As of January 2026, precious metals have experienced significant price increases, with gold trading above $5,300 per ounce and silver exceeding $110 per ounce. Gold has risen approximately 23% in January, marking its best monthly performance since the 1980s, while in 2025, gold increased by 65.2% and silver by more than 150%, significantly outpacing global equities.
Despite macroeconomic challenges, the mean earnings-per-share (EPS) estimate for the Zacks S&P 500 Composite indicates a robust growth of 29.3% in 2026. Notable sectors poised for growth include artificial intelligence infrastructure and semiconductors—particularly companies like NVIDIA and Micron Technology—as well as precious metals, with firms such as Newmont and Barrick expected to report 20.8% and 45% earnings growth, respectively.
The ongoing volatility in 2026 has led to selective capital rotation toward assets with strong pricing power and balance sheets, emphasizing the importance of targeted sector exposure rather than broad market investments in achieving substantial returns.
