Goldcorp (TSX:G) posted first quarter earnings April 30 that missed analysts’ expectations, amid a drop in precious metal prices.
The Vancouver company, which is the world’s biggest bullion producer by market value, had a net loss of $87 million, or 11 cents a share, compared with net income of $98 million, or 12 cents, in the same period last year. The drop reflects a lower realized margin on gold sales, a higher tax rate, and higher depreciation and depletion expenses, the company said.
However, Goldcorp maintained its production and cost guidance for the year and said output should increase over the course of 2015, as it is ramping up production at its Peñasquito, Cerro Negro and Eleonore operations.
Stock plummets
The company came under heavy selling on the lower than expected results. In heavy volume the world's most valuable gold stock was trading down 6.55% at $18.84 on the New York Stock Exchange and it had dropped almost 6% in Toronto, to $22.78 at 10:42 am ET.
Goldcorp’s results follow a series of recent and disappointing earnings by major gold producers, such as Barrick Gold (TSE, NYSE:ABX) and Yamana Gold (TSE:YRI).
