YieldMax ETFs launched the YieldMax Strategic Metals & Mining Portfolio Option Income ETF (NYSE: MINY) on February 27, 2026. The fund seeks to generate current income through options-based strategies on strategic metals and mining companies, with Tidal Investments LLC as the investment adviser. The fund's first distribution is expected to be announced on March 10, 2026.

Hecla Mining shares surged 10.8% after reporting strong Q4 earnings with record revenue of $1.4 billion in 2025. The company dramatically reduced net debt to $34 million, plans to sell its gold subsidiary for up to $593 million, and will increase silver exposure to 73% while doubling exploration spending to $55 million in 2026.

Gold prices have surged with tight physical supply, making mining stocks more attractive than physical gold. The article highlights several precious metals companies as strong investment opportunities, including Hecla Mining, First Majestic Silver, Alamos Gold, Kinross Gold, and Eldorado Gold. CF Industries is also discussed as a cyclical fertilizer play benefiting from strong farming demand.

Gold remains a strong investment with prices rising above $5,000. The article highlights three stocks poised for strong earnings: Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) with 109.8% expected earnings growth driven by gold demand, Hecla Mining (HL) benefiting from Boeing's aerospace orders with 30.5% earnings growth, and Vertiv (VRT) with 31% earnings growth from data center cooling demand. All three companies show positive earnings revisions and strong surprise histories.

Despite gold falling over $600 from its January peak of $5,600/oz following Kevin Warsh's Fed nomination, precious metals remain attractive to investors in 2026. Gold mining stocks have surged 147% in the past year. Three standout companies are highlighted: Hecla Mining (dual gold/silver focus with 300% gains), Coeur Mining (pursuing M&A strategy with New Gold acquisition), and Kinross Gold (record free cash flow of $687M in Q3 2025 with 185% annual gains).

Ten large-cap stocks experienced significant declines during the week of January 26-30, 2026. Unity Software fell 31.63% following CEO comments about world models amid competition from Google's Project Genie. Precious metals stocks including Hecla Mining (down 33.33%) and Coeur Mining (down 26.13%) declined after President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair strengthened the dollar. Healthcare stocks UnitedHealth (down 17.87%) and Humana (down 26.07%) fell after analyst downgrades. Other notable losers included The Trade Desk (down 16.61%), First Majestic Silver (down 22.86%), Axon Enterprise (down 20.88%), Reddit (down 16.79%), and Regencell Bioscience (down 13.38%).

Gold and silver prices collapsed on Friday, with silver down 27% and gold down 9.5% — their worst single-day declines since 1980. The selloff was triggered by President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair, perceived as a hawk who prioritizes inflation control over monetary stimulus. This unwound the 'debasement trade' that had driven precious metals higher in January, causing mining stocks to suffer double-digit losses.

As commodity prices surge to record highs driven by currency debasement concerns, geopolitical instability, and supply deficits, five commodity-linked stocks are positioned to capitalize on these trends. Gold producers, silver miners, copper companies, and energy firms offer leveraged exposure to rallies in precious metals, industrial metals, and oil, with strong financial health scores and significant upside potential.

Ten large-cap stocks were top performers last week, led by precious metals and semiconductor companies. Hecla Mining gained 29.31% amid geopolitical tensions and weakening US dollar, while First Majestic Silver rose 26.57%. Moderna jumped 17.44% following positive cancer vaccine trial data. Micron Technology gained 13.21% after analyst coverage initiation. Other gainers included Venture Global (21.6%), New Gold (24.03%), Coeur Mining (23.13%), Korea Electric Power (15.29%), and United Microelectronics (13.82%).

Hecla Mining stock surged 20% this week to an all-time high, driven by silver prices crossing $100 per ounce for the first time and rising gold prices. As the largest primary silver producer in the U.S. and Canada, Hecla is benefiting from a persistent 5-year silver supply deficit and increased industrial demand. The company also received a boost from being added to the S&P MidCap 400 index.

The Russell 2000 small-cap index has surged to record highs in early 2026, outperforming the S&P 500 and the Magnificent Seven tech stocks for the first time since 2008. Driven by strong economic data, improving earnings revisions, and broad-based gains across 77% of constituents, small caps are positioned for continued outperformance. Five stocks—Bloom Energy, Kratos Defense, AeroVironment, Hecla Mining, and TTM Technologies—have contributed significantly to the rally.

Silver surged past $92 per ounce for the first time on record, up 200% over the past year, driven by easing inflation expectations, Federal Reserve rate cut bets, safe-haven flows, and structural supply deficits. While silver miners have underperformed the commodity, five silver-focused miners have delivered comparable gains over the past three months, presenting a potential catch-up trade opportunity.