Ruffer LLP Raises Position in B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG)

Key Points

• Ruffer LLP increased its stake in B2Gold Corp. by 10.7%, owning approximately 4.66 million shares valued at about $13.29 million following recent purchases.
• The company reported positive earnings with an EPS of $0.09, surpassing estimates, and witnessed a 15.3% year-over-year revenue increase.
• B2Gold announced a $0.02 quarterly dividend representing a yield of 2.3%, while analysts have a mixed consensus rating on the stock with a price target of $4.31.

Ruffer LLP lifted its stake in B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG - Free Report) by 10.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,663,540 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 450,478 shares during the quarter. Ruffer LLP owned approximately 0.35% of B2Gold worth $13,291,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in B2Gold in the 4th quarter worth $40,192,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in B2Gold by 32.7% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 15,987,385 shares of the company's stock valued at $39,009,000 after buying an additional 3,939,040 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in B2Gold by 577.0% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 4,519,757 shares of the company's stock valued at $11,028,000 after buying an additional 3,852,095 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP increased its stake in B2Gold by 15.7% in the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 20,675,400 shares of the company's stock worth $50,448,000 after acquiring an additional 2,799,520 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of B2Gold by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 53,010,477 shares of the company's stock valued at $129,823,000 after acquiring an additional 1,165,204 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 61.40% of the company's stock.

B2Gold Stock Performance

Shares of BTG stock traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $3.77. The stock had a trading volume of 24,776,451 shares, compared to its average volume of 42,596,027. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 1.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.98 billion, a PE ratio of -7.84, a PEG ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 0.39. The stock's 50 day moving average is $3.57 and its 200 day moving average is $3.12. B2Gold Corp. has a twelve month low of $2.20 and a twelve month high of $3.83.

B2Gold (NYSE:BTG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.08 by $0.01. B2Gold had a negative net margin of 33.12% and a positive return on equity of 5.65%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.06 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 15.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that B2Gold Corp. will post 0.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

B2Gold Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 24th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 11th were paid a dividend of $0.02 per share. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 11th. B2Gold's payout ratio is currently -17.02%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. CIBC reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $4.00 price target (up previously from $3.60) on shares of B2Gold in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Wall Street Zen raised B2Gold from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Raymond James Financial upgraded B2Gold to a "moderate buy" rating and set a $4.50 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, June 30th. National Bankshares reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of B2Gold in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Scotiabank raised shares of B2Gold from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, April 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $4.31.

About B2Gold

B2Gold Corp. operates as a gold producer company. It operates the Fekola Mine in Mali, the Masbate Mine in the Philippines, and the Otjikoto Mine in Namibia. The company also has an 100% interest in the Gramalote gold project in Colombia; 24% interest in the Calibre Mining Corp.; and approximately 19% interest in BeMetals Corp.