Basic materials stocks: XLB jumps 1.6% on copper surge as Linde sets Feb. 5 earnings date
The Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB) rose 1.6% Friday, hitting a new 2026 closing high as copper climbed 1.9% to $12,964 a ton in London. Freeport-McMoRan jumped 4.2%, Newmont gained 2%, and Linde set its earnings release for Feb. 5. Glencore shares surged on renewed merger talks with Rio Tinto.