AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU) Sets New 1-Year High - What's Next?

AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $41.91 and last traded at $42.31, with a volume of 140927 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $38.85.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com raised AngloGold Ashanti from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on AngloGold Ashanti from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, April 4th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their price target on AngloGold Ashanti from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $35.25.

AngloGold Ashanti Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $17.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.39 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $33.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $28.85.

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AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The mining company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.99 by ($0.10). The business had revenue of $1.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.75 billion. As a group, research analysts predict that AngloGold Ashanti plc will post 3.83 EPS for the current year.

AngloGold Ashanti Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th were given a $0.69 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. This is a positive change from AngloGold Ashanti's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.22. This represents a yield of 2.8%. AngloGold Ashanti's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 43.13%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AngloGold Ashanti

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Whittier Trust Co. purchased a new stake in AngloGold Ashanti during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 210.6% in the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,174 shares of the mining company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 796 shares in the last quarter. Hara Capital LLC purchased a new position in AngloGold Ashanti in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in AngloGold Ashanti during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 36.09% of the company's stock.

About AngloGold Ashanti

AngloGold Ashanti plc operates as a gold mining company in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The company primarily explores for gold, as well as produces silver and sulphuric acid as by-products. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita mine located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania.