Core Insights - The article highlights Alan Brochstein's extensive experience in the investment industry, particularly his focus on the cannabis sector since 2014 [1] - It emphasizes the importance of ETFs in enabling diversified investment portfolios for both individual and institutional investors [1] - The article mentions the creation of a 79-ETF Focus List and a model portfolio to assist investors in navigating the ETF landscape [1] Group 1: Professional Background - Alan Brochstein has been contributing to Seeking Alpha since 2007 and has a background in both sell-side and buy-side roles in fixed-income and equities [1] - He founded AB Analytical Services in 2007 to provide independent consulting to registered investment advisors [1] - Brochstein has been a pioneer in the cannabis investment space, launching 420 Investor in 2013 and managing New Cannabis Ventures since 2015 [1] Group 2: ETF Focus - The article discusses Brochstein's long-standing appreciation for ETFs, which allow for cost-effective diversification [1] - He has been writing extensively about ETFs since 2025, aiming to enhance investor understanding of the ETF universe [1] - The 79-ETF Focus List includes a mix of popular and lesser-known ETFs that Brochstein believes stand out [1]

Core Viewpoint - Precious metals serve as a hedge against the U.S. dollar, with iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) providing distinct exposure to silver and gold mining equities respectively [1][2] Cost & Size - SLV has an expense ratio of 0.50% and assets under management (AUM) of $47.32 billion, while GDX has an expense ratio of 0.51% and AUM of $30.77 billion [3] - Both ETFs have similar expense ratios, making annual fees negligible for most investors, but only GDX offers dividends [4] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past year, SLV returned 139.15% while GDX returned 137.31% [3] - SLV experienced a maximum drawdown of -37.65% over five years, compared to GDX's -46.52% [5] - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $3,174 in SLV and $2,852 in GDX over five years [5] Portfolio Composition - GDX focuses on gold mining equities, holding 55 companies, with major positions in Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Newmont Corp., and Barrick Mining Corp., which together make up nearly 25% of the portfolio [6] - SLV provides direct exposure to silver prices without holding individual companies, making it a pure commodity play [7] Investment Implications - SLV is linked to the volatility of silver, which is estimated to be three times more volatile than gold, presenting significant risks [8] - GDX, while less volatile than SLV, still carries some market volatility risks, making both ETFs suitable for investors willing to accept such risks [9] - Precious metals typically rise in price during periods of U.S. dollar weakness or international economic instability, making both ETFs attractive options [10]

‌received $3.62 billion worth ‌of inflows, the highest since at least 2009.Cumulatively, these ETFs received a record $91.86 billion worth of inflows ‌in 2025, more than eight times the total in 2024.However, gold prices have fallen roughly 10% in the past two days after hitting record highs last week, as CME Group raised margin requirements following a sharp metals selloff that was triggered by ​Kevin Warsh's nomination as the next U.S. Federal Reserve ​Chair.Live EventsAnalysts at J.P. Morgan expect the ...

Gold bars stacked beside a tablet showing a rising price chart and “$5,000” with a green upward arrow, with trading screens blurred in the background. Key Points Gold prices are approaching the $5,000 level in 2026, driven by inflation concerns, currency devaluation, and supportive monetary policy. Investors must decide between physical gold exposure through ETFs or higher-risk, higher-reward opportunities in gold mining stocks. Large-cap miners and diversified ETFs like GDX and GDXJ offer operating le ...

Core Insights - Gold prices have reached an all-time high of over $4,730 per ounce, driven by safe-haven buying amid geopolitical tensions and a potential trade war between the U.S. and Europe over Greenland [1][2] Geopolitical Factors - The deterioration of "geo-economics" is identified as a primary driver for the rise in gold prices, with tensions escalating due to U.S. President Trump's warning of additional tariffs related to Greenland [2] - Denmark's increased military presence in the region has contributed to a "risk-off sentiment," prompting investors to seek traditional safety assets [3] Market Performance - Gold has increased by 9% in the first three weeks of 2026 and 75% over the past year, with the current price hovering around $4,723.72 per ounce [4] - Market experts predict further gains, with gold breaking out of a rising three-month channel, indicating a strong surge supported by miners [5] Technical Analysis - Immediate resistance levels for gold are identified between $4,720 and $4,760, suggesting potential price movements in the near term [5] Investment Opportunities - A list of gold and gold mining ETFs shows strong year-to-date and one-year performance, with notable returns from VanEck Gold Miners ETF and VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF [6] Silver Market - Silver has also seen significant buying pressure, now valued at $5.287 trillion, making it the second most valuable asset globally by market capitalization, surpassing Nvidia Corp. [7]

Group 1 - The article provides a market analysis focusing on various gold-related investment vehicles, including SPDR® Gold Shares, VanEck Gold Miners ETF, and VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF [1] - It highlights the performance and trends in the gold market, indicating potential investment opportunities in gold and precious metals [1] - The analysis includes insights into ASA Gold and Precious Metals Ltd., emphasizing its relevance in the current market landscape [1]

Core Viewpoint - The iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (SLVP) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) provide different exposures to precious metals mining, with SLVP focusing on silver and GDX on gold, impacting their performance, risk, and investor suitability [2][8]. Cost and Size Comparison - SLVP has an expense ratio of 0.39% and AUM of $816.5 million, while GDX has a higher expense ratio of 0.51% and significantly larger AUM of $27.01 billion [3]. - The one-year return for SLVP is 158.6%, compared to GDX's 132.9%, indicating SLVP's stronger recent performance [3]. Performance and Risk Comparison - Over five years, SLVP has a max drawdown of 56.22%, while GDX has a lower max drawdown of 46.52% [4]. - The growth of $1,000 over five years is $2,208 for SLVP and $2,555 for GDX, showing GDX's superior long-term performance despite its higher expense ratio [4][10]. Portfolio Composition - GDX consists of 55 holdings, including major companies like Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd and Newmont Corp, focusing on global gold mining [5]. - SLVP holds 41 companies, primarily in silver and diversified metals, with major positions in Hecla Mining and Fresnillo Plc, indicating a more concentrated investment strategy [7]. Investor Implications - GDX's larger AUM and lower beta of 0.87 suggest it is less volatile than the market, making it a more stable investment option for those seeking exposure to precious metals [8]. - SLVP, while more volatile due to silver's industrial uses, has performed better over the past year, potentially appealing to investors looking for higher short-term gains [9][11].

Core Insights - The gold mining sector is experiencing significant price increases, with GDX and GDXJ both doubling in value, while spot gold surpassed $4,000, indicating strong market performance [1][3][10] - Despite the price gains, approximately $5 billion has exited mining ETFs, suggesting that the market is under-owned and that institutional investors are taking profits rather than retail investors fully participating [1][7][45] - Central banks are major players in the gold market, consistently purchasing over 1,000 tonnes of gold annually since 2022, which is double the average of the previous decade, contributing to a structural supply-demand imbalance [11][12][45] Market Dynamics - Gold prices reached historic highs around $4,000 per ounce, with GDX and GDXJ showing year-to-date gains of 115% and 117% respectively, significantly outperforming physical gold [3][17] - The GDX/GLD ratio improved by 40.7% in 2025, indicating a stronger performance of miners relative to gold [5] - Central banks are absorbing 24-29% of annual gold output, while mine supply is only expected to grow by 1%, creating a tight supply situation [13][14] Investment Strategies - A three-tier investment strategy is proposed for retail traders, focusing on core holdings, momentum plays, and premium growth stocks [23][48] - Newmont (NEM) is highlighted as a core holding with a P/E ratio of 13.65x and significant free cash flow potential, while Barrick (B) and Agnico Eagle (AEM) are recommended for momentum and premium growth respectively [24][28][32] - Entry points and stop-loss levels are suggested for each tier to manage risk effectively [27][31][34] Technical Analysis - The technical picture shows that GDX peaked on October 16, 2025, and has since retraced about 9.8%, while GLD has also seen a slight decline [18][19] - Key support levels for GDX are identified around $59.51 and $34.58, which have not been seriously challenged during recent price movements [21] - The current pullback is viewed as a potential opportunity for disciplined buyers rather than a sign of a market breakdown [22][46] Future Outlook - The upcoming December FOMC meeting is a key event to watch, as it may influence central bank behavior regarding gold purchases [47] - The relationship between slow supply growth and steady official demand is expected to persist, providing a favorable environment for gold miners [45][49]

Core Viewpoint - The article expresses a bullish outlook on the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (NYSEARCA: GDX), driven by concerns regarding the U.S. National debt and the potential for significant upside in the gold sector [1]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - The investment strategy focuses on strategic buying opportunities, particularly in dividend and value stocks, which has led to a near 5-star rating on Tipranks.com and a following of over 9,000 on Seeking Alpha [1]. Group 2: Analyst's Position - The analyst discloses that there are no current stock, option, or similar derivative positions in any of the companies mentioned, nor plans to initiate such positions within the next 72 hours [1].

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices have surged over 55% year-to-date, surpassing $4,300 per ounce, but the market is currently experiencing a price pullback, leading to uncertainty among investors about the continuation of the bull run [1] Group 1: Market Drivers - The current gold market is driven by a structural shift towards hard assets, with gold being viewed as a crucial monetary asset amid currency debasement concerns [2] - Central banks are buying gold at a historic pace, adding 415 tons to their reserves in the first half of 2025, with countries like China and Poland diversifying their holdings [3] - Gold has overtaken the Euro to become the second-largest global reserve asset, providing a strong price floor [3] Group 2: Future Projections - Analysts from major institutions, including Bank of America, suggest that gold could reach $6,000 per ounce due to its re-evaluation as a monetary asset rather than just an inflation hedge [4] Group 3: Investment Strategies - Investors can gain exposure to gold through two primary strategies: direct price exposure via SPDR Gold Trust or leveraged growth through gold mining companies [5] - The SPDR Gold Trust is a physically-backed ETF with over $140 billion in assets under management, providing a straightforward option for tracking gold prices [6] - For higher returns, investing in gold mining companies like Newmont Corporation offers potential for amplified gains due to operational leverage [8][9] Group 4: Company Insights - Newmont Corporation reported a record $1.7 billion in quarterly free cash flow and maintains a low net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.1x, indicating strong financial health [11] - Newmont's management is focused on returning capital to shareholders, maintaining a quarterly dividend and authorizing a $3 billion share repurchase program [11] - The VanEck Gold Miners ETF provides diversification by holding a basket of leading mining companies, including Newmont and Barrick Gold, with nearly $24 billion in assets [12] Group 5: Market Sentiment - Recent market actions indicate strong investor conviction, with over $1.7 billion poured into the SPDR Gold Trust during a recent price pullback, suggesting that investors view the dip as a buying opportunity [10] - The fundamental case for gold is strengthened by ongoing central bank buying and concerns over fiat currency stability, making the recent price correction a strategic window for investors [13][14]