Author: Ravi Shankar

One in four business owners have been required to personally guarantee business financing with their own home and assets; younger entrepreneurs show greater reliance on credit as a financial safety net

TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The financial pressures facing Canadian small businesses are extending beyond the business itself, with some owners relying on personal credit and assets to support their companies, according to a new Equifax Canada survey.

One in four surveyed business owners (26 per cent) say they have been required to provide a personal guarantee to obtain business financing, potentially putting personal assets such as savings or a family home on the line to help keep their business afloat. Separately, one in five surveyed owners (21 per cent) say they have applied for or opened a personal line of credit as a financial safety net for their business during the past two years.

Customers, costs and cash flow add to the pressure
The survey found that finding or retaining customers is the most cited challenge facing small businesses, identified by 53 per cent of owners surveyed. Rising operating costs followed closely with 48 per cent of owners citing this as their top challenge.

Other top challenges identified by those surveyed include: managing workload, stress or mental health (42 per cent), competition (38 per cent), and a lack of capital or cash flow (30 per cent).

“Running a small business has always involved financial risk, but these findings highlight how closely business and personal finances can become connected,” said Jeff Brown, Head of Commercial Solutions at Equifax Canada.

Business principals stretched thin, rely on personal credit
According to Equifax data, business principals are business owners who disproportionately depend on personal credit to fund and run their businesses. They rely heavily on personal credit, carrying higher credit utilization (31 per cent higher than consumers), higher balances (105 per cent higher balance on their personal credit), and managing 44 per cent more trades compared to the average consumer.

In addition, business owners are also demonstrating increased use of certain credit products, with high percentages of use for both Revolving credit and HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) usage. “This data clearly demonstrates a disproportionate dependence on personal credit to secure timely funding and sustain their operations. To put this in perspective, if businesses are relying on HELOCs to sustain operations – and they are doing this amid challenging real estate market fluctuations – this could put them in a difficult situation. When owners are using personal credit or pledging personal assets to support their business, the financial health of the company can have implications well beyond the business itself, ” notes Brown.

Younger entrepreneurs relying on credit
Among younger business owners surveyed (those aged 18 to 34 years old), 54 per cent say they have been required to provide a personal guarantee, compared with just 15 per cent of owners aged 55 and older.

The same proportion of younger owners — 54 per cent — say they have applied for or opened a personal or business line of credit as a financial safety net for their business during the past two years, compared with 15 per cent among owners aged 55 and older.

Among the smaller group of surveyed owners who have used a personal line of credit or provided a personal guarantee for their business, 45 per cent report that doing so has affected their personal finances. Reported impacts include reduced personal credit availability (20 per cent), greater difficulty qualifying for a car loan (20 per cent), difficulty obtaining other personal credit (15 per cent) and difficulty qualifying for a mortgage (13 per cent).

“The findings suggest that younger business owners are managing several pressures simultaneously: maintaining customers and revenue, absorbing higher costs and, in some cases, finding additional financing to bridge cash-flow gaps,” notes Brown.

Business credit awareness remains uneven
Despite the financial pressures facing business owners, many are not actively monitoring their business credit profile.

Just over half or 54 per cent of surveyed owners say they have checked their business credit report at least once, including 34 per cent who have done so within the past 12 months. Fifteen per cent say they do not know how to access their business credit report, while 10 per cent were unaware their business had a separate credit report.

At the same time, there is considerable interest in making business credit information easier to access. Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of business owners surveyed say they would be interested in being able to monitor their business credit score directly through their bank’s commercial banking platform. Among surveyed owners who have checked their business credit report within the past year, interest in monitoring their business credit score through their bank rises to 86 per cent.

Younger owners also show greater interest in access to business credit information. Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of surveyed owners under age 55 say they would be interested in accessing their business credit score through their bank, compared with 52 per cent of those aged 55 and older.

Last month Equifax Canada reported on the state of businesses with its latest Commercial Credit Trends which also showed that there is a divide in how Canadian businesses are managing their financial obligations, with businesses making difficult choices about where their cash goes.

“You cannot manage what you cannot see,” said Brown. “Understanding a company’s commercial credit profile can help business owners better understand how lenders may view their business and the financing options that may be available to them. Making that information easier to access could help owners make more informed financial decisions.”

Equifax is committed to partnering with small business lenders to support the growth and long-term health of Canadian small businesses, empowering Canada’s financial ecosystem with data and insights to move the Canadian economy forward, including the Equifax Business Credit Report which provides a vital financial business snapshot.

* An online survey was conducted via Leger’s LEO panel from September 21 to September 25, 2026, among n=107 Canadian business owners, co-owners, and operators aged 18 and older. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of n=107 respondents yields a margin of error no greater than ±9.5%, 19 times out of 20.

About Equifax
At Equifax, we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by nearly 15,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.ca.

Contact:

Andrew Findlater
SELECT Public Relations
afindlater@selectpr.ca
(647) 444-1197

Angie Andich
Equifax Canada Media Relations
MediaRelationsCanada@equifax.com

Company receives occupancy permit for new headquarters and research facility, targets additional property acquisition by month-end, advances auditor engagement and prepares to resume Texatron™ bunker testing at Texas Tech

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Fusion™ Inc. (OTCQB: AMFN) (“American Fusion™” or the “Company”), developer of the proprietary Texatron™ fusion energy platform, today announced several important corporate, operational and commercialization developments as the Company continues advancing its fusion energy technology toward future commercial deployment.

The Company is currently preparing proposals for at least four additional Texas data center projects, finalizing its engagement of a new independent auditor, preparing to occupy its newly permitted research and assembly facility, working toward the acquisition of property for a permanent North Texas research and testing campus, and negotiating financing proposals received from several established investment banking institutions.

At the same time, American Fusion™ continues to improve and refine its proprietary Texatron™ technology while preparing to resume testing at Texas Tech University and expand its testing activities to additional locations.

American Fusion™ Preparing Proposals for at Least Four Additional Texas Data Center Projects

American Fusion™ announced that it is preparing detailed proposals for at least four additional data center projects planned for development in Texas, which the Company expects to present to the respective project developers over the coming weeks. These prospective projects represent additional opportunities for American Fusion™ to introduce its Texatron™ technology to the rapidly expanding data center industry, where rising electricity demand is creating opportunities for alternative power generation technologies.

The proposals are expected to focus on the potential integration of Texatron™ power generation systems into large-scale data center developments, with the objective of supplying dedicated electricity through the Company’s proposed Power-as-a-Service business model. Under this model, American Fusion™ intends to retain ownership and operational control of its Texatron™ systems, while customers purchase electricity under long-term power agreements.

Management believes Texas is a particularly attractive market for initial Texatron™ deployments because of the state’s substantial data center development activity, growing electricity demand and established energy infrastructure. The Company intends to keep shareholders informed as material developments occur.

New Independent Auditor Engagement in Final Review

American Fusion™ also announced that the proposed engagement of its new independent registered public accounting firm is in final review. The Company is completing the documentation and procedures required to finalize the engagement.

Once the engagement is finalized, American Fusion™ intends to issue a separate press release and file a Current Report on Form 8-K, as required by applicable Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. The Company anticipates that the new firm will complete its review of the Company’s interim financial statements, and that the Company will file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 on a timely basis.

Management views the engagement of a PCAOB-registered independent auditor as an important corporate governance and financial reporting milestone as American Fusion™ continues to strengthen its public-company infrastructure and pursue its longer-term capital markets objectives. The firm, which was introduced to the Company by its SEC counsel, Lucosky Brookman LLP, is larger than the Company’s previous auditor and is expected to have the resources to support the Company’s growing complexity and to complete audits on a timely basis.

The Company will provide additional information once the engagement is formally completed.

Company Receives Occupancy Permit for New Permanent Operating Facility

American Fusion™ is pleased to announce that it has received the occupancy permit for its new operating facility, marking an important milestone toward establishing a permanent headquarters, research and assembly location for the Company’s Texatron™ development program.

The Company expects to begin moving into the facility on or before November 1, 2026. The new facility will provide a dedicated location for the Company’s engineering team to assemble, develop, modify and improve Texatron™ systems and related research equipment.

Management believes that a permanent operating base will provide greater continuity for the Company’s ongoing engineering activities, equipment preparation and research coordination. With its own facility, the Company expects to be able to test and develop its Texatron™ units on a continuous basis, without the scheduling delays or conflicts associated with shared or temporary space. The facility is expected to support the development program as the Company expands its technical infrastructure and prepares for increasingly advanced Texatron™ testing.

Dr. John E. Brandenburg, Chief Technology Officer of American Fusion™ and inventor of the Texatron™, commented: “I am extremely excited that American Fusion™ now has a permanent facility we can call our home base. Having a dedicated location for our engineering, assembly and research activities is an important step forward for the Texatron™ development program. I am particularly looking forward to setting up our new assembly and research facility, where we can bring our equipment, technical resources and engineering efforts together in one location. We have a great deal of work underway, and a permanent home for these activities will allow us to organize and advance our research program more effectively. I look forward to getting moved in and continuing the development of the Texatron™ as we prepare for the next stages of testing.”

American Fusion™ Working to Acquire Property for Permanent North Texas Research and Testing Campus

In addition to its newly permitted operating facility, American Fusion™ announced that it is working toward closing the acquisition of property in North Texas for the development of a permanent, purpose-built Texatron™ research and testing campus. The Company currently anticipates that the transaction could close by the end of October 2026, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The proposed campus is intended to serve as the Company’s long-term center for Texatron™ research, engineering, assembly and experimental testing. Management envisions a specialized research environment that combines advanced engineering facilities with dedicated experimental infrastructure.

The proposed development is expected to include:

• A permanent Texatron™ experimental testing facility with appropriate containment and safety systems
• Dedicated Texatron™ assembly and engineering areas
• Advanced pulsed-power equipment, capacitor-bank systems and associated electrical infrastructure
• Research laboratories and diagnostic facilities
• A dedicated advanced research and development environment designed to support rapid prototyping, innovation and experimental engineering

The Company believes that owning its own research and testing campus could provide significant long-term advantages by giving its engineering team greater control over facility design, equipment installation, research scheduling and future expansion.

Dewight Cartwright, Chief Operating Officer of American Fusion™, commented: “I am thrilled about the opportunity to build a permanent research, testing and assembly campus for American Fusion™ here in North Texas. We have already completed preliminary planning and have the initial plans and surveys needed to move the project forward. My goal is to be ready to break ground the day after closing, subject to the necessary permits and approvals.

“We are approaching this project with a clear understanding of what our engineering team needs, both for current Texatron™ development and for future generations of the technology. Designing and building a dedicated research campus from the ground up is a rare opportunity. We want to create a facility that gives our scientists and engineers the infrastructure and flexibility to develop, assemble, test and continuously improve Texatron™ technology.”

The Company expects to provide further details regarding the property acquisition and development plans following the closing of the transaction.

Company Receives Multiple Investment Banking Term Sheets

American Fusion™ also reported that it has received several financing and transaction proposals from established investment banking firms. The Company is reviewing and negotiating these proposals as it evaluates potential financing and capital markets transactions to support its continued growth. Management is working toward finalizing a transaction in the coming weeks.

American Fusion™ believes that institutional investment banking relationships could provide important financial resources and strategic support as the Company expands its research infrastructure, continues development of the Texatron™ and pursues future commercial opportunities.

The Company is evaluating the proposals based on several factors, including financing structure, proposed terms, institutional capabilities, the avoidance of variable-priced or otherwise highly dilutive structures, strategic alignment and the potential long-term benefit to American Fusion™ and its shareholders.

The Company intends to announce any definitive transaction when appropriate and in accordance with applicable disclosure requirements. There can be no assurance that any of the current proposals will result in a completed transaction or that financing will be available on acceptable terms.

Texatron™ Engineering and Development Continues Daily

American Fusion™ reported that its engineering team continues to work on the Texatron™ development program daily, with ongoing efforts focused on improving system performance, refining engineering components and preparing equipment for the next phase of experimental testing.

Current development activities include continued improvements to the Company’s pulsed-power architecture, switching systems, capacitor-bank infrastructure and related Texatron™ components. Management believes this continuous engineering approach is essential to advancing the Company’s experimental program.

American Fusion™ is also actively working toward resuming bunker testing at Texas Tech University and is evaluating several additional locations for its broader testing program. The Company believes that access to multiple testing environments could support more efficient experimentation, specialized research activities and greater scheduling flexibility. The expanded testing program is intended to complement the Company’s proposed North Texas research campus.

American Fusion™ remains focused on advancing its Texatron™ technology through disciplined engineering development, experimental testing and scientific evaluation. The Company emphasizes that the Texatron™ remains under development and that future testing will be necessary to establish its technical performance, fusion energy output and commercial viability.

Executive Chairman Brent Nelson Comments on American Fusion™’s Progress

Brent Nelson, Executive Chairman of American Fusion™, stated:

“American Fusion™ is making significant progress on multiple fronts as we continue building the infrastructure necessary to support the development and eventual commercialization of our Texatron™ technology.

“We are particularly encouraged by the commercial opportunities developing here in Texas. Our team is currently preparing proposals for at least four additional data center projects, which we expect to present to the developers over the coming weeks. We believe the increasing electricity requirements of artificial intelligence and large-scale data centers could create an enormous future market for Texatron™.

“At the same time, we are taking important steps to strengthen our corporate and operating infrastructure. We have received the occupancy permit for our new facility and expect to begin moving in on or before November 1. We are also working toward closing on property for our own permanent North Texas research and testing campus before the end of October.

“Our independent auditor engagement is in final stages, and we have received several investment banking term sheets that we are actively negotiating. We believe these developments could help position the Company for its next phase of growth.

“Most importantly, our engineering team continues working every day to improve the Texatron™. We are preparing to resume bunker testing at Texas Tech while evaluating additional testing locations that could allow us to expand our experimental program.

“We have an ambitious development strategy, and our focus remains on advancing the technology, building the right infrastructure, securing the necessary capital and developing commercial relationships that can support our long-term objectives.

“We look forward to keeping our shareholders informed as these initiatives continue to progress.”

Building the Foundation for Commercial Fusion Energy

American Fusion™ believes the developments announced today reflect its strategy of advancing several important aspects of the Company’s business simultaneously.

The Company’s immediate priorities include completing its auditor engagement, establishing operations in its new facility, pursuing the acquisition of its permanent North Texas research property, negotiating institutional financing, expanding its experimental testing infrastructure and presenting new Texatron™ proposals to prospective data center customers.

Together, these initiatives are intended to strengthen the Company’s organizational and engineering capabilities while supporting its longer-term objective of commercializing the Texatron™ fusion energy platform.

Management intends to provide shareholders with additional updates as material milestones are achieved.

About American Fusion™ Inc.

American Fusion™ Inc. (OTCQB: AMFN) is an advanced energy technology company developing the proprietary Texatron™ fusion energy platform, a compact pulsed fusion system intended for future commercial electricity generation.

The Texatron™ development program combines pulsed-power technology, toroidal magnetic plasma confinement, proprietary rifled chamber geometry and advanced plasma physics. The Company’s longer-term technology objectives include deuterium–helium-3 fusion and the potential direct conversion of fusion-generated charged-particle energy into electricity.

American Fusion™ intends to commercialize Texatron™ through a Power-as-a-Service business model, under which the Company would retain ownership and operational control of its systems while supplying electricity to data centers, industrial facilities and other customers under long-term contractual arrangements.

Trading Symbol: OTC: AMFN Website: www.americanfusionenergy.com Email: info@americanfusionenergy.com

View the American Fusion Investor Deck here.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the development, testing, validation and commercialization of the Texatron™ Fusion Engine™; equipment upgrades and future experimental results; potential testing facilities; scientific review and publication of technical research; prospective customer relationships, commercial proposals, letters of intent and power purchase agreements; financing, regulatory approvals and potential uplisting to a national securities exchange. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “target,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
These statements reflect current expectations and involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including scientific and engineering performance, independent validation, equipment and facility availability, financing, manufacturing readiness, regulatory approvals, customer acceptance and market conditions. The Texatron™ platform has not demonstrated fusion ignition, net energy gain or commercial electrical generation. Scientific review does not constitute independent experimental validation, and commercial proposals, discussions and letters of intent do not guarantee definitive agreements, revenue or future deployments. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve its development or commercialization objectives or satisfy applicable national exchange listing requirements. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, including due to risks described in the Company’s SEC filings. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. American Fusion undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by law.

Corporate Communications
833-872-2636 ext. 730
ir@americanfusionenergy.com
info@americanfusionenergy.com
americanfusionenergy.com 

FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI)

PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY
Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

1.        KEY INFORMATION

(a)        Name of exempt principal trader:	Investec Bank Plc
(b)        Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:         Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree	Tribal Group Plc
(c)        Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected:	Investec is Advisor and Joint Broker to Tribal Group Plc
(d)        Date dealing undertaken:	21st October 2026
(e)        In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to this offer?         If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”	N/A

2.        DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a)        Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security	Purchases/ sales	Total number of securities	Highest price per unit paid/received	Lowest price per unit paid/received
Ordinary shares	Sales	1,494	100.75	100.5

(b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. CFD	Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position	Number of reference securities	Price per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

(i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc.	Number of securities to which option relates	Exercise price per unit	Type e.g. American, European etc.	Expiry date	Option money paid/ received per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(ii)        Exercise

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Exercising/ exercised against	Number of securities	Exercise price per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security	Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion	Details	Price per unit (if applicable)
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

3.        OTHER INFORMATION

(a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

(b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)        the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)        the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

Date of disclosure:	22nd October 2026
Contact name:	Priyali Bhattacharjee
Telephone number:	+91-9768034903

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at ssssssswwww.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI)

PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY
Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

1.        KEY INFORMATION

(a)        Name of exempt principal trader:	Investec Bank Plc
(b)        Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:         Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree	SThree Plc
(c)        Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected:	Investec is Joint Broker to SThree Plc
(d)        Date dealing undertaken:	21st October 2026
(e)        In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to this offer?         If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”	N/A

2.        DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a)        Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security	Purchases/ sales	Total number of securities	Highest price per unit paid/received	Lowest price per unit paid/received
Ordinary shares	Purchase	102,464	311	310
Ordinary shares	Sales	102,819	311.75	310

(b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. CFD	Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position	Number of reference securities	Price per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

(i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc.	Number of securities to which option relates	Exercise price per unit	Type e.g. American, European etc.	Expiry date	Option money paid/ received per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(ii)        Exercise

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Exercising/ exercised against	Number of securities	Exercise price per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security	Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion	Details	Price per unit (if applicable)
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

3.        OTHER INFORMATION

(a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

(b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)        the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)        the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

Date of disclosure:	22nd October 2026
Contact name:	Priyali Bhattacharjee
Telephone number:	+91-9768034903

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at ssssssswwww.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI)

PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY
Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

1.        KEY INFORMATION

(a)        Name of exempt principal trader:	Investec Bank plc
(b)        Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:         Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree	Pollen Street Group Limited
(c)        Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected:	Investec is Joint Broker to Pollen Street Group Limited
(d)        Date dealing undertaken:	21st October 2026
(e)        In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to this offer?         If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”	N/A

2.        DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a)        Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security	Purchases/ sales	Total number of securities	Highest price per unit paid/received	Lowest price per unit paid/received
Ordinary shares	Purchases	10,733	916.04	905

(b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. CFD	Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position	Number of reference securities	Price per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

(i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc.	Number of securities to which option relates	Exercise price per unit	Type e.g. American, European etc.	Expiry date	Option money paid/ received per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(ii)        Exercise

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Exercising/ exercised against	Number of securities	Exercise price per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security	Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion	Details	Price per unit (if applicable)
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

3.        OTHER INFORMATION
        
(a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

(b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)        the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)        the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

Date of disclosure:	22nd October 2026
Contact name:	Priyali Bhattacharjee
Telephone number:	+91-9768034903

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI)

PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY
Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

1.        KEY INFORMATION

(a)        Name of exempt principal trader:	Investec Bank plc
(b)        Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:         Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree	Gamma Communications Plc
(c)        Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected:	Investec is Joint Broker to Gamma Communications Plc
(d)        Date dealing undertaken:	21st October 2026
(e)        In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to this offer?         If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”	N/A

2.        DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a)        Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security	Purchases/ sales	Total number of securities	Highest price per unit paid/received	Lowest price per unit paid/received
Ordinary shares	Purchases	304,549	1091	1090
Ordinary shares	Sales	224,549	1091	1088

(b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. CFD	Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position	Number of reference securities	Price per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

(i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc.	Number of securities to which option relates	Exercise price per unit	Type e.g. American, European etc.	Expiry date	Option money paid/ received per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(ii)        Exercise

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Exercising/ exercised against	Number of securities	Exercise price per unit
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security	Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion	Details	Price per unit (if applicable)
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

3.        OTHER INFORMATION
        
(a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

(b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)        the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)        the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

Date of disclosure:	22nd October 2026
Contact name:	Priyali Bhattacharjee
Telephone number:	+91-9768034903

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Oct. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gogoro® Inc. (Nasdaq: GGR), a global technology leader in battery swapping ecosystems that enable sustainable mobility solutions for cities, today announced that it will release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, before markets open on November 11, 2026. Gogoro’s management team will hold an earnings webcast at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 to discuss the Company’s financial and business results and outlook.

What: Date of Gogoro Q3 2026 Financial Results and Q&A Webcast
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:00 p.m. Taipei Standard Time
Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/rpp5fa94/

Approximately 24 hours after the Q&A session, an archived version of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website for approximately two weeks thereafter.

ABOUT GOGORO

Founded in 2011 to rethink urban energy, Gogoro is the world’s leader in battery-swapping electric mobility, setting new standards for sustainable mobility. Powering nearly 700,000 riders and over 900 million battery swaps across more than 2,700 GoStation locations, the Gogoro Network redefines how cities move. Recognized globally in 2024, including Fortune’s “Change the World,” Fast Company’s “Asia-Pacific’s Most Innovative Company,” MIT Technology Review’s “15 Climate Tech Companies to Watch,” and Frost & Sullivan’s “Global Company of the Year” for battery swapping, Gogoro continues to disrupt the status quo and accelerate the shift to cleaner, smarter mobility, and lead the way in reimagining how cities move.

Gogoro Media Contact: press@gogoro.com

Gogoro Investor Contact: ir@gogoro.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fortuna Mining Corp. (NYSE: FSM | TSX: FVI) announces that it will release its financial statements and MD&A for the third quarter of 2026 on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, after market close.

A conference call to discuss the financial and operational results will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time | 12:00 p.m. Eastern time. Hosting the call will be Jorge A. Ganoza, CEO, Kevin O’Reilly, Chief Financial Officer, David Whittle, Chief Operating Officer – West Africa, and Cesar Velasco, Chief Operating Officer – Latin America.

Shareholders, analysts, media and interested investors are invited to listen to the live conference call by logging onto the webcast at https://www.webcaster5.com/Webcast/Page/1696/54698 or over the phone by dialing in just prior to the starting time.

Conference call details:

Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. Pacific time | 12:00 p.m. Eastern time

Dial in number (Toll Free): +1.888.506.0062
Dial in number (International): +1.973.528.0011
Access code: 374019

Replay number (Toll Free): +1.877.481.4010
Replay number (International): +1.919.882.2331
Replay passcode: 54698

Playback of the earnings call will be available until November 19, 2026. Playback of the webcast will be available until Friday, November 5, 2027. In addition, a transcript of the call will be archived on the Company’s website.

About Fortuna Mining Corp.

Fortuna Mining Corp. is a Canadian precious metals mining company with three operating mines in Argentina, Côte d’Ivoire, and Peru, and the feasibility-stage Diamba Sud Gold Project in Senegal. Our exploration portfolio spans our operating jurisdictions as well as Guinea and Guyana. Sustainability is at the core of our operations and stakeholder relationships. We produce gold and silver while creating long-term shared value through efficient production, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. For more information, please visit our website at www.fortunamining.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Jorge A. Ganoza
CEO, and Director
Fortuna Mining Corp.

Investor Relations:

Carlos Baca | info@fmcmail.com | fortunamining.com | X | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok

A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/89f27cd7-e2ba-4183-b29a-29ca427c092c

Press Release
Copenhagen, 22 October 2026

Trifork Group AG

Trifork subsidiary Nine wins contract to develop shared infrastructure for AI assistants for Denmark’s public sector

The Danish Agency for Digital Government has awarded Nine A/S a contract to contribute to the development of a shared digital assistant for the public sector, together with the underlying infrastructure.

The contract is part of a public-sector AI initiative led by the Danish Agency for Digital Government, aimed at making digital public services more accessible and easier for citizens and businesses to navigate.

The initial phase will focus on introducing AI-powered chat functionalities on borger.dk and sundhed.dk, helping users find relevant information and navigate public services.

The Danish Agency for Digital Government has designed the project with broader applications in mind, enabling digital assistants to be introduced across additional public-sector platforms in the future.

“We are proud to have been selected for a project with the potential to shape how citizens and businesses interact with the public sector in Denmark. AI offers a significant opportunity to make public services more accessible and reduce administrative workloads,” says Jacob Strange, CEO of Nine.

Info from The Danish Agency for Digital Government: Link

Recent Trifork Group public engagements include:        

Denmark’s Digital Identity Wallet: In 2025, Nine, a Trifork subsidiary, was selected by the Danish Agency for Digital Government to develop the first phase of Denmark’s new Digital Identity Wallet, which will enable citizens to use digital ID and proof-of-age credentials.

National Agency for IT and Learning: In 2026, Nine, a Trifork subsidiary, was awarded a four-year framework agreement covering seven applications that support key digital services across education and employment, including shared login and data sharing.

Digital Health: For 30 years, Trifork has contributed to key national digital health solutions and has most recently helped digitalise Denmark’s pregnancy record through Min Graviditet and the digital Graviditetsmappe. Trifork is also developing, implementing, and maintaining a new national Shared Public Treatment Platform (Fællesoffentlig Behandlingsplatform, FOB). The platform will make it easier to offer digital treatment and support programmes to all Danish citizens, for example in relation to psychiatry.

Danish Road Traffic Authority (Færdselsstyrelsen): Trifork developed, implemented, and operated a digital solution for the Danish Road Traffic Authority for conducting theory tests for driving licences. The solution supported a modern, efficient, and secure digital testing process for both candidates and authorities.

Some of Trifork Group’s products in the public sector:

Corax: Corax Data is a Danish platform for working securely and compliantly with business-critical data; Corax AI is a lightweight layer for configuring, deploying and monitoring AI capabilities safely.

Netic Contain: A fully managed, cloud-agnostic platform built on open-source technology, giving public and private organisations a secure, sovereign way to run critical applications.

Tiris Messenger: An end-to-end encrypted messaging platform for public organisations and regulated enterprises, developed and hosted in Denmark with all data kept in Europe.

Assessible: A digital assessment platform for large-scale, high-stakes exams, supporting more than 7.5 million assessments a year and up to 150,000 test sessions a day.

Trifork Health Platform: A scalable, flexible foundation that enables countries and healthcare organisations to launch compliant digital health solutions quickly.

About Nine A/S
Nine A/S is a Danish technology consultancy and part of the Trifork Group. The company develops and maintains business-critical digital solutions for public authorities and regulated organizations in Denmark. Nine delivers expertise in software development, IT architecture, modernization, and application management, helping customers create secure, reliable, and user-friendly public services. Learn more at nine.dk.

About Trifork Group
Trifork (Nasdaq Copenhagen: TRIFOR) is a global technology company specialising in the design, development and operation of advanced software solutions for customers in the private and public sectors. With around 1,200 employees across 16 countries, Trifork serves as an end-to-end technology partner to organisations operating in complex and regulated industries, including public administration, healthcare, financial services, energy and aviation. Learn more at trifork.com.

For further information
Malthe Kringelbach Iversen
CMO and Head of Press, Trifork
+45 31 53 65 79
mki@trifork.com

This press release is issued for commercial and informational purposes only. It does not constitute a company announcement (selskabsmeddelelse) within the meaning of the rules applicable to issuers of shares on Nasdaq Copenhagen, the Danish Capital Markets Act (Lov om kapitalmarkeder) or the EU Market Abuse Regulation (Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014), and has not been submitted to Nasdaq Copenhagen as a regulatory disclosure.

Attachment

• Nine_DIGST_AI Oct 2026

FORM 8.3

PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

1.        KEY INFORMATION

(a)   Full name of discloser:	Man Group PLC
(b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):         The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
(c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:         Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree	Gamma Communications plc
(d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
(e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:         For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure	21/10/2026
(f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?	NO

2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

(a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

Class of relevant security:	0.25p ordinary
	Interests		Short positions
	Number	%	Number	%
(1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
(2)   Cash-settled derivatives:	1,252,204	1.40
(3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:	1,252,204	1.40

All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

(b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:

3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a)        Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security

Purchase/sale

Number of securities

Price per unit

(b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. CFD	Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position	Number of reference securities	Price per unit
0.25p ordinary	Equity swap	Reducing a long position	604	10.9079 GBP

        
(c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

(i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security

Product description e.g. call option

Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc.

Number of securities to which option relates

Exercise price per unit

Type e.g. American, European etc.

Expiry date

Option money paid/ received per unit

(ii)        Exercise

Class of relevant security

Product description e.g. call option

Exercising/ exercised against

Number of securities

Exercise price per unit

(d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security

Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion

Details

Price per unit (if applicable)

4.        OTHER INFORMATION

(a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:

None

(b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:

None

(c)        Attachments

Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?

NO

Date of disclosure:	22/10/2026
Contact name:	Molly Childs
Telephone number:	+44 20 7144 3714

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.