Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: GOLD) (TSX: ABX) swung to a profit in the third quarter from a loss last year, helped by lower costs and higher revenues as well as an increase in gold exploration. The bottom line exceeded analysts’ expectations while the top line missed consensus estimates.
Net income was $2.3 billion or $1.30 per share compared to a loss of $412 million or $0.35 per share in the previous year quarter. Adjusted earnings soared by 88% to $0.15 per share.
Revenues climbed by 46% to $2.68 billion.
The company said it was on track to deliver production at the higher end and costs at the lower end of its guidance ranges for the year. Its continued efficiency improvements lead to a 15% increase in copper production quarter-on-quarter.
For the third quarter, gold production increased by 14% to 1.31 million ounces while gold sold rose by 9% to 1.32 million ounces. The market gold price jumped by 21% to $1,472 per ounce while realized gold price climbed by 21% to $1,476 per ounce.
Copper production rose by 6% to 112 million pounds while copper sold plunged by 43% to 65 million pounds. Market copper price declined by 5% to $2.63 per pound while realized copper price fell by 8% to $2.55 per pound.
Looking ahead into the full year 2019, the company expects gold production in the range of 5.10-5.60 million of ounces and copper production of 375-430 million of pounds. Total attributable capital expenditures are anticipated to be in the range of $1.4 billion to $1.7 billion for the full year.
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