Selectivity Replaces Speculation as CEM Heads Back to Whistler

January delivered a sharp reminder of how fast sentiment can turn. Speculative money rushed back into pockets of the market, driving outsized moves in small caps and crypto, while broader equities lagged. That surge did not last. Higher margin requirements, a stronger U.S. dollar, and rising policy uncertainty triggered a rapid shakeout that cleared excess leverage and reset expectations.

“With 2025 showing healthy, consistent charts for both gold and silver, we entered 2026 with historic moves and volatility,” said Ryan Iverson, Portfolio Manager at CEM Partner's Fund.

“However, a potential hawkish shift in monetary policy, Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, a stronger U.S. dollar, and structural changes around margin requirements combined to trigger a sharp selloff. That said, the themes that carried gold and silver through 2025 remain intact. Frothy speculative money is simply being shaken out.”

"As commodity prices normalize and confidence begins to rebuild, selectivity has replaced speculation," said Iverson. That shift sits at the core of the 16th Annual Whistler Capital Event this weekend, which has attracted 60 companies and scores of investors.

Companies attending represent a broad cross-section of sectors including precious and base metals, uranium and lithium exploration, oil and gas, energy technology, agriculture, biotechnology, medical technology, ad tech, and blockchain infrastructure.

The average market capitalization of the attending companies is $126 million, with a combined total market value of roughly $12 billion.

This Saturday, following a full day of curated one-on-one meetings, investors will select their Top Picks and Outstanding Performers at the summit’s signature Investor Breakout Exchange from the companies listed below.

Atlas Salt

Nuvau Minerals

Atomic Minerals

Ocumetics Technology

Baylin Technologies

Onyx Gold

BluEnergies

Pacific Ridge Exploration

Camino

Rackla Metals

Canadian Metals

Reconnaissance Energy Africa

Cassiar Gold

Red Canyon Resources

Corcel Exploration

Revival Gold

Daura Gold

Roxmore Resources

Dryden Gold

RZOLV Technologies

Eastport Critical Metals

Sabio Holdings

Endurance Gold

Sankamap Exploration

Enduro Metals

Scottie Resources

FireFly Metals

Secur3D

Fortune Bay

Silver One Resources

Full Circle Lithium

Silver Viper Minerals

Geiger Energy

Skeena Gold + Silver

Gold Terra Resource

Skyharbour Resources

Gunnison Copper

Spartan Metals

IDEX Metals

Stardust Metal

iMetal Resources

STLLR Gold

Intellistake Technologies

Summit Royalties

Intrepid Metals

Syntholene Energy

K2 Gold

Talisker Resources

Kane Biotech

Telo Genomics

Kootenay Silver

TenX Protocols

Latin Metals

Thiogenesis Therapeutics

Lithium Africa Resources

Tinka Resources

Mayfair Gold

ValOre Metals

MustGrow Biologics

Visionary Metals

Performance Check

Here’s how five companies that attended Whistler 2025 have advanced in the market over the past year. (Prices from Feb. 21, 2025, to Jan, 29, 2026)

  • Amarc Resources (TSXV: AHR)$0.67 → $1.40 +109%

  • Tudor Gold (TSXV: TUD)$0.67 → $1.33 +99%

  • Oroco Resource (TSXV: OCO)$0.27 → $0.81 +200%

  • Silver47 Exploration (TSXV: AGA)$0.56 → $0.95 +70%

  • Aztec Minerals (TSXV: AZT)$0.22 → $0.41 +86%

We’ll be sharing the Top Picks and Outstanding Performers from the Whistler Event exclusively with IB Newsletter readers on Feb. 12, 2026.

Warm Regards and Happy Investing,Fabian Dawson

Weekly Insight

Each week, CEM Partner and Portfolio Manager Ryan Iverson spotlights the ideas and companies sparking investor interest from emerging growth stories to the Top Picks featured across CEM’s Capital Events. This series brings real insights from the innovators shaping tomorrow’s markets and reveals where investors are finding the next breakout opportunities.

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