Scotiabank has reiterated its Sector Perform rating and $6.50 price target for Fortuna Silver Mines (NYSE: NYSE:), following the company’s Q3 production report.
The report showed that Fortuna Silver (TSX:) Mines produced 110.8 thousand gold-equivalent ounces, which was nearly in line with the estimated 111.0 thousand ounces.
Gold production was slightly below expectations at 91.3 thousand ounces compared to the anticipated 91.8 thousand ounces, marking a minor 1% shortfall.
Silver output, on the other hand, was significantly lower than expected, with 0.82 million ounces produced against the estimate of 1.15 million ounces, a 29% decrease.
However, the production of zinc and lead exceeded expectations. The company reported 12.8 million pounds of zinc and 10.0 million pounds of lead, surpassing estimates by 56% and 43%, respectively.
The variations in production were attributed to different factors across FSM’s operations. The higher gold production at Séguéla was negated by reduced output at Lindero and Yaramoko. San Jose’s silver production was particularly disappointing due to decreased throughput and grades.
Fortuna Silver Mines is currently considering several options for San Jose, including potential production extensions, placing the operation on care and maintenance, or initiating a progressive closure plan as the mine’s reserves are projected to be depleted by the end of the year.
Despite these production issues, year-to-date gold and silver production stands at 273.6 thousand ounces and 2.9 million ounces, respectively. Fortuna Silver Mines has confirmed it is still on track to meet its annual consolidated production guidance of 343-385 thousand ounces of gold and 4.0-4.7 million ounces of silver.
Scotiabank views the production results as neutral for FSM shares, noting that gold-equivalent production met their expectations. The bank is looking forward to further updates, particularly regarding the first ore placement on the new leach pad later this month and the anticipated completion of the Lindero leach pad expansion by the end of the year. After updating its model, Scotiabank has maintained the Sector Perform rating with a $6.50 price target for FSM shares.
In other recent news, Fortuna Mining Corp. reported notable Q2 2024 results, with gold equivalent production reaching 116,000 ounces and total sales amounting to $260 million. In addition to this, the company revealed a net income of $43.3 million, marking a significant increase from Q2 2023. Fortuna Mining also successfully placed $172 million in convertible notes, strengthening its financial liquidity.
The company’s Yaramoko Mine, operational since 2016, will retain its mining permit, ensuring the stability of its operations in Burkina Faso. This development coincides with the company’s production guidance for the year, which forecasts an annual output of 457 to 497 thousand gold equivalent ounces.
BMO Capital Markets has maintained its Outperform rating on shares of Fortuna Mining, following the company’s third-quarter production report. Despite a challenging quarter at the San Jose mine, the company’s lead and zinc output met projections, and the Séguela project continued to perform robustly. The company anticipates clarity on the future of the San Jose mine by the end of Q3.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro sheds additional light on Fortuna Silver Mines’ financial performance and market position. Despite the production challenges mentioned in the article, FSM has shown strong revenue growth, with a 49.29% increase in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, reaching $993.29 million. This growth is particularly impressive when considering the quarterly revenue growth of 64.12% in Q2 2024.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that FSM’s net income is expected to grow this year, which aligns with the company’s maintained production guidance. Additionally, the stock has seen a significant return over the last year, with a 61.56% price total return, indicating investor confidence in the company’s prospects despite operational challenges.
It’s worth noting that FSM operates with a moderate level of debt, which could provide financial flexibility as it navigates production issues and considers options for its San Jose operation. The company’s valuation implies a strong free cash flow yield, potentially giving it resources to address operational challenges or pursue growth opportunities.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for Fortuna Silver Mines, providing a deeper understanding of the company’s financial health and market position.
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