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Part of NBC Super Bowl pregame show to air live from Alcatraz

NBC is heading for an island getaway.

Perhaps best known as the prison that housed Al Capone for nearly half a decade, Alcatraz Island has seen many uses over the years. Originally set aside in 1850 for potential use as a military reservation, the island was later transformed into a prison and eventually the tourist site it is today.

On Super Bowl Sunday, it will be the site for part of the Super Bowl 60 pregame show on NBC and Peacock. It marks the first live broadcast in the island’s history, according to a release from NBC.

Watch Super Bowl 60 with a Peacock subscription

There will be multiple segments throughout the pregame show, with Hall of Fame head coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison and co-host Jac Collinsworth broadcasting live from multiple locations starting at 1 p.m. ET.

‘Coverage will feature a look at the island’s historic significance as a military base, prison, and seabird conservation site, as well as the 19-month occupation by Native Americans in support of freedom and civil rights,’ the release said.

The news was announced as part of a collaboration with the National Park Service, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and Alcatraz City Cruises.

NBC’s coverage of Super Bowl 60 between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks begins at Noon ET with ‘The Road to the Super Bowl,’ before the pregame begins at 1 p.m. ET.

Kickoff of Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Justin Jefferson on Sam Darnold’s Seahawks success: ‘Tough to watch’

You never know what you have until it’s gone – just ask the Minnesota Vikings.

That reality hasn’t been lost on Justin Jefferson, who has wondered how different things could’ve been if the Vikings didn’t let Sam Darnold leave in free agency after the 2024 season.

‘Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, how we were dealt it,’ Jefferson told USA TODAY Sports. ‘But having a quarterback that already had a season under his belt with us, knew the plays, knew the playbook, knew the players, throwing to me, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, all these guys, I definitely feel like we would have done better.’

The 2024 season was a breakout one for Darnold. Originally an insurance option behind rookie J.J. McCarthy, Darnold claimed the starting job after McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason.

Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season record before falling short in the playoffs. He would depart in free agency for the Seattle Seahawks as Minnesota opted to hitch its wagon to McCarthy. One year later, Darnold led the Seahawks to a 14-3 regular season record and is preparing to start in Super Bowl 60.

The Vikings missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record and instead got to watch their former quarterback’s success from afar.

‘It’s definitely tough. It’s tough to watch,’ Jefferson said about Darnold’s success after leaving the Vikings. ‘Of course, I love that he’s in the Super Bowl. I’m happy for him, I want nothing but the best for him, especially the way his journey was at first, people doubting him and people not giving him the respect. Now they’re giving him that respect. Now they’re seeing that he’s a top-tier quarterback in this league.

‘Of course, selfishly, I wish that he had done that for us last year, but to see him blossom and bounce back right after last year and make it this year, I’m all happy for him, and I hope he wins. I’m rooting for Seattle and I think Seattle’s going to win. I’ll be rooting for him.’

While the former Vikings thrived in the Pacific Northwest, the Minnesota was dealing with growing pains from McCarthy, who struggled in his first action as a pro. The young quarterback also dealt with injuries, forcing the team to start three different quarterbacks throughout the season.

The revolving door helped result in the worst season of Jefferson’s career to this point, posting career-low marks in receiving yards (1,048), touchdowns (2) and yards per reception (12.5) despite playing in all 17 games.

Those numbers kept the star receiver out of the Pro Bowl, which he wasn’t happy about either.

‘Oh, trust me, I was pissed off I wasn’t a Pro Bowler this year,’ Jefferson said. ‘Just with the (difficult) season and still having 1,000 yards, I always try to be consistent and in the Pro Bowls.’

The four-time Pro Bowler wants to surpass the Vikings’ career Pro Bowl appearances by a single player, which is held by eight-time Pro Bowler, Cris Carter.

‘[A Pro Bowl selection] classifies you as one of the best in the league,’ Jefferson said. ‘So it’s definitely tough not being a part of that this year, but I’m determined. That gives me more juice to put that work in for me not to be in this situation next year.’

While Darnold won’t be walking through the Vikings’ door anytime soon, Jefferson and Co. will get back to work in the hopes that 2026 is a return to form for everyone in Minnesota.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Will Bucks trade their superstar? Best landing spots for Giannis

Now more than ever, it’s a near inevitability that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are nearing the end of their relationship.

It may come before the Thursday, Feb. 5 trading deadline, or it may come in the offseason, but Antetokounmpo has reportedly indicated that he’s ready to move on from the Bucks. Milwaukee, understandably, has started to listen to offers and may consider shipping the two-time Most Valuable Player before the deadline.

Yet, even if a deal cannot be reached by then, the Bucks could still move Antetokounmpo over the offseason, when suitors would have more financial flexibility and draft capital available to package in an offer.

With that said, which teams can actually present compelling cases to land the versatile star?

Here are potential landing spots for Giannis Antetokounmpo:

Chicago Bulls

This is an option that has come on strong over the past few days. The Bulls have been caught somewhere between trying to contend in the East but coming up short and showing hesitation to fully rebuild. A trade for Antetokounmpo would indicate Chicago is going all-in.

The Bulls, however, have a mix of young players and draft capital. Chicago can package several first-round picks and pick swaps over the next few drafts, so the question will come down to how Milwaukee views Chicago’s players. Point guard Josh Giddey (23) and shooting guard Ayo Dosunmu (26) are the most appealing trade chips, but the Bulls will also probably try to unload guard Coby White (25) or center Zach Collins (28).

As with any team that would be looking to swing a deal, it would be hard to part with these high-value assets unless Antetokounmpo would commit to his new franchise for the long-term. Chicago is close to Milwaukee, and that might provide some comfort for Antetokounmpo.

Miami Heat

This is going to depend on what the Bucks are actually prioritizing in a return, but the Heat may have a compelling case. Miami has more depth than star power and it has some younger players with promise who could be part of a Bucks rebuild.

The centerpiece would be 2024-25 All-Star guard Tyler Herro (26 years old), who has had injury concerns, but who has been a steady scoring threat when on the floor. Second-year center Kel’el Ware (21) is another intriguing player who has excellent rebounding ability; Ware ranks seventh in the NBA in rebounds this season (435), despite playing considerably fewer minutes than the players ahead of him. Ware has had motor concerns, but he’s an excellent lob threat and can stretch the floor with shooting range.

Miami can also offer a combination of Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24), Pelle Larsson (24), Nikola Jović (22), Kasparas Jakučionis (19) and two first-round draft picks. And, if Miami can move Andrew Wiggins (perhaps to the Lakers, say), the Heat could potentially recoup another pick to package in an Antetokounmpo deal.

Golden State Warriors

Whereas Miami has a blend of talent and draft capital, the Warriors have an abundance of picks. Golden State can trade up to four first-round draft picks, but it lacks young and promising players that might entice the Bucks. Jonathan Kuminga is the lone piece in that equation, and — even then — he has been inconsistent and has frequently played himself out of Steve Kerr’s rotation.

In fact, just to make the salaries work, Golden State would need to include costly veterans like Draymond Green (turns 36 in early March) or Jimmy Butler (36; torn anterior cruciate ligament). For a team that would be looking to rebuild, those are simply not exciting options. For Milwaukee to like this deal, it would need to think that the post-Stephen Curry years would lead to lean seasons, and therefore more desirable draft picks. It might be hard, however, for Bucks general manager Jon Horst to justify a trade that ships Antetokounmpo if there’s no promising young player attached to it.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Reportedly, Minnesota is being aggressive in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, but it may lack the draft capital to pull it off. All of which means the Timberwolves would need to include a third or fourth team to execute the deal.

What they do have is early- and mid-career players who may tempt Milwaukee. Jaden McDaniels (25), Terrence Shannon Jr. (25), Rob Dillingham (21) and Joan Beringer (19) are the young pieces. But, given that the Timberwolves would need to involve another team(s?), veterans like Julius Randle and Naz Reid could potentially need to be involved.

The Bucks would certainly listen, but there’s no question this doesn’t get done unless other teams reroute first-round draft picks toward Milwaukee.

New York Knicks

This had reportedly been Antetokounmpo’s preferred landing spot, given its market size, ability to compete for championships and proximity to international airports that can get him to his native Greece with relative ease.

And while the Knicks do have some interesting assets that could entice the Bucks, New York doesn’t have draft capital or young players with promise.

For one, the easy assumption is that forward-center Karl-Anthony Towns would be a seamless swap, but Milwaukee just signed center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract that keeps him with the Bucks through the 2027-28 season, with a player option for the following year.

Turner and Towns have similar skill sets, and Towns feels like a redundancy in Milwaukee. The Bucks are probably more intrigued by wings OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, with whom New York might be less willing to part. The Knicks would almost certainly require the addition of a third or fourth team to facilitate the deal.

The Bucks reportedly prefer younger talent and draft capital, neither of which the Knicks necessarily have, at least right now. Towns is 30, Bridges 29, Anunoby 28. Backup point guard Miles McBride is 25, but he would need to be a secondary piece in any deal. For this to work, the Knicks would need to get creative in finding ways to sweeten their package.

Either way, an ESPN report Monday, Feb. 2 indicated that the Knicks aren’t aggressively pursuing Antetokounmpo and like their core. An alternative read of this report is that New York may be trying to preserve optics if it received an indication that the Bucks didn’t express interest in their package.

Atlanta Hawks

This looks like another interesting spot because the Hawks do have a balance of both young talent and draft capital. For one, the Hawks already own a massively valuable draft pick, an unprotected 2026 first-rounder that’s the most favorable between the Pelicans and the Bucks. New Orleans currently has the NBA’s third-worst winning percentage and the Bucks are 18-27. There’s a high likelihood that this pick will be a high lottery selection.

The Hawks may not want to part with that selection, but Atlanta nonetheless has plenty of draft capital and swaps it can offer.

The Bucks, though, may want to get talented forward Jalen Johnson in return. The Hawks have built their team around Johnson and may not make him available. That would complicate things, as Zaccharie Risacher, rookie Asa Newell and Luke Kennard likely won’t be enough to sway Milwaukee.

The field

Could the Phoenix Suns be a player in a package led by Jalen Green, a dynamic but inconsistent athlete who has played just four games this year? Could the Cleveland Cavaliers feel they need to make a drastic shift to contend, potentially packaging Evan Mobley in a deal? Could the Dallas Mavericks send veterans like Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson to Milwaukee? What about a young team like the Washington Wizards, who have more young players than veterans?

What about teams that are already contenders like the Houston Rockets or San Antonio Spurs? Could they tear up their current (and successful) builds for a push to compete? This seems less likely.

There’s always the possibility of the infamous mystery team that could be lurking. The reality is, of the 29 teams in the NBA aside from the Bucks, all but one or two of them are probably discussing if there’s a viable path to get him.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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10 Biggest EV Stocks to Watch in 2026

The energy revolution is here to stay, and electric vehicles (EVs) have become part of the mainstream narrative.

The shift toward green energy is gathering momentum, with governments adding more incentives to accelerate this transition. Increasing EV sales are good news for battery metals investors, as EVs are significant drivers for commodities such as lithium, cobalt and graphite, key components in the cathodes of EV batteries. Additionally, interest in EV options outside of Tesla is heating up, and Chinese EVs are increasing in popularity outside of the country.

Read on to learn about the top US and Chinese EV stocks, and the batteries and battery suppliers they’re using for their current and upcoming models.

1. Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)

Market cap: US$1.62 trillion

First on the list is EV maker Tesla, which has brought significant attention to the EV narrative.

The company’s story starts in 2003, when it was founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Elon Musk invested in the company in 2004, becoming the largest shareholder, and eventually became its CEO in 2008. A well-known story for battery metals investors, the company made headlines in 2014 when it broke ground at its first gigafactory in Nevada, US, an unthinkable proposition at the time.

Outside of the US, Tesla also has gigafactories in China and Germany. Tesla’s massive Shanghai Gigafactory was the company’s first auto plant outside of the United States. The company produces Model 3s and Model Ys for China and global export.

Tesla uses a range of different lithium-ion batteries in its models. In partnership with Panasonic (TSE:6752), at its Nevada gigafactory Tesla produces batteries with nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) cathodes — different from most of Tesla’s competitors, which use a nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) mix.

Tesla announced in 2021 that it was changing the battery chemistry for its standard-range vehicles to lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cathodes, which are cobalt- and nickel-free. China’s largest battery maker, CATL (SZSE:300750), is a key supplier of LFP batteries for Tesla, particularly for the Shanghai and Berlin gigafactories.

Changes in US tariffs on EVs made or sourced in China have impacted Tesla’s business, leading the company to try diversifying its supply chain. Last year, South Korea’s LG Energy Solution (KRX:373220) signed a US$4.3 billion deal to supply Tesla with LFP batteries from its factory in Michigan, US, starting in 2027.

On the other hand, Tesla’s prime EV position got a boost in the first quarter of 2026 Canada announced it would allow imports of up to 49,000 Chinese-made EVs per year, and lowered tariffs on them from 100 to 6.1 percent. Half of that quota could apply to Tesla’s EVs made in Shanghai, while the other half is dedicated to EVs priced under C$35,000.

Image via Tesla.

2. BYD Company (OTCPK:BYDDY,HKEX:1211)

Market cap: US$116 billion

Leading Chinese EV maker BYD Company was founded in 1995 and is a top producer of several kinds of rechargeable batteries, including nickel-metal hydride batteries and NCM batteries. BYD has a vertically integrated supply chain, from mineral battery cells to battery packs.

Backed by Warren Buffett, in 2020 BYD officially launched its Blade battery, a less bulky LFP battery. The following year, the company announced that it would use the Blade LFP batteries for all of its pure electric models.

In April 2025, BYD released two new EV models, the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, based on its new Super e-platform, which allows users to add 400 kilometers (248 miles) of range in five minutes of charging, and charge to 100 percent in 20 minutes.

BYD’s range of models include low-cost options such as the Seagull and Dolphin. Because of this, the company stands to benefit from Canada’s decision to allow imports and slash tariffs for up to 49,000 Chinese EVs per year, half of which must be under C$35,000.

For the first time, in 2025, BYD overtook Tesla as the world’s biggest EV seller in terms of annual sales. BYD sold 2.25 million units for the year, up 28 percent over 2024, compared to the 1.64 million units sold by Tesla in 2025, down 9 percent from the previous year.

Image via BYD.

3. Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:RIVN)

Market cap: US$18.08 billion

Founded in 2009 in Florida, US, Rivian designs, develops and manufactures EVs and accessories and sells them directly to customers in the consumer and commercial markets.

The US company is based in Irvine, California, and manufactures its vehicles in Illinois.

The carmaker announced plans to use cells made with LFP chemistries for its standard-level vehicles in 2022, and in 2023 announced plans to switch its entire lineup to this type of battery. South Korea’s Samsung SDI (KRX:006400) and LG Energy Solutions are Rivian’s current battery suppliers.

Last year, the company revealed e-scooters to market through its spinoff electric micromobility company named Also. The scooters are expected to hit the market in mid-2026. It has plans to launch a three-wheel EV line as well.

In early January 2026, Rivian reached a major milestone toward full-scale production of its new R2 with the manufacturing of validation builds at its plant in Illinois. This latest reiteration will be priced starting at US$45,000, with first deliveries slated for the first half of this year. Rivian sold 42,247 EVs in 2025.

Image via Rivian.

4. XPeng (NYSE:XPEV)

Market cap: US$17.49 billion

Xpeng is a Chinese EV maker focused on smart EVs. The company’s main manufacturing plant is located in Guangdong province.

Xpeng now uses LFP batteries for 99 percent of its EV lineup. CALB (HKEX:3931) is Xpeng’s largest battery supplier, and its other suppliers include CATL, BYD, Sunwoda Electronic (SZSE:300207) and EVE Energy (SZSE:300014).

Last year, the company showcased its 2025 XPENG X9 flagship vehicle, with self-driving capabilities powered by Xpeng’s self-developed Turing AI chip. At the same time, Xpeng unveiled its AEROHT Land Aircraft Carrier, slated for mass production in 2026. The company bills it as ‘the world’s first modular flying car.’

XPeng’s 2025 EV sales reached 429,445 units. The company has ambitious goals for 2026, aiming to sell between 550,000 and 600,000 EVs during the year. XPeng is launching four new SUV models this year: the XPeng G01 and XPeng G02, as well as two models from the Mona series, the D02 and D03.

Image via Xpeng.

5. Li Auto (NASDAQ:LI)

Market cap: US$17.03 billion

Li Auto bills itself as a pioneer in successfully commercializing extended-range EVs in China, and is a leader in China’s full-size and large SUV markets. The company started volume production of its first model, Li ONE, in November 2019, and launched its initial public offering in July 2020, raising US$1.1 billion.

Li Auto has battery supply agreements with CATL, Sunwoda Electronic and SVOLT Energy Technology.

One of the main differences between Li Auto and the other companies on this list is that Li Auto’s models allow battery pack charging with electricity or gas. The company calls this design extended-range EV technology.

Li Auto launched its first all-electric car, Li MEGA MPV, in 2024. In 2025, the company followed that with its second all-electric vehicle, the i8 SUV, which uses an NMC battery and maxes out at 536 horsepower. Li Auto also broadened its markets last year, launching three core models (Li L9, Li L7 and Li L6) in Egypt, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Li Auto achieved a significant milestone in 2025, with annual sales surpassing 1.5 million units. This made it “the first among China’s new EV startups to reach that mark,” according to the company’s Chairman and CEO Li Xiang.

Image via Li Auto.

6. NIO (NYSE:NIO)

Market cap: US$10.36 billion

Founded in 2014, Chinese EV maker NIO designs, jointly manufactures and sells smart and connected premium EVs.

NIO’s strategy includes its battery-as-a-service endeavor, a subscription purchasing model where buyers lease vehicle batteries. The company says the idea behind this move is to reduce vehicle costs. The service is run by a battery asset company, with NIO and leading battery maker CATL owning a stake. CATL is already NIO’s sole battery supplier.

The company has built battery swap stations that allow drivers with low batteries to pull up and have it swapped for a full battery within minutes. Its fifth generation swap stations are expected to roll out starting in 2026.

In September 2021, the company introduced a standard-range hybrid-cell battery that combines NCM and LFP cells. NIO is also offering the world’s longest-range semi-solid-state battery on a rental basis through its partnership with Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology.

In 2024, NIO launched its newest EV brand, Firefly, in China. The first model in this brand is a small car for city dwellers who struggle with finding convenient parking, as it can locate available spots and use parking assist to maneuver into them. Drivers are also be able to access the above-mentioned battery swap program.

NIO reported 2025 vehicle sales of 326,028 units, an increase of 46.9 percent year-over-year. Launched in September 2025, its flagship ES8 SUV became the fastest-selling EV in China in its price category by the end of the year. The company plans to bring three new large SUV models to the market in 2026, and expand into Australia and New Zealand in the second half of the year.

Image via Nio Newsroom.

7. VinFast Auto (NASDAQ:VFS)

Market cap: US$7.72 billion

VinFast Auto, Vietnam’s first global automotive manufacturer, is a multinational EV manufacturer producing both affordable and luxury EVs. The company’s lineup also includes an electric pickup truck known as the VF Wild.

VinFast has showrooms and service centers in North America, including in 14 US states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario, British Columbia and Québec.

Vietnam is the EV maker’s largest market, and it significantly expanded its footprint in Asia in 2025, adding numerous showrooms in the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Last year, the company brought a new manufacturing facility online in India and opened its first Indonesian assembly plant in December. It is scheduled to scale up production and launch new models, including electric two-wheelers, in 2026.

Image via VinFast.

8. Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology (OTC Pink:ZJLMF,HKEX:9863)

Market cap: US$7.58 billion

The Leapmotor brand first launched in China in 2017. The EV manufacturer designs and supplies its own battery packs for its vehicles.

Major auto maker Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) became a 20 percent shareholder in late 2023. The following year, the two entities formed the 51/49 joint venture company Leapmotor International, in which Stellantis holds the controlling interest. The joint venture is focused on selling and manufacturing Leapmotor vehicles outside of China.

The company’s current models in the market include seven seater SUV C16, mid-size crossover SUV C10, smart electric SUV C11, smart-tech C11 SUV, compact SUV B10, the new B01 sedan and T03 city EV.

Leapmotor unveiled its B01 electric sedan in April 2025. The vehicle is powered by LFP batteries from Gotion High-tech, CALB and Zenergy.

At the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, Leapmotor showcased the three EVs it has launched in Europe since expanding into the market: the B03X compact electric SUV, the B05 hatchback and the B10 range-extended electric vehicle.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

9. Lucid Group (NASDAQ:LCID)

Market cap: US$3.59 billion

Headquartered in California, Lucid Group was founded in 2007 and produces luxury electric cars. The company’s first car, Lucid Air, is a state-of-the-art luxury sedan that is being produced at its US factory in Casa Grande, Arizona.

In April 2025, Lucid announced the acquisition of select Arizona-based facilities and assets of battery and fuel-cell EV company Nikola Corporation.

Lucid Motors uses high-performance Panasonic battery cells for its long-range electric vehicles. These cells are currently manufactured in Japan, but the company is transitioning to using batteries from Panasonic’s new facility in Kansas by mid-2026 to avoid Trump’s import tariffs.

Lucid plans to launch a full-scale manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia in 2026, with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles by 2029.

The company’s Gravity SUV was named Esquire’s 2026 Car of the Year.

Image via Lucid.

10. Polestar Automotive (NASDAQ:PSNY)

Market cap: US$1.41 billion

Sweden-based electric performance car brand Polestar is owned by Geely Automobile Holdings (OTC Pink:GELYF,HKEX:80175). Up until early 2024, Volvo Cars was also a part owner, but it decided to hand Polestar entirely over to Geely to operate as an independent brand, attributing the move to slowing global demand for EVs.

Polestar’s current lineup includes the five door liftback Polestar 2, the luxury performance Polestar 3 SUV, the Polestar 4 compact coupe SUV and the Polestar 5 performance sedan, the last of which was released in 2025. The company is also planning the Polestar 7 compact SUV and the Polestar 6 roadster.

Polestar has experienced some difficulties in the last couple years, including software challenges in 2023 that caused delays in the rollout of the Polestar 3. In 2024, the company recorded a 15 percent drop in deliveries.

The EV maker’s bad luck seems to be turning around in 2025. Polestar sold a record 60,119 vehicles during the year, a 34 percent improvement over 2024.

This is in part thanks to Polestar’s efforts to capitalize on Tesla’s struggles with Musk and its brand image. In February 2025, Polestar began offering Tesla owners in the US and Canada discounts of up to $20,000 on new leases of its models. Its Q1 2025 sales jumped 76 percent year over year.

Image via SlashGear.

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Rick Rule: Oil/Gas Move is Inevitable, but Copper is Next Bull Market

Rick Rule, proprietor at Rule Investment Media, is positioning in the oil and gas sector, but thinks a bull market is two or two and a half years away.

In his view, copper is likely to be the next commodity to begin a bull run.

Click here to register for the Rule Symposium.

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Gold and Silver Prices Take a U-Turn on Trump’s Fed Chair Nomination

Gold and silver prices have experienced one of their most savage corrections in decades.

After hitting a record high of close to US$5,600 per ounce in the last week of January, the price of gold took a dramatic U-turn on January 30, dropping as low as US$4,400 in early morning trading on Monday (February 2).

That’s a loss of more than 21 percent in a very short timespan.

Silver is also on this rollercoaster trend. As per usual, the white metal slid even harder than gold, dropping from an all-time high of more than US$120 per ounce to a low of about US$71 on Monday, a steep 35 percent drop from its peak.

As the trading day progressed, gold and silver prices demonstrated stabilization with slight rebounds; however, volatility remains the name of the game as investors take time to decipher what the shift means for precious metals markets.

Let’s look at the primary driver for the shakeup in gold and silver prices and what it may mean for investors.

Trump’s Fed chair nomination calms risk-off sentiment

Precious metals are a complex market, and prices are driven by a myriad of factors.

For this latest price movement, the biggest trigger was US President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor, to replace Jerome Powell as the next Fed chair.

Powell, whose term expires this coming May, has faced heavy criticism and targeted legal attacks from the Trump administration, which wants the Fed to cut interest rates in a hurry.

For months now, market participants have been piling into gold on the belief that Trump would try to use his position to nominate a puppet dove as Fed chair and push for greater influence over monetary decisions.

If that were to occur, it would not only undermine Fed independence, but looser policy decisions could in turn further weaken the US dollar on the global stage and lead to higher inflation.

Such an environment is price positive for safe-haven assets such as gold and silver. But with the more hawkish Kevin Warsh as the nominee, the belief is that swift rate cuts aren’t necessarily on the table.

“His focus on real-time data and fundamentals could bring much-needed modernization to the Fed’s framework, at a time when investors are seeking transparency and credibility in monetary policy.”

That shared sentiment among investors led the US dollar to strengthen sharply. The precious metals and US dollar share an inverse relationship — as gold and silver are typically priced in US dollars, a stronger dollar makes purchasing them much more expensive for foreign buyers. This leads to lower demand and downward pressure on prices.

Will gold and silver prices recover?

Does the largest correction in decades mean the party’s over for gold and silver prices?

It’s more likely to be a healthy correction in an otherwise strong bull market for precious metals. Don’t forget that one policy event does not foretell the complete collapse of the strong fundamentals underlying the gold and silver markets. There is still a very strong case for the precious metals bull market given the high demand for gold from central banks and institutional investors. And industrial demand for silver is still expected to eclipse available mine supply.

Not to mention, there’s still optimism that the Fed will need to lower rates to deal with the nation’s ever-growing mountain of debt — which could become impossible to service at higher rates.

“Our view remains that structural forces continue to support a lower-rate environment, which should be constructive for risk assets. We remain focused on fundamentals and are positioning client portfolios accordingly,” stated Hulick.

For those investors still optimistic that gold and silver are in the early stages of a bull market cycle, this rundown in gold and silver prices may represent a buying opportunity.

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Questcorp Mining Engages Contractor for Commencement of North Island Copper IP Survey

Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ,OTC:QQCMF) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the ‘Company’ or ‘Questcorp’) has chosen Peter W. Walcott and Associates Limited of Coquitlam, BC to undertake the permitted 10 to 15 line km induced polarization (IP) survey at the Company’s 1,168 hectare North Island Copper project near Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

The IP survey will concentrate on the historic Marisa Zone, a porphyry copper target last explored in the 1990’s. Surface sampling and a preliminary 12.3-line km IP survey identified an interesting chargeability anomaly that was followed up by a five-hole, 376.43 diamond drilling program. Two of the five holes hit interesting copper values including down hole intervals of 0.078% copper over 56.39 metres in DDH92-01 and 0.041% copper over 70.71 metres in DDH92-03 in an altered quartz diorite. Copper grades were increasing with depth in DDH92-03. The Company plans to follow up these historic results. Source: Geophysical and Diamond Drilling Report on the Marisa Property by G.J. Allen and P.G. Dasler dated 1992-Feb-29 for Great Western Gold Corporation.

‘As copper prices continue to climb due to demand and supply issues, the importance of the North Island Copper project increases,’ commented Questcorp President & CEO, Saf Dhillon. ‘We feel the 1992 preliminary drill results demand further exploration, especially with copper grades increasing with depth to the bottom of one of the historic drill holes. Our setting in the right rocks between the historic Island Copper Mine and NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc. (CSE: NCX), further attests to the potential of Questcorp’s North Island Copper project.’

The 2026 IP survey will run lines at the same azimuth, spaced midway between the 1973 IP survey lines to tighten the coverage over the area. Walcott hopes to incorporate the historic IP with the 2026 data to generate new chargeability and resistivity subsurface elevation plans, along with the 2026 psuedosection lines. The plans and sections will be utilized to generate drill targets for a follow-up drill program. Walcott is expected to mobilize to the property mid-February, with completion anticipated prior to month end.

Questcorp cautions investors a Qualified Person has not verified the historical exploration data and further cautions the presence of copper mineralization on the NorthIsle Copper and Gold and the BHP properties is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the North Island Copper property.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P. Geo (BC), a Director of the Company and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Questcorp Mining Inc.

Questcorp is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in North America, with the objective of locating and developing economic precious and base metal properties of merit. The Company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100-per-cent interest in and to mineral claims totalling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island Copper property, on Vancouver Island, B.C., subject to a royalty obligation. The Company also holds an option to acquire an undivided 100-per-cent interest in and to mineral claims totalling 2,520.2 hectares comprising the La Union project located in Sonora, Mexico, subject to a royalty obligation.

Contact Information

Questcorp Mining Corp.
Saf Dhillon, President & CEO
Email: saf@questcorpmining.ca
Telephone: (604) 484-3031

This news release includes certain ‘forward-looking statements’ under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the geophysical surveys will be completed as contemplated or at all and that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282479

News Provided by TMX Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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When Will Silver Stocks Catch Up to the Silver Price?

The silver price remains historically high despite a recent pullback, and many silver stocks haven’t kept pace.

Silver’s strong performance over the past year is the result of a perfect storm of factors, including an entrenched supply deficit, growing industrial demand, a weakening US dollar and deepening geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

For these reasons, investors are flocking to silver for both its safe-haven status and its developing role as a critical metal in energy, artificial intelligence and defense technologies.

As of early February, the silver price was trading in a range of US$70 to US$80 per ounce, while the Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF (ARCA:SILJ) was trading between about US$31 to US$32 per share.

SILJ tracks small-cap and mid-cap producers, developers and explorers that derive most of their revenue from silver. The profit margins of this segment of the silver-mining industry are the most sensitive to rising silver prices, hence SILJ tends to outperform the price of physical silver during bull markets.

Why is there a lag between the silver price and silver stocks?

During a presentation at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC), held from January 25 to 26, Peter Krauth, editor of Silver Stock Investor and Silver Advisor, looked at the performance of silver stocks relative to the price of physical silver, honing in on the silver-mining exchange-traded funds.

‘So we actually have had negative leverage in silver stocks versus silver. If you look back over one year, two years, we’re essentially even. You’ve gotten no reward for taking on additional risk by being in the silver stocks.’

Why are silver stocks, particularly those on the SILJ, lagging behind the performance of the physical metal?

Krauth explained that valuation models for these stocks are still factoring in silver prices at US$25 to US$30, even though last quarter the price was averaging around US$70 per ounce. “They essentially almost all need to be revalued because silver is so much higher, and that hasn’t happened yet,” he said.

“I think they’re going to have to redo their calculations for gold and silver miners.”

“That caps their earnings. Well, the good news for speculators, investors and mining stocks is that those hedges expire,” said Penny, who believes that the relative outperformance of the silver stocks to the silver price will “kick in soon.’

When will silver stocks catch up to the silver price?

Penny is looking for those hedges to expire over the first few quarters of the year.

“Then that’s where these mining stocks, the profits are just going to go through the roof. I mean, even if we pull back to the mid US$60s — not expecting that — but even if that were to happen, these mining stocks are not pricing in US$60 silver. They’re still pricing in sub-US$50 silver. So a lot of upside potential here for the mining stocks,” he said.

Barton is also looking for a move sooner rather than later, especially with earning calls coming up.

“I think we have a catch-up trade coming. I think it’s coming soon. So if no one has taken advantage of this yet, I think you need to act like now,” said Barton, who later added, “Assuming the silver price could stay above, you know, US$75 an ounce or so, that should blow out expectations. And I think it’ll be a really nice trade. I really do.”

But that won’t be the end of the party for silver. Krauth sees strong potential over the next two or three years for a “dramatic run” for the silver sector. And like his peers, he sees that run starting soon.

“I think what we’re going to see is over the next few quarters, as those projects, producers, cashflows, get revalued at higher input prices, we’re going to see the profit margins really explode and expand,” he said. “We’re going to see when those numbers get reported, the market is going to start to appreciate that and start to re-rate a lot of these stocks.”

Rick’s rules for silver sector profits

Rick Rule, investment guru and proprietor at Rule Investment Media, is already making plays in this latest silver bull market, leveraging the profits he’s made in physical silver to better position himself for the next stage.

“My reasoning being as follows: if silver goes nowhere for a year, if it stays rangebound, the best silver producers are discounting US$45 silver a year from now, if the price is at US$75 or US$80 they’ll be discounting US$75 or US$80 silver, which means the stock will be up 50, 60, 70 percent,” he explained.

“The speculative outlook for the silver stocks seemed to be better than the speculative outcome for silver. If silver stays flat for a year, by definition, silver won’t give me any return. But if it stays flat, the silver stocks would give me 50 or 60 percent so it was a better speculative outcome,’ Rule added.

What did he do with the rest of his gains from his physical silver investment? He parked 25 percent in physical gold. “That’s how I save. I maintain liquidity in US currency, and I save in gold,” said Rule.

The other 25 percent went into oil and gas stocks. “As you know, my motto is that I buy hate and I sell love. Silver was loved, so I sold it. Oil and gas were hated, so I bought it.”

Both Krauth and Barton are on board with Rick’s Rules for silver investment.

“(Rule) has had for a long time a significant position in physical silver, and has sold a good portion of that because he is looking for value all the time and not sitting still. And he decided that those proceeds were going to go to where he saw value,” said Krauth. “And that’s part of my thesis going forward as well — that the value, or the unrealized value, in the silver space is now, especially in the miners.”

Barton also sees value in this strategy. “I have been selling some physical silver, and I’ve been putting it into oil stocks, and I’ve been putting it into gold and silver miners because they have not played that catch-up trade, right?,” he said. “Spot gold and silver are relatively expensive compared to very good silver and very good gold miners. So that could be a place where you could take some profits and rotate into the next leg up.”

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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NASCAR Cook Out Clash postponed to Wednesday as snow hits N.C.

The wait continues. The 2026 NASCAR Cook Out Clash exhibition race was postponed even further due to inclement weather.

After originally being postponed until Monday, NASCAR announced the race will now be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4 due to a second winter storm in as many weeks blanketing Winston-Salem, N.C., with up to 8-10 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

‘Out of an abundance of caution due to hazardous road conditions, NASCAR and the City of Winston-Salem agreed to move all on-track sessions for The Clash to Wednesday to allow safer travel,’ NASCAR said in a statement on Sunday.

Events around the Cook Out Clash were canceled because of the winter storm: the FanFare on Fourth, originally set for Friday, and the Cars & Coffee event planned for Sunday morning will not proceed as planned.

When is 2026 NASCAR Clash? Race day, time

The 2026 Cook Out Clash is now scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Feb. 4.

The new schedule has practice and qualifying at 1:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday to be streamed on the Fox Sports app, and Last Chance Qualifying is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox.

Where is 2026 NASCAR Clash?

The 2026 Cook Out Clash is being held at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The stadium is home to the Winston-Salem State University football team. The short track inside the stadium also hosts modified and stock car races.

NASCAR Clash TV schedule: What channel is NASCAR Clash on?

The 2026 Cook Out Clash will be televised nationally on Fox at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Stream the 2026 Cook Out Clash on Fubo

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cook Out Clash?

The 2026 Cook Out Clash can be streamed on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app. All NASCAR races on Fox or FS1 can also be streamed on Fubo, which is offering a free trial.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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All-Star slugger returns to NL Central club after 49-homer season

The Cincinnati Reds awoke from their winterlong slumber long enough to welcome back the oldest of friends: Eugenio Suárez.

The Venezuelan slugger, who pounded 49 home runs last season and hit 189 for the Reds between 2015 and 2021, agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with the club Feb. 1, taking the top remaining offensive player off the market.

Suárez, 34, was an All-Star for Cincinnati in 2018, when he hit 34 home runs, and again last season for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was dealt to the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline and was an ideal fit, hitting 13 homers for the Mariners and then three more in the postseason, including a go-ahead Game 5 grand slam that put the Mariners within one game of their first World Series berth.

But the Mariners lost Games 6 and 7 at Toronto and Suárez hit the market. Meanwhile, the Reds whiffed on their efforts to land slugger Kyle Schwarber, then went virtually silent on the offensive front the remainder of the winter, save for trading infielder-outfielder Gavin Lux and taking flyers on outfielders such as JJ Bleday.

In Suárez, they get proven pop accompanied by massive strikeout totals: He fanned 195 times last season and led the AL in 2022 and ’23, punching out 214 tiimes the latter year. Still, he slides seamlessly into the DH spot and can spell the defensively-great Ke’Bryan Hayes at third should the Reds desire a bat-heavy look on certain days.

Suárez’s agreement was first reported by ESPN.

Eugenio Suarez stats

The 34-year-old slugger batted .228 with 49 home runs, 118 RBIs and 91 runs scored in 159 games last season, split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.

Eugenio Suarez contract

Suarez is reportedly signing a one-year contract worth $15 million.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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