Investment Team
Paul Wong, CFA
Market Strategist, Sprott Asset Management
Paul Wong has more than 37 years of investment industry experience, specializing in investment analysis for natural resources investments. Mr. Wong first joined Sprott Asset Management in 2011. From 2012 to 2017, Mr. Wong was a senior portfolio manager responsible for the short positions of the Sprott hedge funds. From 2015 to 2017, he was lead portfolio manager of the precious metals equity funds. Mr. Wong has experience in resource funds, asset allocation and quantitative funds, and was a proprietary trader for several years. Mr. Wong earned his Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Toronto and is a CFA® charter holder.
Paul Wong is a contributor to Sprott's INSIGHTS commentaries, providing a unique, technical macroeconomic analysis on the asset classes we focus on.
Insights by Paul Wong
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
Batteries and Minerals Driving Global Electrification
Batteries and energy storage continue to underpin electrification trends, solidifying their role as a cornerstone in the global shift toward sustainable energy. Support is being strengthened by strategic investments from governments and corporations, and resilient demand for critical minerals like lithium, copper and nickel.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Sprott Q3 Precious Metals Report
Gold and Silver Enjoy Continued Rally
Gold and silver prices surged in Q3 2024, driven by central bank buying and macroeconomic factors. While gold experienced a historic price increase, silver's price was influenced by both its precious metal value and industrial demand. YTD through September 30, gold is up 27.71% and silver has gained 30.95%.
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
U.S. Electricity Grid Remakes Itself to Meet Surging AI-Led Power Demand
Demand for electricity over the next decade will put pressure on the U.S. power grid to keep pace. New investment in power-hungry industrial facilities is driving demand, especially the data centers that support artificial intelligence (AI), U.S. reshoring initiatives and the steady electrification of the transport sector.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Webcast Replay
An Investor's Guide to Precious Metals and Critical Materials
2024 has been an exciting year thus far for precious metals and critical materials. This webcast takes a technical perspective on the key drivers for gold, silver, uranium and copper, as all four metals enjoy positive markets. We also provide strategic portfolio allocation ideas for precious metals and critical materials.
Topics: Gold, Silver, Uranium, Critical Materials, Copper
Special Report
Gold Tops $2,500: A Technical View
Gold has surged above the psychological $2,500 level, driven by factors not easily explained by traditional market variables, suggesting possible central bank or sovereign activity rather than usual market dynamics.
Topics: Gold
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
The Unstoppable Rise of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is rapidly replacing fossil fuels as costs decrease and efficiencies improve with increased deployment, making it much cheaper than traditional energy sources. This shift, driven by the exponential growth of renewables, electrification, and efficiency, is expected to significantly alter global power dynamics as fossil fuels are phased out.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Sprott Q2 Precious Metals Report
Gold’s Record-Setting Quarter and Silver’s Resurgence
Gold gained 12.79% YTD by June 30, supported by central bank buying. Silver closed Q2 at $29.14, boosted by gold's breakout and global monetary expansion.
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
Fourth Industrial Revolution Fuels Global Competition for Critical Minerals
The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is driving unprecedented change. Its dominated by AI, robotics, IoT, genetic engineering and quantum computing. 4IR technologies need critical minerals, fueling a new commodity supercycle.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
A New Copper Supercycle Is Emerging
The copper market is entering a new supercycle. Demand is surging as countries invest in clean energy and protect their access to copper, while supply is constrained by a lack of new mine development.
Topics: Critical Materials
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
AI's Critical Impact on Electricity and Energy Demand
The rise of AI and data centers will boost global electricity demand, challenging power grids but benefiting clean energy sources like nuclear. This trend will also increase demand for copper.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Nickel, Lithium
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
Battery Storage Is the Technological Cornerstone for a Sustainable Energy Future
The energy sector has experienced a remarkable transformation, primarily driven by the rapid growth and integration of renewable energy sources. Central to this transition is the advancement of battery storage technology.
Topics: Critical Materials
Sprott Q1 Precious Metals Report
Gold Is on the Rise and Reaches All-Time High
Gold reached an all-time closing high and is up 8.09% YTD (as of 3/31/2024) after rising 13.10% in 2023. We believe several factors are in place for gold to move higher, such as strong central bank buying.
Topics: Gold
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
Global Investment Pours into Renewable Energy
February was lackluster for critical materials, but the backdrop remains very positive. The global commitment to clean energy hit a new milestone in 2023 as investment surged to an unprecedented $1.77 trillion.
Topics: Uranium, Critical Materials
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
The Emerging Renewable Energy Economy
The era of renewable energy is emerging and beginning to reshape power generation. Recent trends suggest that this is a fundamental transformation powered by the fall in renewable energy costs.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Special Report
Top 10 Themes for 2024
What forces are likely to drive energy transition materials and precious metals markets in 2024 and over the next decade? We discuss 10 critical macroeconomic and market-specific themes.
Topics: Gold, Silver, Critical Materials
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
Lithium-Ion Technology Solidifies Lead in EV Battery Stakes
The long-term trajectory for EVs is positive despite the recent slowdown. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the preferred battery technology for EVs, thanks to their superior technical properties.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Sprott Special Report
Gold’s Bold Move to New Closing High
On Friday, December 1, 2023, spot gold bullion registered an all-time high closing price of $2,072.22, surpassing the prior closing high of $2,063.54 reached on August 6, 2023.
Topics: Gold
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
Energy Security and the Shifting Focus from Oil to Critical Minerals
As the U.S. advances in its pursuit of clean energy, it is strategically redirecting its energy security emphasis from oil to critical minerals, and diminish the influence of oil geopolitics and petrostates such as Russia.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Sprott Q3 Precious Metals Report
Central Banks Support Gold & Solar PV Demand Buoys Silver
Gold demand from sovereigns and central banks remains unwavering. Over the past decade, China has been committed to bolstering its gold reserves to enhance its economic and geopolitical standings.
Topics: Gold, Silver, Critical Materials
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
Silver Demand Grows as Solar Leads Renewables
Uranium's performance helped the energy transition complex close higher in September. From a macro outlook, solar panels are emerging as a critical player in the global energy transition.
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
U.S. Taking Center Stage in Cleantech Investment
Uranium had a strong August, contrasting with the decline of most energy transition metals due to China's economic troubles. The investment capital spurred by the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is turning the U.S. into a cleantech powerhouse.
Topics: Uranium, Critical Materials, Copper, Nickel, Lithium
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
Growing Urgency to Modernize U.S. Power Grid
The U.S. power grid desperately needs modernization. This is driving the development of energy storage systems and V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology and is a major copper demand driver.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Sprott Q2 Precious Metals Report
Central Banks Flex Gold Market Muscle
Central banks and investment funds were the main players shaping the gold market in the first half of the year. Gold is reverting to its historical role as a significant reserve asset as central banks seek to diversify amid geopolitical uncertainties.
Topics: Gold
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
EV Battery Independence and the New U.S. Manufacturing Supercycle
Energy transition metals miners posted strong results in June, with uranium mining equities leading the group. The U.S. is entering the early stages of a manufacturing supercycle driven by massive energy transition investment.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Sprott Precious Metals Report
Geopolitical Risks Enhance Gold’s Role as a Reserve Asset
Gold attempted to breakout above $2,050 in early May before drifting lower as the U.S. debt-ceiling drama deepened and the U.S. dollar strengthened. At the same time, global central banks have been accumulating gold at a record pace.
Topics: Gold
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
The West Moves to Weaken China's Hold
Lithium and lithium miners staged a sharp rebound rally in May and were the positive exception among critical minerals. The sector was weighed down by China's faltering recovery, ongoing global growth concerns and the U.S. debt ceiling drama.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Sprott Precious Metals Report
Gold Rides Higher on Recession Fears
The gold market continues to be bullish as the probability of a recession rises, regional banking stress resurfaces and the Fed seems determined " get inflation down to 2%, over time".
Topics: Gold
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
Nationalization and Surging M&A Highlight Secular Strength
The long-term secular growth outlook for energy transition materials got several boosts in April. Chile's decision to nationalize its lithium reserves reinforces the metal's role as a global strategic economic asset.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Sprott Critical Materials Monthly
How Deglobalization is Changing the Dynamics of Securing Critical Minerals
As deglobalization accelerates, unfettered access to critical minerals is not likely to last. The old system of free and fair access to commodities, including critical minerals, is moving toward one marked by interregional competition, and unstable availability and pricing.
Topics: Critical Materials, Copper, Lithium, Nickel
Investment Risks and Important Disclosure
Relative to other sectors, precious metals and natural resources investments have higher headline risk and are more sensitive to changes in economic data, political or regulatory events, and underlying commodity price fluctuations. Risks related to extraction, storage and liquidity should also be considered.
Gold and precious metals are referred to with terms of art like store of value, safe haven and safe asset. These terms should not be construed to guarantee any form of investment safety. While “safe” assets like gold, Treasuries, money market funds and cash generally do not carry a high risk of loss relative to other asset classes, any asset may lose value, which may involve the complete loss of invested principal.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. You cannot invest directly in an index. Investments, commentary, and opinions are unique and may not be reflective of any other Sprott entity or affiliate. Forward-looking language should not be construed as predictive. While third-party sources are believed to be reliable, Sprott makes no guarantee as to their accuracy or timeliness. This information does not constitute an offer or solicitation and may not be relied upon or considered to be the rendering of tax, legal, accounting or professional advice.