This year, the mining industry seems to be on a better footing, having staged a comeback, with gold and silver being the major movers so far this year. Worries over the global economy, Brexit-induced volatile equity markets, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) stance to maintain steady interest rates and the introduction of negative interest rates by several central banks boosted growth of these safe-haven assets.
However, on Oct 4, gold lost its bearing, slipping 3.3% to $1,266 an ounce. Prices came below the $1,300 threshold for the first time since the Brexit induced high in June. The plunge was triggered by higher-than-expected U.S. manufacturing data and the subsequent climb in the US dollar. According to the Institute for Supply Management, the ISM Manufacturing Index, which is a measure of production activity, stood at 51.5 for September, after a 49.4 reading in August. The upbeat data renewed the speculation that a rate hike by the Fed seems imminent this year.
Further, with Agence France-Presse reporting that the Deutsche Bank is close to reaching a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice raised optimism and risk appetite among investors and lead major equity benchmarks upward. This took buying interest away from the safe-haven metal.
Silver followed suit slumping 5.8% in a day. The dips notwithstanding, prices of the yellow metal and silver are still up roughly 19% and 29%, year to date respectively.
All eyes are now on the much-anticipated monthly non-farm payroll report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Oct 7. Weekly initial jobless claims have been steady and lower than historical averages of late, analysts are thus expecting a healthy jobs number at the end of this week.
However, as we are at the last quarter of the year, gold prices are seasonally stronger aided by retail demand for the metal, due to festival and wedding related buying activities in countries like India and China. Robust industrial demand and dwindling supplies for silver also sets the stage for silver prices to rise further.
As per the Zacks Industry classification, the mining industry is grouped under the Basic Material sector – one of the 16 broad Zacks sectors. Though sector growth will remain in the negative territory in the third quarter, a dip of 1.9% projected for the quarter is not that steep compared to the 11.6% decline witnessed in the second quarter.
However, on Oct 4, gold lost its bearing, slipping 3.3% to $1,266 an ounce. Prices came below the $1,300 threshold for the first time since the Brexit induced high in June. The plunge was triggered by higher-than-expected U.S. manufacturing data and the subsequent climb in the US dollar. According to the Institute for Supply Management, the ISM Manufacturing Index, which is a measure of production activity, stood at 51.5 for September, after a 49.4 reading in August. The upbeat data renewed the speculation that a rate hike by the Fed seems imminent this year.
Further, with Agence France-Presse reporting that the Deutsche Bank is close to reaching a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice raised optimism and risk appetite among investors and lead major equity benchmarks upward. This took buying interest away from the safe-haven metal.
Silver followed suit slumping 5.8% in a day. The dips notwithstanding, prices of the yellow metal and silver are still up roughly 19% and 29%, year to date respectively.
All eyes are now on the much-anticipated monthly non-farm payroll report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Oct 7. Weekly initial jobless claims have been steady and lower than historical averages of late, analysts are thus expecting a healthy jobs number at the end of this week.
However, as we are at the last quarter of the year, gold prices are seasonally stronger aided by retail demand for the metal, due to festival and wedding related buying activities in countries like India and China. Robust industrial demand and dwindling supplies for silver also sets the stage for silver prices to rise further.
As per the Zacks Industry classification, the mining industry is grouped under the Basic Material sector – one of the 16 broad Zacks sectors. Though sector growth will remain in the negative territory in the third quarter, a dip of 1.9% projected for the quarter is not that steep compared to the 11.6% decline witnessed in the second quarter.
However, a dramatic recovery is projected during the fourth quarter with an 18.2% growth. The sector will log growth of 4.8% and 8.5% in the first and second quarters of 2017 respectively. (For a detailed look at the earnings outlook for this sector and others, please read our Earnings Trends report.)
Thus, a collusion of factors has prepared the ground for basic materials to win back the favor of investors after disappointing last year. It would be a prudent move to zero in on some stocks in the mining space right now that exhibit all signs of healthy prospects.
How to Pick the Right Stocks?
Picking winning stocks may prove to be difficult. This is where our VGM score comes in. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Such a score allows you to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM score.
Our research shows that stocks with a VGM score of ‘A’ or ‘B’, when combined a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy), offer the best investment opportunities for investors.
4 Prominent Picks
AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (AU - Snapshot Report)
Thus, a collusion of factors has prepared the ground for basic materials to win back the favor of investors after disappointing last year. It would be a prudent move to zero in on some stocks in the mining space right now that exhibit all signs of healthy prospects.
How to Pick the Right Stocks?
Picking winning stocks may prove to be difficult. This is where our VGM score comes in. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Such a score allows you to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM score.
Our research shows that stocks with a VGM score of ‘A’ or ‘B’, when combined a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy), offer the best investment opportunities for investors.
4 Prominent Picks
AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (AU - Snapshot Report)
AngloGold Ashanti sports a Zacks Rank #1, with a VGM Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 has moved up around 8% over the last 60 days. The stock has an impressive expected earnings growth of 368% for the current year.
ANGLOGOLD LTD Price
The stock has surged 121.27% year to date. It has outperformed the S&P 500 by 109.26%. The company possesses a P/E of 10.5. Compared to the industry at large, this is pretty cheap as the overall space has an average P/E of 25.2.
Silver Standard Resources Inc. (SSRI - Snapshot Report)
Based in Vancouver, Canada, Silver Standard Resources engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of precious metal resource properties in the Americas. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc and lead deposits.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 is at 82 cents, a radical improvement from the loss of 10 cents per share in the prior year. The estimate has moved up 37% over the past 60 days. The stock has a VGM Score of B and sports a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
SILVER STD RES Price
SILVER STD RES Price | SILVER STD RES Quote
The stock has gained 127.99% year to date. It has outperformed the S&P 500 by 115.62%. The stock is currently trading at a P/E of 13, which makes it a cheap proposition compared to the industry average of 25.2.
Endeavour Silver Corp. (EXK - Snapshot Report)
Vancouver, Canada-based Endeavour is a mid-tier precious metals mining company with three high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Score of B.
ENDEAVOUR SILVER Price
The stock has gained 127.99% year to date. It has outperformed the S&P 500 by 115.62%. The stock is currently trading at a P/E of 13, which makes it a cheap proposition compared to the industry average of 25.2.
Endeavour Silver Corp. (EXK - Snapshot Report)
Vancouver, Canada-based Endeavour is a mid-tier precious metals mining company with three high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Score of B.
ENDEAVOUR SILVER Price
ENDEAVOUR SILVR Price | ENDEAVOUR SILVR Quote
The stock has soared 254.26% year to date. It has outperformed the S&P 500 by 235.01%. For 2016, the Zacks Consensus Estimate is 8 cents, an improvement from the loss of 11 cents per share in the prior year. Estimates have moved 300% over the past 60 days.
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (CALVF - Snapshot Report)
Caledonia is an exploration, development and gold mining company focused on Southern Africa. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #2 and has a VGM Score of A.
CALEDONIA MNG Price
The stock has soared 254.26% year to date. It has outperformed the S&P 500 by 235.01%. For 2016, the Zacks Consensus Estimate is 8 cents, an improvement from the loss of 11 cents per share in the prior year. Estimates have moved 300% over the past 60 days.
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (CALVF - Snapshot Report)
Caledonia is an exploration, development and gold mining company focused on Southern Africa. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #2 and has a VGM Score of A.
CALEDONIA MNG Price
CALEDONIA MNG Price | CALEDONIA MNG Quote
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 is at 27 cents, a 238% improvement from the prior year. The estimate has moved north 4% over the past 60 days. The stock has surged 198% year to date. The stock is currently trading at a P/E of 6.1, much lower than the industry average of 25.2.
Bottom Line
An intelligent selection of stocks greatly benefits investors. The abovementioned stocks can prove to be valuable additions to your portfolio. At throwaway prices and backed by Zacks' style score system and upward estimate revisions, these stocks hold significant value proposition.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2016 is at 27 cents, a 238% improvement from the prior year. The estimate has moved north 4% over the past 60 days. The stock has surged 198% year to date. The stock is currently trading at a P/E of 6.1, much lower than the industry average of 25.2.
Bottom Line
An intelligent selection of stocks greatly benefits investors. The abovementioned stocks can prove to be valuable additions to your portfolio. At throwaway prices and backed by Zacks' style score system and upward estimate revisions, these stocks hold significant value proposition.
by Zacks Equity Research
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