Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX:TSX; GOLD:NYSE) reported production of just under one million ounces, down 54,000 ounces from the year-ago quarter and below estimates, while costs have risen. Copper production, however, was stronger than forecast. The company believes it will have a strong fourth quarter so that annual production will be within guidance, at the lower end for gold but mid-range for copper.
While production was down, costs rose. Cash costs for gold rose 3-5% last quarter to US$889/oz, partly reflecting the lower production during the quarter. All-in-sustaining costs, estimated at US$1,248, are also up 3-5% on the quarter, 20% from a year ago.
The production shortfall is largely attributable to the Nevada Gold Mines, where anticipated higher grades did not materialize, though are expected this quarter. Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic partly offset the lower Nevada output.
With dynamic management and world-class assets around the globe, Barrick, trading at low valuation multiples, is a Buy.
Osisko Has Another Record, With Growth Ahead
Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. (OR:TSX; OR:NYSE) reported another record quarter with deliveries, revenues, and cash margin all at new highs. Production was up 7% quarter-on-quarter, and the company expects this trend to continue into the final quarter of the year, putting it on track to meet its annual guidance, albeit at the low end of the range.
One negative was that the Eagle mine, operated by Victoria Gold, still in ramp-up, had problems with a conveyer, with operations down for two to three weeks. The company bought back 1.3 million shares at a total cost of CA$16.5 million during the quarter.
With conservative management and a built-in pipeline of growth, Osisko is a Buy.
Royal on Track To Meet Guidance
Royal Gold Inc. (RGLD:NASDAQ; RGL:TSX) announced it has sold just 56,000 oz of gold equivalent ounces (GEOs) during the quarter, identical to the previous quarter, though below analyst estimates.
The company had 31,000 ounces in inventory at the quarter end, mostly gold but also silver and copper. The company in on track to achieve the upper end of its annual production guidance.
With quality assets, Royal Gold is a Buy.
Another Strong Quarter for Altius
Altius Minerals Corp. (ALS:TSX.V) reported strong quarterly revenue, though slightly down from Q2, which was a record for the company. For the year-to-date, revenue is up 30% on the comparable period in 2021. The outperformance was attributable to higher thermal coal revenue and strong if expected, revenues from potash.
Once again, the results demonstrate the benefits of a diversified portfolio, as some commodities perform better than others.
During the quarter, Altius purchased additional shares in Labrador Iron Ore Royalty, and it remains active on its buy-back program. Separately, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in an unrelated case on what constitutes a taking by regulatory action.
This has positive implications for Altius’ ongoing case against Alberta for its action against coal mines on which the company holds royalties.
Although Altius is a core holding for us, given that the volatile stock is at the top of the recent range, we will hold and look for pullbacks to add.
Key Drilling Ahead for Lara
Lara Exploration Ltd. (LRA:TSX.V) has resumed drilling at its Planalto Project in Brazil after receipt of a new permit to extend drilling northwards from the new Cupuzeiro discovery at the project. Additional critical drilling to test the gap between Cupuzeira and the original Homestead deposit is planned once a separate permit is received for that.
Capstone Copper can earn up to 70% in the project on certain conditions.
At this price, Lara is a very strong Buy.
New Targets for Midland
Midland Exploration Inc. (MD:TSX.V) said it had discovered several new mineralized areas of high-grade copper and gold in its strategic alliance with SOQUEM in the Labrador Trough in Quebec. The company will evaluate the results and looks to advance exploration, possibly with drilling next year.
With strong management, a solid balance sheet, and multiple active projects, Midland is a Buy.
BEST BUYS this week include, in addition to the above, Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (WPM:TSX; WPM:NYSE); Gladstone Investment Corp. (GAIN: NASDAQ); Nestle SA (NESN:VX; NSRGY:OTC); Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPHT:Singapore)); Ares Capital Corp. (ARCC:NASDAQ); and Pan American Silver Corp. (PAAS:TSX; PAAS:NASDAQ).
Want to be the first to know about interesting Gold, Critical Metals, Base Metals and Silver investment ideas? Sign up to receive the FREE Streetwise Reports' newsletter.
Subscribe
Adrian Day Disclosures:
Adrian Day’s Global Analyst is distributed for $990 per year by Investment Consultants International, Ltd., P.O. Box 6644, Annapolis, MD 21401. (410) 224-8885. www.AdrianDayGlobalAnalyst.com. Publisher: Adrian Day. Owner: Investment Consultants International, Ltd. Staff may have positions in securities discussed herein. Adrian Day is also President of Global Strategic Management (GSM), a registered investment advisor, and a separate company from this service. In his capacity as GSM president, Adrian Day may be buying or selling for clients securities recommended herein concurrently, before or after recommendations herein, and may be acting for clients in a manner contrary to recommendations herein. This is not a solicitation for GSM. Views herein are the editor’s opinion and not fact. All information is believed to be correct, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The owner and editor are not responsible for errors and omissions. © 2022. Adrian Day’s Global Analyst. Information and advice herein are intended purely for the subscriber’s own account. Under no circumstances may any part of a Global Analyst e-mail be copied or distributed without prior written permission of the editor. Given the nature of this service, we will pursue any violations aggressively.
Disclosures:
1) Adrian Day: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own securities of the following companies mentioned in this article: All. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: None. Funds controlled by Adrian Day Asset Management, which is unaffiliated with Adrian Day’s newsletter, hold shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: All. I determined which companies would be included in this article based on my research and understanding of the sector.
2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Streetwise Reports for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article. Streetwise Reports requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Streetwise Reports relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Streetwise Reports has no means of verifying its accuracy.
4) This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services, or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.
5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees, or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in the securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees, or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company release. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. and Pan American Silver Corp., companies mentioned in this article.
