Nick Hodge, Co-Owner of Digest Publishing and editor of Foundational Profits and Underground Alpha, joins us for our monthly longer-format discussion on macroeconomic factors moving the markets, turning up the summer heat in resource stocks coming into August. He also shares portfolio management strategies in select gold, silver, copper, rare earths, and uranium stocks. We start off reviewing some shifts in macroeconomics movers: A reduction in strength in US Dollar, with the dollar index moving back below 100 Recent rolling over of interest rates, which had previously been rising based on anticipated hawking Fed policy from Warsh’s prior meetings and statements Improving US economic data on some fronts may have the Fed in a more neutral position A desensitization of geopolitics around the US/Iran negotiations and the supposed reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. US treasury financial intervention to support Japan, staving off their potential need to liquidate US treasuries, or any rapid unwind of the carry trade. Capex investments in AI data-center build-outs are ongoing. The conversation then transitioned from macroeconomics into recent uplift in gold, silver, and precious metals stocks. Nick is less animated by PM seasonality trends coming out of the Summer Doldrums, pointing to the changes in the US dollar and interest rates as the key factors that have led to this recent sector bounce. He mentioned that this lull in the summer doldrums in both sentiment and weak price action was a common theme from the recent Rule symposium; and conceded that in the later summer, once more investors are back from vacations and more focused on the markets again, that this may bring in more trading volumes and participation. We highlighted the wave of sector news on tap from now into September conference season. All this coming news can provide fundamental catalysts, from compelling Q2 earnings results in PM producers, to key upcoming milestones and studies for developers, and then all the summer drill programs. Nick highlighted PM stocks moving on recent news like Revival Gold Inc. (TSXV: RVG) (OTCQX: RVLGF), Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV: HAN) (OTC: HANNF), San Lorenzo Gold Corp. (TSXV: SLG) (OTCQB: SNLGF), and Osisko Gold Group Inc. (NYSE: OGG, TSXV: OGG). He pointed out that the market is still not rewarding exploration news that shows some geological “smoke” but didn’t hit “fire,” mentioning his portfolio position in Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. (TSXV:QZM)(OTCQX:QZMRF) There are some companies with he remains animated by for all the coming assay results from ongoing drill programs like Kingsmen Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KNG) (OTCQB: KNGRF) Next we switch over to the continued strength in copper, making new all-time highs again this week. While we note the strong demand fundamentals, and supply constraints, Nick explains that the influx of copper into the US, and pricing arbitrage compared to London or Shanghai exchanges, may be due to investors positioning in front of potential tariff announcements on copper from the Trump administration. Copper stocks we discuss are Gladiator Metals Corp. (TSXV: GLAD) (OTCQB: GDTRF), Hudbay Minerals Inc. (TSX: HBM) (NYSE: HBM), and Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO, NYSE: ERO). When reviewing where Nick is seeing the most government focus in the commodities sector, he highlights it is clearly in the Critical Minerals. While multiple sectors from uranium, to lithium, to heavy rare earths have been sold down lately, the supply chain chokepoints outside of China remain, and the fundamentals for these strategic metals continuing to improve. Nick highlights the ongoing direct investment and policy initiatives into the rare earths processors, separators, recyclers, noting prior government investments into Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE American: TMQ) (TSX: TMQ), Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC), MP Materials (NYSE: MP), and USA Rare Earth, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAR). He flags the recent $725 million financing commitment from the Department of War, U.S. Office of Strategic Capital, for Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR) which was approved to support infrastructure and capacity to process rare earth elements and other critical materials domestically. CoTec Holdings Corp. (TSXV:CTH)(OTCQX:CTHCF) is company he remains animated by for similar reasons, due to their exposure to recycling material to extract and produce rare earth magnets and strategic materials. He believes this could attract government interest like is has in the aforementioned companies. Click here to follow Nick’s analysis and publications over at Digest Publishing For more market commentary & interview summaries, subscribe to our Substacks: The KE Report: https://kereport.substack.com/ Shad’s resource market commentary: https://excelsiorprosperity.substack.com/ Investment disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investing in equities and commodities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Guests and hosts may own shares in companies mentioned.
