I'm sorry Beardy, I think the Seeking Alpha analyst must have...

I'm sorry Beardy, I think the Seeking Alpha analyst must have been looking at another company!

Barrick (ABX) has US$13,171m of debt. Debt/equity is 162% and Debt servicing at US$401m for their 1st half constituted 37% of OPCF.

Retained earnings are in deficit to the tune of -US$7,878m so not the best for equity holders.

It has shown negative earnings for 2.5 years (even after adjusting for exceptionals of -US$12,687m over 2013).

Altman score is 0.8 (red flag!).

ROE is -1%, Net margin is -4%.

Dividend was slashed for 1H14 and the cover was actually -3.1 - so not looking like that is sustainable at all given that the payout ratio was -32%!

EPS growth negative. Net growth negative. SP upside negative.

Calculated cash costs per sold oz was US$791 in the 1H and with D&A and G&A their net costs on the P&L will be c. US$1,106/oz - so not low cost at all.

Apart from all that it just looks fine and dandy !!
But just my opinion of course.
CPDLC