Gold, Copper, and Missiles: 3 Big Dividend Raises After a Breakout Year

For the defense and mining industries, 2025 was a standout year. The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS: ITA) tracks the performance of a basket of over 40 U.S. aerospace and defense companies. The fund delivered a total return of nearly 49% in 2025, its best calendar year performance in over a decade. The SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (NYSEARCA: XME) tracks the performance of a basket of over 30 U.S. mining and metals stocks. Its performance was even more impressive, delivering a total return of around 83%, its best since 2016.

Now, several giants in these two industries are rewarding investors after landmark gains, meaningfully boosting their dividends. Let’s dive into the dividend details around these companies and take a glimpse at their outlooks for 2026.