GOLD RUSH to USD 5,000? DEFENSE STOCKS set for a billion-dollar contract! Barrick Mining, Hensoldt and Kobo Resources!

Gold price and Barrick Mining on a roll

Gold above USD 4,000, and silver almost at USD 50. Who would have thought such a rally possible in such a short time? Donald Trump is making it all possible. While there is no end in sight to the shutdown in the US, the flight to tangible assets is gaining momentum. Expectations of further interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve are also contributing to the hype. FOMO prevails: fear of missing out among investors. The price target of USD 5,000 per troy ounce put forward by some experts could thus be reached sooner than expected. Whether the rally is healthy in the medium term is another question.

And what is investor favorite Barrick Mining doing? The stock has risen by a sensational 90% in six months. The current price of around USD 33 is the highest it has been since 2013, and the all-time high of over USD 50 from 2011 is no longer completely utopian.

Operationally, Barrick is consistently implementing its portfolio restructuring. The Canadians are withdrawing from Côte d'Ivoire and selling the Tongon Gold mine to the Atlantic Group. The agreed purchase price could total up to USD 305 million. As part of the deal, Barrick will initially receive USD 192 million in cash, supplemented by potential performance-based payments linked to future production and price developments. The transaction is expected to close at the end of 2025, subject to approval by the Ivorian authorities. The Tongon mine, in operation since 2010, was Barrick's only active project in Côte d'Ivoire.

For Atlantic Group, a growing industrial and energy company based in Abidjan, the acquisition marks its entry into gold mining and strengthens its regional presence. For further growth, perhaps Kobo Resources is also worth a look.

Kobo Resources: Gold gem with takeover potential

While numerous gold producers and explorers appear to be running hot, investors are looking for laggards and undiscovered gems. Kobo Resources deserves a closer look. The gold explorer could become an attractive takeover target, and not just for the Atlantic Group.

Kobo's Kossou Gold project is also located in Côte d'Ivoire. It is only about 40 km from the capital, Yamoussoukro, and in the immediate vicinity of Perseus Mining's producing Yaouré mine. Its location in the productive Birimian Belt is one of the most promising gold zones in West Africa.

Kobo is pursuing an ambitious, phased exploration strategy. To date, over 24,000 meters of drilling have been completed, confirming several mineralized zones with continuous gold mineralization. The current drilling program aims to connect these zones and confirm continuity over a length of approximately 3.5 km. An initial resource estimate is expected in 2026. A clearly defined resource would put Kobo in an attractive position for acquisition, especially for operators looking to secure additional reserves in the short term.

In addition to geological progress, Kobo scores with exceptionally favorable infrastructure. The project area is located on paved roads, has access to the national power grid, and is only a few kilometers away from existing processing facilities. This not only reduces potential investment costs, but also makes the project strategically interesting for neighbors who need additional ore volumes to utilize their processing capacities.

Fundamentally, Côte d'Ivoire offers a friendly environment for gold companies: Stable conditions, a growing export sector, and a government that is committed to international mining partnerships. As large producers focus their portfolios, new opportunities are emerging for medium-sized African players and agile explorers to position themselves in strategic niches.

Hensoldt stands to benefit from the German government's billion-euro plan

In addition to gold stocks, defense shares remain highly favored by investors. The capital market is awaiting the very large orders for the sector, and one such order is now imminent. The German government plans to order 20 additional Eurofighters to increase the operational readiness of the air force and secure industrial capacities in Germany.

The order is expected to be placed in 2025 and has an estimated volume in the mid-single-digit billion euro range. With the expansion of the fleet, Berlin aims not only to continue replacing the aging Tornado aircraft line, but also to close a production gap until the future European combat aircraft system FCAS is ready for deployment. However, due to political influence, the FCAS project is stalling, and there is speculation about potential failure.

Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, which jointly produce the fighter jet, will benefit most from the Eurofighter order. Numerous suppliers and electronics manufacturers in Germany are also likely to receive orders. Particular focus is on sensor specialist Hensoldt, which supplies the state-of-the-art ECRS Mk1 radar for the Eurofighter, among other things. This system significantly enhances target acquisition and electronic reconnaissance and is considered a key contribution to the fleet's modernization. With the planned order, the German government is sending a clear signal for industrial sovereignty and technological independence in defense production. For the companies involved, the order means planning security, job security, and additional investment incentives—especially for Hensoldt, which is further strengthening its position as a key supplier in the European air defense program.

There is no end in sight to the gold rush. Nevertheless, investors should look for alternatives to high flyers such as Barrick and Co. Kobo Resources could become a gold mine for investors in the coming months. Barrick remains a basic investment. At Hensoldt, a major order could at least reassure investors or even trigger the next jump in the share price.