Best 5 Gold Stocks for February 2026

What Are Gold Stocks?

Gold stocks are publicly listed companies active in the gold sector. They are primarily involved in the exploration, extraction, and refining of gold. The recent adoption of AI has opened the path for service companies that use AI to discover deposits. Gold storage companies offer an alternative to direct gold exposure. Still, investors should focus on exploration, extraction, and refining of gold via established and junior gold miners.

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Why Should You Consider Investing in Gold Stocks?

Gold has always fascinated, as a wealth and status symbol, but gold stocks offer numerous benefits, and investors should consider adding them to their portfolios. Gold outperforms during economic uncertainty and geopolitical events, providing downside protection for equity portfolios. Gold stocks also offer an inflation hedge and outperform during periods of US Dollar weakness.

Here are a few things to consider when evaluating gold stocks:

• Invest in a combination of established gold miners for stability and dividends, and junior miners, which carry greater risks but offer notable upside potential
• Analyze gold reserves of gold miners to gauge the longevity of their operations
• Focus 75% of your portfolio on gold stocks with mining operations in the top ten countries for gold production, with the remaining 25% on exciting global projects

What Are the Downsides of Gold Stocks?

Volatile gold prices pose the most notable risk, as they directly impact the profitability of gold stocks. While the last three years have witnessed high gold prices and all-time highs, which encouraged exploration and higher dividend yields, other periods have seen depressed prices. Long-term, gold is likely to march higher as the current global economic and political landscape faces graver risks than at any point in the past 70 years.

Here is a shortlist of attractive gold stocks:

• Idaho Strategic Resources (IDR)
• Harmony Gold Mining Company (HMY)
• Orla Mining (ORLA)
• OR Royalties (OR)
• Alamos Gold (AGI)

An Update on Our Previous Best Gold Stocks to Buy Now

In our previous installment, I highlighted the upside potential of B2Gold and Fortuna Mining.

• B2Gold (BTG) - A long position in BTG between 4.63 and 4.83

BTG surged over 30% before its current sell-off, but my stop-loss at 5.50 triggered, resulting in a profit of over 22%.

• Fortuna Mining (FSM) - A long position in FMS between 9.85 and 10.38

FMS rallied nearly 28% before reversing, but my stop-loss at 11.80 triggered, resulting in a profit of over 20%.

Idaho Strategic Resources Fundamental Analysis

Idaho Strategic Resources (IDR) explores, develops, and extracts gold, silver, rare earth elements, and other base metal minerals. Its mineral properties include the Golden Chest Mine, Lemhi Pass, and the Diamond Creek Projects, all located in Idaho’s REE-Th Belt. IDR is also a component of the Russell 3000 Index.

I am bullish on its high-grade gold discoveries and its tremendous rare-earth upside potential. IDR has the most significant US source of thorium resources. While its all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of $1,980 per gold ounce is higher than many competitors, management noted it as a temporary upswing aimed at value creation. Strategic acquisitions and revenue and profit growth are also excellent.

Idaho Strategic Resources Fundamental Analysis Snapshot

The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 56.34 makes IDR an expensive stock. By comparison, the P/E ratio for the S&P 500 is 31.45.

The average analyst price target for IDR is 45.00. It suggests excellent upside potential with fading downside risks.

Idaho Strategic Resources Technical Analysis

• The IDR D1 chart shows price action breaking down below its ascending Fibonacci Retracement Fan.
• It also shows Idaho Strategic Resources approaching a massive horizontal support zone.
• The Bull Bear Power Indicator is bearish with a positive divergence.

My IDR Long Stock Trading Recommendation

• IDR Entry Level: Between 31.97 and 35.54
• IDR Take Profit: Between 51.44 and 56.34
• IDR Stop Loss: Between 22.31 and 26.50
• Risk/Reward Ratio: 2.02

Harmony Gold Mining Company Fundamental Analysis

Harmony Gold Mining Company (HMY) explores, extracts, and processes gold, uranium, silver, and copper in South Africa, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. It has nine underground operations, with interests in the Hidden Valley, Wafi-Golpu, and Eva Copper projects.

HMY delivers excellent revenue and profit growth despite its above-average all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,806 per gold ounce. I remain bullish on its operational improvements at the Hidden Valley and Mponeng mines. The 5-year PEG ratio suggests a significantly undervalued company, and I consider the recent pullback as an excellent entry level amid favorable gold dynamics.

Harmony Gold Mining Company Fundamental Analysis Snapshot

The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.07 makes HMY an inexpensive stock. By comparison, the P/E ratio for the S&P 500 is 31.45.

The average analyst price target for Harmony Gold Mining Company is 24.14. It suggests moderate potential, but I see prices grinding towards the high-end estimate of 27.00 with reasonable downside risks.

Harmony Gold Mining Company Technical Analysis

• The HMY D1 chart shows price action between its ascending 38.2% and 50.0% Fibonacci Retracement Fan levels.
• It also shows Harmony Gold Mining Company inside a bullish price channel.
• The Bull Bear Power Indicator turned bearish, but remains within proximity of its ascending trendline.

My HMY Long Stock Trading Recommendation

• HMY Entry Level: Between 21.00 and 21.47
• HMY Take Profit: Between 27.00 and 27.81
• HMY Stop Loss: Between 18.50 and 19.00
• Risk/Reward Ratio: 2.40

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