IAMGOLD Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an intermediate gold producer and developer in Canada and Burkina Faso. It owns 100% interest in the Westwood project that covers an area of 1,925 hectare and located in Quebec; a 60% interest in the Côté gold project, which covers an area of 596 square kilometer located in Ontario, Canada; and a 90% interests in the Essakane project that covers an area of 274,000 square kilometer situated in Burkina Faso. IAMGOLD Corporation was incorporated in 1990 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

For Iamgold, the picture looks strong in terms of operating efficiency, but it is no longer cheap enough in market terms to justify an aggressive upward revision of the valuation. Revenue rose to 1.03 billion, and EBITDA increased to 704 million, confirming improved scale and cash generation. Gross margin of 42.31%, operating margin of 38.35%, and net margin of 23.31% are noticeably above the industry median, while ROE of 25.62%, ROA of 12.12%, and ROI of 14.44% indicate strong capital returns. At the same time, the margin trend versus the peak levels of recent quarters is no longer as impressive, so part of the effect of the strong report is likely already reflected in the share price. The balance sheet looks solid: debt/equity is only 0.12, debt is declining, liquidity is improving, cash on hand has risen to 550 million, and both the current and quick ratios are at acceptable levels. This reduces financial risk and supports the valuation, especially for a cyclical commodity business. However, the valuation multiples of P/E 37.8 and P/S 2.72 are above the industry median, which looks expensive relative to the sector and limits the potential for further re-rating. P/B of 2.08 is only slightly above the industry level, while P/FCF of 7.1, on the other hand, looks attractive and partially offsets the expensive P/E and P/S. EPS remains weak relative to the industry, although forward EPS is significantly better than the current figure, suggesting potential profit improvement over the next year. The dividend yield of 7.99% looks very high and supports the investment case, but for a gold miner it may also reflect elevated cyclicality and market expectations. Overall, the fundamentals support the current elevated valuation more than they justify a significant increase in it. Therefore, a moderate conservative downward adjustment is appropriate rather than an upward revision.

Iamgold Corporation

Strong profitability and balance sheet support IAG, but high P/E and P/S ratios at an already elevated valuation limit further upside potential.

IAMGOLD Corporation IAG announced an updated Mineral Resource estimate for its Ontario-based Côté Gold Mine, which is a joint venture project owned 70% by IAMGOLD and 30% by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.
The updated estimate integrates the Côté and Gosselin zones into one consolidated model using updated economic assumptions, effective March 31, 2026. The consolidated model reached a milestone as the company progresses toward an updated mine plan and expansion study, both anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The integrated model incorporates updated assumptions, including a gold price of $2,500 per ounce and a consolidated Mineral Resource cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au. The company’s previous assumptions were gold prices of $2,100 per ounce for Côté, and $2,500 per ounce for Gosselin.
Updates on IAMGOLD’s Côté Gold Resource Estimate
Integrating the deposits into a consolidated model provided increased delineation of the saddle area between the Côté and Gosselin zones. Côté Gold Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources increased 12% from the 2025-end to 20.3 million ounces of gold. This includes 12.7 million ounces of gold at Côté and 7.4 million ounces at Gosselin.
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources at Côté mark an increase of 13% from the 2025-end, while Gosselin marks an increase of 8%. Moreover, the integration efforts generated an extra 0.2 million ounces of Indicated Mineral Resources.
The updated resource estimate now incorporates assay results from 64 new drill holes, including 39 drill holes at Côté and 25 additional drill holes in Gosselin. At Crote, drilling targeted the saddle area to strengthen geological confidence, while at Gosselin, the primary focus was on converting inferred resources into the higher-confidence Indicated category.
IAG Stock’s Price Performance
Shares of the company have surged 135.4% in the past year compared with the industry’s 60.9% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
IAMGOLD Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to Consider
IAG currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks from the basic materials space are Albemarle Corporation ALB, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. APD and Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. ASM. ALB sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, and APD and ASM carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Albemarle has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 74.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $12.45 per share, indicating year-over-year growth from a loss of 79 cents. ALB shares have skyrocketed 203.1% so far this year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Air Products and Chemicals’ current-year earnings is pegged at $13.20 per share, indicating a 9.7% year-over-year rise. APD has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.9%. Air Products and Chemicals’ shares have gained 10.1% in a year.
Avino Silver has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 125%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Avino Silver’s 2026 earnings is pegged at 39 cents per share, indicating 34.5% year-over-year growth. Its shares have gained 113.4% in a year.
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IAMGOLD Expands Cote Gold Resource Base With Updated Estimate

Key Points
Iamgold is expanding production at its major mining sites.
The gold producer is positioned to profit handsomely from further price gains.
Shares of Iamgold (NYSE: IAG) climbed more than 12% this past week after the miner reported soaring free cash flow fueled by higher gold prices.
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Pulling more gold from the ground
Iamgold produced 183,600 ounces in the first quarter, up from 161,000 in the prior-year period.
The mining stock's Westwood site performed particularly well. Higher grades and improved operating efficiency drove its gold production up by 51% to 36,200 ounces.
It's a golden time to be a gold miner
Iamgold's growing production was made even more valuable by sharply higher gold prices. The company's average realized gold price soared 78% to $4,859 per ounce. Central banks have been accumulating the precious metal to diversify their currency reserves.
In all, Iamgold's revenue rocketed 116% higher to $1 billion. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) increased an even more impressive 226% to $666 million.
Iamgold also generated $525 million in mine-site free cash flow, which enabled it to pay down debt and reward shareowners with $260 million in stock buybacks.
On track to achieve its 2026 targets
Iamgold reaffirmed its full-year production forecast of 720,000 to 820,000 ounces. Management also noted that technical reports due later this year are expected to show significant potential for production growth and mine-life extension at several of its sites.
Gold prices could also receive a boost if central banks move to reduce interest rates. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut rates after the current conflict in the Middle East is resolved.
"We are well-positioned to deliver value for our shareholders in 2026 and beyond," CEO Renaud Adams said.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Iamgold Stock Jumped This Week

In trading on Wednesday, precious metals shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 8.1%. Leading the group were shares of SSR Mining, up about 15.7% and shares of IAMGold up about 15.4% on the day.
Also showing relative strength are packaging & containers shares, up on the day by about 5.3% as a group, led by Amcor, trading up by about 9.2% and Ranpak Holdings, trading higher by about 8.8% on Wednesday.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Wednesday Sector Leaders: Precious Metals, Packaging & Containers

(RTTNews) - Iamgold Corp. (IAG) announced a profit for its first quarter that Increases, from last year
The company's earnings came in at $379.7 million, or $0.65 per share. This compares with $39.7 million, or $0.07 per share, last year.
Excluding items, Iamgold Corp. reported adjusted earnings of $391.1 million or $0.67 per share for the period.
The company's revenue for the period rose 115.9% to $1.030 billion from $477.1 million last year.
Iamgold Corp. earnings at a glance (GAAP) :
-Earnings: $379.7 Mln. vs. $39.7 Mln. last year. -EPS: $0.65 vs. $0.07 last year. -Revenue: $1.030 Bln vs. $477.1 Mln last year.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Iamgold Corp. Bottom Line Climbs In Q1

IAMGOLD Corporation IAG is expected to post year-over-year growth in earnings when it reports first-quarter 2026 results on May 5, after market close.
The consensus mark for earnings has moved down over the past 60 days to 52 cents per share for the quarter. The figure indicates solid 420% year-over-year growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
IAMGOLD’s Earnings Surprise History
IAG’s earnings performance has been mixed in recent quarters. Earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in one of the trailing four quarters, came in line with one and beat the mark in the other two, delivering an average surprise of 15.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What the Zacks Model Unveils for IAG
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for IAMGOLD this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, but that is not the case here.
Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for IAMGOLD is 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: IAG currently has a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Factors Likely to Have Shaped IAG's Q1 Performance
IAMGOLD entered the first quarter of 2026 on the back of a very strong finish to 2025, and this momentum likely played a key role in shaping its performance. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the company delivered record production of more than 242,000 ounces along with exceptionally strong financial results. Revenue surged due to both higher gold prices and increased output, particularly from the ramp-up of its Côté Gold mine. Adjusted EBITDA reached $710.1 million in the quarter, while free cash flow and operating cash flow also rose sharply.
Strong grades at Essakane and improving underground performance at Westwood have supported output, although variability in grades and mine sequencing can create quarter-to-quarter fluctuations. Operational factors have been equally critical. The continued ramp-up and optimization of the Côté Gold mine remains the primary growth engine for IAMGOLD. Management has emphasized improving unit costs and throughput at this asset, which are likely to have influenced first-quarter production efficiency. IAMGOLD’s outlook for 2026 suggests that first-quarter performance will be part of a broader growth trajectory. The favorable pricing environment has likely carried into early 2026, supporting revenue stability.
At the same time, broader industry dynamics such as inflation in labor, energy and consumables continue to exert pressure on costs. Currency movements, particularly in regions like Burkina Faso where Essakane operates, also remain a key variable affecting profitability.
IAG Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation
Shares of IAG are up 151.1% in the past year compared with the industry’s 73.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks Likely to Deliver Earnings Beat
Here are some Basic Materials stocks with the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in their upcoming releases.
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. WPM, scheduled to release first-quarter 2026 earnings on May 7, has an Earnings ESP of +8.01% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for Wheaton for the first quarter of 2026 is pegged at $1.14 per share, suggesting an 107.3% year-over-year increase. Wheaton has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 13.7%.
CF Industries CF, scheduled to release first-quarter 2026 earnings on May 6, has an Earnings ESP of +1.07% and a Zacks Rank of 1 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for CF Industries for the first quarter of 2026 is $2.35 per share, indicating a 27.03% year-over-year increase. CF Industries has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 13.15%.
The Chemours Company CC, scheduled to release first-quarter 2026 earnings on May 5, has an Earnings ESP of +157.14% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chemours loss for the first quarter of 2026 is pegged a 5 cents per share, indicating 138.5% decline from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. Chemours has a negative trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 7.4%.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

IAMGOLD to Report Q1 Earnings: What's in Store for the Stock?

Aris Mining Corporation ARIS is set to release its first-quarter 2026 results on May 6, after market close.
Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Aris Mining’s first-quarter earnings has moved up 37.5% to 77 cents per share. The figure reflects a 381.2% surge from the year-ago quarter’s earnings of 16 cents per share.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Aris Mining’s Earnings Surprise History
Over the trailing four quarters, Aris Mining’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate once and missed the same in the remaining three quarters. ARIS has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of a negative 3.53%. The trend is shown in the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What the Zacks Model Unveils for ARIS
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Aris Mining this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here.
You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for Aris Mining is 0.00%.
Zacks Rank: ARIS currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Factors Likely to Have Shaped Aris Mining’s Q1 Performance
The company reported consolidated gold production of 74.3 thousand ounces, marking a 36% increase from the year-ago quarter. Output from Segovia reached 66.6 thousand ounces, up 40% year over year, while production at Marmato rose 8% to 7.8 thousand ounces.
Aris Mining sold roughly 74.8 thousand ounces of gold in the quarter, reflecting a 4% year-over-year increase, at an average realized price exceeding $4,860 per ounce. In comparison, the company sold 54.8 thousand ounces at an average price of $2,855 per ounce in the prior-year period. This resulted in revenues of approximately $364 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 136% from $154.1 million a year earlier.
Apart from higher volumes and prices, Aris Mining’s disciplined cost control is expected to have aided its earnings in the quarter.
ARIS Stock’s Price Performance
Aris Mining stock has surged 238.3% in a year compared with the industry’s 79.7% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How are Aris Mining’s Peers Placed in Q1?
Eldorado Gold Corporation EGO is slated to report first-quarter 2026 results on April 30, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Eldorado Gold’s first-quarter 2026 earnings has moved down 18% over the past 60 days to 73 cents per share. Despite the revision, the consensus mark for Eldorado Gold suggests a 160.7% surge from the year-ago actual.
IAMGOLD IAG is slated to report first-quarter 2026 results on May 5, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IAMGOLD’s first-quarter 2026 earnings has moved down 5.6% over the past 60 days to 51 cents per share. The consensus mark suggests a 410% surge from the year-ago actual.
A Stock to Consider
Here is one Basic Materials stock, which according to our model, has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in its upcoming release.
CF Industries CF, scheduled to release first-quarter 2026 earnings on May 6, currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.07% and a Zacks Rank of 1.
CF Industries’ earnings for the quarter are pegged at $2.35 per share, indicating year-over-year growth of 27%. The company has delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 13.15%.
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Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."
Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

ARIS to Report Q1 Earnings: What's in Store for the Stock?

A study of analyst recommendations at the major brokerages shows that IAMGold Corp (Symbol: IAG) is the #38 broker analyst pick, on average, out of the 50 stocks making up the Metals Channel Global Mining Titans Index, according to Metals Channel. The Metals Channel Global Mining Titans Index is comprised of the top fifty global leaders from the metals and mining sector. The companies listed in the Metals Channel Global Mining Titans Index are not fixed, but instead variable — updating on a continuous basis to reflect the changing market environment with respect to commodity prices, government policy and market volatility.
In forming this rank, the analyst opinions from the major brokerage houses were tallied, and averaged; then, the underlying components of the Metals Channel Global Mining Titans Index were ranked according to those averages. Investors often interpret analyst opinions from different angles — when companies have a low rank among analysts, it isn't necessarily the case that investors should conclude that the stock will perform poorly. It can, of course, but a bullish investor could also take the contrarian angle and read into the data that there is lots of room for upside because the stock is so out of favor.
IAG operates in the Precious Metals sector, among companies like Newmont Corp (NEM) which is down about 7.6% today, and Barrick Mining Corp (B) trading lower by about 5.8%. Below is a three month price history chart comparing the stock performance of IAG, versus NEM and B.
IAG is currently trading down about 7.1% midday Thursday.
Also see:
SAFE Dividend Stocks
Institutional Holders of GTPB
Canadian Stocks Crossing Below Book Value
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

See How IAMGold Ranks Among Analysts' Top Metals Picks

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 6, 2026 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. AEM, Franco-Nevada Corp. FNV, Equinox Gold EQX, IAMGOLD IAG and Eldorado Gold EGO.
Industry: Gold Mining
Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2872203/5-gold-stocks-to-buy-to-ride-solid-price-demand-trends
The outlook for the Zacks Mining - Gold industry looks bright, supported by strong gold price momentum and resilient demand. Gold has surged 18% so far in 2026, following a record-breaking 2025 when prices averaged $3,431 per ounce. Prices are currently around $5,140 per ounce amid geopolitical tensions. Structural supply constraints, including declining output from aging mines and limited new discoveries, are expected to support prices.
Against this backdrop, companies like Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Franco-Nevada Corp.,Equinox Gold, IAMGOLD and Eldorado Gold remain well-positioned for growth, aided by strong balance sheets, cost-control initiatives and ongoing growth projects.
About the Industry
The Zacks Mining - Gold industry comprises companies engaged in extracting gold from mines. These mines may either be underground or open pits. Mining is a long and complex process and requires significant financial resources. It involves exploring to evaluate a deposit's size; assessing ways to extract and process ore efficiently, safely and responsibly; and developing the mine before the actual mining process.
It usually takes 10-20 years for a gold mine to produce material that can finally be refined. Nowadays, industry players use a range of sophisticated techniques to extract gold and convert it into dore bars, an alloy of gold and silver, alongside other impurities. These are then sent for purification, after which gold is purchased as bars or coins, or used in jewelry or other purposes.
Major Trends Shaping the Future of the Mining-Gold Industry
Unprecedented Rally in Gold Prices to Aid Industry: Gold recorded a remarkable run in 2025, with the highest annual average of $3,431 per ounce, which was up 44% year over year. Gold price even breached the $4,500 mark in December 2025. The rally was driven by escalating geopolitical and economic uncertainty, a weaker U.S. dollar and continued strong central bank purchases. Total gold demand also hit an all-time high of 5,002 tons.
Investment demand was a major driver, reaching a landmark level of 2,175 tons. Investors seeking safe haven and diversification piled into gold ETFs, adding 801 tons throughout the year. Global bar and coin demand is reaching 12-year highs at 1,374 tons. Central bank buying remained elevated in 2025, with the official sector adding 863t of gold. The upward momentum has continued in 2026, with gold up 18.4% year to date and trading near a record $5,140 per ounce as investors increasingly turn to safe-haven assets amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Cost Management Efforts Sustain Margins: The industry has been facing a shortage of skilled workforce, causing a spike in wages. Industry players are grappling with escalating production costs, including electricity, water, and material. Since the industry cannot control gold prices, it focuses on improving the sales volume and the operating cash flow, as well as lowering unit net cash costs. The industry participants are opting for alternative energy sources, such as solar or wind farms, to minimize fuel-price volatility and secure supply. Miners are committed to cost-reduction strategies and digital innovation to drive operating efficiencies.
Structural Supply Constraints to Support Long-Term Prices: Depleting resources, declining output from aging mines and the lack of new mines remain inherent threats to the industry. Given the high costs and risks and lengthy time period associated with developing new mines, many companies prefer to expand their reserve base through mergers and acquisitions.
On the demand side, the use of gold in energy, healthcare and technology is rising. India and China account for around 50% of consumer gold demand. Gold demand in India will remain strong on improving economic momentum and consumer confidence.
The yellow metal has long been considered a safe-haven investment amid financial or political uncertainty. Central banks have been ramping up reserves held in gold due to currency depreciation and geopolitical and economic risks. Therefore, there will be an eventual demand-supply imbalance, which will likely drive gold prices.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates encouraging near-term prospects. The Zacks Mining - Gold Industry, which is a 40-stock group within the broader Zacks Basic Materials sector, currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #22, which places it in the top 9% of 243 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let us take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Versus S&P 500 & Sector
The Mining-Gold Industry has outperformed the sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year. The stocks in the industry have collectively grown 145.1% compared with the broader sector’s rise of 46.6%. The S&P 500 has gained 21.6% in the same timeframe.
Industry's Current Valuation
On the basis of the trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA, a commonly used multiple for valuing gold-mining companies, we see that the industry is currently trading at 11.82X compared with the S&P 500’s 17.33X and the Basic Material sector’s trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 17.38X.
Over the last five years, the industry traded as high as 12.90X and as low as 5.26X, the median being 7.78X.
5 Mining-Gold Stocks to Bet On
Agnico Eagle Mines: The company continues to prioritize projects aimed at strengthening production and cash-flow generation. It is advancing its key pipeline projects, including the Odyssey project in the Canadian Malartic Complex, Detour Lake, Hope Bay, Upper Beaver and San Nicolas. AEM is also reassessing some higher potential portfolio projects (Hammond Reef, Timmins East and Northern Territory) in light of the high gold price environment.
The company generated a record free cash flow of around $4.4 billion in 2025. Through a disciplined, phased development approach, Agnico Eagle aims to lift annual gold output by 20–30% over the next decade, with the potential to surpass 4 million ounces in the early 2030s. AEM shares have gained 51% over the past six months.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this Toronto, Canada-based company’s earnings for fiscal 2026 has moved up 33.5% over the past 60 days. The estimate indicates 60.4% year-over-year growth. AEM has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.8%. Agnico Eagle currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Franco-Nevada: The company recently agreed to a AUD170 million ($120 million) gross royalty from Minerals 260 to support the development of the Bullabulling Gold Project in Western Australia. This deal will lift Franco-Nevada’s effective royalty on the project land package to 2.45%. Bullabulling is a large and growing resource and one of the most attractive gold development projects in Australia.
Franco-Nevada also inked a deal to acquire a $250 million net smelter return royalty from i-80 Gold Corp. The royalty rate will start at 1.5%, increasing to 3.0% beginning in 2031, and will apply to all of i80 Gold’s material properties, including their six projects in various stages of development. This increases FNV’s long-term gold exposure in Nevada, where its royalty coverage already extends to Goldstrike, Gold Quarry, Arthur, Marigold, Bald Mountain, South Arturo and numerous other properties.
Backed by a diversified royalty and streaming portfolio, a debt-free balance sheet and strong cash flows, Franco-Nevada remains well positioned for long-term growth. FNV shares have gained 32.8% over the past six months.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this company’s earnings for fiscal 2026 indicates 58.6% year-over-year growth. The estimate has moved up 24% over the past 60 days. FNV has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 7.7%, on average. The company has a long-term estimated earnings growth of 8.9% and currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1.
Equinox Gold: 2025 marked a transformative year for the company with the merger with Calibre creating a tier one North American-focused gold producer anchored by two new long-life Canadian mines. The company also reported delivery of the first gold and commercial production at Valentine ahead of schedule, and portfolio optimization through asset divestments. The company achieved a record production of 922,827 ounces in 2025. EQX has also transformed the balance sheet, reducing debt by more than $1.1 billion since the second quarter of 2025.
In 2026, the company aims to generate strong free cash flow supported by expected gold production of 700,000–800,000 ounces and elevated prices, and continue lowering debt levels. A strengthened balance sheet provides greater flexibility to fund 400,000-500,000 ounces of potential annual organic growth over the next five years from the Phase 2 expansion at Valentine, the Castle Mountain expansion, and optionality at Los Filos. EQX shares have gained 74.5% over the past six months.
Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Equinox Gold engages in the exploration, acquisition, development and operation of mineral properties in the Americas. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EQX’s 2026 earnings has moved up 30% over the past 90 days. The consensus estimate indicates a substantial year-over-year improvement of 263%. EQX has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 89.2%, on average. The company currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1.
IAMGOLD: The company delivered record margins and cash flow in 2025 as its mines moved into robust production phases, as well as solidgold marketconditions. Solid operating performance enabled IAMGOLD to advance its balance-sheet deleveraging strategy and return capital to shareholders through its share repurchase program. In 2026, IAMGOLD remains focused on growing the value of its assets while maintaining operational discipline.
The buyback program will continue, supported by cash flows from the Essakane mine. At the Côté operation, the focus will be on reducing unit costs and preparing for a future expansion targeting the combined Côté and Gosselin deposits. The company is also advancing its organic growth pipeline with a comprehensive drill program at its newly consolidated Nelligan Complex, which is already positioning itself as among the largest pre-production projects in Canada. IAG shares have gained 126% over the past six months.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this Toronto, Canada-based company’s earnings for fiscal 2026 has moved up 29.7% over the past 60 days. The estimate suggests year-over-year growth of 74%. IAG has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.75%, on average. The company currently has a long term estimated earnings growth of 5.9% and sports a Zacks Rank of 1.
Eldorado Gold: The company expects gold production at 490,000-590,000 ounces in 2026, representing a 11% year-over-year increase. This will be supported by its current operating mines, the Lamaque Complex, Kisladag, Efemcukuru and Olympias. First concentrate from the Skouries project is now expected in the early part of the third quarter of 2025, with commercial production targeted for the fourth quarter.
Once operational, Skouries is set to significantly enhance Eldorado’s production profile, costs and cash generation. The company thus expects gold output to reach 620,000-720,000 ounces in 2027, indicating a solid 40% increase from 2025 levels. With higher production and the addition of copper output from Skouries, Eldorado expects a strong increase in free cash flow supported by its stable operating portfolio. EGO shares have gained 58.3% over the past six months.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vancouver, Canada-based Eldorado Gold’s 2026 earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 194.3%. The estimate has moved up 21% over the past 60 days. EGO presently sports a Zacks Rank of 1.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Agnico Eagle Mines, Franco-Nevada, Equinox Gold, IAMGOLD and Eldorado Gold

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 3, 2026 – Zacks Equity Research shares IAMGOLD IAG as the Bull of the Day and OneSpaWorld OSW as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Mastercard Inc. MA, Visa Inc. V and PayPal Holdings, Inc. PYPL.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks.
There’s something about gold when the market starts to feel a little wobbly. Yields move. Geopolitics flare. Central banks start whispering about rate cuts. And suddenly, that shiny rock everyone forgot about becomes the belle of the ball. It should come as no surprise that gold mining stocks are some of the best performing ones out there. Only fitting today’s Bull of the Day comes from that industry.
Today’s Bull of the Day is IAMGOLD, a gold producer that looks poised to capitalize on one of the strongest macro tailwinds we’ve seen in years. IAMGOLD Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as a gold producer and developer in Canada and Burkina Faso. The company's flagship project includes Côté Gold that covers an area of 596 hectares located in the Chester and Yeo Townships, district of sudbury, in northeastern Ontario.
Let’s start with the obvious: gold prices have been living in record territory. When real yields roll over and the dollar shows signs of fatigue, gold tends to stretch its legs. And unlike the speculative juniors, IAMGOLD actually produces the stuff.
With operating mines in the Americas and West Africa, and the high-profile Côté Gold project in Ontario ramping up, IAMGOLD is transitioning from “rebuild mode” to “cash flow mode.” That’s when the fun usually begins. When gold prices rise, margins expand fast. Mining has high fixed costs, so incremental price gains drop straight to the bottom line. That operating leverage is exactly what you want if you believe the gold move has legs.
Analysts are on board and have increased estimates for the current year and next year. Over the last sixty days, the bullish moves have pushed up our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year from $1.65 to $2.15 while next year’s number is up from $1.34 to $1.99. That’s the reason for the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating on the stock.
IAMGOLD has spent the last few years restructuring, divesting non-core assets, and cleaning up the balance sheet. That groundwork matters. You don’t want a gold stock buried under debt when volatility spikes.
Now the narrative is shifting from “Can they execute?” to “How much cash can they generate?” That’s a big difference. Gold stocks are notoriously cyclical. You don’t marry them, you date them during the right part of the cycle. Right now, the combination of strong gold prices, expanding production and a cleaner balance sheet puts IAMGOLD in a sweet spot.
There are certain stocks that look great when everything is perfect. Full cruise ships. Consumers flush with cash. Vacation budgets expanding. No macro hiccups. No geopolitical noise. No recession chatter. Unfortunately, sometimes reality shows up. And when it does, estimates move in the wrong direction.
Today’s Bear of the Day is Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) OneSpaWorld. OneSpaWorld operates spas and wellness centers aboard cruise ships and in destination resorts. It’s a “feel good” business tied directly to discretionary spending. And that’s exactly the problem.
Let’s break this down. Cruises are already discretionary. Spa treatments on cruises? That’s discretionary squared. When consumer confidence wobbles, when credit card balances rise, when households start prioritizing essentials over indulgences, premium add-ons like onboard spa services are some of the first things to get cut.
You don’t cancel your cruise vacation at the last minute. You absolutely skip the $300 massage. That’s operating leverage in the wrong direction.
OneSpaWorld’s revenue depends heavily on passenger spend per sailing. If occupancy softens or per-guest spending moderates even slightly, margins compress quickly. This isn’t a diversified hospitality empire. It’s a niche operator tied almost exclusively to cruise lines. That concentration risk becomes glaring when macro uncertainty increases. Add in labor cost pressure and the margin picture can deteriorate fast if pricing power fades.
Over the last sixty days, three analysts have cut their earnings estimates for the current year while two have done so for next year. The bearish moves have dropped our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year from $1.15 to $1.11 while next year’s number is off from $1.29 to $1.27. Still, that does represent growth of 12% for the current year and 14% next year.
The Leisure and Recreation Services industry ranks in the Bottom 26% of our Zacks Industry Rank.
Additional content:
Blockchain Meets Checkout: Mastercard Plays the Long Game
Mastercard Inc. is steadily reinforcing its role as the infrastructure layer of digital commerce and its latest partnership with MetaMask around the MetaMask Card underscores that strategy. With the U.S. launch now fully operational across the country, including in New York, this initiative represents another important move toward connecting self-custodied crypto assets with traditional payment systems.
The MetaMask Card allows users to spend directly from their wallets without preloading funds onto centralized exchanges. Assets remain in users’ control until the moment of transaction, when they are seamlessly converted for payment across MA’s global network of more than 150 million merchant locations. The launch also introduces a $199 per year Metal tier, offering up to 3% back in mUSD on the first $10,000 spent annually, while standard users can earn up to 1% in on-chain rewards.
For MA, this partnership reinforces its strategy of embedding itself deeper into the digital asset ecosystem without directly taking balance sheet crypto risk. By serving as the payment rail, the company captures transaction volume while supporting innovation at the wallet layer. It has steadily expanded crypto-linked cards and tokenization services in recent years, positioning itself as infrastructure rather than a speculator.
Additionally, the New York rollout is particularly significant. Regulatory clarity in key jurisdictions reduces friction and broadens the addressable user base. If adoption scales meaningfully, crypto-linked debit could drive incremental payment volume through MA’s network, supporting cross-border activity and higher-margin transactions.
How Are Competitors Faring?
Some of MA’s competitors in the value-added services space include Visa Inc. and PayPal Holdings, Inc.
Visa continues to expand its global digital payments footprint, leveraging tokenization, real-time settlement and partnerships with fintechs. V’s broad acceptance and scale support resilient revenue growth, though competitive pressures from alternative payment rails and regulatory scrutiny persist.
PayPal is deepening its checkout and wallet ecosystem while expanding crypto and buy now, pay later offerings. Despite slower user growth and margin pressures, PYPL’s strategic investments in Wallet and merchant solutions aim to sustain engagement and long-term transaction volume.
Mastercard’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Over the past year, MA’s shares have declined 10.1% compared with the industry’s fall of 23.6%.
From a valuation standpoint, MA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 26, above the industry average of 18.39. MA carries a Value Score of D.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mastercard’s 2026 earnings implies 14% growth from the year-ago period.
Mastercard currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index.Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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IAMGOLD and OneSpaWorld have been highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day

Key Points
Iamgold expects to hit its full-year financial targets.
2026 could be another banner year.
Shares of Iamgold (NYSE: IAG) popped on Tuesday after the gold producer announced preliminary operating results for the fourth quarter and a bullish forecast for the coming year.
By the close of trading, Iamgold's stock price was up more than 15%.
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Iamgold's mining operations are performing well
Iamgold produced 765,900 ounces of gold in 2025, driven by record quarterly production at all its major mining sites.
The company's Essakane, Côté, and Westwood operations produced 117,300, 87,200, and 37,900 attributable ounces in the fourth quarter.
The record production comes at an opportune time. Gold prices climbed above $4,700 per ounce on Tuesday. Many investors view the precious metal as a defensive store of value, particularly during times of geopolitical turmoil.
Iamgold, in turn, expects to deliver record revenue when it reports its finalized financial results on Feb. 17.
2026 should be another lucrative year
Management forecasts attributable gold production of 720,000 to 820,000 ounces in 2026, with cash costs, including royalties, of $1,425 to $1,575 per ounce sold.
"Turning the page to 2026, it is going to be a very exciting year for IAMGOLD as we continue to build on the momentum at Cote, Westwood, and Essakane," CEO Renaud Adams said.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.