Agnico-Eagle MinesAEM.TOBUYApr 05, 2024Stock 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.
Gold moves with interest rates and the US dollar, as well as with money printing. Like in 2008, it took a while (to 2010) before gold started to really react to all the stimulus that was put in place during the financial crisis. Now, the same thing may be happening with post-covid stimulus making its way through to gold. The prospects of lower interest rates also helps gold, and we have seen news of China buying as well as central banks buying globally. We cannot time how long it will continue but gold does move on sentiment, and positive sentiment could certainly continue longer. In a rally, we prefer stocks over bullion. Bullion can work better in a 'crisis' but we do not think we are setting up for that. AEM, KRR and FNV look good to us.
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