Gold, Timing & Defense: Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s Top Trades
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When it comes to congressional stock trading, few portfolios draw attention like that of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Her disclosures reveal a series of bold moves, especially in metals and mining, that delivered striking gains. But beyond the numbers, one trade stands out for a very different reason: a purchase in ViaSat Inc. (VSAT:US), a defense-focused company whose fortunes are directly tied to government spending. That very spending is overseen by a committee that Schultz herself helps shape.
Mining for Triple-Digit Gains
Between 2022 and 2024, Wasserman Schultz concentrated heavily on gold and silver stocks, a choice that proved exceptionally profitable:
New Gold Inc (NGD:US): Bought in February 2024 at $1.19, later rose to about $6.71, for an eye-catching 464% gain. This trade was in 2025, over a year later.
Alamos Gold Inc (AGI:US): Entered in June 2022 at $7.83, with the stock later climbing to nearly $27, marking a 244% increase.
Mag Silver Corp (MAG:US): Bought in January 2024 at $9.99, and subsequently rose to over $21, delivering a 114% gain.
Hecla Mining Co (HL:US): A smaller but still respectable 19% increase after her purchase.
These trades demonstrate a clear, calculated focus on metals and mining during market upswings, underscoring why delayed reporting can leave the public in the dark about truly significant profits.
The VIASAT Trade
Among all these trades, the most interesting isn’t about gold at all. In October 2024, Wasserman Schultz purchased shares of Viasat Inc (VSAT:US), entering at $10.29. Within months, the stock climbed to $16.28, delivering a strong 58% gain.
But what makes this trade particularly noteworthy is VIASAT’s business: the company produces military communications equipment - a sector directly tied to federal defense budgets and military construction funding.
Even more significant, Schultz sits on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, which helps shape decisions affecting military infrastructure, communications systems, and related contracts. While there’s no evidence of wrongdoing, the overlap between her role in Congress and her investment in a defense contractor underscores why these trades spark debate about potential conflicts of interest - and why timely disclosure is so critical.
Beyond Gold & Tech: Energy and Mixed Results
Her portfolio also included notable energy trades. In May 2022, Wasserman Schultz sold Patterson-UTI Energy Inc (PTEN:US) at $15.80, before it fell dramatically to $6.3—a timely exit that avoided a 60% drop. Yet other trades were less successful: a buy in Baxter International Inc (BAX:US) ended down about -5%, while Perion Network Ltd (PERI:US) dropped roughly 8% after purchase.
What Stands Out
What stands out across Wasserman Schultz’s disclosures is a clear pattern: a confident, concentrated bet on metals and mining stocks during periods of sharp rallies that delivered extraordinary gains. At the same time, she ventured into a less popular stock like VIASAT, reflecting an eye for opportunities in the circle she moves in. To add on, the most striking trades, especially the huge win in New Gold Inc, were reported significantly late, raising questions about transparency and oversight.
Taken together, her trading history highlights exactly why congressional stock trading remains under scrutiny: impressive profits paired with delayed disclosures keep the public wondering whether current rules truly ensure real-time transparency, or simply tell us what politicians did after it no longer matters.
