Market Overview - The S&P 500 index has fallen amid uncertainty regarding de-escalation efforts in the Middle East, with a notable decline of 0.65% [1] - Investors are moving back to cash, reminiscent of market behavior in 2022, as they reassess geopolitical risks [2] Oil Market - Oil prices have risen significantly, with Brent crude increasing by over 4% and trading above $100 per barrel, driven by fading hopes for a ceasefire between the US and Iran [5][17] - The geopolitical situation has led to concerns about inflation, as higher energy prices are expected to impact economic conditions negatively [5] Bond Market - Treasury yields are climbing, with the 10-year Treasury yield reaching 4.374%, as investors reconsider the Federal Reserve's potential easing in light of rising inflation risks [6] Corporate News - Memory chip manufacturers are facing pressure due to Google's new AI model, which may reduce demand for high-performance memory products, leading to declines in stocks like Sandisk and Micron Technology [8] - Apple is expanding its US manufacturing program through partnerships with four new companies, aiming to invest $400 billion in the US by 2030 [9] - Precious metal miners are also under pressure, with Newmont's stock down approximately 3% as gold prices decline alongside rising Treasury yields [10] Technical Analysis - The S&P 500 has broken below the 6,730 level, indicating a bearish trend, with a potential target of 6,360 if it falls below 6,500 [11][12] Currency Markets - The US dollar is strengthening due to higher Treasury yields and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, while the euro and British pound are under pressure from rising energy prices and weak economic sentiment [13][15][16]

Group 1: Sibanye Gold Limited - Sibanye Gold Limited is a precious metal mining company with a diverse portfolio of platinum group metal and gold operations and projects [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen its current year earnings estimate increase by 75% over the last 60 days [1] - Shares of Sibanye Gold gained 37.6% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which gained only 0.3% [2] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [2] Group 2: FIGS - FIGS is a direct-to-consumer healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand with a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The current year earnings estimate for FIGS has increased by 70% over the last 60 days [2] - Shares of FIGS gained 54.4% over the last three months, also outperforming the S&P 500 [3] - The company has a Momentum Score of A [3] Group 3: DPM Metals Inc. - DPM Metals Inc. is an international gold mining company with operations primarily in Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Ecuador [3] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen its current year earnings estimate increase by 40.6% over the last 60 days [3] - Shares of DPM Metals gained 7.1% over the last three months, again outperforming the S&P 500 [4] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [4]

Market Overview - All three major U.S. stock market indices closed slightly higher on February 17, 2026, despite declines in software equities, influenced by a softer-than-expected Consumer Price Index and a stronger-than-anticipated jobs report [1][2] Investment Strategy - The current market uncertainty may lead investors to prefer low-leverage stocks for financial resilience and capital preservation, with recommendations including Orion Group (ORN), Copa Holdings (CPA), Coeur Mining (CDE), Tim S.A. (TIMB), and Evercore (EVR) [3][11] Low-Leverage Stocks - Low-leverage stocks are preferred as they are generally less risky, especially during volatile market conditions. The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with lower ratios indicating better solvency [7][8] Company Highlights - **Orion Group (ORN)**: Acquired J. E. McAmis, Inc. and JEM Marine Leasing LLC for approximately $60 million, with 2026 earnings expected to improve by 63.6% [15][17] - **Copa Holdings (CPA)**: Reported a 9.6% increase in fourth-quarter operating revenues and a 5.3% rise in EPS, with 2026 revenues projected to grow by 11.5% [18][19] - **Coeur Mining (CDE)**: Increased mineral reserves to 4.4 million ounces of gold and 274.4 million ounces of silver, with 2026 earnings expected to jump by 143.3% [20][22] - **Tim S.A. (TIMB)**: Announced acquisition of 51% of I-Systems for approximately $180 million, aiming to expand in the broadband segment, with 2026 revenues expected to rise by 10.3% [23][24] - **Evercore (EVR)**: Reported a 32% increase in fourth-quarter revenues and a 50% rise in adjusted EPS, with 2026 revenues projected to grow by 22.6% [24][25]

Market Reaction - The historic collapse in gold and silver prices led to a significant selloff in mining stocks, marking one of January's most crowded trades unwound [1] - As of 2:00 p.m. in New York, silver prices fell 27% to $84 an ounce, while gold dropped 9.5% to $4,861, representing the worst single-day declines for both metals since 1980 [1] Monetary Policy Implications - The sharp decline in precious metals reflects a repricing of monetary risk following President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, who is perceived as a hawk focused on controlling inflation [2] - Warsh's nomination alleviated fears regarding the Federal Reserve's independence, which had contributed to the "debasement trade" that previously fueled the rally in precious metals [3][4] Mining Stocks Performance - Mining stocks experienced severe declines, with many suffering double-digit losses as the debasement trade unwound [4] - Analysts noted that Warsh's selection is expected to calm concerns about the erosion of the Federal Reserve's independence, which could stabilize market sentiment [4][5] Investor Sentiment - Warsh's recent speech to the IMF was highlighted as a defining signal of his commitment to central bank independence, which investors view positively [5] - However, there are concerns that Warsh's criticism of modern monetary frameworks could introduce new volatility into rate expectations [5][6] Economic Outlook - Analysts suggest that a shift towards a less autonomous Federal Reserve could support short-term growth and employment, but caution that further rate cuts could risk higher inflation [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The current best mining stock for investors is Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM), as highlighted by analysts Mike Zaccardi and Kenio Fontes [4]. Company Summary - Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) is identified as a top choice for precious metal equity investments [4].

Market Overview - The bull market on Wall Street continued into 2025, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 14%, the S&P 500 increasing by 17%, and the Nasdaq Composite gaining 21% [1] - Despite potential market shifts, there are still opportunities for significant stock gains [2] Stock Recommendations 1. The Trade Desk - The Trade Desk experienced a challenging 2025 due to increased competition and tariff impacts, leading to a 68% decline in stock price [5][8] - Anticipated improvements in 2026 include the fading of tariff shocks and the adoption of its Unified ID 2.0 technology, which could enhance ad performance [6][7] - The current forward P/E ratio of 18 presents a value opportunity for investors [8] 2. Webull - Webull's stock fell from a peak of nearly $80 to under $8, despite a 17% increase in registered users and an 84% rise in customer assets [10][11] - The company is expanding globally, which may enhance its growth prospects compared to competitors like Robinhood [12] - Webull's shift to profitability and strong user engagement metrics suggest potential for significant stock appreciation [13] 3. Sezzle - Sezzle's stock has seen a 64% decline from its all-time high, but key performance indicators show a 59% increase in gross merchandise volume and a 67% rise in net sales [15][16] - An increase in consumer purchase frequency indicates growing user engagement, which could drive future growth [17] - The company's low forward P/E of 15, combined with its growth rate, positions it well for potential gains [18] 4. Fiverr International - Fiverr's shares dropped 38% in 2025, influenced by concerns over AI's impact on the freelance market [21] - The company benefits from a remote work trend and has a superior marketplace take rate of 27.6% [22][23] - Its low valuation, trading at less than 7 times adjusted EPS, presents an attractive investment opportunity [24] 5. B2Gold - B2Gold achieved an 86% gain in 2025, but faced a production forecast reduction at its Goose Mine [27] - Expected improvements in production capacity and ore grades in 2026 could lead to significant growth [28] - The macroeconomic outlook for gold remains positive, with potential for high prices benefiting B2Gold's stock [29][30] 6. Talkspace - Talkspace's shares have fallen 61% since going public, but the company is profitable and growing sales by over 20% annually [33][34] - The focus on partnerships with payers and employers is driving sustainable revenue growth [35] - A debt-free balance sheet and ongoing share buybacks enhance its financial position [36] 7. Zeta Global - Zeta Global's stock has kept pace with the S&P 500, but faces concerns about economic health and potential AI market volatility [39] - The company's AI marketing platform has shown consistent sales growth of at least 20% for five years [41] - Zeta's attractive valuation, with a forward P/E of 21 and a $200 million share-repurchase program, supports its investment appeal [42]

Market Overview - Wall Street's main indexes started the final week of the year on a softer note, with technology stocks retreating from previous gains that had pushed the S&P 500 to record highs [1] - The S&P 500 has added approximately 17% year-to-date, driven by enthusiasm around AI, despite earlier investor diversification away from U.S. stocks [6] Sector Performance - The information technology sector negatively impacted the S&P 500, with notable declines in major tech stocks such as Nvidia (down 1.8%), Broadcom (down 1%), and Palantir Technologies (down 1.4%) [1] - The materials sector slipped by 1%, influenced by a sharp drop in silver prices after previously exceeding $80 per ounce, while gold also fell [3] - Energy stocks gained the most, increasing by 1.2%, in line with a 2% rise in oil prices [3] Investor Sentiment - Some investors are anticipating a "Santa Claus rally," a seasonal trend where the S&P 500 typically sees gains in the last five trading days of the year and the first two in January [4] - Despite concerns over high valuations in technology, the bull market that began in October 2022 remains intact, supported by optimism around AI, interest-rate cuts, and a resilient economy [5] Trading Activity - Trading volumes are expected to be light due to the holiday season, with U.S. markets closed on New Year's Day [7] - On the NYSE, declining issues outnumbered advancers by a ratio of 1.85-to-1, and on the Nasdaq, the ratio was 2.56-to-1 [7] Notable Developments - DigitalBridge saw a significant gain of 9.6% as Japan's SoftBank Group is set to acquire the digital infrastructure investor in a deal valued at $4 billion [6] - The S&P 500 recorded 9 new 52-week highs and one new low, while the Nasdaq Composite noted 22 new highs and 177 new lows [8]

Core Insights - 2025 is marked by significant increases in gold and silver prices, with gold rising from $2,669/oz to $4,387/oz (69.46%) and silver from $29.90 to nearly $70.00 (133.51%) [1] - Coeur Mining has shown remarkable performance with a year-to-date return of 229% and is positioned as the 8th largest North American gold and silver mining company [1][3] Company Performance - Coeur Mining reported revenues of $1.7 billion and expanded gross margins to 78.6% [3] - The company’s year-to-date return stands at +229.02%, with a 1-year return of +220.06%, a 3-year return of +442.36%, and a 5-year return of +97.89% [7] - The Rochester facility expansion led to an 80% increase in production in Q2 2025, contributing to the company's growth [3][6] Market Position and Expansion - The proposed acquisition of New Gold is expected to increase Coeur Mining's market cap to approximately $20 billion and raise 2026 EBITDA guidance to $3 billion [3] - Coeur Mining operates five mines across North and Central America, focusing on gold and silver production [4] - New mineral deposits were discovered at the Palmarejo Complex, indicating potential for future growth [3]

Market Performance - U.S. small caps reached record highs, with the Russell 2000 rising 0.6% to 2,540 as investors shifted towards small caps and rate-sensitive sectors [1][2] - The S&P 500 increased by 0.3% to 6,865, while the Dow Jones and Nasdaq 100 also saw gains of 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively [3][6] Federal Reserve Expectations - There is a 90% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, with Polymarket odds indicating a 95% probability, reflecting strong market conviction for easing [2] Job Market Insights - Job openings in the U.S. rose to 7.67 million in October, surpassing expectations and alleviating concerns about a rapid cooling of the labor market [3] Precious Metals Rally - Silver prices surged nearly 4% to $60.39 per ounce, marking a year-to-date gain of 110%, while gold rose 0.4% to approximately $4,210 per ounce [4] - Precious metal miners outperformed, with the VanEck Gold Miners ETF and Global X Silver Miners ETF increasing by 3.5% and 4.3%, respectively [4] Cryptocurrency Market - Bitcoin climbed over 4% to above $94,000, and Ethereum surged more than 7%, with high-beta tokens like Cardano and Solana also showing significant gains [5] Major Indices Performance - Major U.S. indices showed positive performance, with the Nasdaq 100 at 25,697.06 (+0.3%), S&P 500 at 6,865.00 (+0.3%), and Dow Jones at 47,898.01 (+0.3%) [6] Top Gainers and Losers - In the Russell 1000, Teleflex Incorporated led with a gain of 9.98%, followed by Strategy Inc. at +7.68% [7] - Conversely, SLM Corporation experienced the largest decline at -16.15%, followed by AutoZone at -6.99% [9]

Core Thesis - SSR Mining Inc. is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity, particularly as an alternative to holding physical gold amid market concerns [2][6] Company Overview - SSR Mining Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal resource properties in the United States, Türkiye, Canada, and Argentina [2] - As of November 28th, SSR Mining's share price was $23.28, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 22.60 and 7.19 respectively [1] Historical Context - The stock experienced a significant decline to around $14 in 2022 following a dam collapse at its Turkish mine, which resulted in fatalities and a suspension of operations [3] - Despite the incident, the company's strong balance sheet and historical operational performance indicated that the selloff had fully priced in the negative news [4] Investment Strategy - The author of the bullish thesis accumulated shares aggressively at $4.50 in August 2024, anticipating a rise in gold prices, which subsequently surpassed $4,000, leading to a 400% gain on the 2024 purchase [4] - Partial profit-taking has occurred due to concerns about gold prices peaking, but the author retains a stake to capture further upside from company-specific catalysts [5] Future Catalysts - A key catalyst for SSR Mining is the potential reopening of the Turkish mine, for which the company has applied for government approval [5] - If operations resume, the stock could benefit from improved production visibility and the monetization of ore inventory, presenting an attractive risk/reward profile [6] - SSR Mining is positioned as a leveraged and catalyst-rich alternative for investors considering bullion, with meaningful upside potential [6]