Agnico-Eagle MinesAEM.TODON'T BUYFeb 17, 2023Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Oct 23, 2026. Market Open.
One of the highest-quality gold miners in Canada. Strong operating record, very good balance sheet. Most assets are in relatively stable jurisdictions. Last quarter strong, production better than expected, costs well-controlled. Record FCF. Modest upside. Wait to add on weakness, don't chase here.
Full-year production now expected near lower end of guidance. Watch that, as well as price of gold. She owns ABX instead.
Cashflow machine. $3B or so in cash on the balance sheet. Down 34% from peak (including $30 jump from yesterday). Largest and best gold miner in Canada. Low-risk jurisdictions. Lots of growth plans beyond 2030 to increase production, much of it by expanding existing mines (means lower risk). Very conservative management. Yield is 1.08%.
(Analysts’ price target is $225.15)Gold is now trading pretty soberly on price to NAV. If you believe that the USD is eventually going to put in a high here and gold will start to assert itself (and that's the better view), then you can buy gold stocks here. Gold stocks can be fickle. Upcoming quarter may see margins pinched a bit due to higher costs, but that's already reflected in the price.
EPS was 41c, matching estimates; revenue was $1.385B, 3% short of estimates.
EBITDA of $496M was 20% short.
Guidance was weak: AEM noted it expected production to be lower and costs to be higher for the next three years.
The stock dropped the most in two years.
Guidance is about 6% below prior forecasts due to 'permit issues, noise restrictions and revised mining operations'.
Cost guidance rose 15% from the company's prior expectations. 4Q gold production was 799,438 ounces, vs 812,537 estimated.
The Yamana deal is expected to close in March. We can deal with short term issues, but we do not like a three year outlook of lower production as well as higher costs.
The price drop is justified here.
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