NEW YORK, Jan 2, 2026, 15:45 ET — Regular session
- Newmont shares were up about 0.9% in afternoon trading, after swinging between roughly $98 and $103.
- Gold steadied near record territory as traders leaned into Fed rate-cut bets and fresh safe-haven demand.
- Investors are watching next week’s U.S. jobs report for signals on the interest-rate path that often drives gold.
Newmont Corporation shares rose on Friday, tracking firmer gold prices as the precious metal began 2026 on a strong footing. The stock was up 0.9% at $100.71 in afternoon New York trading.
The move matters because Newmont’s results are closely tied to gold: when bullion prices rise, miners’ revenue can move quickly while many operating costs change more slowly. That dynamic can amplify gains — and losses — in mining stocks versus the metal itself.
Gold’s direction is back in focus after a blockbuster 2025 and a volatile year-end stretch that has kept traders sensitive to shifts in U.S. rate expectations and geopolitics. Gold is often described as a “safe-haven” asset — something investors buy when uncertainty rises — and it tends to benefit when interest rates fall because it does not pay interest. 1
Spot gold — the cash price for immediate delivery — was around $4,313 an ounce in early afternoon after touching $4,402 earlier in the session, Reuters reported. U.S. gold futures for February delivery settled 0.3% lower at $4,329.6 an ounce. 1
“We are continuing to see the market talk about cuts in March,” said Bart Melek, global head of commodity strategy at TD Securities, pointing to rate expectations and broader macro risks supporting precious metals. 1
Gold miners were mixed even as bullion held firm. Agnico Eagle was down 0.2%, while Kinross Gold slid 0.4% and Gold Fields fell 0.9%.
Newmont’s trading was choppy. The stock has ranged from $98.26 to $102.80 on the day, and was last up about 86 cents versus its prior close, according to market data.
The company entered 2026 under new leadership. Newmont has said President and COO Natascha Viljoen would become CEO on Jan. 1, succeeding Tom Palmer, who moved into a strategic adviser role through March. 2
For markets broadly, the next near-term test is the U.S. jobs report due Jan. 9, a key data point that can swing Federal Reserve rate-cut expectations — and in turn, gold prices. 3
Geopolitical headlines remain another fast-moving catalyst. Reuters has reported gold’s demand has been supported by tensions in the Middle East and other unresolved conflicts that have kept safe-haven positioning elevated. 1
Physical demand signals have also improved at the margin. Reuters reported gold flipped to premiums in India and China after prices retreated from record highs; independent analyst Ross Norman cited resilient retail demand after the correction. 4
For Newmont investors, the next company-specific catalyst is the next earnings update. Nasdaq lists Feb. 19 as an estimated reporting date based on historical patterns, though the company can change its schedule. 5
