Freeport-McMoRan, Franco-Nevada, Lundin Mining, OR Royalties and Wheaton Precious Metals are entering the third-quarter 2026 reporting season with estimates supported by stronger year-over-year prices for gold, silver and copper. Gold and silver fell from records reached earlier in the year but remained above year-ago levels, while copper and zinc strengthened during the quarter.
The five companies are projected to benefit from that backdrop, although the expected earnings beats remain forecasts until results are reported. The broader basic-materials sector is projected to post 29. 1% year-over-year earnings growth on 6. 2% revenue growth, with higher realized commodity prices identified as the main support. Higher fuel and energy costs could offset part of that benefit, while miners have focused on throughput, portfolio optimization and higher-grade ore.
OR Royalties has already released preliminary third-quarter figures.
Wheaton Precious Metals enters the period after reporting record second-quarter revenue of $929 million, net earnings of $543 million and operating cash flow of $650 million. For the first half, revenue reached $1. 8 billion, net earnings totaled $1. 1 billion and operating cash flow was $1. 4 billion. Second-quarter attributable production was 202,200 gold-equivalent ounces, up 6% from the comparable period, while 2026 production guidance remained 860,000 to 940,000 gold-equivalent ounces.
Its revolving credit facility was increased by $500 million to $2. 5 billion, with total available liquidity of $2. 6 billion including the accordion feature.
Until those releases, the projected improvements remain estimates rather than confirmed outcomes.