The company's Q2/19 operational and financial
results are reviewed in a BMO Capital Partners report.
In an Aug. 8 research note, BMO Capital Markets analyst Andrew Kaip
reported that AngloGold
Ashanti Ltd. (AU:NYSE; ANG:JSE; AGG:ASX; AGD:LSE) is "well
positioned for the remainder of 2019."
He explained that "increasing production and demonstrated free cash
generation in Q2/19 have set the stage for a strong H2/19 that is getting
even stronger at prevailing gold prices."
Kaip reviewed the company's Q2/19 numbers. Generally, production was in
line, costs were higher than expected and cash flow was a miss. H1/19
earnings per share (EPS) also did not meet expectations.
Specifically, AngloGold's reported headline H1/19 EPS was $0.29 and its
reported adjusted headline EPS was $0.25. These compare to ROTH's forecasted
EPS of $0.29. Slightly higher operating costs drove the miss that lower
depreciation offset somewhat.
Cash flow from operations in Q2/19 came in at $343 million, significantly
lower than ROTH's $495 million projection. About $146 million of it was
attributed to "a negative working capital adjustment related to a build
in accounts receivable and inventory," indicated Kaip. "We expect
the bulk of the negative working capital build to reverse through
H2/19."
The "build" also impacted free cash flow in Q2/19, which
amounted to $50 million versus ROTH's projection of $111 million. Capital
spending of $293 million during the quarter, which was lower than the $384
million ROTH forecasted, partially offset the free cash flow deficit.
As for Q2/19 gold production, AngloGold's prereported total was 801,000
ounces (801 Koz), a near match to ROTH's estimate of 801.7 Koz. Gold
production during H1/19 was 1,554,000 ounces (1.554 Moz), slightly below
ROTH's forecast whereas H1/19 gold sales of 1.577 Moz were in line.
Production from Iduapriem and Cerro Vanguardia was stronger than anticipated
whereas production from Geita was weaker than expected.
"AngloGold is tracking well relative to 2019 production guidance of
3.25–3.45 Moz of gold," Kaip highlighted.
Regarding costs, all-in sustaining costs in Q2/19 amounted to $996 per
ounce, slightly higher than ROTH's estimate of $959 per ounce.
The miner lowered 2019 capex guidance to $850–920 million from $910–990
million, "owing to the timing of spending at Obuasi," explained
Kaip, who added that Obuasi is still slated for initial production by the end
of this year.
In terms of asset divestiture, AngloGold's management noted that strong
interest has been shown for its South African operations. "The sales
processes for both Cerro Vanguardia in Argentina and Sadiola in Mali
continue," Kaip added.
BMO has an Outperform rating on AngloGold Ashanti.
[NLINSERT]
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Disclosures from BMO Capital Markets, AngloGold Ashanti, August 8,
2019
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
Analyst's Certification
We, Andrew Kaip, hereby certify that the views expressed in this report
accurately reflect my personal views about the subject securities or issuers.
I also certify that no part of our compensation was, is, or will be, directly
or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in
this report.
Analysts who prepared this report are compensated based upon (among
other factors) the overall profitability of BMO Capital Markets and their
affiliates, which includes the overall profitability of investment banking
services. Compensation for research is based on effectiveness in generating
new ideas and in communication of ideas to clients, performance of
recommendations, accuracy of earnings estimates, and service to clients.
Analysts employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and/or BMO Capital Markets
Limited are not registered as research analysts with FINRA. These analysts
may not be associated persons of BMO Capital Markets Corp. and therefore may
not be subject to the FINRA Rule 2241 restrictions on communications with a
subject company, public appearances and trading securities held by a research
analyst account.
Company Specific Disclosures
Disclosure 9B: BMO Capital Markets makes a market in AngloGold Ashanti in
United States.
Disclosure 16: A research analyst has extensively viewed the material
operations of AngloGold Ashanti.
For Important Disclosures on the stocks discussed in this report,
please click here.
