Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Newmont (NEM) Hits 52-Week High, Can the Run Continue?

Read MoreHide Full Article

Have you been paying attention to shares of Newmont Mining (NEM - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 4.4% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $40.33 in the previous session. Newmont Mining has gained 14.3% since the start of the year compared to the 15.2% move for the Zacks Basic Materials sector and the 38.3% return for the Zacks Mining - Gold industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on April 25, 2019, Newmont reported EPS of $0.33 versus consensus estimate of $0.26 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 2.29%.

For the current fiscal year, Newmont is expected to post earnings of $1.4 per share on $9.75 billion in revenues. This represents a 3.7% change in EPS on a 34.48% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.79 per share on $11.62 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 28.34% and 19.11%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Newmont may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Newmont has a Value Score of D. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 28.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 10.9X versus its peer group's average of 10X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks Rank

We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Newmont currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Newmont passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Newmont shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does Newmont Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of Newmont have been rising, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? Some of its industry peers are also impressive, including Alamos Gold (AGI - Free Report) , AngloGold Ashanti (AU - Free Report) , and Kirkland Lake Gold , all of which currently have a Zacks Rank of at least #2 and a VGM Score of at least B, making them well-rounded choices.

The Zacks Industry Rank is in the top 10% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for Newmont, even beyond its own solid fundamental situation.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


Newmont Corporation (NEM) - free report >>

AngloGold Ashanti PLC (AU) - free report >>

Alamos Gold Inc. (AGI) - free report >>

Published in