Gold and Silver Prices Hit Record Highs, Mining Stocks Surge
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 22 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
- Gold Price Surge: Gold prices jumped 2.3% to $4,440 per ounce, marking the strongest daily gain in over a month, with a year-to-date increase of 67%, indicating strong investor demand for safe-haven assets that could further boost related mining stocks.
- Silver's Strong Performance: Silver prices rose 2.1%, nearing the psychological $70 level, with a year-to-date increase of 133%, reflecting robust market interest in precious metals that may attract more investors to related ETFs.
- Mining Stocks Rally: The VanEck Gold Miners ETF and Global X Silver Miners ETF surged 3.6% and 5%, respectively, indicating increased investor confidence in mining companies, which could drive capital inflows and enhance overall industry valuations.
- Overall Market Strength: Major U.S. equity benchmarks extended gains for the third consecutive session, with the S&P 500 rising 0.8% and approaching record highs, suggesting a rebound in market risk appetite that may support investor sentiment ahead of upcoming economic data releases.
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Analyst Views on ASTS
Wall Street analysts forecast ASTS stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 80.660
Low
43.00
Averages
91.68
High
137.00
Current: 80.660
Low
43.00
Averages
91.68
High
137.00
About ASTS
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. is engaged in building a global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on its intellectual property (IP) and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. The Company is engaged in designing and developing the constellation of BlueBird (BB) satellites and has planned a space-based Cellular Broadband network distributed through a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Its SpaceMobile Service is being designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband services to end-users who are out of terrestrial cellular coverage using existing mobile devices. The Company intends to continue testing capabilities of the BW3 test satellite, including further testing with cellular service providers and the government. The Company has operations in India, Scotland, Spain, and Israel.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Rocket Lab Growth: Rocket Lab's revenue rose 63.5% year-over-year to $200.3 million in Q1 2026, with a backlog of approximately $2.2 billion, indicating strong demand in the defense sector, and it is set to join the Nasdaq-100 on June 22, enhancing its market visibility.
- HASTE Rocket Orders: Rocket Lab secured a $190 million, 20-launch order for the HASTE rocket tied to the Department of Defense's MACH-TB hypersonic testing program, with HASTE accounting for nearly one-third of its launch backlog, showcasing the company's strategic positioning in hypersonic technology.
- AST SpaceMobile Progress: AST SpaceMobile is building a satellite network that connects directly to ordinary smartphones, with partnerships with nearly 60 mobile operators, aiming to launch 45 satellites by 2026, which could significantly enhance its competitive edge if successful.
See More
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- Apple and Intel Collaboration: President Trump announced that Apple will collaborate with Intel on semiconductor development and production in the U.S., leading to a nearly 5% increase in Intel's stock, indicating market prioritization of domestic chip capabilities and potential long-term production demand.
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- Acquisitions and Expansion: RUM Group completed its acquisition of Germany-based AI infrastructure provider Northern Data and launched the Quake AI platform, with RUM's stock declining by 5% but message volume surging by 86%, reflecting market interest in its expansion strategy.
- Advancements in Autonomous and Space Technologies: Uber expanded its robotaxi collaboration with WeRide into Switzerland, while Tesla received support from a Texas official for its autonomous vehicle ambitions; despite stock declines, these technological advancements may lay the groundwork for future market opportunities.
See More
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- NioCorp Outlook: Jim Cramer views NioCorp as too speculative, favoring MP Materials, which has government backing, indicating stronger market confidence and stability.
- SoFi Investment Opportunity: Cramer highlights that SoFi's stock price around $18 is a buying opportunity, suggesting optimism about its future performance, which may attract more investor interest.
- Rivian Financial Concerns: Cramer expresses concerns over Rivian's financial performance, noting excessive losses and advising caution for investors, which could lead to further declines in stock price.
- SoundHound AI Risks: Cramer gives a very negative assessment of SoundHound AI, labeling it a “meme stock” and recommending selling, reflecting high uncertainty in the market regarding such stocks.
See More
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- Joby Aviation Outlook: Joby Aviation leads the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) market with its S4 eVTOL capable of carrying a pilot and four passengers for 150 miles on a single charge, with revenue expected to surge from $53 million to $458 million between 2025 and 2028, indicating significant market potential despite current unprofitability.
- AST SpaceMobile Expansion Plans: AST SpaceMobile focuses on developing low Earth orbit satellites to assist AT&T and Verizon in expanding wireless networks, with revenue projected to grow from $71 million to $1.88 billion from 2025 to 2028, supported by FCC approval of its ambitious expansion plans, reflecting strong market demand.
- QuantumScape Battery Technology: QuantumScape's solid-state batteries outperform traditional lithium-ion batteries in thermal resistance, charging speed, and capacity, with anticipated revenues of $51 million in 2027 and $99 million in 2028, presenting substantial long-term gains if successful commercialization occurs.
- Investment Opportunities Amid Volatility: Despite short-term fluctuations in the stocks of Joby Aviation, AST SpaceMobile, and QuantumScape, Buffett's investment philosophy emphasizes the importance of holding these growth stocks long-term to capture potential benefits from future market expansion and technological advancements.
See More
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- Historic IPO: SpaceX went public on June 11 at $135 per share, opening at $150 and closing at $160.95, marking a 19% gain and a market capitalization of $2.1 trillion, making it the sixth-largest company in the U.S., achieving the largest IPO in history, surpassing Saudi Aramco's 2019 record.
- Capital Utilization Plan: The $75 billion raised will be allocated to Starship production, Starlink constellation expansion, Terafab manufacturing, and orbital infrastructure development, driving the growth of the commercial space economy and enhancing SpaceX's competitiveness in the global market.
- Alphabet's Windfall: Alphabet's $900 million investment in SpaceX in 2015 is now valued at approximately $122 billion, significantly exceeding its annual net income, highlighting the extraordinary asset appreciation following SpaceX's public listing, further solidifying Alphabet's leadership in search and cloud computing.
- Rocket Lab's Market Opportunity: As a key player in the small satellite launch market, Rocket Lab is developing its Neutron rocket and has signed contracts worth nearly $1 billion, benefiting from SpaceX's IPO which is expected to attract more institutional capital into space infrastructure, enhancing its market position.
See More
SpaceX's Record IPO Creates Opportunities for Suppliers and Partners
- Alphabet's Hidden Gains: Alphabet's 6.11% stake in SpaceX is now valued at approximately $122 billion, showcasing an extraordinary unrealized gain following SpaceX's IPO, which solidifies its dominance in search, cloud, and AI markets.
- Rocket Lab's Market Opportunity: As a key player in the small satellite launch market that SpaceX cannot serve, Rocket Lab is developing its Neutron medium-lift rocket and has signed contracts worth nearly $1 billion, positioning it to benefit directly from the industry attention and capital influx following SpaceX's IPO.
- Kratos' Infrastructure Demand: Kratos Defense secured a $446.8 million contract to build ground architecture for the U.S. military's next-generation missile warning constellation, and with increased launch demands from SpaceX's IPO, its commercial software-defined satellite ground solutions are set to capture a larger market share.
- Intuitive Machines' Lunar Economy: Intuitive Machines has a backlog of $1.055 billion as of Q1 2026, and as SpaceX's Starship advances lunar missions, its role in the lunar economy will expand, driving further commercial growth.
See More
