Major Stocks Including Micron, Endeavour Silver, First Majestic Silver, and Applied Digital Experience Gains on Friday
U.S. Stock Market Performance: U.S. stocks rose on Friday, with the Dow Jones gaining approximately 300 points, driven by positive earnings reports, particularly from Dell, which boosted investor sentiment in the tech sector.
Micron Technology Surge: Shares of Micron Technology increased by 2.5% to $235.92, as investors interpreted Dell's strong earnings as a sign of broader strength in the technology market.
Notable Stock Gains: Several companies saw significant stock price increases, including DeFi Technologies (up 20.5%), YD Bio Ltd (up 13.7%), and Savara Inc (up 12.3%), reflecting positive developments in their respective sectors.
Precious Metals and Crypto Stocks Rise: Stocks related to precious metals and cryptocurrencies also experienced gains, with First Majestic Silver Corp and Intel Corporation rising notably, as gold and silver prices increased and Bitcoin surpassed $90,000.
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- Historic Acquisition: Nord Precious Metals has acquired four mining leases in the Gowganda Silver Camp, consolidating nearly 4 kilometers of historic boundary, which is expected to drive new mineralization discoveries and enhance production potential.
- Surging Silver Prices: Silver prices surpassed $100 for the first time in 2026, reaching a historic high of $121.67 in January, driving demand for high-grade mining areas and likely accelerating mining investments.
- Significant Resource Potential: The acquired leases host a historical NI 43-101 indicated tailings resource of approximately 1.94 million tonnes grading 47.5 g/t Ag, expected to yield about 2.96 million ounces of silver, indicating substantial economic value.
- Infrastructure Advantage: Nord already possesses a permitted high-grade milling facility and a 600-ton-per-day gravity plant, enabling rapid tailings recovery, which is anticipated to expedite project advancement and enhance profitability.
- Historic Acquisition: Nord Precious Metals has consolidated nearly 4 kilometers of historic property boundaries in the Gowganda Silver Camp by acquiring four mining leases, encompassing three past-producing mines that collectively yielded over 42 million ounces of silver, significantly enhancing the company's resource base and future extraction potential.
- Surging Silver Prices: Silver prices soared above $100 per ounce for the first time in 2026, reaching a historic high of $121.67 on January 29, which has driven demand for high-grade mining areas, making Nord's acquisition strategically significant in strengthening its market competitiveness.
- Modern Exploration Techniques: Utilizing a 3D geological model developed from 75,000 meters of historical drilling data, Nord has identified 29 discrete vein structures and plans to conduct new exploration across the consolidated land package, aiming to uncover additional mineralization opportunities.
- Infrastructure Advantage: With the only permitted high-grade milling facility and a 600-ton-per-day gravity plant in place, Nord is poised to accelerate the development and production of its silver assets, thereby enhancing its position within the silver mining sector.
- Surging Silver Prices: Since the U.S. Geological Survey added silver to the Critical Minerals List in November 2025, prices have skyrocketed from $30 to over $121 per ounce, setting a 45-year record and highlighting silver's importance as a strategic industrial commodity.
- China's Export Ban: In January 2026, China imposed a complete ban on silver exports, tightening global supply as China accounts for approximately 20% of global mine supply, exacerbating the supply-demand imbalance in the market.
- Americore Resource Project: Americore Resources has expanded its Trinity Silver Project in Nevada to over 36 million ounces of Silver Equivalent and plans a Q2 2026 drill campaign aimed at upgrading resources from Inferred to Indicated, which is expected to significantly enhance its market value.
- Leading Industry Performers: First Majestic Silver produced 15.44 million ounces of silver in 2025 and completed a $970 million acquisition of Gatos Silver, demonstrating that industry leaders are achieving record results in the context of tightening silver resources.
- Resource Potential: Americore Resources' Trinity Silver Project in Nevada spans 22,700 acres, historically producing approximately 5 million ounces of silver, now expanded to over 36 million ounces of Silver Equivalent, indicating significant resource potential.
- Market Supply Tightening: With China imposing a complete ban on silver exports, global silver prices have surged from $30 to $121 per ounce, setting a 45-year record, highlighting silver's growing importance as a strategic industrial commodity.
- Drilling Campaign Advancement: Americore is set to conduct drilling in Q2 2026 aimed at upgrading resources from Inferred to Indicated, which is expected to enhance the company's market visibility and financing capabilities.
- Industry Leadership: Amid rising silver prices and structural supply deficits, Americore's project is poised to attract investor interest, particularly as silver resources under American soil become increasingly critical.
- Complete Exit: Perritt Capital Management disclosed in a SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, that it sold all 116,495 shares of Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI), resulting in a $10.43 million decline in the position's quarter-end value, now comprising 0% of reported AUM.
- Impact of Position Change: Previously accounting for 4.9% of the fund's AUM, this complete exit not only affects Perritt's portfolio diversification but may also negatively impact future returns, particularly in the international dividend growth sector.
- ETF Performance Overview: As of February 17, 2026, VIGI's share price was $85.61, reflecting a 4.91% increase over the past year, indicating its stability and attractiveness in the international market, although Perritt's exit may affect market confidence.
- Investor Strategy Adjustment: VIGI focuses on international companies with stable earnings and disciplined capital allocation, offering lower current yields but potentially stable long-term returns, and Perritt's exit may prompt other investors to reassess their holding strategies.
- Position Change: Perritt Capital Management disclosed in a SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, that it has fully sold 116,495 shares of Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI), resulting in a $10.43 million decrease in position value and reducing its stake from 4.9% to 0% of fund AUM.
- Impact on AUM: This transaction led to a 17.45% drop in Perritt's reportable AUM in the 13F report, indicating a significant withdrawal from the international dividend growth space, which may affect its future investment strategies and market confidence.
- Market Performance: As of February 17, 2026, VIGI was priced at $85.61, up 4.91% over the past year; despite Perritt's exit, the ETF continues to provide exposure to high-quality international companies, emphasizing its strengths in stable earnings and capital allocation.
- Investment Strategy Analysis: VIGI's investment strategy focuses on tracking an index of high-quality international companies, and while Perritt's exit may impact short-term capital flows, the ETF's long-term performance remains reliant on global market stability and currency fluctuations, making it suitable for investors seeking long-term earnings stability.










