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. The analysts say in a note: "Further, we expect recent Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh to moderate vs. prior hawkish tendencies. Also benefitting silver is the ongoing, multiyear deficit prompting buyers to pay more for available supply, strategic export controls in China, robust demand for solar panels and high-value or niche applications, including artificial intelligence data centres, defense, medical nanotechnology." The National Bank analysts continue to rate Barrick Mining "outperform." They gave their share target a $5 boost to $82.50. Analysts on average target the shares at $72.51.