Top Picks Snapshot: Tech & Mining Movers
Published: 7/21/2025
Author: FRC Analysts
*Disseminated on behalf of North Peak Resources, Giga Metals Corp., Cupani Metals Corp., NurExone Biologic Inc., Zepp Health Corporation, Kidoz Inc., South Star Battery Metals, Lake Resources, Panoro Minerals, and Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation. See the bottom of this report for other important disclosures.
We review the performance of our Top Picks, including a leading smartwatch maker whose shares rose 36% last week, and 431% in the past month. We also provide material updates on other companies under coverage, including a biotech, and juniors targeting gold, copper, and nickel.
Updates on Resource Companies Under Coverage
North Peak Resources Ltd. (BTLLF, NPR.V)
PR Title: Fully acquires the Prospect Mountain Mine Complex (MMC) in Nevada
Analyst Opinion: Positive – Following its acquisition of an 80% interest in the Prospect Mountain project in 2023, NPR has now exercised its right to acquire the remaining 20% interest. MMC is a past-producing gold-silver-lead project in Nevada’s Eureka district, adjacent to i-80 Gold’s Ruby Hill (TSX: IAU; MCAP: $673M), and just north of McEwen Mining’s Eureka Property (NYSE: MUX; MCAP: $809M). This acquisition reflects management’s strong conviction in the project’s potential, particularly in light of a promising 2024 drill program. NPR plans to continue drilling aggressively, test all key targets, and work toward outlining a maiden resource that could attract strategic interest. The company is well-capitalized following a recent $5.40M equity raise. We will publish a detailed update report shortly.
Giga Metals Corporation (GIGA.V, HNCKF)
PR Title: Announces a $0.85M private placement (QP: Lyle Trytten, P.Eng., Manager of Development, GIGA)
Analyst Opinion: Positive – Proceeds will fund exploration at the company’s Turnagain project in northern B.C., which hosts one of the largest undeveloped nickel-cobalt deposits in the world. A 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) returned an after-tax NPV7% of US$574M, and an IRR of 11%, based on US$9.80/lb nickel vs the current spot price of US$7.02/lb. The project’s break-even nickel price is US$8.20/lb. Giga has identified several promising high-grade targets; if incorporated into the resource, they could significantly improve the project’s NPV and IRR. We note that most large undeveloped nickel projects are not economically viable if nickel prices remain below US$8.00/lb.
Cupani Metals Corp. (CUPA.CN)
PR Title: Expands Blue Lake land package through acquisition of Nemo project claims
Analyst Opinion: Positive – The Nemo Property is contiguous with Cupani’s Blue Lake copper-nickel-platinum-palladium project in Quebec. Although Nemo remains untested and has never been drilled, it adds strategic value to the Blue Lake land package. Blue Lake hosts massive sulfide mineralization across five major zones, covering over 500 km². While still in the early stages of exploration, we see discovery potential. Based on our review of available data and speculative assumptions, we estimate the project could host over 3 billion pounds (Blbs) of copper equivalent (CuEq). The company is well-capitalized, supported by a recent $3.80M equity financing.
Updates on Financials, Technology, Energy, and Special Situations Companies Under Coverage
NurExone Biologic Inc./TSXV: NRX
PR Title: Preclinical study indicates significant improvement in walking quality in spinal cord injury model
Analyst Opinion: Positive - NRX announced that animals treated with a higher dose of ExoPTEN showed significant recovery of motor function following spinal cord injury. Results demonstrated a clear dose-dependent improvement in mobility, and walking parameters, with no side effects observed at the higher dose. These promising preclinical findings support ExoPTEN’s potential as a treatment for acute spinal cord injury.
NRX will continue optimizing dosing regimen, and manufacturing processes, while preparing for further studies, and regulatory engagement, with the goal of initiating first-in-human clinical trials.
FRC Top Picks
The following table shows last week’s top five performers among our Top Picks. Leading the pack for the third consecutive week was Zepp Health Corporation (NYSE: ZEPP), which surged 36% WoW, and 431% MoM. Zepp is the seventh-largest smartwatch maker globally by unit sales. Despite no recent press releases, ZEPP’s surge was not unexpected given its MCAP was well below liquid asset value. Although global smartwatch shipments remained relatively flat YoY in Q1-2025, Zepp reported 25% growth in its self-branded products.
A broader positive backdrop for Chinese tech stocks may also be contributing to ZEPP's rally. The S&P China Select ADR Index is up 8% MoM, and 26% YoY, significantly outperforming the S&P 500’s respective gains of 5% and 18% over the same periods. Another potential catalyst was the strong move in Viomi Technology (NASDAQ: VIOT), which announced a special dividend. Viomi’s shares are up 153% in the past month. While Viomi operates in the smart home appliance space and Zepp focuses on wearables, both companies are categorized as Chinese tech stocks, and have strategic partnerships with Xiaomi (SEHK: 1810), one of China’s leading technology conglomerates. We believe Viomi’s surge may have prompted renewed investor attention toward other overlooked Xiaomi-affiliated tech stocks, including Zepp.
* Past performance is not indicative of future performance (as of Jul 21, 2025)
Our top picks have outperformed the benchmark (TSXV) in six out of seven time periods listed below.
Performance by Sector
1. Since the earliest initiating date of companies in the list of Top Picks (as of Jul 21, 2025)
2. Green (blue) indicates FRC's picks outperformed (underperformed) the benchmark.
3. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
Our complete list of top picks (updated weekly) can be viewed here. https://www.researchfrc.com/top-picks
*Disclaimers - Annual fees ranging from $15,000 to $35,000 have been paid to FRC by North Peak Resources, Giga Metals Corp., Cupani Metals Corp., NurExone Biologic Inc., Zepp Health Corporation, Kidoz Inc., South Star Battery Metals, Lake Resources, Panoro Minerals, and Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation for research coverage and distribution of reports. FRC or companies with related management, and Analysts, do not hold shares/securities in the companies mentioned in this report.
