Barrick Gold Corporation, trading under the symbol GOLD on the NYSE, is a leading player in the gold mining industry. The company is set to release its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings on February 12, 2025. Analysts expect earnings per share (EPS) to be $0.46, with projected revenue of around $3.98 billion. Barrick Gold's performance is closely watched due to its significant role in the mining sector.
The company's upcoming earnings report is anticipated to benefit from higher gold prices and strong production levels. Despite this, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Barrick's fourth-quarter earnings has been revised downward by 8.9% over the past month, now standing at $0.41 per share. This still represents a substantial year-over-year increase of 51.9%, highlighting the company's growth potential.
Historically, Barrick Gold has exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of approximately 16.1%. This track record, combined with a positive Earnings ESP and a favorable Zacks Rank, suggests a potential earnings beat for Barrick Gold this quarter. Such performance could positively impact the company's stock price and investor sentiment.
Barrick Gold's stock is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 10.81, which is about 23.7% lower than the average for the Zacks Mining – Gold industry. This positions Barrick Gold as an attractive option for value investors. However, the stock is trading approximately 19.5% below its 52-week high of $21.35, achieved on October 21, 2024, indicating room for potential growth.
Technical analysis shows that GOLD has been trading below its 200-day simple moving average since November 25, 2024, but it surpassed its 50-day simple moving average on January 30, 2025, suggesting a bullish trend. Despite its promising valuation and growth potential, investors should be cautious due to the company's high costs. Barrick Gold's solid financial health, reliable dividend yield, and low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20 add to its appeal, but these factors must be weighed against cost concerns.
