The article recommends that long-term investors seeking gold exposure should consider streaming and royalty companies like Franco-Nevada, Royal Gold, and Wheaton Precious Metals rather than direct gold ownership or mining stocks. These companies finance miners in exchange for future gold purchases at advantaged prices, offering diversified portfolios, growth potential, and protected margins without the operational risks of mining businesses.

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. announced its second quarterly cash dividend for 2026 of US$0.195 per common share, representing an 18% increase from the same period in 2025. The dividend will be paid on June 9, 2026, to shareholders of record as of May 27, 2026. The company continues to offer a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) with treasury share issuances at average market price without discount.

Silver miners ETF (SIL) delivered 135.40% returns over 12 months, significantly outpacing gold miners ETF (GDX) at 91.10%. While SIL offers higher returns and dividend yield, GDX provides lower costs, larger assets, and greater diversification. Both funds carry higher volatility than physical metals, with SIL experiencing steeper drawdowns historically. The choice depends on investor risk tolerance and market outlook.

Wheaton Precious Metals stock has surged 75% over the past year but experienced a 30% decline amid geopolitical tensions. While gold and silver prices hit all-time highs in early 2026, concerns about a speculative bubble emerged when Middle East tensions caused precious metals prices to drop unexpectedly. The stock has since recovered, but investors should exercise caution as historical expectations may not hold given the steep recent run-up in prices.

With gold and silver prices surging amid geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures, precious metals mining stocks offer leveraged exposure to rising commodity prices. Agnico Eagle Mines and Wheaton Precious Metals are highlighted as well-positioned options due to their insulation from rising fuel costs through clean energy usage and streaming agreements, respectively.

Wheaton Precious Metals (WPM) is positioned as a strong inflation hedge due to its unique streaming business model that locks in fixed costs for gold and silver through 2030, insulating it from inflationary pressures while allowing it to benefit from rising precious metals prices. The company's expected 11% production growth this year and 50% by 2030, combined with its historically superior performance compared to gold and silver alone, make it an attractive option for investors seeking inflation protection.

While the S&P 500 has declined, Canadian mining stocks Agnico Eagle Mines and Wheaton Precious Metals have surged over 19% and 22% respectively in 2026. Agnico Eagle, the world's second-largest gold producer, benefits from low-risk jurisdictions and strong operational efficiency with record earnings. Wheaton Precious Metals, a streaming company, achieved record profits with an 80% revenue increase, capitalizing on fixed purchase costs as gold prices exceed $5,000 per ounce. Both companies increased dividends by double-digit percentages with room for further hikes.

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. announced an 18% increase to its first quarterly dividend for 2026, raising it to US$0.195 per share from US$0.165 in Q4 2025. The company declared record dividends of US$0.66 per share in 2025. The dividend will be paid on April 10, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2026.

The article advises cautious, small allocations to Bitcoin and gold due to their limitations, but recommends precious metals streaming and royalty companies as a better alternative for long-term investors seeking growth and dividends.

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.

Highlander Silver Corp. has successfully completed its acquisition of Bear Creek Mining Corporation through a plan of arrangement, with Bear Creek becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary. Highlander paid US$6.2 million to Royal Gold and US$1.6 million to Equinox to settle debts, and repaid Wheaton Precious Metals. Bear Creek shares will be delisted from TSX Venture Exchange on or about March 2, 2026. The combined entity will focus on advancing the San Luis gold-silver project in Peru.

Tungsten prices have surged fivefold over the past year due to prolonged underinvestment and tightening Chinese exports, with ammonium paratungstate trading at approximately $1,775 per metric tonne unit. Copper prices have jumped above $11,000 per tonne for the first time, with StoneX estimating the copper market deficit will nearly double to 333,000 tonnes in 2026. Major mining companies are advancing critical mineral projects in stable jurisdictions to capitalize on tightening supply fundamentals.