Copper Stocks Are Getting a Bigger Spotlight as Gold’s Rally Cracks

Gold prices have declined 7% year-to-date in 2026, while copper futures have surged 8% due to strong demand from AI infrastructure and defense applications. Supply constraints from deeper, lower-grade mines are creating opportunities for dominant copper producers. HudBay Minerals and Teck Resources are positioned as key beneficiaries, with HudBay focusing on aggressive North American expansion and Teck pursuing a merger with Anglo American to become a major global copper player.