BMO Capital Markets has maintained its Market Perform rating on First Majestic Silver (NYSE:AG) Corp. (FR: CN) (NYSE: AG), with a steady price target of Cdn$8.50.
The firm's analyst highlighted the company's third-quarter production results, which were reported the previous day and aligned closely with expectations.
First Majestic Silver announced a quarterly output of 5.49 million ounces of silver equivalent (AgEq), slightly under BMO's projection of 5.64 million ounces but showing a quarter-over-quarter increase.
The analyst pointed out that the Santa Elena mine had an exceptional quarter, with production and ore grades surpassing forecasts. This success contributed to a total gold production of 41.8 thousand ounces, which exceeded BMO's estimate of 38.5 thousand ounces.
However, silver production fell short at 2.0 million ounces, not reaching the anticipated 2.4 million ounces. This shortfall was attributed to lower ore grades at the San Dimas mine and reduced throughput and grade at La Encantada.
Despite the lower silver output, the company's year-to-date production stands at 15.9 million ounces of AgEq. This figure is on track to meet the annual production guidance, which ranges between 21.4 and 22.6 million ounces of AgEq. The analyst expressed optimism about the fourth quarter, anticipating improvements in production at both the San Dimas and La Encantada operations.
In other recent news, First Majestic Silver Corp. has reported a decrease in third-quarter production, with a 13% year-over-year drop in silver equivalent ounces, according to an analysis from H.C. Wainwright.
In response to these figures, the firm maintained its Buy rating on the company's shares. First Majestic also announced a share repurchase program, intending to buy up to 10 million of its common shares, a decision dependent on market conditions.
Simultaneously, First Majestic has disclosed a definitive merger agreement with Gatos Silver, Inc., a deal valued at approximately $970 million. This merger is expected to create an intermediate primary silver producer with a combined annual production of 30-32 million ounces of silver-equivalent.
BMO Capital has maintained its Market Perform rating on First Majestic's stock, following the release of second-quarter production figures. These figures indicated a 7% increase in silver production and a 9% rise in gold output from its three operating mines in Mexico. The company has also revised its 2024 guidance, maintaining a consolidated production forecast of 21.4 to 22.6 million silver equivalent ounces.
InvestingPro Insights
To complement BMO Capital Markets' analysis of First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG), recent data from InvestingPro offers additional context for investors. The company's market capitalization stands at $2.2 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the silver mining sector. Despite the production challenges noted in the third quarter, AG has demonstrated strong market performance, with a 19.58% price total return over the last three months and an impressive 31.48% return over the past year.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that AG operates with a moderate level of debt and its liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, which could provide financial flexibility as the company works to improve production at San Dimas and La Encantada. However, investors should note that AG is not currently profitable, with a negative P/E ratio of -30.56 for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024.
The company's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 was $512.34 million, with a revenue growth decline of 16.23% over the same period. This aligns with the production challenges mentioned in the article and underscores the importance of the anticipated fourth-quarter improvements.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 7 additional tips for First Majestic Silver Corp., providing deeper insights into the company's financial health and market position.
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