Best Gold Stocks to Buy for December 2025
5 Best Gold Stocks to Buy Today
| Company (Ticker) | 12 Week Price Change | Forward PE | Price | Proj EPS Growth (1 Year) | Projected Sales Growth (1Y) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerra Gold (CGAU) | 41.56% | 13.48 | $13.37 | 36.62% | 0.00% |
| Kinross Gold (KGC) | 13.76% | 15.83 | $26.91 | 145.79% | 34.74% |
| Gold Fields Limited (GFI) | 6.03% | 13.08 | $43.09 | 138.39% | 54.90% |
| Newmont (NEM) | 12.15% | 14.69 | $94.09 | 74.09% | 13.05% |
| Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN) | 40.97% | 10.30 | $14.35 | 297.06% | 0.00% |
*Updated on December 10, 2025.
Centerra Gold (CGAU)
$13.37 USD +0.29 (2.22%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for CGAU
- Zacks Rank
Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
A Value B Growth C Momentum A VGM
- Market Cap:$2.68 B (Mid Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:36.62%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:32.00%
- Last EPS Surprise:50.00%
- Next EPS Report date:Feb. 19, 2026
Our Take:
Centerra is a North American-focused gold producer with exposure to copper. It operates the Mount Milligan mine in Canada and Öksüt mine in Türkiye, plus advancing the Goldfield project in Nevada. The portfolio gives direct leverage to bullion and a pipeline in low-risk jurisdictions.
Recent catalysts strengthen Centerra’s case with Mount Milligan’s new PFS extending mine life to 2045, while construction at Goldfield was approved after a study showed attractive returns. Öksüt remains a cost anchor for the company. Together, these support self-funded growth and cash returns.
A Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) reflects positive estimate revisions, with Style Scores of A for Value and B for Growth and Momentum indicating exciting valuation with improving fundamentals. On the Price, Consensus & EPS Surprise chart, shares have trended higher alongside rising 2026–2027 EPS lines, a constructive signal of improving earnings power.
Kinross Gold (KGC)
$26.91 USD +0.45 (1.70%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for KGC
- Zacks Rank
- Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
B Value A Growth A Momentum A VGM
- Market Cap:$33.01 B (Large Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth: 145.59%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth: 0.00%
- Last EPS Surprise:12.82%
- Next EPS Report date:Feb. 11, 2026
Our Take:
Kinross is a diversified gold miner centered on Tasiast in Mauritania and Paracatu in Brazil, with U.S. growth coming from Round Mountain Phase X and the high-grade Great Bear project in Red Lake. This portfolio provides scale today and clear long-term growth potential.
The company's operational momentum is strong, backed by the Tasiast 24k expansion, which increased throughput and helped drive record free cash flow. That allowed higher buybacks and a dividend increase, while the balance sheet shifted to net cash. This financial strength supports a disciplined build-out at Great Bear.
A Zacks Rank #1 and Style Scores of A for Growth and Momentum highlight favorable revisions and trend, while B for Value suggests investors pay a fair price for improving quality. The chart shows a persistent uptrend with 2026–2027 EPS estimates stair-stepping higher, consistent with stronger cash generation and project visibility.
Gold Fields Limited (GFI)
$43.09 USD +1.92 (4.66%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for GFI
- Zacks Rank
- Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
C Value A Growth C Momentum A VGM
- Market Cap: $37.25 B (Large Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:140.91%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:NA
- Last EPS Surprise:NA
- Next EPS Report date:NA
Our Take:
Gold Fields is a global gold producer with cornerstone assets in Australia and Ghana and a new growth engine at Chile’s Salares Norte. The move to acquire Gold Road Resources in October consolidated 100% ownership of Gruyere, boosting Australian exposure.
Execution is improving: Salares Norte is ramping toward steady state, driving higher group volumes and cash flow, while full ownership of Gruyere simplifies decisions and enhances margins. Management commentary and recent updates underscore momentum as production rises. It expects 2025 gold-equivalent output to land near the top of its 2.25–2.45Moz guidance range.
A Zacks Rank #1 with Style Scores of A for Growth and Momentum signals positive estimate revisions and price trend, while C for Value suggests the market already anticipates better fundamentals. The chart depicts a strong price breakout with 2026–2027 EPS lines moving up in tandem, supportive of an improving medium-term outlook.
Newmont (NEM)
$94.09 USD +5.09 (5.72%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for NEM
- Zacks Rank
- Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
B Value C Growth A Momentum B VGM
- Market Cap:$99.00 B (Large Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:73.85%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:19.58%
- Last EPS Surprise: 32.56%
- Next EPS Report date:Feb. 19, 2026
Our Take:
Newmont is the world’s largest gold company with a portfolio of Tier-1 gold and copper assets. It has operations across the Americas, Africa and Australia. The company is pruning non-core mines to focus on scale, longevity and jurisdictional quality.
The reserve base remains industry-leading at more than 134 million attributable ounces of gold at 2024-end. It continues to generate synergies from the Newcrest integration in 2023, while reducing debt via asset sales. It retired $2 billion of debt in the third quarter. These actions are improving its cash conversion across the cycle.
A Zacks Rank #1, with Style Scores of B for Momentum and C for Value and Growth, frames a rebuilding phase where revisions and trends improve ahead of fuller synergy capture. On the chart, shares have rallied sharply as 2026–2027 EPS estimates lift and converge, indicating better visibility on post-integration earnings.
Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN)
$14.35 USD +0.45 (3.24%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for ARMN
- Zacks Rank
- Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
C Value B Growth B Momentum B VGM
- Market Cap:$2.87 B (Mid Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:297.06%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth: 39.13%
- Last EPS Surprise:33.33%
- Next EPS Report date: March 11, 2026
Our Take:
Aris Mining is a Latin America–focused gold producer with high-grade Segovia and the Marmato complex in Colombia, plus majority control of the Soto Norte gold-copper project. This platform offers near-term growth and longer-dated, scalable optionality.
Segovia’s mill expansion and Marmato’s Bulk Mining Zone target higher volumes, while raising Soto Norte ownership to 100% adds a potential second act in a Tier-one district. Production guidance and project milestones point to a rising output profile through 2026. Gold production is expected to be within 230,000-275,000 ounces in 2025.
A Zacks Rank #1 with Style Scores of A for Momentum and B for Growth supports the improving narrative, though C for Value reflects a market that’s pricing in part of the ramp. The chart shows a steady uptrend with 2026–2027 EPS estimates trending higher, consistent with execution at Segovia and Marmato and de-risking at Soto Norte.
Methodology
The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that uses trends in earnings estimate revisions and earnings-per-share (EPS) surprises to classify stocks into five groups: #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy), #3 (Hold), #4 (Sell) and #5 (Strong Sell). The Zacks Rank is calculated through four primary factors related to earnings estimates: analysts' consensus on earnings estimate revisions, the magnitude of revision change, the upside potential and estimate surprise (or the degree in which earnings per share deviated from the previous quarter).
Zacks builds the data from 3,000 analysts at over 150 different brokerage firms. The average yearly gain for Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks is +23.62% per year from January, 1988, through June 2, 2025.
Selections for Best Gold Stocks are based on the current top ranking stocks based on Zacks Indicator Score. For this list, only companies that have average daily trading volumes of 100,000 shares or more were considered. All information is current as of market open, Dec. 5, 2025.
Guide to Gold Stocks
Is it a good time to invest in gold stocks right now?
Given that gold prices are already elevated and many forecasts point to further upside, now is considered a “reasonable time” by many analysts to consider gold stocks. The leverage effect of mining companies means they may outperform bullion if gold continues to rise.
However, one must also be cautious: valuations for some stocks might already reflect part of the rally, and risks remain (see next). It’s prudent to size positions carefully and maintain diversification.
Benefits of investing in gold stocks
- Operational leverage: As gold prices climb, miners’ margins expand because cost per ounce is relatively fixed.
- Dividend potential: Some mature gold companies pay dividends or buy back shares, offering a yield component beyond price appreciation.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold stocks can reduce correlation with typical growth stocks, providing a hedge in volatile markets.
Risks of investing in gold stocks
- Operational & geological risk: Mining has many moving parts—cost overruns, mine disruptions, regulatory issues, jurisdiction risks.
- Gold-price risk: If gold falls or stagnates (for example due to higher interest rates), miners will suffer in the opposite direction—sometimes more steeply.
- Valuation risk: Stocks may already price in strong future gold prices; if those don’t materialize, downside exists.
Gold stocks vs Gold stocks ETF vs physical Gold
- Physical Gold: You own actual bullion; no company risk, but you incur storage & insurance costs, no dividends, and liquidity might be lower.
- Gold stocks: You get corporate leverage to gold price, potential dividends, but you assume company-specific risks.
- Gold ETFs (physical bullion): Track gold price directly, low cost, easy to trade, no storage issues—but they don’t offer dividends or operations upside.
- Gold-mining ETFs: Bundle many gold stocks—diversifies company risk but still carries mining equity risk—and may amplify upside or downside relative to bullion.
How to Select the Best Gold Stocks
When evaluating individual gold names:
- Check cost per ounce (all-in sustaining cost) and production profile.
- Verify debt levels and balance-sheet health.
- Look for a diversified asset base (geography, mine life).
- Dividend or buyback policy.
- Management track-record and governance.
- Valuation relative to peers and forward earnings.
Gold stocks vs Silver stocks: Which one is better?
Silver stocks offer exposure to both precious-metal demand and industrial applications (solar panels, EVs, electronics), which creates a different demand profile. That said, silver often underperforms gold during safe-haven rushes and may carry extra cyclicality. For investors focused purely on a hedge or safe-haven, gold stocks are often the preferred choice—but mixing both may enhance diversification.
Market Trend and Forecast about Gold Stocks
What factors are driving gold prices?
Key drivers include:
- Central-bank buying of gold as part of reserves diversification.
- A weak U.S. dollar and lower real interest rates make gold more attractive (because gold yields no interest).
- Geopolitical uncertainty and inflation concerns push investors toward safe-haven assets.
- For miners: higher gold price, stable or declining costs per ounce, improved cash flows.
How do gold stocks perform during inflation or recession?
Historically, gold and gold-stocks have had better relative performance during periods of high inflation or economic stress—thanks to their hedge status. In recessions, while equities may falter, gold may hold its value or rise, which can support gold stocks. That said, mining companies may face production or cost pressures during downturns, so while the metal may hold up, company risks still exist.
Are gold mining stocks undervalued right now?
According to some research, yes. For example, one note points out that while gold has rallied significantly, many mining companies’ valuations remain conservative relative to the metal’s price — offering potential upside if the rally continues.
Still, because many investors have already rotated into the sector, valuations may be less of a bargain than in past cycles.
Will rising Interest rates hurt gold mining companies?
Rising real (inflation-adjusted) interest rates typically increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, which can weigh on gold prices—and thus miners. Additionally, higher rates increase costs for mining firms that borrow. On the flip side, if higher rates reflect inflation-risk or weakness in the economy, gold may benefit. So the net impact depends on the underlying cause of rate increases.
Gold ETFs and Alternatives
Are gold ETFs better than individual gold stocks?
If your primary goal is to track the price of gold (for example as a hedge) rather than pick specific companies, ETFs that hold physical gold may be a simpler, lower-risk approach. They eliminate much of the company-specific risk inherent in mining stocks. On the other hand, stock exposure offers the possibility of outsized returns (when gold rises) via operational leverage—but also greater downside.
Should I invest in gold mutual funds or ETFs? Where is the difference?
- Gold ETFs typically offer direct exposure, low expense ratios, high liquidity, and transparent holdings.
- Gold mutual funds may invest in a mix of gold stocks, sometimes along with other precious-metal companies, and may have higher fees or minimums. For many self-directed investors, ETFs are more efficient.
Which is appropriate depends on your tax situation, jurisdiction, and preferred investment vehicle.
Should I invest in gold for diversification or growth?
Gold is most commonly used as a diversifier—to reduce portfolio risk, hedge inflation, or provide safe-haven exposure. If you’re seeking growth, gold stocks (especially mining companies) may offer upside—but with higher risk. Understand the role you want gold to play in your portfolio before choosing.
How do dividends from gold companies compare to other sectors?
Many gold mining companies may pay dividends or buy back shares, but yields generally tend to be lower than high-dividend sectors such as utilities or REITs. Because their cash-flows are heavily dependent on commodity prices, dividends may be more variable and less predictable. Royalty/streaming companies often offer steadier payouts.
Best way to diversify with silver in a portfolio
Silver provides a related yet distinct exposure: it is both a precious metal and an industrial metal. To diversify with silver: consider silver-mining stocks or silver ETFs; assess how it correlates with gold and your broader portfolio; keep allocation moderate since silver can be more volatile. Pairing gold and silver may add another dimension of diversification.
Should I invest $1,000 Right now in Gold Stocks and What Will It Look Like?
If you invest $1,000 today in a basket of gold stocks or a gold-stock oriented ETF, here’s a simplified illustration:
- Suppose gold rises by 20% over the next year and miners, benefiting from operational leverage, rise by 30%.
- A $1,000 investment grows to $1,300 (assuming no fees/dividends).
- If instead gold stagnates or falls 10%, miners might fall 15-20% due to the leveraged effect, and you’d end up around $800-$850.
This underlines both the opportunity and risk. A prudent approach: allocate only a portion of your portfolio (e.g., 5-10%) to gold stocks, have a longer time horizon (3-5 years or more), and monitor costs, valuations, the macro backdrop, and company fundamentals.
Common Questions About Gold Stocks
Do gold stocks pay dividends?
Yes—many established gold companies (especially large-caps or royalty/streaming firms) distribute dividends or execute buy-backs. However, payout levels depend on production, gold price, costs, and company capital allocation decisions.
What stocks are backed by gold?
While no stock is “backed” by gold in the same way that a bullion bar is backed, many mining companies’ profitability is tied directly to the gold price. Royalty or streaming companies may also offer quasi-“gold exposure” via agreements to buy gold production at fixed prices.
Is Warren Buffett buying gold?
Historically, Buffett has expressed skepticism toward gold as a productive investment and has favoured businesses generating cash flow rather than commodities per se. There’s no major reported shift recently indicating he’s investing heavily in gold or gold stocks. (As always, check the latest filings for updates.)
