SSR Mining has agreed to acquire Roxmore Resources and its Converse Gold Project, located near its Marigold Complex in Nevada. The project is expected to produce 150,000-170,000 ounces of gold annually starting in 2033, with a mine life exceeding 10 years. This acquisition will help SSRM achieve its target of 350,000-400,000 ounces of annual U.S. production through 2042, generating over $200 million in synergies.

The First Trust Materials AlphaDEX ETF (FXZ) is a passively managed fund providing broad exposure to the Materials sector with $372 million in assets. It has delivered 20.42% year-to-date returns and 27.69% over the past year, with a 0.64% expense ratio. The fund holds about 40 stocks with 85.9% allocation to Materials, led by holdings in Newmont Corporation, Anglogold Ashanti, and Coeur Mining. It carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold) and is considered a medium-risk option with a beta of 1.07.

AngloGold Ashanti declined 1.92% on October 13, 2026, underperforming the S&P 500. The stock has lost 7.01% over the past month, lagging its sector. Despite strong earnings expectations (EPS up 39.39% YoY, revenue up 28.36% YoY), the company holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with a Forward P/E of 11.46, trading at a discount to its industry average. The Mining-Gold industry ranks in the bottom 15% of all industries.

Wheaton Precious Metals (WPM) expects production to increase 50% to 1.2 million gold-equivalent ounces by 2030, driven by development assets including Koné, Fenix, Platreef, Mineral Park, Kurmuk, and El Domo projects. Several projects are targeting Q4 2026 milestones. WPM shares have outperformed the industry with 26.7% gains over the past year, though the stock trades at a premium valuation of 29.80X forward P/E compared to the industry average of 15.29X.

Fredonia Mining Inc. has filed a technical report supporting its preliminary economic assessment for the El Dorado Monserrat gold & silver project in Argentina. The PEA, disclosed on August 31, 2026, highlights 146,000 oz AuEq annual production, US$1.49 billion NPV10, and 65% IRR. The company holds approximately 64,000 hectares in the Deseado Massif region, with its flagship EDM project located near AngloGold Ashanti's Cerro Vanguardia mine.

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) closed down 3.76% on October 7, 2026, underperforming the S&P 500's 0.22% loss. The stock has declined 13.24% over the past month, significantly worse than the Basic Materials sector's 6.74% loss. Despite strong earnings growth projections (39.39% EPS growth and 28.36% revenue growth for the upcoming quarter), the company holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating with a Forward P/E of 11.47, trading at a slight discount to its industry average.

SSR Mining (SSRM) is advancing growth projects at its Puna operations in Argentina, including the Chinchillas laybacks, Melina, and Cortaderas projects to extend mine life. Despite lower first-half 2026 silver production of 3.4M ounces, the company expects 6.25-7M ounces in H2 2026 and maintains full-year guidance of 450,000-535,000 GEOs, representing 10% year-over-year improvement. However, inflationary pressures are pushing AISC toward the top of guidance at $20-$22 per ounce.

AngloGold Ashanti gained 2% on September 29, 2026, outperforming a declining market. The gold miner is expected to report strong earnings growth of 39.39% YoY with revenue rising 28.36%. However, the stock has fallen 17.41% over the past month and carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating, trading at a Forward P/E of 11.37, below its industry average.

SSR Mining Inc. (SSRM) is advancing growth initiatives at its Marigold mine in Nevada, including the Buffalo Valley project, with an updated life-of-mine plan expected by end of 2026. The company expects 2026 Marigold production of 170,000-200,000 ounces, heavily weighted to Q4 with higher grades driving output. SSRM increased 2026 growth capital guidance from $48M to $65M and continues exploration at brownfield targets. The stock trades at a forward P/E of 9.55x, below industry average, with 2026 earnings consensus of $3.87/share (+92.5% YoY), though recent estimates have declined.

While Wall Street analysts maintain an optimistic stance on AngloGold Ashanti with an average brokerage recommendation of 1.89 (Strong Buy/Buy), the Zacks Rank system assigns the stock a #5 (Strong Sell) rating due to declining earnings estimate revisions. The article cautions investors against relying solely on brokerage recommendations, highlighting the disconnect between analyst optimism and fundamental earnings trends.

Three companies have been added to the Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) list today due to significant downward revisions in earnings estimates over the past 60 days. AIA Group Limited saw a 7.8% downward revision, Aisin Corporation experienced a 10.7% downward revision, and AngloGold Ashanti faced a dramatic 101.2% downward revision in consensus earnings estimates.

Wheaton Precious Metals (WPM) has shown solid performance in 2026, driven by its $4.3 billion precious metals purchase agreement with BHP Group for the Antamina mine. The deal increased WPM's attributable silver to 67.5% and boosted Q2 silver production to 2.3 million ounces (up 56% year-over-year). WPM expects 2026 production of 860,000-940,000 GEOs and targets 1.2 million GEOs annually by 2030. However, WPM trades at a premium valuation (31.24X forward P/E vs. 17.16X industry average) and carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating.