SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Global Investors, Inc. (NASDAQ: GROW) (the “Company”), a registered investment advisory firm1 with longstanding experience in global markets and specialized sectors, today reported financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 ended December 31, 2025. Total assets under management (AUM) were approximately $1.5 billion at quarter-end, representing a 12% increase from the prior quarter and 5% higher than AUM at the end of the year-ago quarter. This ...

Core Insights - The NEOS Gold High Income ETF (IAUI) launched in June 2025 and has gained significant traction, with assets under management exceeding $367 million as of February 11, 2026, amid a strong gold bull market [1] - IAUI is nominated for the best new options income fund of 2025 at the upcoming ETF.com awards, competing against four other funds, highlighting its recognition in a category that saw over 60 new options income ETFs launched last year [1] - The ETF has returned more than 23% since inception, demonstrating its potential to provide both capital appreciation and income, with a 30-day SEC yield of 1.88% and a distribution rate of 12.25% [1] Fund Characteristics - IAUI addresses the traditional dilemma for income investors seeking gold exposure by utilizing options to harvest volatility premium, thus providing a yield [1] - The ETF serves as an alternative or complement to existing gold allocations, offering portfolio diversification, inflation protection, and a hedge against economic uncertainty [1] - Investors can access the benefits of gold while pursuing high monthly income through this actively managed ETF [1]

Group 1 - India's gold market is crucial for global demand, being the world's largest by population and deeply integrated into its culture through gift-giving and investing [1] - The WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Gold Miners Strategy Fund (GDMN) has experienced a remarkable 234% increase over the past year, highlighting the effectiveness of its actively managed strategy that combines gold futures with gold mining equities [1] - Indian investors are increasingly favoring gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) over mutual funds, with significant inflows into gold ETFs in January, surpassing equity fund flows for the first time [1] Group 2 - In January, gold prices reached record highs, doubling from January 2024 levels in dollar terms, while Indian equity investors showed restraint due to pending tariff agreements with the U.S. [1] - Net inflows into Indian equity mutual funds decreased by 14.35% month-on-month to 240.29 billion rupees ($2.65 billion), marking the second consecutive month of decline [1] - Flows to gold ETFs more than doubled from the previous month to 240.4 billion rupees, positioning them just ahead of equity flows for the first time [1] Group 3 - High gold prices may lead to a retreat in Indian jewelry demand this year, but increased ETF demand could provide a buffer for U.S. investors holding GDMN [1]

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices have surpassed $5,000 per ounce, indicating a significant milestone in the precious metals market, but increased volatility is anticipated in the near future [1][2]. Group 1 - The current price of gold is holding above $5,000 an ounce, reflecting strong demand and market dynamics [1][2]. - Analysts predict that while gold has reached this high, the market may experience more fluctuations, suggesting a cautious outlook for investors [1][2].

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices are experiencing fluctuations, with analysts predicting a potential rise in prices due to ongoing demand and geopolitical factors [2][3]. Group 1: Current Gold Prices - Gold April futures opened at $5,041.20 per troy ounce, down 0.8% from the previous closing price of $5,079.40 [1]. - The one-year gain for gold as of January 29 was 95.6% [5]. - Recent price changes include a weekly increase of 7.7%, a monthly increase of 12.7%, and a yearly increase of 76% [8]. Group 2: Future Predictions - Analysts from BNP Paribas and Wells Fargo predict gold could reach between $6,000 and $6,300 per ounce by the end of 2026 [2]. - Ongoing demand from central banks, including Poland's plan to purchase 150 tons of gold and China's continuous purchases, is a significant driver for future price increases [3]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - Gold prices tend to rise when interest rates fall, as lower rates enhance the appeal of gold compared to interest-bearing assets [4]. - Geopolitical uncertainty and a fluid policy environment in the U.S. are contributing to safe-haven demand for gold [3].

Gold (GC=F) April futures opened at $5,041.20 per troy ounce on Tuesday, down 0.8% from Monday’s closing price of $5,079.40. However, gold has opened higher than the previous day’s open for two consecutive days. Some analysts believe the gold price will continue to rise, despite last week’s pullback. On Tuesday, BNP Paribas SA’s David Wilson said gold could reach $6,000 an ounce by the end of 2026. And the Wells Fargo Investment Institute recently raised its 2026 gold prediction to $6,100 to $6,300 per ...

Core Viewpoint - BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani are encouraging Indian investors to shift their focus from gold to equity markets, highlighting the volatility of gold and the underperformance of Indian stocks [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Advice - Ambani emphasized that a significant portion of domestic savings in gold and silver is "unproductive," advocating for investment in the stock market where money can compound [2]. - The partnership between Reliance Industries and BlackRock aims to promote mutual funds in India, reflecting a strategic shift towards financialization of savings [2]. Group 2: Market Performance - The Nifty 50 index has seen a decline of nearly 2% so far this year, indicating underperformance in the Indian stock market [1]. - As of December, Jio BlackRock Asset Management reported assets under management of 31.98 billion rupees (approximately $353 million) across its equity funds, marking a growing interest in mutual funds [3]. Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Indians are among the top global buyers of gold, but there is a noticeable trend towards increasing financialization of savings, with mutual funds gaining popularity [3].

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices remain structurally elevated despite experiencing interim corrections, indicating a supportive earnings environment for miners [1] Group 1: Market Conditions - The current market for gold is characterized by structural elevation, which suggests that miners are likely to benefit from higher earnings [1] - Cost pressures for miners are not increasing, further supporting their earnings potential [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The analysis is conducted by a seasoned stock analyst with over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management [1] - The analyst has a strong focus on equity valuation, market trends, and portfolio optimization, aiming to identify high-growth investment opportunities [1] - The analyst has previously held a Vice President position at Barclays, leading teams in model validation and stress testing, which contributes to their expertise in both fundamental and technical analysis [1]

Group 1 - Tether has become the largest private holder of gold and U.S. government debt, positioning itself similarly to major financial institutions [1][2][3] - The company has accumulated approximately 80 to 116 metric tons of gold, with a notable addition of 27 tons in Q4 2025 due to rising gold prices amid geopolitical and inflation concerns [3] - Tether's direct U.S. Treasury holdings exceed $122 billion, with total exposure surpassing $141 billion when including reverse repurchase agreements, making it one of the largest non-sovereign holders of U.S. debt globally [4] Group 2 - The growth of Tether's USDT stablecoin has driven significant demand for U.S. Treasuries, with nearly $50 billion in new tokens issued in 2025, raising total circulation above $186 billion [6] - The model for minting USDT involves depositing dollars that are primarily invested in short-term U.S. Treasuries, generating yield for Tether while maintaining liquidity for redemptions [7] - This strategy has established Tether as a major buyer of Treasury bills, particularly at the short end of the yield curve [7]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that global gold and silver prices have experienced a significant decline after a historic rise, with gold dropping nearly 10% and silver falling 16%, erasing all gains made since the beginning of the year [1][4] - The recent sell-off was triggered by the nomination of Kevin Walsh as the new Federal Reserve Chair, which strengthened the dollar and reduced the appeal of dollar-denominated precious metals [7] - Despite the short-term price corrections, the fundamental support for gold remains strong, and the long-term investment theme for gold is still positive, indicating that the market has not entered a phase of sustained decline [7] Group 2 - The precious metals market has been driven by multiple factors since the beginning of the year, including geopolitical tensions, currency devaluation risks, and uncertainties regarding the independence of the Federal Reserve [4] - The active trading by Chinese investors in the domestic market provides some support for prices, with retail demand and physical purchases potentially being released during price corrections [8] - Investors are advised to remain rational and focus on global macroeconomic trends, monetary policy movements, and geopolitical risks to navigate market volatility and seek potential investment opportunities [8]