Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX), which is the world's largest gold producer, continues to pump out strong profits. According to the latest quarterly report, net income came to 90 cents a share, up from 21 cents in the same period a year ago. Revenues were up 25% to $2.95 billion.

On an adjusted basis -- such as by excluding one-time items -- earnings were 95 cents. The Street consensus was for 87 cents.

Continue reading Barrick Continues to Mine Its Own Business

Barrick Continues to Mine Its Own Business originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The Canadian economy performed much better than the U.S. economy during the past two and a half years," says J. Royden Ward.

The editor of Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Letter explains, "We believe many outstanding buying opportunities still exist and investors should continue to buy undervalued Canadian stocks."

Here, he looks at a trio of Canadian-based resource plays: Barrick Resources (ABX), Pan American Silver (PAAS), and Teck Resources 'B' (TCK).

Continue reading Canadian Resource Trio: Ben Graham Value Buys?

Canadian Resource Trio: Ben Graham Value Buys? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"In my view, the best value in gold miners is the senior producers, and the best investment from that class is Barrick Gold (ABX)," says Ian Wyatt.

The editor of Top Stock Insights explains, "This company will benefit over the next few years from its high quality diversified portfolio of assets which includes around 140 million ounces of gold reserve.

"It's not a particularly fast growing company, but it's got the bull market in gold going for it. Additionally, it has a number of projects it can build and most importantly the capital to begin construction.

Continue reading Barrick Gold (ABX): The Best Bet Among Senior Gold Miners

Barrick Gold (ABX): The Best Bet Among Senior Gold Miners originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• JPMorgan upgraded Vivus (VVUS) to overweight from neutral.
• Citigroup upgraded Corn Products (CPO) to buy from hold.
• Maxim Integrated (MXIM) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Cardinal Health (CAH) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Citigroup upgraded Monster Worldwide (MWW) and EchoStar (SATS) to buy from hold, as well as Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to buy from sell.
• BMO Capital upgraded Potash (POT) and Barrick Gold (ABX) to outperform from market perform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CAH, EXPE, FSLR, HOT, LVS, MWW, NUVA, POT ...

Analyst Calls: CAH, EXPE, FSLR, HOT, LVS, MWW, NUVA, POT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Comcast (CMCSA) agreed to take a majority-ownership of NBC Universal from General Electric (GE). Comcast announced a 40% dividend increase and said its will complete its $3.6 billion stock-buyback effort during the next three years. CMCSA overall option implied volatility of 35 is versus its 26-week average of 39, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Barrick Gold (ABX) closed at $47.93. Gold is recently up 0.24% to $1215.90 according to Bloomberg. Barrick Gold announced on December 1 that it has eliminated all gold hedges and now has full leverage to the gold price on the industry's largest gold production and reserves. December and January option implied volatility of 43 is near its 26-week average of 44 according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Options Update: Comcast volatility low into NBCU deal originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Late in the evening of November 11, The Daily Telegraph reported that Barrick Gold (ABX) has shut its hedge book because the world gold supply is running out. Barrick Gold's president, Aaron Regent, told the periodical that global output has been shrinking at a pace for nearly 1 million ounces a year since the start of the decade.

At RBC's annual gold conference in London, Regent noted that "There is a strong case to be made that we are already at 'peak gold.'" Regent believes that production peaked around 2000 and has dropped ever since, he adds that Barrick Gold believes the decline will continue because "It is increasingly difficult to find ore."

Continue reading Barrick Gold shuts hedge book over world gold supply

Barrick Gold shuts hedge book over world gold supply originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When gold miners and gun-toters lag the broader economy, it's usually a good sign that conditions are on the mend. Both sectors outperform when times were tough, but this year, their growth has slowed relative to the market has a whole.

The S&P 500 index has gained 57% since March 9, 2009, according to a USA Today report, while Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX) and Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM) are up 36% and 21%, respectively, for the same period. Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ: SWHC) is up 30%. Again, these are definitely respectable results, but they aren't keeping pace with the index.

Continue reading Guns and gold tell the story on the economy

Guns and gold tell the story on the economy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: ABX) announced that it would begin eliminating its hedges against a collapse in gold prices.

In so doing, the company is raising some $3 billion with the sale of stock that will dilute current shareholders.

While the gold hedges may have acted as a brake on revenues and profits in a rising gold price environment, the strategy was prudent.

Continue reading Gold stock to sell #1: Barrick Gold (ABX)

Gold stock to sell #1: Barrick Gold (ABX) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gold at $1,000. Better buy now or you will miss the greatest invention since tulips in the 1800s.

Or so they say. I say, what a bunch of baloney. Why on earth would I want to put hard-earned cash on something that may look pretty but has no real tangible value?

That's right, gold has no tangible value. Well, that's not entirely true since there is a vast cult of worshipers out there that say gold is the only thing with value. As a result of their die-hard belief, gold actually does have value, as we now see with AU trading for $1,000 per ounce.

Continue reading Gold is losing its shine: Five to sell now

Gold is losing its shine: Five to sell now originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX) closed at $37.18. Gold is recently up 1.43% to $977 according to Bloomberg. ABX June option implied volatility is at 45, July is at 47; below its 26-week average of 66, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Melco Crown Entertainment (NYSE: MPEL) closed at $6.06. MPEL's City of Dreams in Cotai, Macau, is scheduled to open on June 1. MPEL June option implied volatility is at 91, October is at 95; near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Barrick Gold volatility low; gold rallies to $977 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 May 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"As the name suggests, Royal Gold (NASDAQ: RGLD) is a royalty company, one of the larger and longest-established of such companies, with a focus on gold," says resource exprt Adrian Day.

In his Global Analyst advisory, he explains, "In my view, the stock offers a combination of growth, low risk, and high potential." Here's his look at this "golden opportunity."

"In the past year, the company has acquired two significant royalty packages, the first last year from Barrick and more recently from Teck Cominco. The Barrick package includes approximately 70 royalties.

"Even before these acquisitions, it had a solid long-term growth record, in royalties and in revenues. Its pipeline is solid, including a royalty on the large Pensasquito mine of Goldcorp; when that ramps up in 2012, it will add about 25% to Royal's revenues.

Continue reading Royal Gold (RGLD): Royal play on gold royalties

Royal Gold (RGLD): Royal play on gold royalties originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 May 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Today's technical outlook: Day of decision after support lines broken

Today's technical outlook: Day of decision after support lines broken originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Gold prices drop and take several gold stocks to new 52 week lows

Gold prices drop and take several gold stocks to new 52 week lows originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In a market dancing in bear market territory and with elevated inflation, it certainly doesn't hurt to own a defensive stock or two. And one that fits the bill, with an inflation hedge as a bonus, is Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX).

Barrick Gold is the world's number one gold producer, with a 2007 production capacity of 8.1 million ounces, and 124.6 million ounces in proved/probable reserves. Analysts see a 20-30% revenue gain in 2008 for ABX, following a solid performance in 2007, due to a higher average gold price and increased production.

What's behind the gold bull market? Three factors: 1) increased use of gold in industrial and commercial applications, 2) rising demand for gold jewelry, and 3) increased reliance on gold and gold shares as an alternative investment. All three trends show only modest signs of abating in 2008. Asia-based jewelry demand looks especially promising in the immediate years ahead. The Reuters F2008/F2009 EPS consensus estimates for ABX are $2.43/$2.60.

Continue reading Barrick Gold: A defensive stock with an inflation hedge

Barrick Gold: A defensive stock with an inflation hedge originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Barrick Gold (ABX) driven higher by rising gold futures

Barrick Gold (ABX) driven higher by rising gold futures originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Barrick Gold (ABX) rises with gold futures originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With gold trading down sharply from its highs, Keith-Fitzerald offers a special report on gold stocks in Money Morning, highlighting three companies that he consider to be the "very best of the best."

"Gold remains a key profit opportunity -- especially if inflation, or even stagflation, is taking hold. It should also help that economic uncertainty is escalating. However, since the economic outlook has grown more uncertain, we've decided to our recommended list down to just three picks:

"The StreetTracks Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD) is an ETF that tracks the price of gold directly, making it the simplest way to invest in the yellow metal via an ETF. And with a market cap approaching $17 billion, this fund has ample liquidity.

"Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: ABX) is a Toronto-based company with mostly North American production, as well as properties in South America and Africa, and some copper and zinc add-ons. It has a $38 billion market capitalization, so there's plenty of liquidity.

Continue reading Best of breed in the gold sector

Best of breed in the gold sector originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After hitting a one-year low of $27.71 in May, the stock hit a one-year high of $54.74 in March, ABX opened this morning at $44.77. So far today the stock has hit a low of $44.75 and a high of $46.20. As of 12:40, ABX is trading at $45.63, up $2.16 (4.9%). The chart for ABX looks bearish and steady, while S&P gives the stock a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy rating.

For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a May bull-put credit spread below the $37.50 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 4.2% return in just one month as long as ABX is above $37.50 at May expiration. Barrick would have to fall by more than 18% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.

Continue reading Barrick Gold (ABX) on the rise with gold futures

Barrick Gold (ABX) on the rise with gold futures originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The recent decline in gold from above $1,000 is prompting gold bears to say that the great gold bull market has reversed itself," says Martin Hutchinson who states, "Let me say right now: They're wrong."

In his Money Map Reporter, he explains, "Thanks to three key catalysts, we may well see gold at $1,500 an ounce this year, if not higher." Here's his outlook and a trio of ways to play this trend.

"These three catalysts - worldwide monetary policy, global supply-and-demand for gold, and gold's past performance - have already ignited a powerful rally that's virtually certain to carry gold to much higher price points, despite the breather the rally appears to be taking right now.

"Don't be fooled. Every rally needs a catalyst - something that ignites and then fuels the bullish trend. As noted above, gold has three. Let's take a look at each of them:

1. Monetary policy: More than for any other investment, gold's price depends primarily on the world's monetary policy. When monetary policy is loose, as it was in the 1970s, gold prices soar. When it is tight, as in the 1980s, prices decline sharply.

Continue reading Trio of catalysts set to boost gold

Trio of catalysts set to boost gold originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Technician Yola Edwards had forecast a rise in gold to $1032; it rose to $1034, before correcting. In her Edwards Charts she offers a technical outlook for gold, Goldcorp (NYSE: GG) and Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX).

"Gold exceeded my $1032.50 level by posting an intraday high just shy of $1034 but it turned on a dime and plunged over a US$100. The daily chart now indicates prices are oversold according to the MACD and RSI as the price bounces off support at the lower Bollinger band.

"However, a negative bias remains. A corrective wave four will retrace to the top of wave 1 at about US$865 if the decline holds true to theory, which should be viewed as a buying opportunity as the fifth advancing wave should see gold rally to about $1145 over the next four months.

"Goldcorp has traced out a 'U' shaped bottom over the past two years and is now in a consolidation phase. Since pulling back from its high two weeks ago the month ended with a type of spinning top which halted the previous decline.

Continue reading Gold stocks: Technical targets

Gold stocks: Technical targets originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.