Barrick Gold Corp. (TSX:ABX, NYSE:GOLD) shares fell 8% on Monday after the company reported second-quarter results that showed strong year-over-year growth but came in below Wall Street estimates.
The company reported adjusted earnings of $0.82 per share for the quarter, in line with the consensus estimate.
Revenue rose 44% year over year to $5.29 billion, although that was below forecasts of about $5.67 billion.
Barrick’s second-quarter gold production increased 11% from the first quarter to 796,000 ounces, exceeding its guidance range of 730,000 to 770,000 ounces. The company attributed the increase to an ahead-of-schedule ramp-up at Loulo-Gounkoto, a faster-than-expected recovery at Pueblo Viejo following planned maintenance and record underground tonnes at Cortez as Goldrush continued to ramp up.
Gold cost of sales was $1,993 per ounce, compared with $1,654 a year earlier, while all-in sustaining costs rose 11% year over year to $1,866 per ounce. Barrick attributed the higher costs in part to lower grades processed at several operations, higher fuel prices and increased royalties associated with higher realized gold prices.
Copper production fell 5% year over year to 56,000 tonnes. Copper cost of sales, C1 cash costs and all-in sustaining costs all increased from the prior-year period, with Barrick citing higher royalties and fuel prices.
For 2026, Barrick said it remains on track to meet its existing production and cost guidance. The company continues to expect gold production of 2.90 million to 3.25 million ounces for the year.
Gold cost of sales is forecast at $1,870 to $2,070 per ounce, while total cash costs are expected to range from $1,330 to $1,470 per ounce. All-in sustaining costs are projected at $1,760 to $1,950 per ounce. The guidance is based on an assumed gold price of $4,500 per ounce.
Barrick maintained its copper production guidance of 190,000 to 220,000 tonnes for the year. Copper cost of sales is expected at $3.05 to $3.35 per pound, with C1 cash costs of $2.20 to $2.45 per pound and all-in sustaining costs of $3.45 to $3.75 per pound. The copper guidance assumes a price of $5.50 per pound.
Barrick also reduced its 2026 total attributable capital expenditure guidance to $3.8 billion to $4.2 billion, from its previous range of $4 billion to $4.45 billion. The company said the reduction primarily reflects lower expected spending at the Reko Diq project.
“We delivered our third quarter in a row with excellent operational and financial performance,” Barrick CEO Mark Hill said in a statement. “We beat the top end of our gold production guidance and generated much higher earnings and cash flow than a year ago. We also advanced our growth pipeline, with good progress at Lumwana and Fourmile.”
Newmont deal
The company also announced an agreement with Newmont that expands the Nevada Gold Mines joint venture and resolves outstanding disputes between the two companies. Under the agreement, Barrick will contribute Fourmile while Newmont will contribute the Mike and Fiberline properties, creating a Nevada complex with nearly 100 million ounces of gold, according to Barrick. Newmont will also make a $1.95 billion cash payment to Barrick.
The agreement includes Newmont's consent to Barrick's planned initial public offering of its North American gold assets. Barrick said the IPO remains on track for completion by the end of the year, with Hill set to lead the new company as CEO following the separation.
“We achieved an historic agreement with Newmont. Newmont has consented to the IPO and the parties have agreed to expand NGM with the early vend-in of our excluded properties, as well as settling all disputes,” Hill said.
“Through this agreement with our joint venture partner, we have substantially extended the asset base, and provided greater flexibility and value.”
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