Newmont sharpens its focus

Article Excerpt

NEWMONT MINING $45.02 (New York symbol NEM; Shares o/s: 530.5 million; Market cap: $24.3 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Divd. yield: 0.2%; www.newmont.com) has sold its 48.5% stake in the Batu Hijau gold and copper mine in Indonesia. The buyer is a local firm. Newmont will receive an upfront payment of $920 million. Depending on metal prices and a plan to expand the mine, the company could receive additional payments up to $403 million. Newmont will use the cash to pay down its long-term debt of $5.4 billion. As well, selling this property will let the company focus on its mines in politically stable areas such as North America and Australia. Newmont is a buy, but only for those investors who want to own a gold stock. stock…