and utility-scale power station applications. Furthermore, Sigenergy deeply integrates AI capabilities across the entire value chain—from R&D and smart manufacturing to system operations—creating a truly "thinking and evolving" smart energy ecosystem.Leveraging its international development strategy, Sigenergy has secured leading positions in several core markets. In 2024, the Company ranked first globally in the stackable distributed all-in-one energy storage segment with a 28.6% market share. It also holds the top market share in Australia, Ireland, and South Africa; notably, it has remained at the top of the Australian market for 11 consecutive months in 2025. To date, the Company has built a sales network covering 85 countries and established strategic partnerships with 172 industry-leading distributors.To support the rapid expansion of its global business, Sigenergy has strategically established three production bases in the Lingang Special Area and Jinqiao in Shanghai, as well as in Nantong, Jiangsu. The Nantong Smart Energy Center, representing an investment of approximately RMB 500 million, achieves significant improvements in production efficiency and process quality by deeply integrating AI technology into the manufacturing system. As of the end of 2025, the Company's annual design capacity for inverters approached 360,000 units, while the annual design capacity for energy storage batteries exceeded 5.6 gigawatt-hours (GWh).The net proceeds from this IPO will be primarily used for the research and development of next-generation AI energy systems, the expansion of the global sales network and overseas branding, and for general working capital. The Global Offering is jointly led by a prestigious group of investment banks. CITIC Securities and BNP Paribas are acting as the Joint Sponsors, Overall Coordinators, and Joint Global Coordinators. CICC serves as the Other Overall Coordinator, Joint Global Coordinator, Joint Bookrunner, and Joint Lead Manager. Together, these top-tier institutions are safeguarding Sigenergy’s debut in the capital markets.Media Inquiries:EVER BLOOM (HK) COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANTS GROUP LIMITED Ms. Claire ZhangTel: (852) 3468 8171Email: project_alps.list@everbloom.com.cn Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

West Palm Beach, FL, Apr 7, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - U.S. Polo Assn., the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), proudly supported the USPA Gold Cup® at the USPA National Polo Center (NPC) in Wellington, Florida on April 5, 2026, Easter Sunday in front of a record crowd at the U.S. Polo Assn. Stadium Field.2026 USPA Gold Cup Winners, Team Pilot (#1 Curtis Pilot - 0, #2 Mackenzie Weisz - 6, #3 Lorenzo Chavanne - 7, #4 Camilo ‘Jeta' Castagnola - 10) on stage with iconic trophy at the USPA National Polo Center - Wellington, FloridaCousins, but rivals on the field - Pilot's Camilo ‘Jeta' Castagnola and La Dolfina Scone's Poroto Cambiaso battle for the ball at the 2026 USPA Gold Cup FinalPhoto Credit: Augustina FondaAs the second most prestigious tournament in the United States and a critical leg of the Gauntlet of Polo®, the USPA Gold Cup brings together the sport's top players and elite equine athletes in one of the most competitive and anticipated events of the winter polo season, leading up to the U.S. Open Polo Championship®.Further elevating the tournament's global stage, the USPA Gold Cup Final was hosted by legendary ESPN commentator Chris Fowler and broadcast across multiple ESPN platforms, bringing one of the sport's premier championships to millions of sports fans worldwide. Fowler was joined alongside veteran broadcasters Kenny Rice and Polo Hall-of-Famer Adam Snow. Additional distribution of the tournament Final can be found on Global Polo's YouTube channel. Check local listings for specific airtimes.USPA Gold Cup® Final at a Glance:Final Matchup: Pilot (#1 Curtis Pilot - 0, #2 Mackenzie Weisz - 6, #3 Lorenzo Chavanne - 7, #4 Camilo ‘Jeta' Castagnola - 10) vs. La Dolfina Scone (#1 David Paradice - 0, #2 Rufino Merlos - 6, #3 Jesse Bray - 7, #4 Poroto Cambiaso - 10)Date: April 5, 2026Location: USPA National Polo Center, Wellington, Florida, on the U.S. Polo Assn. Stadium FieldFinal Score: 10 (Pilot) - 6 (La Dolfina Scone)MVP: Lorenzo Chavanne (Pilot)Best Playing Pony: V8 Tyson, ridden by Lorenzo ChavanneBest Playing Pony, Argentinian Bred: Open Texas, ridden by Lorenzo ChavanneU.S. Polo Assn. Sportsmanship Award, Presented by YETI: Curtis Pilot (Pilot)Charity Beneficiaries: Replay Polo (La Dolfina Scone) and Work To Ride (Pilot)Broadcast: ESPN Platforms (Hosted by Chris Fowler with Kenny Rice and Adam Snow), and Global Polo YouTubeGame Highlights: Pilot versus La Dolfina Scone is a rematch game from the 2023 USPA Gold Cup, where La Dolfina Scone took the victory. In 2026, these two teams are the youngest to compete in USPA Gold Cup history, with both featuring a family-legacy player on their rosters. Pilot was down 2-5 at halftime but did not let La Dolfina Scone score in the 4th or 5th chukkers. MVP Lorenzo Chavanne scored 6 goals throughout, pushing Pilot ahead in the second half to seal Pilot's third USPA Gold Cup victory.As the official sports brand of the USPA, U.S. Polo Assn.'s presence was felt both on and off the field throughout the tournament. In addition to the U.S. Open Polo Championship taking place on the U.S. Polo Assn. Stadium Field at NPC, featuring the brand's iconic Double Horsemen logo, U.S. Polo Assn. outfitted all on-site NPC staff and offered its performance jersey program to all teams competing in the Gauntlet of Polo.Off the field at the USPA Shop at NPC, the sports brand enhanced the spectator experience by hosting immersive retail activations, including a Tyrus and Georgie Murdoch children's book signing, Easter-themed tote bag screen printing, a live violinist, and complimentary chilled Limited Edition U.S. Polo Assn. Rosé wine tasting. In addition to posing at the branded U.S. Polo Assn. selfie wall or grabbing a bite at the traditional Argentine Asado area before the game, spectators also experienced the traditional halftime divot stomp dressed in vibrant Easter outfits, where U.S. Polo Assn. models connected with guests and created interactive social media moments, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of championship Sunday."The USPA Gold Cup represents the pinnacle of high-goal competition leading into the U.S. Open Polo Championship, showcasing the extraordinary talent, teamwork, and athleticism that define the sport at its highest level to a global audience on ESPN," said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global, the company that manages the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. "U.S. Polo Assn. is proud to support this historic tournament and to continue creating inspirational moments between the sport of polo and fans around the world.""Congratulations to both teams on what was an epic game in front of a record crowd," Prince added.Featuring many of the world's most accomplished players, the 2026 USPA Gold Cup once again delivered an exceptional level of competition, with 10-goal players such as Hilario Ulloa, Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso, Tomas Panelo, and Jeta and Barto Castagnola taking the field, alongside standout talents including Polito Pieres (9-goal), Jesse Bray (7-goal), Rufino Merlos (6-goal), Mackenzie Weisz (6-goal), and young star power Timmy Dutta (4-goal).Established in 1974, the USPA Gold Cup remains a cornerstone of the American high-goal polo season, marking the 2026 tournament the 52nd USPA Gold Cup and a defining moment on the road to the U.S. Open Polo Championship, played April 1-26, 2026, at NPC.The USPA Gold Cup also served as a key platform for U.S. Polo Assn.'s new global polo shirt campaign, An Icon Born from the Game, celebrating the origins of the iconic essential from the sport of polo to wardrobes around the world. By activating the campaign at one of the sport's most prestigious tournaments, U.S. Polo Assn. connected fans, players, and consumers to the polo shirt's authentic DNA, bridging sport and style in a way that reinforces heritage and modern style.About U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA GlobalU.S. Polo Assn. is the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the largest association of polo clubs and polo players in the United States, founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through more than 1,200 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores as well as thousands of additional points of distribution, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel, accessories, and footwear for men, women, and children in more than 190 countries worldwide. The brand sponsors major polo events around the world, including the U.S. Open Polo Championship®, held annually at NPC in The Palm Beaches, the premier polo tournament in the United States. Historic deals with ESPN in the United States, TNT and Eurosport in Europe, and Star Sports in India now broadcast several of the premier polo championships in the world, sponsored by U.S. Polo Assn., making the thrilling sport accessible to millions of sports fans globally for the very first time.U.S. Polo Assn. has consistently been named one of the top global sports licensors in the world alongside the NFL, PGA Tour, and Formula 1, according to License Global. In addition, the sport-inspired brand is being recognized internationally with awards for global growth and sport content. Due to its tremendous success as a global brand, U.S. Polo Assn. has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, Modern Retail, and GQ as well as on Yahoo Finance and Bloomberg, among many other noteworthy media sources around the world. For more information, visit uspoloassnglobal.com and follow @uspoloassn.USPA Global is a subsidiary of the United States Polo Association (USPA) and manages the multi-billion-dollar sports brand, U.S. Polo Assn. USPA Global also manages the subsidiary, Global Polo, which is the worldwide leader in polo sport content. To learn more, visit globalpolo.com or Global Polo on YouTube.For Additional Information, Contact:Stacey Kovalsky - VP, Global PR and CommunicationsPhone +001.561.790.8036 - E-mail: skovalsky@uspagl.comShannon Stilson - VP, Sports Marketing and MediaPhone +001.561.227.6994 - E-mail: sstilson@uspagl.comSOURCE: U.S. Polo Assn. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, Apr 8, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Shoucheng Holdings (0697.HK) has continued to step up returns to shareholders. Data shows that since Chairman Zhao Tianyang took office in 2018, the company has returned approximately HK$6.877 billion to shareholders in total, including HK$5.98 billion in cumulative dividends (including announced but not yet distributed dividends for 2026) and HK$897 million in cumulative share buybacks. The parallel implementation of dividends and buybacks demonstrates that, while continuously improving its operating quality, the company is also steadily strengthening its tangible cash returns to investors.Behind Shoucheng Holdings’ high level of shareholder returns lies the support of solid business fundamentals. Looking over a longer time horizon, since Chairman Zhao Tianyang assumed office in early 2018, the company’s total assets have grown from HK$8.186 billion to HK$15.57 billion, representing an approximately 1.9-fold increase over eight years and a compound annual growth rate of about 8.37%. Net profit attributable to shareholders increased from HK$57 million to HK$310 million, or about 5.4 times. This indicates that during the company’s strategic transformation, its profitability, asset depth, and capital market value have all improved continuously, laying a solid foundation for sustained dividends, buybacks, and business expansion. Meanwhile, the company’s financial structure has continued to improve. The latest annual report shows that in 2025, the ratio of net cash flow from operating activities to total assets increased by 98% year-on-year, while the asset-liability ratio fell to 28.4% and the interest-bearing debt ratio declined to 6.2%. This means that the company’s current high level of shareholder returns is not built on high-leverage overextension, but rather on proactive returns supported by an improved asset structure, stronger cash flow, and steady growth in its core businesses.As its operating fundamentals continue to strengthen, Shoucheng Holdings has also been increasing the intensity of its shareholder returns. According to the latest annual report, the board has decided to declare total annual dividends of HK$780 million, corresponding to a dividend yield of about 5.6% based on the company’s average annual market capitalization. As a cross-market reference, the dividend yield of the Hang Seng Index stood at 2.94% as of February 27, 2026. Shoucheng Holdings’ payout level is therefore clearly above this market benchmark, making it particularly attractive in the current Hong Kong stock market environment, where investors are placing greater emphasis on certainty of returns.In addition to continuous dividend payments, Shoucheng Holdings has also noticeably accelerated its share buyback efforts recently. According to the company’s latest disclosure, as of April 2, 2026, it had conducted 28 buybacks during the year, repurchasing a total of approximately 119 million shares for an aggregate amount of about HK$223 million. Since March 30 alone, the company has implemented buybacks on four consecutive trading days, with a cumulative repurchase amount of about HK$94.74 million. The clearly accelerated pace of recent buybacks not only reflects management’s recognition of the company’s long-term value, but also further reinforces the company’s proactive commitment to continuously rewarding shareholders and stabilizing market expectations.In the current market environment, listed companies capable of sustaining high-level dividends while simultaneously carrying out share buybacks are relatively rare. On the one hand, Shoucheng Holdings continues to enhance shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks; on the other hand, it is steadily consolidating its operating foundation through its dual core businesses of asset operations and industrial funds, gradually forming a virtuous cycle of “improving operations, deepening cash resources, and enhancing shareholder returns.” As the company continues to deliver on its shareholder return mechanism, its long-term investment value is expected to become increasingly evident. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com