The TSX snapped its three-day winning streak on January 20, 2026, a day after recording a new record high. Escalating geopolitical tensions, the Greenland crisis, and new tariff threats by the U.S. caused Tuesday’s broad-based losses. Nonetheless, despite the market noise, investors can find some good buying opportunities.
Titan Mining (TSX:TI) and Discovery Silver (TSX: DSV) in the top-performing basic materials sector are the “buy right away” stocks. You can include Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX: ATD), a well-rounded non-mining stock, for added resilience against volatility.
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Emerging graphite producer
Titan Mining, a $550.6 million natural resource company, is a zinc concentrate producer. It also aims to be the first end-to-end producer of natural flake graphite in the U.S. in 70 years. Graphite is a key component of the critical minerals’ ecosystem.
This high-flying mining stock is up 72.7% year-to-date, following a balance sheet clean-up. At $6.65 per share, the trailing one-year price return is plus-1,542%. On January 5, 2026, Titan announced a 60% reduction of short-term debt to $9.5 billion. Its President and CEO, Rita Adiani, said, “This meaningful reduction in debt significantly strengthens our balance sheet and enhances our capacity to advance the next phase of our U.S. graphite strategy.”
The recently announced $15 million equity financing added financial flexibility to support graphite development activities along with existing operations. In the first three quarters of 2025, net income reached US$973,000 compared to the US$4.9 million net loss from a year ago. The major de-risking milestone should drive the stock higher.
Best growth story
Discovery Silver is among the favourites of safe-haven seekers. Moreover, the broader mining sector benefits from rising gold and silver prices. At $10.06 per share, the trailing one-year price return is plus-947.9%. Had you invested $7,000 in DSV a year ago, your money would be worth $73,354.17 today.
The $8.2 billion precious metals company owns the Cordero in Mexico, one of the world’s largest silver development-stage projects. Based on the 2024 Feasibility Study, Cordero meets all the criteria for a high-quality project. The flagship asset is situated along a prolific silver belt and will soon generate substantial cash flow and attractive returns.
Discovery used to be a single-asset developer with the Porcupine Project near Timmins, Ontario. The mining complex continues to grow its gold production and generate massive cash flows. Its President and CEO, Tony Makuch, said, “Through our portfolio of assets, Discovery ended 2025 as a company with among the best growth stories in both the gold and silver sectors.”
Defensive growth
Couche-Tard is both a defensive holding and a growth play. The $67.9 billion multinational retail giant boasts a strong balance sheet and has achieved massive scale in the global convenience sector. In Canada, it is a dominant player in the transportation fuel retail market.
If you invest today, ATD trades at $73.40 per share and pays a modest but super safe 1.2% dividend. Its President and CEO, Alex Miller, notes the strong growth across all geographies in Q2 fiscal 2026. “We are encouraged by the positive momentum we’re continuing to build in our business,” he said.
Fly to safety
Titan Mining and Discovery Silver are safe-haven assets with high-upside potential. Alimentation Couche-Tard is a buy-and-hold staple. All three stocks are flight-to-safety options in the current economic landscape.
