The value of deal activity dropped from the third quarter’s record level of $144.9 billion, but remained above the $100-billion mark.“The fourth quarter and entire second half of 2025 showed a remarkable reversal of sentiment and activity from the preceding quarters as adaptability and resiliency prevailed,” said Stephen Ng, managing director at the Toronto-based mid-market investment bank, in a release. “As market participants adjusted to the shifting macro environment, many took advantage of attractive de ...

Core Viewpoint - New Gold (NGD) is anticipated to show a significant improvement in earnings for the fourth quarter of 2025, with an expected earnings per share (EPS) of 27 cents, reflecting a 285.7% increase from the previous year's EPS of 7 cents [1]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NGD's EPS has decreased by 3.6% over the past 60 days [1]. - The current EPS estimate for Q1 is 0.27, Q2 is 0.43, E1 is 0.66, and E2 is 1.55, with revisions showing a trend of -3.57% for Q1, +72.00% for Q2, +13.79% for E1, and +40.91% for E2 [2]. Earnings Surprise History - New Gold has consistently beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, achieving an average earnings surprise of 41.4% [2][3]. - The reported EPS for the last four quarters were 0.25, 0.11, 0.02, and 0.07, with respective surprises of 38.89%, 10.00%, 100.00%, and 16.67% [3]. Production and Sales Performance - In Q4 2025, New Gold produced a total of 107,778 ounces of gold, with a notable 55% year-over-year increase from the Rainy River mine, which produced 94,423 ounces [5][6]. - Overall quarterly gold production rose by 34% year-over-year, despite a 32% decline in production at the New Afton mine [6]. - New Gold sold 104,886 ounces of gold in Q4 2025, a 36% increase from 77,281 ounces in the same quarter last year [7]. Revenue and Operating Expenses - Revenues for the quarter are expected to benefit from higher gold sales volumes and increased gold prices, although copper sales volumes declined [8]. - Operating expenses are likely to have risen compared to the previous year, primarily due to increased gold production levels [8]. Stock Performance - New Gold's stock has surged by 280.1% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 143.8% [11].

Core Viewpoint - Soros Fund Management made significant adjustments to its investment portfolio in the fourth quarter, focusing on increasing exposure to tech giants while engaging in "buy high, sell low" strategies for energy and cryptocurrency stocks [1]. Group 1: Technology Sector Investments - The fund substantially increased its holdings in core technology stocks, including adding 161,000 shares of Microsoft (MSFT.US), 118,000 shares of Nvidia (NVDA.US), and approximately 66,000 shares of Apple [3]. - In the software and mobility sectors, the fund also increased its positions by acquiring approximately 216,000 shares of Atlassian (TEAM.US), 55,000 shares of Salesforce (CRM.US), and 119,000 shares of Uber (UBER.US) [3]. Group 2: Defensive and Growth Investments - In the defensive sector and consumer space, the fund increased its holdings in utility company Exelon (EXC.US) by approximately 488,000 shares and in gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA.US) by about 318,000 shares [3]. Group 3: Reduction in High Volatility and Financial Stocks - The fund reduced its positions in high-volatility and financial stocks, significantly cutting approximately 168,000 shares of Snowflake (SNOW.US) [4]. - It also reduced its holdings in Circle Internet Group (CRCL.US) by about 151,000 shares and in Interactive Brokers (IBKR.US) by approximately 813,000 shares, indicating a cautious stance towards the financial brokerage sector [5][6]. Group 4: New Positions and Exits - The fund opened new positions by purchasing gold-related assets such as New Gold (NGD.US) and established positions in DigitalBridge (DBRG.US), Blue Owl Capital (OWL.US), Exact Sciences (EXAS.US), and Xcel Energy (XEL.US) [7]. - It completely exited positions in KeyCorp (KEY.US), CareTrust REIT (CTRE.US), Cipher Mining (CIFR.US), and KKR & Co. (KKR.US), indicating a shift away from traditional banking and certain cryptocurrency mining stocks towards more stable or defensive sectors [7]. Group 5: Overall Strategy - The overall strategy of Soros Fund Management in the fourth quarter reflects a clear approach: embracing AI and core tech assets like Microsoft and Nvidia while avoiding high-volatility cloud and data companies like Snowflake, and hedging against macroeconomic uncertainties by investing in gold stocks. This "pick and choose" adjustment strategy highlights the pursuit of certainty and safety margins amid global economic uncertainties [7].

Core Viewpoint - New Gold Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NGD) is considered one of the most undervalued Canadian stocks, with recent price target increases from analysts indicating strong potential for growth in light of rising gold and silver prices driven by economic and geopolitical uncertainties [1][2]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Scotiabank analyst Eric Winmill raised the price target for New Gold to $12.75 from $10.50, maintaining an Outperform rating [1]. - Canaccord increased its price target for New Gold to C$18 from C$15 while keeping a Buy rating [2]. Group 2: Company Performance - In Q3 2025, New Gold reported record production at its Rainy River mine, generating $205 million in free cash flow, a 225% increase from the previous quarter, with Rainy River contributing $183 million [4]. - Consolidated production reached 115,200 ounces of gold and 12 million pounds of copper, with all-in sustaining costs significantly reduced to $966 per gold ounce [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - New Gold Inc. is an intermediate gold mining company focused on developing and operating mineral properties in Canada, primarily exploring for gold, silver, and copper deposits [5].

Core Insights - Gold prices have shown recovery after a sharp decline, closing above $5,000/Oz, supported by geopolitical tensions and a weak U.S. dollar [1][9] - Year-to-date, gold prices have increased nearly 15%, positively impacting gold mining stocks [2][9] - Central banks are actively purchasing gold to bolster reserves amid rising global debt and economic uncertainties [4][5] Gold Mining Stocks - Five notable gold mining stocks include AngloGold Ashanti plc (AU), Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI), New Gold Inc. (NGD), DRDGOLD Ltd. (DRD), and Gold Royalty Corp. (GROY), all carrying favorable Zacks Ranks [3][9] - AngloGold Ashanti (AU) has an expected revenue growth rate of 22.5% and earnings growth rate of 52.9% for the current year, with earnings estimates improving by 8.9% [10][11] - Gold Fields (GFI) is projected to have revenue and earnings growth rates exceeding 100%, with earnings estimates improving by 9.2% [12] - New Gold (NGD) anticipates a revenue growth rate of 10.2% and earnings growth rate over 100%, with earnings estimates improving by 15.5% [13] - DRDGOLD (DRD) expects a revenue growth rate of 67.8% and earnings growth rate over 100%, with earnings estimates improving by more than 100% [14][15] - Gold Royalty Corp. (GROY) forecasts revenue and earnings growth rates exceeding 100%, with earnings estimates improving by 12.5% [16] Market Dynamics - The gold mining industry is facing supply constraints due to a scarcity of new deposits and lengthy exploration processes [6] - Increased industrial demand for gold in sectors like energy and healthcare is expected to contribute to a demand-supply imbalance, further driving gold prices [7]

Core Viewpoint - Precious metal prices have rebounded after a three-day decline, leading to a widespread rally in gold and silver mining stocks [1] Group 1: Gold Mining Companies - Newmont's stock increased by 4.0% [1] - Barrick Mining's stock rose by 4.3% [1] - Agnico Eagle Mines saw a 3.8% increase in stock price [1] - Franco-Nevada's stock went up by 2.1% [1] - Kinross Gold experienced a 4.4% rise [1] - New Gold's stock surged by 5.2% [1] Group 2: Silver Mining Companies - Coeur Mining's stock increased by 6.0% [1] - Endeavour Silver's stock rose by 5.7% [1] - Pan American Silver saw a 5.7% increase [1] - Silvercorp Metals' stock went up by 5.0% [1] Group 3: Precious Metal Prices - Spot gold prices rose by 6.2% at one point [1] - Spot silver prices increased by 12% at one point [1]

Core Insights - New Gold Inc. (NYSE:NGD) is recognized as one of the 11 Best Performing Stocks in the Last 12 Months [1] Group 1: Acquisition Details - On January 27, 2026, New Gold Inc. received shareholder approval for a plan where a wholly owned subsidiary of Coeur Mining will purchase all outstanding NGD shares [2] - The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending court and regulatory approvals, with New Gold shareholders entitled to receive 0.4959 Coeur shares per New Gold share, resulting in approximately 38% ownership of the combined company [3] Group 2: Analyst Updates - On January 26, 2026, Scotiabank raised its price target on New Gold Inc. from $10.50 to $12.75, maintaining an 'Outperform' rating, reflecting higher gold and silver price forecasts amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty [4]

Group 1 - New Gold Inc. (NYSE:NGD) has received shareholder approval for a plan of arrangement where a wholly owned subsidiary of Coeur Mining will purchase all outstanding NGD shares [2] - The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending court and regulatory approvals, with New Gold shareholders entitled to receive 0.4959 Coeur shares per New Gold share, resulting in approximately 38% ownership of the combined company [3] - Scotiabank raised its price target on New Gold from $10.50 to $12.75, maintaining an 'Outperform' rating, reflecting higher gold and silver price forecasts amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty [4] Group 2 - New Gold Inc. operates and develops assets including Rainy River and New Afton, positioning itself within the North American precious metals sector [5]

Core Viewpoint - New Gold Inc. has received final approval from the Supreme Court of British Columbia for a plan of arrangement where a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur Mining, Inc. will acquire all issued and outstanding common shares of New Gold [1][2]. Company Overview - New Gold is a Canadian-focused intermediate mining company with two core producing assets: the New Afton copper-gold mine and the Rainy River gold mine [4]. - The company's vision is to be the most valued intermediate gold and copper producer through profitable and responsible mining for shareholders and stakeholders [4]. Transaction Details - The transaction is subject to approval under the Investment Canada Act and other customary closing conditions, with an anticipated closing in the first half of 2026 [2]. - Further information regarding the transaction can be found in New Gold's management information circular dated December 19, 2025, available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR [3].

Group 1: New Gold Inc. (NGD) - New Gold Inc. is a gold mining company with a Zacks Rank 1, indicating strong performance potential [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for New Gold's current year earnings has increased by 5.3% over the last 60 days [1] - New Gold's shares have gained 79.8% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which advanced by only 1.2% [1] - The company has a Momentum Score of A, reflecting strong momentum characteristics [1] Group 2: Investar Holding Corporation (ISTR) - Investar Holding Corporation is a bank holding company for Investar Bank, also holding a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Investar's next year earnings has increased by 5.8% over the last 60 days [2] - Investar's shares have gained 16.2% over the last three months, again outperforming the S&P 500's 1.2% advance [2] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of B, indicating solid momentum characteristics [2]