Gold, cobalt stocks covered in 2017 Bizworld columns delivered small net gains

Price performance of stocks covered in the 2017 Bizworld columns varied from almost being wiped out to significant gains.

Seven of 22 gained in value with an average 2.4 per cent loss, compared with a six per cent gain by the Toronto Stock Exchange Composite Index and an 11 per cent gain by the TSX Venture Index. Many of the stocks covered in Bizworld were of venture category.

A positive column on speculative gold companies in early 2017 saw two gain and four decline in value.

Red Eagle Mining Corporation lost over half its value as the new mine encountered soft rock. Atlantic Gold Corporation gained 86 per cent as the Nova Scotia mine was built. Falco Resources lost eight per cent as its Quebec mine rehab continued. Ascot Resources’ Northern B.C. work showed good results but price fell by one-third. Nighthawk Resources gained by one-half as work north of Yellowknife kept on strike. Net gain: 44 per cent. Among oil service stocks, rig transporter Aveda Transportation lost 21 per cent to 52 cents. Service company Cathedral Energy gained 58 per cent to $1.80.

A positive article on cobalt saw mixed results. eCobalt Solutions was up 79 per cent to $1.95 as its Idaho mine plan unfolded. Cruz Cobalt’s land acquisition saw a 21 per cent hike to 28 cents.

Cobaltech lost 15 per cent to 32 cents while Green Swan lost 30 per cent to 10 cents. Net gain was 55 per cent. Temple REIT, bolstered by new controlling shareholders’ capital and share consolidation still lost 33 per cent to $3.55.

Delivra Corp., maker of Liv Relief, was unable to get enough of its slow release anti-inflammatory products sold, ending the year down 22 per cent to 43 cents. Flyght Aerospace, maker of software that keeps track of where airplanes are, fuel use, and of the wear and tear of engines and moving parts, lost 26 per cent to $1.96. Grande West Transportation, the Aldergrove B.C. bus maker, lost 32 per cent to $1.98. Investors are waiting to see if the company can mantain a quality product with all the orders.

Another gold mine builder, Trek, now called Equinox Resources, survived two mergers but ended the year at $1.12, a loss of 14 per cent.

Reviving the Pine Point zinc mine kept Darnley Bay, now Pine Point Mining Limited, busy. Investors sold off shares by 25 per cent to 19.5 cents.

A negative column about ethnic cable provider Asian TV was right on. Price fell by 94 per cent to 6.5 cents. Parking facility owner Parkit Enterprises lost 12 per cent to 34 cents.

Park Lawn Corporation, operator of cemeteries, crematoriums and funeral homes, gained 19 per cent to $22.85. Ceapro, long developing oats into cosmetics/medicinal products, lost 62 per cent to 50 cents.

An exchange traded fund in robotics and artificial intelligence, BOTZ, gained 12 per cent in two months to $23.70 US.

An autumn column on Yukon gold explorer Golden Predator, saw the price drop 16 per cent to 81cents.

And local potash explorer, Gensource Potash, fell half a cent to 7.5 cents.

CAUTION: Remember when investing, consult your adviser and do your homework before buying any security. Bizworld does not recommend investments.