Mining’s old guard needs strong medicine
A new report details subpar investor returns in the mining industry over the last decade, particularly big cap diversified companies which have not adapted to new realities.
Mining stocks were soaring Thursday following a disappointing report on US services sector growth released Wednesday and comments from a top Federal Reserve official suggesting concern over rising economic risks.
As the US dollar continued to sink, investors turned to assets considered more stable, such as gold and other metals, which boosted stocks across the mining sector.
One of the biggest winners was Anglo American (LON:AAL), which at one point rose as much as 25.2% to a session high of 342.70 pence, closing later 15% up.It was closely followed by Freeport-McMoran (NYSE:FCX), which was up more than 17% to $5.70 at lunchtime in New York.
Shares in world’s No.1 mining company, BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP), were up almost 8% to $23, while the second’s largest miner, Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) saw its shares rebound by about the same — 7.4% to $26.9.
Brazil’s vale (NYSE:VALE), also benefitted from the trend, seeing a surge of 14.7% around 12:30 pm ET.
Gold extended its longest rally in five months with investors buying holdings in metal-backed funds for the 13th day in a row and companies rallied as prices for the precious metals climbed. Major producers Barrick (TSE, NYSE:ABX) and Goldcorp (TSE:G), (NYSE:GG) built on Wednesday’s gains and were up 4% and 6.4% in Toronto respectively.
Kinross (TSE:K) (NYSE:KGC) shares were skyrocketing, up more than 15% in Toronto and about the same in New York, while Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM) was up 6%.
Other mining stocks also jumped higher — Glencore (LON:GLEN) rose 14.6% and Antofagasta was up 15.9% (LON:ANTO).
Comments
Erin Legault
Does this mean anything? Mining shares have been hammered for so long they were bound to come back up.
I’m praying this is a sign of better-times ahead. However, I’m not holding my breath, we’ve been fooled before.
This is probably just the results of bargain shopping and things will come crashing back down to reality again when the “fundamentals” come to realization with the quarter end results.
China is the key and I don’t really see that turning around any time soon. There is no quick fix people!