As summer quietly approaches, investors are beginning to look for catalyst-driven companies with clear demand, healthier balance sheets, and no need for a perfect economic environment to support them. In this context, the following stocks are worth watching before summer.
CareRx provides pharmacy services to seniors living in long-term care homes, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, and other collective care settings. This gives it a stable customer base that is tied to the trend of an aging population rather than short-term shopping fluctuations. Over the past year, CareRx has added beds, improved margins, reduced net debt, and begun paying quarterly dividends. Additionally, its new pharmacy project in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland has been completed, supporting future growth.
Financial data shows this small company is moving in the right direction. In 2025, revenue increased from CAD 366.7 million to CAD 370.2 million, and adjusted EBITDA climbed to CAD 32.9 million. Thanks to tax recoveries, net profit reached CAD 26.1 million, compared to a loss in the previous year. CareRx also announced a quarterly dividend of CAD 0.02 per share for the first quarter of 2026, with a current yield of 2.2%. The risk is that the company’s small size may lead to greater stock price volatility, but its healthcare attributes give it a useful defensive advantage heading into summer.
Orla Mining’s story is even more compelling. This gold producer operates the Camino Rojo mine in Mexico and, after acquiring the Musselwhite mine in Ontario from Newmont, now has a larger growth platform. Gold prices remain firm due to investor concerns over inflation, debt, currencies, and global tensions. Over the past year, Orla’s stock has also benefited from increased production and rising investor interest in gold miners. Newmont has sold off its remaining stake in Orla, but this appears more like portfolio cleaning than a negative assessment of Orla’s stock.
Recent results are impressive. In the fourth quarter of 2025, Orla Mining reported adjusted earnings of USD 143.1 million, or USD 0.42 per share, and free cash flow of USD 133.4 million. Full-year 2025 gold production was 300,620 ounces, exceeding revised production guidance. For 2026, the company expects consolidated gold production of 340,000 to 360,000 ounces, providing investors with a clear growth path. It should be noted that after this rise, the company’s valuation is no longer cheap, and gold prices could turn quickly. Nevertheless, if investors continue to favor hard assets, Orla Mining could still be a strong choice for the summer.
Summary: CareRx, with its stable healthcare demand serving an aging population, offers defensive characteristics suitable for investors seeking stability. Orla Mining benefits from gold’s safe-haven attributes and production growth, making it more offensive. However, investors should note the volatility risk associated with CareRx’s smaller size and Orla Mining’s high dependence on gold price movements. Based on their own risk preferences, investors should make prudent judgments before summer.
