Can Kinross Gold Recover From a Disastrous Third Quarter?

Things are bleak, but now is not the time to panic.

| More on:
The Motley Fool

Like its peers, Canada’s third-largest gold miner, Kinross Gold (TSX:K, NYSE:KGC), has had a rough year. Year to date, its share price has plunged by more than 50% and not long ago it touched a new 52-week low.

Kinross’ plunge is more than double the 26% year-to-date decline in the price of gold. Which raises the question: Has Kinross been treated too harshly by the market?

What is driving down precious metal prices?
The key driver of softer gold prices is fear that the U.S. Federal Reserve will start tapering its quantitative easing policy (“QE”) before the end of 2013. The QE program, for anyone unfamiliar: The Fed maintains an artificially low interest rate environment in order to stimulate economic growth. It does this by shelling out around $85 million every month to purchase U.S. government bonds and mortgage-backed securities from commercial banks.

QE is generally perceived to support precious metal prices because of the systemic risks it poses to the economy — for instance, by distorting economic norms and asset prices. As a result, gold is thought to be a safe haven against systemic economic failure and a declining U.S. dollar.

But despite earlier fears that the Fed would start tapering QE during the third quarter, it now appears increasingly likely that the program will continue throughout 2014, primarily due to lackluster U.S. jobs data and an ongoing fear that any significant curtailment of the QE program will rattle markets.

The impact of softer gold prices on Kinross
Like its peers, Kinross reported disastrous third-quarter results. Despite a modest rise in production, revenue plunged 28% year over year to $876 million, while net earnings plummeted by a whopping 79% (to $46 million) for the same period.

Even more concerning, Kinross’ all-in-sustaining-cost per ounce spiked 4% year over year to $1,069. That development leaves the company with the relatively thin margin of $183 per ounce, with gold prices currently at around $1,252 per ounce.

Now is not the time to panic
Investors could be forgiven for throwing the baby out with the bath water and fleeing Kinross. But now is not the time for investors to panic, because like its peer Goldcorp, Kinross has a solid balance sheet and asset base.

A debt-to-equity ratio of 0.3 and a current ratio of 3.4 attest to its low levels of leverage and high degree of liquidity. Kinross is also expecting to generate additional cost savings through the remainder of 2013 and 2014. Taking into account its plan to significantly reduce 2014 capital expenditures, its all-in-sustaining-cost per ounce should come down.

Kinross also has a solid asset base with more than 59 million ounces of proven and probable reserves, along with a diverse portfolio of projects under development. Commercial production at its Dvoinoye project began on Oct. 1 and will further boost production for the remainder of 2013 and into 2014. Kinross even revised its production guidance for 2013, increasing it by 8% to 2.6 million ounces.

Fed watchers are anticipating that QE will be in place into 2014, some analysts and market pundits believe that the price of gold will rise. Should that happen, it bodes well for Kinross to report improved financial results, when all of these other factors are considered.

Foolish final thoughts
It has been a tough year for investors in gold miners, but now is not the time to panic. That’s especially true for investors in miners like Kinross, which has a solid asset base and the ability to increase production and reduce costs. 

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Disclosure: Matt Smith does not own shares of any companies mentioned.

More on Investing

four people hold happy emoji masks
Dividend Stocks

1 Stellar Canadian Stock Down 22% From 52-Week Highs to Buy and Hold Forever

Capital Power (TSX: CPX) might be the buying opportunity that pays off for decades.

Read more »

Paper Canadian currency of various denominations
Dividend Stocks

This 7.9% Dividend Stock Pays Monthly, Even During Recessions

SmartCentres REIT (TSX:SRU.UN) pays a monthly distribution through thick and thin.

Read more »

oil pump jack under night sky
Energy Stocks

1 Magnificent Canadian Energy Stock Down 21% to Buy and Hold for Decades

Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) stock is down, but investors shouldn't give up on the name just yet.

Read more »

dividends grow over time
Stocks for Beginners

These Stocks Are My Ultimate Confidence Plays in Uncertain Times

Are you wondering what types of stocks you can hold through uncertain times? Here are some ideas on how to…

Read more »

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Friday, July 11

After a record close, the TSX faces early pressure today as U.S.-Canada trade tensions flare and domestic jobs data looms.

Read more »

stocks climbing green bull market
Investing

If This TSX Rally Continues, These Are the 2 Stocks You’ll Kick Yourself for Not Buying

Here are two top TSX stocks long-term investors shouldn't sleep on during this most recent rally.

Read more »

senior man smiles next to a light-filled window
Dividend Stocks

I’d Buy This 3.3% Dividend Stock in Bulk Before the Next CRA Audit Wave

It might not have the highest dividend yield, but it certainly has one thing on its side: consistency.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

What’s a Good International ETF for Canadians to Buy Now?

The Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (TSX:VFV) stands out as a great ETF for Canadians to consider buying into if…

Read more »