In This Article:
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Free Cash Flow: Increased nearly tenfold to $942 million.
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Adjusted EBITDA: Almost doubled to $2.8 billion.
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Basic Earnings: Turnaround to $1.2 billion from a loss in the prior year.
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Dividend Payout Ratio: Increased to 50% of free cash flow, with a minimum of $0.50 per share.
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Gold Production: Managed operations rose by 2% to 2.352 million ounces.
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Total Cash Costs: Increased by 4% to $1,157 per ounce.
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Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities: More than doubled to nearly $2 billion.
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Adjusted Net Debt: Declined by 55% to $567 million.
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Total Liquidity: Approximately $2.6 billion.
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Cash and Cash Equivalents: Approximately $1.4 billion.
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Gold Price: Average increased 24% to $2,394 per ounce.
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Production Guidance for 2025: Expected between 2.9 and 3.2 million ounces.
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Total Cash Costs Guidance for 2025: Expected range from $1,125 to $1,225 per ounce.
Release Date: February 19, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
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Anglogold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU) reported a record low injury rate of 0.98 per million hours worked in 2024, marking significant safety improvements.
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The company achieved a nearly tenfold increase in free cash flow to $942 million, demonstrating strong financial performance.
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Anglogold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU) successfully reduced its cash lockup position and reliably hit guidance on managed assets.
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The company increased its dividend payout ratio to 50% of free cash flow, with a minimum annual payment of $250 million, reflecting strong shareholder returns.
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The integration of the Sentiment acquisition is proceeding smoothly, enhancing the company's portfolio and improving its NPV and free cash flow per share.
Negative Points
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The company faced challenges with unusually high rainfall affecting operations at Tropicana and Iduapriem.
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Non-operated JV Kibali significantly underperformed, impacting overall production results.
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Working capital outflows were substantial, with a $250 million increase due to higher gold prices and tax receivables.
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Despite improvements, the company still faces industry-wide cost pressures, with total cash costs rising by 4% to $1,157 per ounce.
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The company has a wide range in its production guidance, reflecting uncertainties and potential risks in achieving targets.
Q & A Highlights
Q: On Sukari, are the cost benefits from integration and synergies included in your guidance, and what does the $140 million stripping cost entail? A: Alberto Calderon, CEO: The guidance includes current conditions without anticipated upside from synergies, which we expect mainly in 2026 and 2027. The $140 million is growth capital for future production increases, not immediate cost reductions.