Gold doesn’t drop in a straight line, and a Tax-Free Financial savings Account (TFSA) doesn’t forgive unhealthy timing. When gold slides, ask why it fell and what may reverse it. A U.S. greenback pop, compelled promoting, and broad market stress can push bullion down even when the story stays intact. You additionally must respect how gold miners behave. A miner can fall tougher than gold as a result of buyers worth in prices, taxes, and operational danger. In a TFSA, that volatility can be just right for you, however provided that you may maintain by way of ugly weeks with out blowing up your TFSA plan in the present day.
Take into account AEM
Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX:AEM) offers Canadians a strong method to play gold with out chasing tiny explorers. It runs mines in Canada and Mexico, and it focuses on long-life belongings in steady jurisdictions. Over the past 12 months, it benefited from greater realized gold costs, however it additionally tightened the enterprise. It leaned into money era, steadiness sheet power, and disciplined spending.
Current information additionally leaned towards cleansing up the toolbox. Within the third quarter of 2025, it offered about 38 million shares of Orla Mining for whole proceeds of about $560 million. It took an accounting hit tied to the low cost and transaction prices, however the transfer nonetheless confirmed a sensible purpose: flip investments into money when costs look proper. That sort of resolution issues when gold turns jumpy.
The steadiness sheet story seemed even louder. By Sept. 30, 2025, it held money and money equivalents of about US$2.4 billion and it carried long-term debt of about US$196 million, which left it with a web money place of roughly US$2.2 billion. The gold producer entered 2026 with room to fund tasks, purchase again shares, or wait out volatility. It additionally set a catalyst, with fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 outcomes scheduled for Feb. 12, 2026.
Earnings assist
These earnings numbers present why buyers deal with it like a frontrunner. Within the third quarter of 2025, Agnico reported web earnings of US$1.055 billion, or US$2.10 per share. It reported adjusted web earnings of US$1.085 billion, or US$2.16 per share. It additionally produced 866,936 ounces of gold within the quarter.
Prices nonetheless matter after a gold dip. In that very same quarter, administration reported all-in sustaining prices of US$1,373 per ounce, up from US$1,286 a 12 months earlier. It additionally generated free money movement of about US$1.19 billion for the quarter. That blend tells a easy story. It prints money at robust gold costs, however it nonetheless faces inflation, labour stress, and power swings that may pinch margins when bullion cools.
The outlook now is dependent upon whether or not gold’s drop marks a reset or a pattern. At writing, spot gold fell about 2% amid a firmer U.S. greenback and liquidation stress. If that transfer fades, a miner with web money and free money movement can look engaging on a rebound. If the slide continues, miners can maintain dropping even when operations run properly, as a result of sentiment turns quick on this sector.
Backside line
So ought to TFSA buyers purchase the dip on this one? It may possibly work if you need publicity to gold and you may deal with the curler coaster, and you may measurement it modestly first. It gives scale, money era, and a web money steadiness that reduces stress when costs swing. The danger stays actual, as a result of prices can rise, mines can shock, and gold can maintain falling when markets de-risk. If you need a miner you may maintain by way of chaos, this gold inventory matches higher than most, however you continue to want a gradual abdomen.
