The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Feb. 5, edition that precious metals analysts at National Bank Financial raised their commodity price forecasts ahead of fourth quarter earnings, noting a favourable market for gold and silver through 2026 despite recent volatility. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that the National Bank analysts say drivers such as rising sovereign debt, persistent inflation, U.S. dollar volatility, high long-term yields, expected rate cuts and strong central bank demand support this outlook. National Bank analyst Mohamed Sidibe moved Allied Gold to "tender" from "outperform" with a $44 share target, matching the consensus and up from $41 previously, to reflect its acquisition by China's Zijin Gold International in a $5.5-billion deal. National Bank analyst Don DeMarco lowered Wesdome Gold Mines to "sector perform" from "outperform" with a $28 target, down from $31 and below the $28.40 average, "after adopting 2026 guidance with lower-than-expected production at Kiena."