Was Warren Buffett Right in Reducing His Stake in Barrick Gold by 42%?

While Warren Buffett remains wary of gold, there are plenty of reasons to invest in mining stocks such as Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX).

| More on:

Warren Buffett has been one of the top investors in the equity markets for almost six decades. So, whenever the Oracle of Omaha buys or sells a stock, it is big news for investors. Warren Buffett-owned Berkshire Hathaway recently reported its 13F filings, which revealed that the company reduced its exposure to Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX)(NYSE:GOLD) by 42% in Q3.

Investors were surprised when Berkshire Hathaway picked up a position in the gold mining company in the second quarter, as Buffett is not a fan of the lustrous metal. So, is Warren Buffett right in reducing his stake in Barrick Gold?

Gold stocks remain a safe bet amid rising volatility

There are multiple reasons to remain bullish on gold. Gold prices have been rising in the last five years and should continue to move higher in the upcoming decade. As well, Gold prices have an inverse relationship to interest rates and the U.S. dollar. We know that interest rates are near record lows, while the U.S. dollar is under pressure due to quantitative easing policies.

Further, global macro uncertainty will contribute to stock market volatility, which will lead investors to look at safe investment havens like gold. Investors also need to know that gold bull markets are elongated and generally last over a decade.

Physical gold breached a record high price of $2,000 an ounce in 2020 and might even touch the $3,000 mark by 2021, according to industry experts. The Federal Reserve is unlikely to increase interest rates in the near term, and when you account for $17 trillion in negative investment-grade debt in the U.S., it makes perfect sense to remain bullish on gold prices.

Barrick Gold is a top mining stock

Another way investors can benefit from rising gold prices is by investing in mining companies such as Barrick Gold. It has focused on improving its balance sheet in the last few years, and its net debt fell by 25% in Q2. Further, it is not facing any major debt maturities for another 13 years. In Q3, Barrick reduced net debt by 71% on a sequential basis and reported record cash flows of $1.3 billion.

It will end 2020 with an AISC (all-in sustaining costs) of less than $1,000 per gold equivalent ounce (GEO). This means Barrick Gold’s cash operating margin will be over $900 per GEO, which will help it improve cash flows and profit margins in the upcoming quarters.

Barrick Gold aims to produce over 500,000 ounces a year in tier-one mining assets and deliver total cash costs per ounce in the lower half of the sector’s curve.

Its focus on operating large mines will help Barrick Gold accelerate economies of scale. The company expects output to average five million ounces of gold per year through 2029 and estimates AISC to decline from $1,000 to $800 by 2024.

The Foolish takeaway

Barrick Gold’s rock-solid balance sheet and top-tier mining portfolio make the stock a top pick, especially if one is bullish on gold prices. Further, its high operating leverage gives it enough room to withstand a minor decline in the commodity’s price.

Should you invest $1,000 in Barrick Gold right now?

Before you buy stock in Barrick Gold, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Barrick Gold wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $21,345.77!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 24 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 4/21/25

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Berkshire Hathaway (B shares) and recommends the following options: long January 2021 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), short January 2021 $200 puts on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), and short December 2020 $210 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). Fool contributor Aditya Raghunath has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Metals and Mining Stocks

GettyImages-1394663007
Dividend Stocks

Recession Stocks Are Back: Consider Buying These Canadian Stocks in May

A recession may or may not come, but no matter what's ahead, investors can prepare with these Canadian stocks

Read more »

woman analyze data
Metals and Mining Stocks

1 Magnificent Canadian Stock Down 17% to Buy and Hold Forever

Do you want some value and a deal all wrapped into one? Then this Canadian stock could be for you.

Read more »

Dog smiles with a big gold necklace
Metals and Mining Stocks

The Smartest Materials Stock to Buy With $3,700 Right Now

A top-tier gold miner with a strong foundation for growth is the smartest materials stock to buy today.

Read more »

woman analyze data
Metals and Mining Stocks

Where I’d Invest $6,000 in the TSX Today

Here's why Canadian investors should consider holding shares of undervalued TSX stocks such as Allied Gold right now.

Read more »

nugget gold
Metals and Mining Stocks

Why Kinross Gold Stock Climbed 4% After Earnings

Kinross stock should continue to do well and already has after some stellar earnings.

Read more »

grow money, wealth build
Metals and Mining Stocks

The Smartest Mining Stock to Buy With $5,500 Right Now

Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX:AEM) stock has been hot of late. More gains seem likely for the dividend stock.

Read more »

nugget gold
Metals and Mining Stocks

This TSX Gold Stock Down 46% Looks Incredibly Undervalued

Down 46% from all-time highs, Equinox Gold is an undervalued TSX mining stock that offers you significant upside potential right…

Read more »

jar with coins and plant
Metals and Mining Stocks

Where Will Barrick Gold Be in 5 Years?

Barrick Gold stock's trajectory to 2029: Gold’s anchor, copper’s charge in the energy revolution

Read more »