AngloGold Ashanti PLC $AU Holdings Raised by Handelsbanken Fonder AB

Key Points

• Handelsbanken Fonder AB increased its AngloGold Ashanti stake by 26.7% in the second quarter, bringing its holdings to 202,909 shares valued at approximately $16.4 million. Institutional investors collectively own 36.09% of the company.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautiously positive, with the stock carrying a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average target price of $110.50, despite several firms recently lowering targets or downgrading their views.
• AngloGold Ashanti reported quarterly EPS of $1.98, slightly below the $2.03 consensus, and revenue of $3.10 billion versus expectations of $3.20 billion. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.72, implying a 2.9% annualized yield.

Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU - Free Report) by 26.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 202,909 shares of the mining company's stock after acquiring an additional 42,714 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB's holdings in AngloGold Ashanti were worth $16,413,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ascentis Independent Advisors acquired a new position in AngloGold Ashanti in the first quarter worth $26,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new stake in AngloGold Ashanti during the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti during the fourth quarter worth $34,000. Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti during the third quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. 36.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on AU. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, June 6th. Zacks Research lowered shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of AngloGold Ashanti from $130.00 to $125.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Freedom Capital upgraded AngloGold Ashanti to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, June 26th. Finally, Scotiabank dropped their price target on AngloGold Ashanti from $134.00 to $128.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $110.50.

AngloGold Ashanti Stock Performance

AU stock opened at $97.88 on Thursday. AngloGold Ashanti PLC has a 1 year low of $52.05 and a 1 year high of $129.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.12 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 2.11 and a current ratio of 2.71. The stock's fifty day moving average is $83.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $95.61.

AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The mining company reported $1.98 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.03 by ($0.05). The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.20 billion. AngloGold Ashanti had a return on equity of 39.54% and a net margin of 32.19%. On average, research analysts predict that AngloGold Ashanti PLC will post 8.19 EPS for the current year.

AngloGold Ashanti Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 21st will be given a $0.72 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 21st. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. AngloGold Ashanti's dividend payout ratio is 62.20%.

AngloGold Ashanti Profile

AngloGold Ashanti is a global gold mining company engaged in the exploration, development, production, processing and sale of gold. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, the company’s core activities span the full mining value chain from greenfield exploration and mine development through to ore processing and rehabilitation. Gold is the primary commodity produced, with individual operations sometimes yielding other by‑products depending on local geology and processing methods.

The company was formed in 2004 through the merger of AngloGold and Ashanti Goldfields, creating a diversified international gold producer.

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