$4,000 Gold on the Horizon? Why Smart Money Is Piling Into Select Miners Ahead of Q2 2026

Core Viewpoint - Analysts at JP Morgan predict gold prices will reach $4,000 per ounce by Q2 2026, which is expected to positively impact gold mining stocks, prompting Jefferies to raise price targets for these stocks ahead of earnings reports [1][2]. Company Highlights - RUA GOLD Inc. reported promising drill results from its Auld Creek project in the Reefton Goldfield, with notable intercepts including 9.0 meters at 5.9 g/t gold equivalent and 1.25 meters at 48.3 g/t gold equivalent, indicating that gold-antimony mineralization intensifies with depth [3][5]. - The Auld Creek project is part of RUA's broader exploration strategy in the Reefton district, where the company holds 95% control, utilizing advanced geological modeling and AI-driven targeting [4][5]. - RUA's early drill campaigns have yielded significant results, including 12 meters at 12.2 g/t gold equivalent, suggesting substantial growth potential beyond the current inferred resource of 700,000 tonnes grading 3.1 g/t gold and 1.1% antimony [5][6]. - The company is expanding its drilling efforts to other prospects like Murray Creek and Gallant, with Gallant showing potential extensions of high-grade veins [7][8]. - RUA is also advancing its Glamorgan Project on the North Island, where rock samples have returned assays as high as 43 g/t gold, indicating another high-impact opportunity [9]. Industry Trends - Demand for gold is rising, with ETFs like the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (SGDJ) showing year-to-date performances of +44.80% and +39.58% respectively [2]. - Antimony is gaining attention as a strategic mineral, with New Zealand adding it to its Critical Minerals List and prices rising above $50,000 per tonne [10]. - Other companies in the sector, such as Contango Ore Inc. and Prime Mining Corp., are also reporting positive developments, including cash distributions and high-grade intercepts, further indicating a robust environment for gold mining [11][14][15].