Ten small companies feasted on huge double-digit gains last week, as investors took heart from a flurry of macroeconomic developments, including higher precious metal prices and renewed optimism for an interest rate cut.
In this article, we identify the names of the 10 top performers and break down the reasons behind their gains.
Our list focused exclusively on companies with a market capitalization of $300 million to $2 billion, and at least 5 million shares in trading volume. The stocks were based on their percentage changes between November 21 and 28, 2025.
The New York Stock Exchange building. Photo by Дмитрий Трепольский on Pexels
10. Sealsq Corp. (NASDAQ:LAES)
Sealsq saw its share prices jump by 18.57 percent week-on-week, primarily bolstered by the appointment of a new executive to lead its artificial intelligence efforts.
During the week, Sealsq Corp. (NASDAQ:LAES) announced the appointment of Ballester Lafuente as its new chief of staff and Group AI officer who will lead the integration of artificial intelligence into its businesses in a bid to drive operational efficiency, enable smarter process, and accelerate innovation across its semiconductor, public key infrastructure (PKI) solutions, Internet of Things (IoT), satellite, and post-quantum product lines.
Prior to joining Sealsq Corp. (NASDAQ:LAES), Lafuente served as the Head of IT Innovation at the International Institute for Management Development—a global business school where he led technology innovation strategy and workplace AI platforms.
In other news, Sealsq Corp. (NASDAQ:LAES) reaffirmed its revenue growth guidance of $17.5 million to $20 million for full-year 2025, or an implied growth of 59 to 82 percent from last year.
For next year, the company is targeting revenues to jump by 50 to 100 percent to be driven by the full effect of newly launched post-quantum chips, completion of its consolidation with IC’ALPS, and higher revenues from Quantix Edge.
9. Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC)
Lithium Americas surged by 18.78 percent week-on-week, as investors positioned portfolios amid the surging prices of lithium.
Latest data from Trading Economics showed that prices of lithium jumped by 18.45 percent in November, and by 0.48 percent to $93,750 on Friday alone.
The overall optimism spilled over Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC), owner of the Thacker Pass mine—one of the largest lithium resources in the US—supported by the US government’s earlier backing in the company following the acquisition of a 5 percent stake and another 5 percent in the Thacker Pass mine.
Just recently, Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC) announced the results of its earnings performance in the third quarter of the year, where it widened its net loss by 2,243 percent to $199.16 million from only $8.5 million in the same period last year, dragged by higher losses on financial instruments measured at fair value.
Operating expenses also jumped by 58 percent to $9.7 million from $6.15 million year-on-year, amid higher exploration expenditures.
Despite the dismal results, Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC) remained upbeat about its business, saying that it was “full steam ahead on construction” for the Thacker Pass mine project.
“Our workforce continues to grow each week, with approximately 700 workers now on-site and over 80% of detailed engineering complete. We’re making tangible progress across all fronts—from steel and concrete work to site infrastructure and the expansion of our Workforce Hub,” said Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC) President and CEO Jonathan Evans.
8. Galiano Gold Inc. (NYSEAmerican:GAU)
Galiano soared by 20.89 percent week-on-week as investors loaded portfolios amid the rally in gold prices, fueled by increasing hopes for an interest rate cut.
The stock jumped alongside its counterparts as investors placed early bets ahead of the US central bank’s last meeting for the year—on December 9 and 10—where a 25-basis point interest rate cut is expected.
Galiano Gold Inc. (NYSEAmerican:GAU) stands to benefit from the lower rates, as it typically weakens the US dollar, making precious metals such as gold and silver cheaper and more attractive to foreign investors. This, in turn, could bolster sales of gold producers.
In other recent developments, Galiano Gold Inc. (NYSEAmerican:GAU) reaffirmed positive results at its ongoing exploration of the Asanko Gold Mine in Ghana.
Latest data said that the site continues to show significant high-grade intercepts demonstrating continuity of mineralization within new ore shoots identified in 2025 that lie below the existing Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource.
Following the initial exploration results, Galiano Gold Inc. (NYSEAmerican:GAU) said its board of directors approved an additional budget amounting to $3.1 million to drill an additional 11,000 meters by the end of the year.
The total cost is expected to further delineate continuity of high-grade mineralized zones and increase drilling density to convert zones of inferred resources, among others.
7. Taseko Mines Limited (NYSEAmerican:TGB)
Taseko Mines jumped by 24.23 percent week-on-week as investor sentiment was bolstered by the jump in prices of gold and copper.
Last Friday alone, gold spot increased by 1.97 percent to $4,239 per troy ounce while copper was up by 2.28 percent at $11,189 per metric ton.
Last week’s performance, which showed four straight days of rally, also reflected investor confidence despite the company posting mixed earnings performance in the third quarter of the year.
During the period, Taseko Mines Limited (NYSEAmerican:TGB) markedly widened its net loss by 15,365 percent to $27.8 million from only $180,000 in the same period last year.
Revenues, on the other hand, jumped by 11.7 percent to $173.9 million from $155.6 million year-on-year, primarily driven by the sale of 26 million pounds of copper and 421,000 pounds of molybdenum.
Gibraltar copper production significantly improved over the previous two quarters as mining continued to advance deeper into higher-grade ore in the Connector pit. In the third quarter, Gibraltar produced 27.6 million pounds of copper, which includes 895,000 pounds of copper cathode and 558,000 pounds of molybdenum,” Taseko Mines Limited (NYSEAmerican:TGB) said.
“Copper recoveries for the third quarter were 77 percent. Both grade and recoveries were markedly higher than the previous two quarters and are expected to increase again in the fourth quarter. Molybdenum grades, which typically track copper grades, were also higher than the previous quarters resulting in much improved production,” it added.
6. Vizsla Silver Corp. (NYSEAmerican:VZLA)
Vizsla climbed by 25.81 percent week-on-week, as investors took path from the higher prices of precious metals, with sentiment bolstered by renewed optimism for an interest rate cut.
The stock rallied alongside its silver mining counterparts after silver prices soared on Friday, alongside other precious metals, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s last market committee meeting for the year, where interest rates are expected to be cut by 25 basis points.
Lower rates stand to benefit precious metals such as silver and gold, as they tend to weaken the US dollar, making it much cheaper and more attractive to foreign investors, thus, higher sales for the producers.
Vizsla Silver Corp. (NYSEAmerican:VZLA) is a Canada-based mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, and is focused on its flagship Panuco silver-gold project in Sinaloa, Mexico.
Earlier this month, Vizsla Silver Corp. (NYSEAmerican:VZLA) announced the successful raising of $300 million in fresh funds from the issuance of convertible senior notes due 2031. The notes have a yield rate of 5 percent and are convertible into shares or cash, or both.
Noteholders carrying $1,000 worth of notes would be able to convert their holdings into 171.3062 common shares, or equivalent to an initial conversion price of $5.84 apiece.
5. Savara Inc. (NASDAQ:SVRA)
Savara soared by 27.84 percent week-on-week, as investors positioned their portfolios ahead of business updates from its participation in two conferences this week.
According to the company, members of its management team will host one-on-one meetings and participate in fireside chats at the Piper Sandler 37th Annual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, December 2, and at the Evercore ISI 8th Annual Healthcare Conference on Thursday, December 4.
Investors will closely watch out for updates about the company’s business, alongside cues about its outlook.
Earlier this month, Savara Inc. (NASDAQ:SVRA) announced that it widened its net loss attributable to shareholders by 21.9 percent to $29.56 million from $24.2 million in the same period last year.
Total operating expenses also grew by 14.7 percent to $30.25 million from $26.3 million year-on-year, amid 1.4 percent higher research and development costs related to its Molbreevi program.
Molbreevi is a recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in Phase 3 development for autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (autoimmune PAP).
4. Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (NYSEAmerican:NAK)
Northern Dynasty Minerals climbed by 28 percent week-on-week, as investors placed bets on copper and gold miners amid the surge in prices of the said metals.
Last Friday alone, gold spot increased by 1.97 percent to $4,239 per troy ounce while copper was up by 2.28 percent at $11,189 per metric ton, as traders set sights on precious metals ahead of an expected interest rate cut in the next few days.
The Federal Reserve is set to meet for its last open market committee meeting for the year, and economists are placing bets on a 25-basis-point rate cut.
Lower rates typically weaken the US dollar, making it cheaper to buy precious metals and thus benefiting producers like Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (NYSEAmerican:NAK).
In other recent news, Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (NYSEAmerican:NAK) announced a 72 percent wider net loss of C$7.9 million versus C$4.6 million in the same period last year.
The figures were pulled down by a 78 percent higher operating loss of C$6.48 million versus C$3.6 million year-on-year, primarily due to higher expenses from exploration as well as general and administrative items.
3. Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (NYSEAmerican:ASM)
Avino saw its share prices increase by 28.44 percent week-on-week as investors loaded portfolios ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee’s last interest rate meeting for the year.
The stock rallied alongside its mining counterparts, fueled by renewed optimism for an interest rate cut.
On Friday alone, gold spot increased by 1.97 percent to $4,239 per troy ounce while silver surged by 5.81 percent to $56.5003.
Lower rates stand to benefit precious metals such as silver and gold, as they tend to weaken the US dollar, making it much cheaper and more attractive to foreign investors, thus, higher sales for the producers.
In other recent news, Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (NYSEAmerican:ASM) saw its net income expand by 559 percent to $7.7 million from $1.17 million in the same period last year.
Revenues increased by 44 percent to $21.04 million from $14.6 million year-on-year, primarily driven by higher metal prices and marginally higher ounces sold.
Following the results, Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (NYSEAmerican:ASM) is confident in achieving its 2025 financial and operational targets.
2. T1 Energy Inc. (NYSE:TE)
T1 Energy soared by 51.47 percent week-on-week as investors cheered its chief executive’s meeting with US Vice President JD Vance last week to discuss American energy and manufacturing.
In a statement during the week, T1 Energy Inc. (NYSE:TE) chairman and chief executive officer, Dan Barcelo, committed to supporting the development of energy in the US.
According to T1 Energy Inc. (NYSE:TE), it is accelerating the development of its 2.1 GW solar cell fabrication facility to support project completion by the end of the year.
Upon completion, the first phase of the facility, called G2_Austin, is targeted to start producing solar cells in the fourth quarter of 2026 with an estimated investment of $400 million to $425 million, as well as generate some 1,700 new jobs.
Apart from G2_Austin, T1 Energy Inc. (NYSE:TE) also owns and operates the G1_Dallas solar module facility in Wilmer, Texas—one of the most advanced solar manufacturing plants globally, with a capacity to produce between 2.6 and 3 GW of solar modules in 2025.
In the third quarter of the year, the company widened its net loss attributable to shareholders by 412 percent to $140.8 million from $27.47 million in the same period last year. Net sales were at $90.38 million, versus none in the same comparable period.
1. DeFi Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:DEFT)
DeFi Technologies jumped by 59.16 percent week-on-week, as investors cheered the approval of its own stablecoin.
In a statement last week, DeFi Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:DEFT) said that its venture portfolio company, Canada Stablecorp Inc., and the QCAD Digital Trust have secured regulatory approvals for its QCAD stablecoin, making it Canada’s first compliant CAD stablecoin.
Following the approval, DeFi Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:DEFT) said that it intends to focus on scaling QCAD across three core areas: product development, liquidity and market access, as well as security and future-proofing.
Through Valour Inc., DeFi Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:DEFT) said that it would develop QCAD-integrated products, including CAD-linked ETPs, yield products, and structured solutions that provide regulated access to the digital asset economy for retail and institutional investors.
It would also partner with BTQ Technologies Corp. to ensure a post-quantum security roadmap for QCAD.
“QCAD’s approval as Canada’s first compliant CAD stablecoin is a pivotal milestone for Stablecorp and for the Canadian digital asset market,” said DeFi Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:DEFT) Chairman and CEO Johan Wattenstrom.
“Having a fully regulated Canadian-dollar rail fits squarely within our strategy of backing category-defining infrastructure and allows us to support QCAD’s growth across our platform and our broader institutional network.”
While we acknowledge the potential of DEFT to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than DEFT and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.
Disclosure: None. Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily e-newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge fund investor letters by entering your email below.
