Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM, TSX:NGT, ASX:NEM, ETR:NMM) reported mixed third-quarter earnings, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.81 falling short of estimates.
Analysts at Jefferies had estimated EPS of $0.85 while Street consensus expectations were $0.86.
The company’s adjusted EBITDA of $1.97 billion also missed projections due to higher production costs, particularly at its Lihir and Penasquito operations.
However, Newmont exceeded revenue expectations, generating $4.61 billion, up from Jefferies' forecast of $4.34 billion, and reported a free cash flow (FCF) of $760 million, surpassing Jefferies' estimate of $584 million.
Despite strong attributable gold production of 1.67 million ounces—beating the forecast of 1.60 million ounces—Newmont faced challenges with all-in sustaining costs (AISC) that rose to $1,611 per ounce, significantly above the expected $1,374 per ounce.
The company anticipates a reduction in unit costs in Q4, but full-year AISC is projected to exceed guidance by approximately 9%.
In a significant move to return capital to shareholders, Newmont’s Board approved a $2 billion expansion of its share buyback program, on top of the previously announced $1 billion plan, with $750 million repurchased to date.
Shares of Newmont lost 9.6% in New York on Thursday morning, trading around $52.16.