Why basic materials stocks are back in play after XLB’s New Year rally
The Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) rose 1.7% to $46.12 Friday, closing near its 52-week high as gold held around $4,300 an ounce. Capstone Copper reported a strike at its Mantoverde mine in Chile, with output expected at up to 30%. U.S. jobs and inflation data next week could influence rate-cut expectations. U.S. stocks ended mixed as Treasury yields and the dollar firmed.
