Agnico Eagle(US:AEM) ZACKS·2025-06-13 12:31Core Insights - Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) reported a first-quarter free cash flow of $594 million, a 50% increase from $396 million a year ago, driven by strong gold prices, disciplined capital spending, and robust operational results [2][8] - The company aims to invest in growth initiatives, including underground expansion at Canadian Malartic, Hope Bay, and Detour Lake, while also focusing on debt repayments and shareholder returns [3][4] - AEM returned approximately $920 million to shareholders through dividends and repurchases last year, with $251 million returned in the first quarter of this year [4][8] Financial Performance - AEM's free cash flow before working capital adjustments reached $759 million, nearly double the prior year's amount [2] - The company reduced its net debt by $212 million sequentially, ending the first quarter with a net debt of just $5 million [3][8] - AEM's shares have increased by 56.1% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry's rise of 49.7% [7] Comparison with Peers - Newmont Corporation (NEM) achieved a record first-quarter free cash flow of $1.2 billion, a significant turnaround from a negative $74 million in the same period last year, although it faces headwinds for the second quarter [5] - Barrick Mining Corporation (B) reported a free cash flow of $375 million for the first quarter, a nearly 12-fold increase year-over-year, driven by higher operating cash flows [6] Valuation and Earnings Estimates - AEM is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 20.18, approximately 50% higher than the industry average of 13.46 [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AEM's earnings in 2025 and 2026 indicates a year-over-year rise of 42.6% and 0.8%, respectively, with EPS estimates trending higher over the past 60 days [11]