Precious metals were the best-performing sector of the commodities asset class in Q4 2025 and over the entire year. As the sector is now in 2026, the trends for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium remain bullish. The precious metals sector led the asset class higher with a 30.27% Q4 gain. The composite of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures traded on the CME’s COMEX and NYMEX divisions moved an incredible 103.73% higher in 2025. More News from Barchart In my Q3 Barchart report on precious m ...

Core Viewpoint - The performance of the "Magnificent 7" tech stocks is declining, leading to a market rotation towards small and micro-cap stocks, indicating a potential shift in investor sentiment and risk appetite [2][3][4]. Group 1: Market Trends - The "Magnificent 7" stocks have struggled recently, with some like Nvidia facing challenges, while others like Apple reach all-time highs [2][3]. - There is a noticeable rotation of investment from large-cap tech stocks to small-cap and micro-cap stocks, such as those in the Russell 2000, suggesting a shift in market dynamics [3][4]. - The current market sentiment appears to be bullish as investors are moving into riskier assets, including precious metals, as part of a seasonal trend [4][5][6]. Group 2: Precious Metals Outlook - Gold has reached a 7-week high, and silver is hitting record highs, indicating strong performance in the precious metals market [7]. - A significant warning sign is noted when precious metals outperform the stock market for an extended period, reminiscent of conditions before past financial crises [9][10]. - Predictions suggest a potential 15% increase in gold prices, targeting around $5,175, and silver could rise to between $68 and $82 [10][11]. Group 3: Investment Strategies - The current environment is seen as a favorable trading opportunity for precious metals, with expectations of explosive price movements in the near term [12][14]. - Homebuilders are also expected to see a modest rally of about 6% as investors seek familiar sectors during uncertain times [17][18]. - The strategy involves identifying trends and managing positions based on market movements rather than attempting to predict market tops or bottoms [20][21]. Group 4: Long-term Economic Outlook - A severe market correction is anticipated in 2026, with predictions of a significant downturn in equities exceeding 20%, while precious metals are expected to benefit from this shift as capital flows out of stocks [24][26][27].

Core Insights - Precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, were the best-performing sector in the commodities market in Q3 2025, rising 20.32% and 55.92% over the first nine months of the year [1] - The bullish trend for precious metals is expected to continue into October 2025, with GLTR ETF rated as a hold, indicating potential buying opportunities during any pullbacks [1] Gold Market - COMEX gold futures reached a record peak of $4,398 per ounce on October 17, 2025, but corrected to $3,901.30 by October 28, marking an 11.3% decline before rebounding to over $4,000 on October 29 [3][4] - The long-term bullish trend for gold remains intact, as indicated by the quarterly chart [5] Silver Market - COMEX silver futures also hit a record peak of $53.765 per ounce on October 17, 2025, followed by a correction to $45.51 on October 28, a 15.4% drop, before rebounding to over $48 on October 29 [6][7] - Similar to gold, the long-term bullish trend for silver is firmly intact [8] Platinum Market - NYMEX platinum futures reached $1,770 per ounce on October 16, 2025, the highest price since September 2011, indicating a continued bullish trend despite recent selloffs [9]

Core Insights - Precious metals, including silver, platinum, and palladium, are gaining traction among investors as valuable portfolio additions alongside traditional gold [1][15][17] - Each metal serves unique industrial and investment purposes, which can help investors set realistic expectations regarding their performance and risks [2][17] Group 1: Silver - Silver is widely used for both investment and industrial applications, including electronics and solar panels, and is purchased in forms such as coins and jewelry [3][17] - The metal is characterized by lower liquidity and higher volatility compared to gold, making it more challenging to liquidate quickly [3][17] - Silver prices tend to rise during periods of increased industrial demand, supply constraints, and economic turmoil, providing inflation protection [3][16][17] Group 2: Platinum - Platinum is rarer than gold and silver, primarily used in jewelry and catalytic converters to reduce vehicle emissions [4][17] - Its value is more volatile due to fluctuations in industrial demand and limited supply, predominantly sourced from South Africa [4][17] - Platinum is viewed as a stabilizing trade with long-term value linked to energy conversion [5][17] Group 3: Palladium - Palladium is even scarcer than platinum and is utilized in jewelry and automotive manufacturing, often in conjunction with platinum in catalytic converters [7][17] - The pricing of palladium is heavily influenced by automotive demand and can react quickly to geopolitical events [7][17] - Due to its low liquidity and high volatility, palladium is considered a short-term investment option [7][14][17] Group 4: Investment Options - Investors can choose between digital and physical formats for investing in precious metals [9][10][11] - Digital options include basket funds and single-metal ETFs, while physical investments involve purchasing bullion, bars, coins, or jewelry [10][11][17] - Mining stocks represent another investment avenue, with companies like Hecla Mining and Sibanye-Stillwater focusing on silver and platinum/palladium, respectively [10][17] Group 5: Investment Strategies - Investment goals dictate how precious metals are approached, whether as long-term hedges or short-term trades [12][17] - Long-term investors can use these metals as a hedge against inflation, with recommendations to allocate 3% to 5% of their portfolio to precious metals [13][17] - For short-term gains, selling metals individually is an option, though it is riskier and more suited for experienced traders [14][17]