Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 18, 2026) - TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) today announced the 2026 TSX Venture 50, an annual ranking of the top-performing companies over the course of 2025. The list showcases a historic year for junior mining and high-tech innovation, reflecting an increase in global investor demand and market confidence in the Canadian capital markets at a time when resource security, critical technologies, and domestic supply chains have become strategic priorities worldwide.

TSX Venture 50 assesses TSXV issuers' year-long performance across three equally-weighted indicators-market capitalization growth, share price appreciation, and Canadian consolidated trading value. The companies on this year's ranking reached a combined market capitalization of more than $21.5 billion, representing a $17.9 billion increase during 2025-the largest since the program's inception in 2006. On average, these top performers grew their market value by 775% year-over-year and delivered a 431% share price increase for investors, outpacing the 333% average market cap growth and 207% average returns recorded on the 2025 list.

"The 2026 TSX Venture 50 reflects a clear inflection point for early-stage finance, with a return of liquidity and capital that reinforces Canada's position as a world-leading centre for resource discovery, strategic innovation, and scale," said Andrew Creech, President, TSX Venture Exchange. "This year's ranking underscores the vital role TSXV plays in channeling capital to the mining sector and serving as the primary growth pipeline for the next generation of global mineral supply."

Mining's Record Performance Reflects Supercycle Gains

The 2026 ranking consists of 48 mining companies, accounting for a total market cap of $19.9 billion and a 443% average share price increase. The sector's exceptional performance reflects a new global financing cycle driven by geopolitical uncertainties and industrial policy shifts that have increased investor demand for metals and minerals. The majority of the ranked mining firms are focused on gold and silver, supported by record commodity prices, while the remaining mining companies are advancing critical minerals projects needed for complex technology and energy transition.

Topping the list is British Columbia-based Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSXV: SCZ), which finished 2025 with a 1,137% market cap growth alongside a 1,103% appreciation in share price. Second-ranked Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU), a Nova Scotia-headquartered company focusing on supplying high-value light and heavy rare earths, achieved a 1,109% increase in market cap.

The sector's dominance also reflects the essential role junior miners play as the primary pipeline for future producing assets, driving global exploration and discovery activity across key mining jurisdictions. Nearly 80% of the TSX Venture 50 mining companies operate in the tier-1 mining jurisdictions of the Americas, with 16 holding properties in Canada (concentrated in the Yukon and Ontario), 15 in the United States (primarily Nevada and Alaska), and 14 in Mexico.

Technology Companies Highlight Innovation in Security and Defence

While mining dominated returns, three Canadian technology companies on the 2026 ranking demonstrated how defence, security, and quantum innovation are also attracting growth capital. Ontario-based Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSXV: FLT) led the way at 16th place with a market cap increase of 441% and a 279% share price appreciation as demand for integrated aerial solutions for commercial and defence applications accelerates. Quantum eMotion Corp. (TSXV: QNC), a cybersecurity solutions firm headquartered in Quebec, recorded the highest overall trading value on this year's list at over $1.9 billion and saw its market cap rise by 269%. Meanwhile, Gatekeeper Systems Inc. (TSXV: GSI), a BC-based provider of vehicle video safety solutions, saw its share price grow by 225%.

Strong Financing and Trading Volumes Underpin Market Momentum

This year's TSX Venture 50 cohort achieved the strongest liquidity metrics in the program's history, with 2025 trading volumes doubling year-over-year to exceed 13.2 billion shares traded. The robust trading activity supports company valuations on TSXV as global investors increasingly recognize Canada as the world's leading hub for junior mining and high-growth innovation financing.

"Collectively, 43 of the TSX Venture 50 companies completed capital raises during 2025, totaling over $1.5 billion of equity capital raised," said Robert Peterman, Chief Commercial Officer, TSX & Global Capital Formation. "At the same time, we saw strong liquidity driven by global investor interest in the materials sector. This liquidity surge demonstrates that TSXV continues its position as the premier destination for early-stage public capital formation, particularly in the resource sector, cementing Canada's role as the foundation for global resource security and economic resilience."

For detailed results and to ​​learn more about the ranking methodology, visit tsx.com/venture50.

The 2026 TSX Venture 50 Ranking

Source: TSX/TSXV Market Intelligence Group. / Note: The 2026 list contains 51 companies due to a tie for the 50th position.

About TMX Group (TSX: X)

TMX Group operates global markets, and builds digital communities and analytic solutions that facilitate the funding, growth and success of businesses, traders and investors. TMX Group's key operations include Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, TSX Alpha Exchange, The Canadian Depository for Securities, Montréal Exchange, Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation, TSX Trust, TMX Trayport, TMX Datalinx, TMX VettaFi and TMX Newsfile, which provide listing markets, trading markets, clearing facilities, depository services, technology solutions, data products and other services to the global financial community. TMX Group is headquartered in Toronto and operates offices across North America (Montréal, Calgary, Vancouver and New York), as well as in key international markets including London, Singapore and Vienna. For more information about TMX Group, visit www.tmx.com. Follow TMX Group on X: @TMXGroup.

Copyright © 2026 TSX Inc. All rights reserved. Do not copy, distribute, sell or modify this press release without TSX Inc.'s prior written consent. This information is provided for information purposes only. Neither TMX Group Limited nor any of its affiliated companies ("TMX Group") guarantees the completeness of the information contained in this press release, and TMX Group is not responsible for any errors or omissions in or your use of, or reliance on, the information. This press release is not intended to provide legal, accounting, tax, investment, financial or other advice and should not be relied upon for such advice. The information provided is not an invitation to purchase securities listed on Toronto Stock Exchange and/or TSX Venture Exchange. TMX Group does not endorse or recommend any securities referenced in this press release. TMX, the TMX design, TMX Group, Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX, TSX Venture Exchange, TSX Venture 50, Venture 50, TSX30, TMX Datalinx, and TSXV are the trademarks of TSX Inc. Newsfile is the trademark of Newsfile Corp. and is used under license.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284194