Newmont stock just took a hit, dropping about 5% to around US$108 after posting Q3 2026 results, even as the miner reported record adjusted earnings per share of roughly US$2.20 and strong free cash flow of US$1.9b for the quarter. The short term read is simple: traders sold first.
The longer view looks different. Over the last twelve months, Newmont has generated earnings per share above US$8 and a net margin near the mid 30s, while the current P/E of about 12 sits below the broader precious metals peer group. That gap between quick reaction and multi year story is what matters next for investors.
Love Newmont’s strong EPS and free cash flow but questioning whether this is the best risk reward in large cap miners right now? Compare it with a curated list of producers that pair resilient balance sheets with healthy cash generation in our list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals stocks (25 results).
Earnings get the headlines, but cash flows usually drive what long term holders are really paying for with Newmont. When you focus on the cash being generated rather than just reported profit, the stock could be a modest 10% undervalued.
The bullish story says Newmont can keep shrinking the share count while pushing a deep project bench toward lower cost production.
"Bullish analysts expect Newmont to keep using its capital allocation framework, strong free cash flow, and productivity programs to compound per share value as it works through the current project pipeline."
Q3 puts some hard markers down. Record adjusted EPS, US$1.9b free cash flow and a net cash pile above US$3b show the cash engine is working. Dividend payments and ongoing buybacks confirm the capital framework is active. On projects, Cadia PC2‑3 and Tanami Expansion 2 both moved closer to completion, which supports the idea that execution, not just aspiration, is driving the pipeline so far.
The price and this Narrative do not agree. → Uncover what this Narrative says Newmont is actually worth.
The harsher view says Newmont is sliding into structurally higher costs as better ore runs down.
"Compounded by ongoing depletion of economically viable reserves, Newmont will be forced to develop more lower-grade, higher-cost deposits, leading to a structural rise in all-in sustaining costs, which compresses operating and net margins even in periods of stable or rising metal prices."
This quarter cuts against that worry, but does not kill it. By-product all-in sustaining cost, labelled AISC, improved to US$1,454/oz and full-year guidance tightened to US$1,520/oz after earlier US$1,590. That is cost relief, yet the share price still fell about 5% on the day, which shows investors remain wary about how long this AISC trend holds once Red Chris and other projects absorb heavy capital.
Newmont just showed how a strong quarter and active capital returns can still meet a skeptical share price. The real opportunity is spotting stocks that could be undervalued before that skepticism fades.
Those are three of them. See every one of the 27 undervalued companies on it →
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