Anglogold Ashanti Production Surges By 22%

Despite another downward move in the price of gold to $1,165 an ounce on Monday to levels last seen July 2010, battered gold stocks managed to make some gains. The charge was led by AngloGold Ashanti the world's third largest gold producer, which surged more than 22% after releasing strong third quarter results and bullish guidance. The Johannesburg-based firm announced lower than expected costs and boosted its production outlook to the top end of previous guidance. AngloGold Ashanti revised its full year 2014 output outlook to 4.35m � to 4.45m ounces despite the sale of the Navachab mine in Namibia in May, losses caused by the earthquake in South Africa, and the transition of the Obuasi Mine to limited operating state by year-end. Total cash costs rose a less than expected 1% to $820/oz, while all-in sustaining costs fell 10% compared to 2013 to $1,036/oz. The forecast for all-in sustaining costs remains at $1,025/oz � $1,075/oz. Forecast capital expenditure was also cut from $1.35bn � $1.45bn down to $1.25bn � $1.35bn, due mostly to savings at the Obuasi mine.Anglogold was forced in September to scrap plans to split the company and raise more than $2 billion through a stock sale. The Johannesburg-based firm announced lower than expected costs and boosted its production outlook to the top end of previous guidance.Gains were much more modest at other top gold producers with Barrick Gold Corp adding 1.2% in market value in higher than usual volumes of over 3 million shares. The world's number one producer of the metal expected to produce roughly 6 � 6.5 million ounces of gold in 2014 is still down more than 27% in 2014 with a market value of $15.8 billion on the Toronto stock exchange. World number two Newmont Mining Corp with a market value of $9.4 billion gained nearly 2%. Talks earlier this year between Newmont and Barrick about a possible merger ended acrimoniously with both sides going public with unflattering comments about incompatible corporate cultures. Newmont shares have outperformed Barrick this year with year to date losses capped at 17%. Goldcorp (TSE:G) gained 1.2% on the day building on Friday's gains which came into the teeth of a falling gold price as it recovers from multi-year lows. The Vancouver-based company, the world's most valuable gold stock, with market capitalization of $17.5 billion is forecasting production of 2.95 � 3.1 million ounces this year. Goldcorp walked away from a hostile takeover of fellow Canadian gold miner Osisko (TSE:OSK) last year, but CEO Chuck Jeannes said in September the weak gold price will lead to further consolidation in the industry as gold majors opt to buy ounces.Yamana Gold (TSE:YRI) and Agnico Eagle Mines (TSE:AEM) which acted as Osisko's white knights and now jointly own 100% of its Malartic mine gained 1.3% and 2% respectively. Toronto-based Yamana is worth $4 billion and Agnico $5 billion making the acquirers the globe's sixth and eighth most valuable listed gold miners. Toronto's Kinross Gold worth $2.9 billion was one of the better performers on the day with a 4.5% gain, but is down a whopping 48% in 2014.Canada's Eldorado Gold Corp (TSX:ELD) was the lone loser, shedding 0.2%. The fast-growing miner's is one of the few producers in positive territory for 2014 and is up 2% since January. Eldorado is starting up a mine in Romania and also operates in China, Turkey and Greece with a target of 1.4 million ounces this year. South African miner Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI) jumped 5.3%. The Johannesburg-based firm which is expected to mine 2 million ounces this year is up 5% in 2014 after a dismal performance last year when in a contrarian move its picked up some of Barrick's Australian operations.