Group 1 - The price of gold has reached a historic high, currently standing at $3,890 per ounce, leading to a pre-market rise in gold stocks in the US [1] - AngloGold shares increased by over 3%, while Harmony Gold and Kinross Gold saw gains of over 2% [1] - Other companies such as Pan American Silver and Fortuna Silver also experienced pre-market increases of over 1% [1] Group 2 - AngloGold's latest price is $70.33, with a market capitalization of $35.499 billion and a year-to-date increase of 216.85% [2] - DRDGOLD shares are priced at $27.60, with a market cap of $2.385 billion and a year-to-date increase of 226.89% [2] - Kinross Gold's latest price is $24.85, with a market cap of $30.287 billion and a year-to-date increase of 170.31% [2]

For those looking to find strong Basic Materials stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has DRDGOLD (DRD) been one of those stocks this year? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.DRDGOLD is a member of the Basic Materials sector. This group includes 236 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #13. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the indivi ...

Core Viewpoint - H.C. Wainwright raised the price target for DRDGOLD Ltd. to $30.50 from $18.75, maintaining a Buy rating due to strong investor interest in the Vision 2028 Initiative and favorable conditions from high gold prices [1] Group 1: Vision 2028 Initiative - The Vision 2028 Initiative includes plans for expanding gold operations with approximately R7.8 billion ($449.7 million) in capital expenditures [2] - Key projects under this initiative involve the expansion of the Ergo Processing Plant, the integration of solar power and battery storage for enhanced efficiency, and the Knights Tailings Reclamation project aimed at recovering gold from historical deposits [2] Group 2: Far West Gold Recoveries (FWGR) - The Vision 2028 plan for FWGR aims to more than double the processing capacity of the Driefontein 2 plant to 1.2 million tonnes per month [3] - A new regional tailings storage facility is also planned to support the increased throughput, which management believes will extend operational life and enhance output [3]

Group 1 - The company is responsible for the development of all transcript-related projects [1] - The company publishes thousands of quarterly earnings calls per quarter and is expanding its coverage [1] - The purpose of the profile is to share new transcript-related developments with readers [1]

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets are experiencing a continued upward trend in 2025, with major indexes like the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite near all-time highs [1] - Expectations for the Federal Reserve's first interest rate cut in 2025 have surged, with a 100% probability of a 25-basis-point cut anticipated in the upcoming September FOMC meeting [2] Stock Performance - Several stocks have shown significant price strength, particularly those on a bull run, indicating a high chance of maintaining momentum [2] - Five highlighted stocks include DRDGOLD Ltd. (DRD), Daktronics Inc. (DAKT), NCS Multistage Holdings Inc. (NCSM), Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. (BBW), and Vishay Precision Group Inc. (VPG) [3] Stock Screening Criteria - Stocks must show a percentage change in price greater than zero over the last four weeks, indicating recent upward movement [5] - A percentage change in price greater than 10% over the last 12 weeks is required to ensure sustained momentum [5] - Stocks must have a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and an average broker rating of 1, indicating strong future performance expectations [6] - Current stock prices must be above $5 and trading near their 52-week highs, with a price/52-week high-low range greater than 85% [7] Individual Stock Highlights - **DRDGOLD Ltd. (DRD)**: Stock price increased by 49.9% in four weeks, with an expected earnings growth rate of 13.3% for the current year and an 80% improvement in earnings estimates [8][9] - **Daktronics Inc. (DAKT)**: Stock price rose by 39.1% in four weeks, with an expected earnings growth rate of 28.2% and a 6.9% increase in earnings forecasts [8][11] - **NCS Multistage Holdings Inc. (NCSM)**: Stock price climbed 38.4% in four weeks, with an expected earnings growth rate of 6.7% and a 62% improvement in earnings estimates [8][13] - **Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. (BBW)**: Stock price surged 33.1% in four weeks, with an expected earnings growth rate of 6.9% and a 3.9% increase in earnings estimates [8][15] - **Vishay Precision Group Inc. (VPG)**: Stock price rallied 14.4% in four weeks, with an expected earnings growth rate of -27.4% and a 5.8% improvement in earnings estimates [8][18]

Most of us have heard the dictum "the trend is your friend." And this is undeniably the key to success when it comes to short-term investing or trading. But it isn't easy to ensure the sustainability of a trend and profit from it.The trend often reverses before exiting the trade, leading to a short-term capital loss for investors. So, for a profitable trade, one should confirm factors such as sound fundamentals, positive earnings estimate revisions, etc. that could keep the momentum in the stock alive.Inves ...

Industry Overview - Gold prices have increased nearly 40% year to date, reaching an all-time high of $3,647 per ounce on September 9 [1][8] - Central banks in emerging economies are actively purchasing gold to bolster reserves amid rising global debt, trade uncertainties, and geopolitical risks, particularly in the Middle East [2] - The global trend of cutting interest rates to stimulate economic growth is favorable for gold, a non-income-bearing asset [3] Market Expectations - The Federal Reserve is expected to implement a 25 basis-point interest rate cut in September 2025, following weak nonfarm payroll data [4][8] - Major investment banks like JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs predict gold prices could rise to $4,000 to $5,000 per ounce by 2026, indicating a bullish outlook for the gold market [7] Gold Mining Stocks - Investment in gold mining stocks is recommended, with five highlighted companies: Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (AEM), DRDGOLD Ltd. (DRD), Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI), Comstock Inc. (LODE), and GoldMining Inc. (GLDG), all carrying favorable Zacks Ranks [5][8] - Agnico Eagle Mines is focused on growth through strategic projects and acquisitions, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 30.6% and 64.1% for the current year [10][12] - DRDGOLD has undergone a refocusing of its gold interests, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 54.3% and 13.3% for the current year [13][14] - Gold Fields operates in multiple countries and has expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 71% and 93.9% for the current year [15] - Comstock Inc. focuses on precious metals mining in Nevada, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 17.4% and 69% for the current year [16][17] - GoldMining Inc. is engaged in mineral exploration with a focus on gold assets in the Americas, expecting an earnings growth rate of 30% for the current year [18] Supply-Demand Dynamics - The gold mining industry is facing a supply-demand imbalance due to a scarcity of new deposits and lengthy mining processes, which may drive prices higher [6] - Increased use of gold in energy, healthcare, and technology sectors is expected to further contribute to demand [7]

Group 1 - The gold sector experienced a significant rise, with spot gold surpassing $3,560, marking a new historical high [1] - Notable stock performances include Harmony Gold (HMY.US) up over 7%, Royal Gold (RGLD.US) up 0.34%, Coeur Mining (CDE.US) up over 3%, New Gold (NGD.US) up over 1%, DRDGOLD (DRD.US) up over 5%, and Kinross Gold (KGC.US) up over 2% [1] - According to Tavi Costa from Crescat Capital, foreign central bank gold holdings have exceeded U.S. Treasury holdings for the first time since 1996 as gold prices reach record levels [1]

Industry Overview - Gold has reached record levels as global central banks shift their reserve strategies, favoring gold over U.S. Treasuries for the first time since 1996, with combined gold reserves surpassing U.S. government debt on September 1, 2025 [1][9] - The surge in gold demand is driven by rising geopolitical uncertainty and concerns about the U.S. dollar's durability and national debt, with gold recently exceeding $3,500 per ounce [3][9] - The current environment of lower interest rates makes gold a more attractive investment option, as higher rates typically increase the burden of holding non-yielding assets like gold [2] Company Performance - Gold Fields Limited (GFI) is projected to have an earnings growth rate of 93.9% for the current year, with a 0.3% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings over the past 60 days [5] - DRDGOLD Limited (DRD) expects a 13.3% earnings growth rate for the current year, with an 80% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings over the past 60 days [6] - GoldMining Inc. (GLDG) anticipates a 20% earnings growth rate for the current year, with a 20% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings over the past 60 days [7] Market Sentiment - The bullish sentiment towards gold is benefiting gold mining companies, as rising gold prices lead to increased profit margins, particularly for those with efficient operations and lower production costs [4] - Central banks' renewed interest in gold as a reserve asset highlights its role as a safeguard against financial volatility, raising questions about the future of traditional instruments like U.S. Treasuries [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue increased by 26%, reaching approximately ZAR 8 billion, driven by a 31% rise in gold prices from ZAR 1,250,000 per kilogram to ZAR 1,630,000 per kilogram [28][35] - Operating profit surged by 69%, amounting to around ZAR 3.1 billion, reflecting effective cost management and increased revenue [13][32] - Headline earnings per share rose by 69% year-on-year, indicating strong financial performance [34] - Cash operating costs increased by only 4% year-on-year, demonstrating effective cost control despite operational challenges [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ergo's operating profit approximately doubled from ZAR 1 billion to ZAR 2 billion, benefiting from improved gold prices and operational efficiency [29] - Far West Gold maintained stable operations with a slight increase in operating profit from ZAR 1.1 billion to ZAR 1.5 billion, despite a challenging production environment [30] - The average yield at Ergo decreased slightly due to the nature of the ore being mined, with a focus on reclamation sites [5][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The gold price significantly impacted revenue, with a 31% increase contributing to overall financial performance [28][34] - The company reported a decrease in gold sold by 3% year-on-year, indicating a slight reduction in production volume [35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The Vision 2028 initiative aims to increase production to 3 million tons per month and achieve 200,000 ounces of gold annually, with ongoing projects to extend the life of mines [3][56] - The company is focusing on sustainable development and environmental impact, integrating these aspects into its operational strategy [14][23] - Significant capital expenditures of ZAR 2.5 billion were made to support growth and operational improvements [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing the ability to maintain cash positive status and pay dividends, reflecting confidence in cash flows [12][13] - The operational environment remains challenging, but the company is well-positioned to capitalize on favorable gold prices and improve operational efficiency [14][28] - Management highlighted the importance of sustainable practices and the potential for future growth through strategic projects [14][56] Other Important Information - The company has paid dividends for the last eighteen years, with the final dividend for the year being ZAR 0.40, double that of the previous year [10][12] - The company is actively pursuing carbon credits as part of its sustainability initiatives, having already pushed 42 million kilowatt hours into the grid [54] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for future production levels? - Management indicated that production levels are expected to stabilize and increase as the Vision 2028 projects are implemented, targeting 3 million tons per month and 200,000 ounces of gold annually [3][56] Question: How is the company managing costs amid rising operational challenges? - The company has successfully contained cash operating costs to a 4% increase year-on-year, demonstrating effective cost management strategies [28][34] Question: What is the outlook for the gold price and its impact on operations? - Management expressed confidence in the gold price remaining favorable, which has significantly contributed to the company's revenue and profit margins [13][28]