Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat, would you give us an update on Agnico Eagle? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

A: Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., $105.14, symbol AEM on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 241.6 million; Market cap: $25.4 billion; www.agnico-eagle.com), has eight gold mines – five in Canada (LaRonde, Meadowbank, Meliadine, Goldex and Malarctic), one in Finland (Kittila), and two in Mexico (Pinos Altos and La India). In the three months ended June 30, 2020, the company’s overall gold production fell 19.7%, to 331,064 ounces from 412,315 a year earlier. For part of the quarter, mining activities were reduced or suspended at seven of the company’s eight mines due to the coronavirus. Exploration work was also interrupted. All operations were subsequently restarted by the end of the quarter. Despite the lower production, earnings per share rose by 50.0%, to $0.18 from $0.12. The increase came from higher gold prices. (All figures except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars.) The company held cash of $336.4 million on June 30, 2020. Its debt of $1.8 billion U.S. was a low 9% of its market…