Copper Rally Highlights 3 Strong Buy Stocks Trading at 52-Week Highs

The commodity markets are sending strong signals to investors in early 2026. With copper prices surging over 30% and gold soaring above $5,000 an ounce, the spotlight is on three investment opportunities that combine top analyst ratings with impressive technical breakouts. These highlights represent the intersection of fundamental strength and market momentum across the mining and financial sectors.

The Screening Strategy: Finding Quality at Peak Performance

When searching for the best investment candidates, combining multiple criteria can narrow the field significantly. Among over 4,000 stocks tracked by major investment rating systems, only 212 currently hold the highest analyst rankings. Adding an additional filter—stocks trading at their 52-week highs—reduces the list to just 32 opportunities. This dual approach identifies companies with both institutional endorsement and positive price momentum.

Three industries dominate this refined list: gold mining operations, broader metal mining enterprises, and financial institutions in emerging markets. Each sector tells a different story about where capital is flowing in this commodities-driven market environment.

BHP Group: Capitalizing on the Copper Highlights

Ticker: BHP

BHP Group represents the large-cap institutional play in this copper rally. As an Australian mining giant, the company produces copper, iron ore, steelmaking coal, and energy coal. The copper highlights of 2026 have been particularly favorable for BHP’s portfolio, with copper prices rising over 30%.

In its first half 2026 results, the company reported strong operating momentum heading into the second half of the year. Share performance reflects this strength: BHP has gained 26% over the last year. At a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 15.2, the stock maintains value pricing even as the copper market rallies. (A P/E of 15 or less is traditionally considered undervalued territory.)

BHP Group carries a top-tier analyst ranking, making it a suitable choice for investors seeking exposure to copper and broader commodity strength through an established, dividend-paying producer.

Aris Mining: The Junior Gold Producer with Explosive Growth

Ticker: ARMN

While copper highlights dominated recent headlines, gold miners also captured attention in this screen. Aris Mining Corp. represents the junior mining opportunity—a Canadian-headquartered company operating and exploring in South America.

The company operates two underground mines in Colombia with development pipelines in both Colombia and Guyana. Production guidance for 2026 targets 300,000 to 350,000 ounces, with a long-term goal of reaching 1 million ounces annually. As gold prices soared above $5,000 per ounce in 2026, Aris Mining stock responded accordingly, rallying 25% year-to-date.

Despite the strong performance, the stock maintains attractive valuation at a forward P/E of just 8—suggesting more upside potential remains. The company also carries a top-tier analyst ranking, appealing to investors with higher risk tolerance seeking leverage to precious metals prices.

Itaú Unibanco: An Emerging Market Banking Play

Ticker: ITUB

Beyond commodities themselves, the highlights of this market rally extend to financial institutions benefiting from emerging market strength. Itaú Unibanco, headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, rounds out this trio of investment opportunities.

The company markets itself as Brazil’s largest private bank by market value and the most valuable financial brand in Latin America. The stock has delivered exceptional returns, jumping 77.6% over the last year. Beyond price appreciation, Itaú Unibanco also pays a dividend yielding 0.5%, providing income for long-term holders.

Like the mining companies, Itaú Unibanco carries a top-tier analyst ranking, offering emerging market exposure alongside the economic benefits flowing from higher commodity prices.

What This Means for Your Portfolio

The common thread linking these three opportunities is the convergence of institutional quality ratings, technical strength, and favorable market dynamics. Whether through direct commodity exposure (copper and gold) or indirect leverage through financial institutions in commodity-exporting regions, 2026 appears positioned for continued strength.

Investors considering any of these positions should note that all recommendations come with inherent risks. Past performance provides no guarantee of future results, and market conditions can change rapidly. Each investor should evaluate these opportunities within the context of their overall portfolio strategy and risk tolerance.

The copper highlights and broader commodity strength of early 2026 may present a compelling backdrop for portfolio adjustments, but individual circumstances vary significantly.