Metals & Mining – Pre & Post Market
Synopsis
Equities started the week on a positive note, with major U.S. indices rising modestly. Precious metals were highly volatile: gold and silver sold off sharply late last week, then rebounded strongly. Gold is posting its biggest one-day gain since 2008, while silver remains especially volatile. Analysts continue to point to central-bank buying, geopolitical uncertainty, and reserve diversification as longer-term supports for precious metals. Supply-side disruptions in global coal markets added to broader commodity uncertainty.
Metals Snapshot (Latest)
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Gold: +6.1% to $4,936.80/oz | Monthly +14.1% | YTD +13.8%
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Silver: +12.6% to $86.64/oz | Monthly +22.1% | YTD +22.8%
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Copper: +3.9% to $6.05/lb | Monthly +6.3% | YTD +6.5%
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Nickel: −5.7% to $16,540/mt | Monthly −1.3% | YTD +0.3%
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Zinc: +0.9% to $3,372/mt | Monthly +8.6% | YTD +10.1%
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Aluminum: −2.2% to $3,042/mt | Monthly +1.9% | YTD +2.5%
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U.S. Dollar Index: −0.1% to 97.57 | Monthly −0.9% | YTD −0.8%
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Volatility Index: −1.4% to 16.11 | Monthly +12.6% | YTD +9.3%
Precious Metals
Exploration and development activity remained active, with updates ranging from high-grade drilling results to new permits that clear the way for future production. Several projects advanced toward resource definition or commercial development, reinforcing longer-term supply considerations for gold and silver markets.
Base Metals
Drilling programs continued across uranium, copper, zinc, and polymetallic assets, with reported results supporting the potential for further resource expansion. Investor focus remains on supply security and strategic metals amid global energy transition themes.
Energy – Pre & Post Market
Commodities Pricing
Pre-Market
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WTI crude: +0.5% to $62.48
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Brent crude: +0.3% to $66.54
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Natural gas: +0.5% to $3.255
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Gasoline: +0.7% to $1.864
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Diesel: +1.1% to $2.387
Post-Market
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WTI crude: −4.7% to $62.14
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Brent crude: −4.4% to $66.30
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Natural gas: −25.7% to $3.237
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Gasoline: −4.7% to $1.851
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Diesel: −6.8% to $2.361
Oil
Oil prices declined sharply as geopolitical negotiations resurfaced, U.S. production recovered, and global supply conditions appeared more balanced. OPEC+ left production quotas unchanged, while diplomatic developments involving major oil-producing regions weighed on near-term prices. Despite the pullback, demand expectations remain constructive into the spring.
Natural Gas
Natural gas experienced its largest one-day drop in 30 years, falling nearly 26%, driven by warmer weather forecasts after a strong January rally. Storage withdrawals remain historically large, but expectations for reduced heating demand pressured prices both in the U.S. and Europe.
Stocks
Energy equities broadly underperformed the broader market following the commodity selloff. Exploration and production names were the weakest, while midstream and service-oriented segments were more resilient. Volatility increased across the sector as investors reassessed near-term earnings and cash flow expectations.
On Deck
Investors will be watching upcoming labor market data, inflation readings, energy inventory reports, and earnings releases, all of which could influence commodity prices and market sentiment in the days ahead.
