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 favorable 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."