As we approach the first days of Spring, at least in the northern hemisphere, we are cautiously optimistic about the metal markets and the equities linked to them.
Inflation has surged in early 2024, signaling that the US Federal Reserve is unlikely to rush into interest rate cuts. While this positively impacted the US dollar, it held back the gold price, yet precious metal equities remained resilient. On the other hand, most industrial metals and base metals equities outperformed.
The Exploration Insights Portfolio had a positive week, bookended by a pair of grassroots copper explorers with contrasting fortunes. I delve into the expansion of private land earmarked for development by a Top Pick copper play in southern Arizona.
Additionally, I review updates from a pair of prospect generators, one grappling with losing a joint venture partner while the other progresses with drilling programs in Guatemala and Mexico. I also cover a metallurgical update from a gold development play in southern Idaho and examine the full-year financial results from another in Nevada.
In Stock Talk, I’m initiating a position in a rare earth element developer in Chile and Brazil while divesting a US-based uranium developer and producer to lock in gains and create some space in the portfolio.