Oil Market - Oil prices fell, with U.S. benchmark crude trading at $57.09 per barrel, down 23 cents, and Brent crude at $60.58 per barrel, down 17 cents [2] - Venezuela's oil industry, currently producing about 1.1 million barrels per day, may see output double or triple with significant investments, despite being in disrepair due to years of neglect and sanctions [3] Precious Metals - The price of gold rose by 1.9% and silver surged by 5.7%, as these assets are viewed as safe havens amid geopolitical turmoil following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro [4] Stock Market Performance - Asian share prices opened higher, with the Nikkei 225 increasing by 3% to 51,853.53, marking a year-end high for 2025 [5] - South Korea's Kospi surged 3.1% to 4,441.80, also closing at a record high [6] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.7% to 48,382.39, while the Nasdaq composite fell slightly by less than 0.1% to 23,235.63, influenced by declines in major tech stocks like Microsoft and Tesla [8][9] Economic Outlook - Upcoming economic updates will include reports on the services sector, consumer sentiment, and job market data, which are expected to provide insights into the U.S. economy's performance at the end of 2025 and its trajectory for 2026 [10][11]

Core Viewpoint - Gold equities are projected to remain highly attractive within the mining sector in 2026, supported by strong valuations, balance sheets, and free cash flow generation, despite expectations for price consolidation [1][2]. Industry Outlook - Analysts maintain a bullish stance on gold equities for 2026 due to appealing valuations, while being neutral on gold prices [2]. - Structural drivers supporting gold's strength in 2025, such as de-dollarization, US fiscal concerns, macroeconomic uncertainty, central bank buying, and physical demand through ETFs, are expected to persist into 2026 [2]. Price Expectations - Jefferies anticipates gold prices will remain rangebound in 2026, with a potential period of consolidation, which is viewed positively for the sector [3][4]. - Real interest rates are identified as a significant factor influencing gold prices, particularly with potential changes in US monetary policy [3]. Sector Health - The gold mining sector is characterized by strong balance sheets, disciplined cost control, and increasing shareholder returns, with nine out of twelve covered gold miners in net cash positions [5]. - Cost inflation has remained below 5%, and real all-in costs are under US$2,400 per ounce, contributing to a healthy sector outlook [5]. Future Expectations - Jefferies expects favorable conditions to continue into 2026, with some upward pressure on labor and consumables anticipated, though still below 10% [6]. - Higher gold prices are expected to influence reserve calculations, potentially extending mine lives without significantly impacting near-term margins [7]. M&A Activity - Sustained high gold prices and growing cash balances may shift investor focus towards growth, setting the stage for increased merger and acquisition activity as financial discipline gives way to strategic expansion [8]. Top Gold Picks - Barrick Gold Corp. is identified as the top pick among large-cap miners, expected to deliver the highest free cash flow yield in 2026 at approximately 12% [9][10]. - Alamos Gold Inc. is viewed as a catch-up opportunity among mid-caps, with potential for re-rating driven by improved performance and expansion studies [10]. - Royal Gold, Inc. is highlighted for its unjustified valuation discount, with expectations for improved market sentiment due to medium-term growth clarity [11]. Other Metals - Jefferies has become more cautious on copper equities due to valuations, despite maintaining a positive outlook on copper prices [12].

Juan Llauro/Getty Images Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. For bargain hunters, Costco has long been a go-to destination. The warehouse giant famously still sells its hot dog and soda combo for $1.50 — the same price it launched with back in the mid-1980s. But not every Costco item has held its price as stubbornly as the hot dog combo. Case in point: gold bars. In late 2023, Costco began selling 1-ounce gold bars. At the time, shoppers c ...

Summary of Agnico Eagle Mines Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM) - **Industry**: Mining, specifically gold production - **Position**: Canada's largest mining company and the second largest gold producer globally - **Operations**: Canada, Australia, Finland, and Mexico with a pipeline of exploration and development projects [2][3] Key Points and Arguments Gold Market Performance - Gold prices have increased over 60% year-to-date, reaching record levels over $4,200 per ounce due to geopolitical uncertainty, central bank buying, high global debt levels, and de-dollarization trends [3][4] - Gold equities have outperformed gold itself, with share performance exceeding 100% in 2025, indicating strong investor interest [4] Agnico Eagle's Business Model - Agnico operates 10 assets across five regions and four countries, with approximately 85% of production from Canada [5] - The company focuses on regions with geological potential for multiple mines and political stability, which provides a competitive advantage [6][7] - Over the last 20 years, Agnico has increased its gold production from 250,000 ounces to nearly 3.5 million ounces per year, a 14-fold increase [8] Financial Performance - Agnico has maintained a strong financial position, reducing net debt from $200 million to a net cash position of $2.2 billion as of September, with expectations to reach $3 billion by year-end [10] - The company has consistently paid dividends, totaling $600 million year-to-date, with an expected full-year payout of $800 million [11] Capital Allocation and Growth Strategy - Agnico plans to reinvest approximately $2.1 billion in sustaining growth capital expenditures, focusing on five key projects that could add 1.3-1.5 million ounces of annual production over the next five to eight years [12][13] - Key projects include Detour Lake and Canadian Malartic, both capable of producing over one million ounces per year [32] Production and Cost Management - All-in sustaining costs are approximately $300 per ounce, significantly lower than peers, providing a competitive edge [30] - The company has expanded its margins to over 60% as gold prices increase, effectively passing on 99% of gold price increases to investors [9] Community Engagement and Sustainability - Agnico emphasizes strong relationships with local and Indigenous communities, being the largest payer to Indigenous communities in Canada [32] - The company is committed to responsible operations and environmental stewardship, particularly in sensitive areas like Nunavut [24][49] Additional Important Insights - Agnico's long mine life estimates indicate over 15 years of production potential across its properties, with some assets extending beyond 2050 [27] - The company has a robust pipeline of projects that are expected to generate significant free cash flow and support production growth in the coming years [12][32] - The strategic focus on regional operations allows Agnico to leverage existing infrastructure and relationships, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing risks [6][7] This summary encapsulates the key insights from the Agnico Eagle Mines conference call, highlighting the company's strong market position, financial health, growth strategy, and commitment to community engagement and sustainability.

Recent market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty have raised questions about the US' status as a safe haven. But there are still no strong alternative 'safe harbours', says John Graham, President and CEO of CPP Investments, Canada's largest pension fund. Graham says the fund is underweight AI in the US, but seeking more opportunities in large-scale infrastructure. It also remains committed to private equity. He spoke with Francine Lacqua on 'Bloomberg: The Pulse'. ...

This is The Takeaway from today's Morning Brief, which you can sign up to receive in your inbox every morning along with: What we're watching What we're reading Economic data releases and earnings It's hard to tell just looking at the price charts if bitcoin (BTC-USD) investors have been naughty or nice. A bruising November has given way to some relief — and the prospects of a Santa rally. And while the Thanksgiving table chatter might have moved on to prediction markets, more players in the market a ...

Core Insights - The price of silver has reached an all-time high, driven by tight supply and expectations for future interest rate cuts [1][2][6] - Silver prices have doubled since the beginning of the year, significantly outpacing gold's 60% increase [1][3] - Limited supply and rising investor demand are key factors in silver's price surge, with leasing costs for silver at their highest since 2002 [1][3] Supply and Demand Dynamics - The current supply of silver available for industrial use is reported to be the tightest on record, contributing to the price increase [1][3] - Deutsche Bank forecasts that demand from investors will continue to grow, further straining industrial supply [3][6] - Expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts are anticipated to boost demand for silver and gold as non-yielding assets [3][6] Future Projections - Deutsche Bank predicts that exchange-traded funds will hold approximately 1.1 billion troy ounces of silver by the end of 2026, surpassing previous records [3][6] - The average price of silver is expected to rise to about $55 per ounce next year, up from around $38 this year [7] - Anticipated demand for silver in green energy technologies, such as solar energy and electric vehicle batteries, is expected to further support price increases [7]

Gold prices hit an apex in October before taking a breather as 2025 winds down — a chance for investors to buy the dip. This could be a golden opportunity to get exposure to a pair of ETFs before another rally ensues: the Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) and the Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM). Gold prices are up over 50% year-to-date, giving existing investors an opportunity to wind down their positions or, for bullish "diamond hand†investors, an opportunity to continue adding exposure. Market volatility ...

Core Insights - Gold prices have increased over 50% year-to-date, presenting opportunities for both profit-taking and further investment for bullish investors [2] - Central banks have shifted to being net buyers of gold, contributing to the metal's rising share in global reserves and supporting long-term price trends [4] Gold Market Dynamics - The "debasement trade" continues to attract investors to gold as a hard asset, away from fiat currencies [3] - Market volatility ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday highlights gold's role as a safe haven for investors [2] Investment Opportunities - The Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) offers direct gold exposure with the option to convert shares into physical bullion, providing flexibility for investors [6] - The Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM) provides indirect exposure through investments in large-cap gold mining companies, which can benefit from rising gold prices [7] Central Bank Influence - Central banks' demand for gold is characterized by relative scale and price insensitivity, making them a primary anchor for gold's long-term price trends [4]

Economic Analysis - The claim that moving from blue states to red states can reduce inflation by 0.5% is questioned, with no state-level analysis from the Council of Economic Advisers supporting this assertion [1][2] - Rising living costs have been exacerbated by President Trump's tariffs, which have intensified financial pressures on Americans [4] - An independent study suggests that metro areas with more Republican and independent voters experienced higher inflation in 2022 compared to areas with more Democrats [5] Inflation Insights - Inflation has increased to 3% from 2% in April, particularly affecting staple goods like coffee and bacon [3] - The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis indicates that the purchasing power of $100 in 2025 is equivalent to $12.05 in 1970, highlighting the long-term erosion of dollar value [7] Investment Opportunities - Gold has surged over 50% in price over the past year, with predictions from industry leaders like JPMorgan's CEO suggesting it could reach $10,000 per ounce [9] - Real estate remains a strong asset during inflationary periods, with the S&P Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index rising by 45% over the past five years [12] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow investors to participate in real estate with minimal investment and without the burdens of property management [14][15] Alternative Assets - Art is emerging as a valuable investment class, with platforms like Masterworks enabling fractional ownership of high-value artworks, making it accessible to a broader range of investors [19][21]