Agnico Eagle Mines — Imminent return to free cash-flow generation

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE: AEM)

Last close As at 21/12/2024

USD77.36

−0.40 (−0.51%)

Market capitalisation

USD38,798m

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Research: Metals & Mining

Agnico Eagle Mines — Imminent return to free cash-flow generation

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM or the Company) is a senior gold producer that operates in low political risk jurisdictions with a quality mineral reserve base. The Company has a track record of strong operational performance and has beaten production and cost guidance for seven consecutive years. AEM is nearing completion of a large Nunavut expansion (the Meliadine mine and Amaruq project), which is expected to drive growth in gold production from 1.75Moz in 2019 to 2.0Moz in 2020. A return to free cash flow generation is anticipated in H219 with capex expected to decline significantly as AEM moves to “harvest mode”.

Lord Ashbourne

Written by

Lord Ashbourne

Director of Content, Mining

Metals & Mining

Agnico Eagle Mines

Imminent return to free cash-flow generation

Metals & mining

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6 September 2019

Price

US$62.00

Market cap

US$15bn

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Share details

Code

AEM

Listing

NYSE, TSX

Shares in issue

238.3m

Business description

Agnico Eagle operates eight mines in Canada, Finland and Mexico and is among the top 15 largest gold mining companies in the world. It seeks to build a high-quality business that generates superior long-term returns for shareholders and contributes to the communities in which it operates.

Bull

Low-risk jurisdictions in Finland, Nunavut, Abitibi and Mexico.

Strong, in-depth management focused on costs, returns and profits rather than output growth.

Continued weakness of the Canadian vs US dollar at a time of rising precious metals prices.

Bear

Exposure to inclement weather conditions.

AEM has no gold hedges; however, it does hedge portions of its CAD, MXP, EUR and diesel exposure.

Historic volatility in accounts payable.

Analyst

Charles Gibson

+44 (0)20 3077 5724

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM or the Company) is a senior gold producer that operates in low political risk jurisdictions with a quality mineral reserve base. The Company has a track record of strong operational performance and has beaten production and cost guidance for seven consecutive years. AEM is nearing completion of a large Nunavut expansion (the Meliadine mine and Amaruq project), which is expected to drive growth in gold production from 1.75Moz in 2019 to 2.0Moz in 2020. A return to free cash flow generation is anticipated in H219 with capex expected to decline significantly as AEM moves to “harvest mode”.

Production and cost guidance maintained

AEM has reiterated its full-year production guidance of 1.75Moz, which we believe it is likely to achieve with a contribution of c 230koz from Meliadine (including c 47.3oz of pre-commercial production) and c 130koz from Amaruq. In addition, the company expects total cash costs and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) for FY19 of US$620–670/oz and US$875–925/oz, respectively, albeit the guidance for total capital costs has increased from c US$660m to US$750m, mainly as a result of lower pre-commercial production gold sales credited against capital at Meliadine, the advancement of underground development at Amaruq in the wake of positive exploration results and modifications to the Meliadine saline water treatment system (owing to the earlier than expected receipt of a discharge permit).

H219 a cash-flow inflection point for AEM

The current year marks an inflection point for Agnico, as capital expenditure falls away sharply at the same time as production increases, resulting in a return to free cash-flow generation from H219 onwards. Once production of 2.0Moz is achieved in FY20, moderate growth to an annualised production rate of 2.2–2.3Moz is expected, bringing with it the potential for increases in the dividend from the current level of c US$0.125 per quarter. Even with an increased dividend, we would expect AEM to repay its US$1.7bn in net debt (equating to 26.6% gearing or 36.3% leverage) at end-June 2019 by FY22.

Consensus estimates

At the current gold price, we estimate AEM will achieve the lower half of its consensus forecast EPS range for FY19 of US$0.68–1.08/sh, with some of the operational improvements in H219 offset by higher financing and amortisation charges. All other things being equal, however, we expect it to achieve close to the consensus EPS estimate of US$1.45/sh in FY20 (range US$0.82–2.27/sh).

Consensus estimates

Year
end

Revenue
(US$m)

PBT
(US$m)

EPS
(US$)

DPS
(US$)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/17

2,243

344.5

1.07

0.41

57.9

0.7

12/18

2,191

153.1

0.37

0.44

167.6

0.7

12/19e

2,443

336.4

0.80

0.47

77.5

0.8

12/20e

2,910

610.8

1.45

0.47

42.8

0.8

Source: Company sources, Refinitiv. Note: PBT and EPS normalised excluding exceptionals.

Agnico Eagle Mines is a client of Edison Investment Research Limited

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Agnico Eagle Mines and prepared and issued by Edison for consideration of a fee payable by Agnico Eagle Mines. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

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Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Agnico Eagle Mines and prepared and issued by Edison for consideration of a fee payable by Agnico Eagle Mines. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2019 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison). All rights reserved FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2019. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

The Investment Research is a publication distributed in the United States by Edison Investment Research, Inc. Edison Investment Research, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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