AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Hold" by Brokerages

Key Points

• AngloGold Ashanti PLC has been rated with a consensus of "Hold" by analysts, with two sell ratings, one hold, and four buy ratings among the seven firms covering the stock.
• The company recently increased its semi-annual dividend to $0.80 per share, representing a yield of 610.0%, up from the previous dividend of $0.69.
• In the latest quarterly earnings report, AngloGold Ashanti reported $1.25 EPS, missing the consensus estimate of $1.31, although it achieved revenues of $2.45 billion, exceeding expected amounts.

AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU - Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of "Hold" from the seven brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has assigned a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $49.60.

AU has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded AngloGold Ashanti from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on AngloGold Ashanti from $58.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Roth Capital reissued a "buy" rating on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Zacks Research cut AngloGold Ashanti from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Finally, Scotiabank restated a "sector perform" rating and set a $55.00 price objective on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a research note on Monday, August 11th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AngloGold Ashanti

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in AngloGold Ashanti during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in AngloGold Ashanti in the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 30.3% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,023 shares of the mining company's stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 238 shares during the last quarter. 36.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AngloGold Ashanti Trading Up 3.6%

AU stock traded up $2.32 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $66.92. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,116,306 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,131,381. The company has a market cap of $28.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.80 and a beta of 0.54. The business's 50 day moving average price is $55.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.09. The company has a current ratio of 2.99, a quick ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. AngloGold Ashanti has a 12 month low of $22.45 and a 12 month high of $67.67.

AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 1st. The mining company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.31 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $2.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.29 billion. AngloGold Ashanti had a net margin of 23.60% and a return on equity of 22.54%. On average, equities research analysts predict that AngloGold Ashanti will post 3.83 EPS for the current year.

AngloGold Ashanti Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. This is a boost from AngloGold Ashanti's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.69. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 22nd. This represents a yield of 610.0%. AngloGold Ashanti's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 85.11%.

AngloGold Ashanti Company Profile

AngloGold Ashanti plc operates as a gold mining company in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The company primarily explores for gold, as well as produces silver and sulphuric acid as by-products. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita mine located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania.