Shares of Barrick Gold Corporation achieved a significant milestone this week, closing at a fresh 52-week high of $43.15 on Thursday. This represented a single-day gain of approximately 3.3%, capping off a remarkable rally that has seen the stock appreciate by more than 140% since the start of the year. Robust trading volume of over 6.6 million shares underscored the strong market interest. This sustained upward momentum is being fueled by two concurrent developments: a strategic corporate review and a wave of positive analyst commentary.
Strategic Move to Unlock Value Gains Board Approval
In a direct response to shareholder initiatives, Barrick’s board of directors unanimously approved a plan on December 1 to explore a public listing for a new subsidiary. This entity, tentatively referred to as “NewCo,” would consolidate the company’s premier North American mining assets. The move follows engagement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which holds a stake worth roughly $1 billion and had advocated for a full separation of Barrick’s operations.
Interim CEO Mark Hill described the assets under consideration as being among the world’s finest, located in top-tier jurisdictions. The proposed portfolio for the new company includes:
* A 61.5% stake in the Nevada Gold Mines joint venture with Newmont Corporation.
* A 60% interest in the Pueblo Viejo mine located in the Dominican Republic.
* Full ownership of the high-grade Fourmile gold discovery in Nevada, a project that could grant NewCo a distinctive competitive edge.
Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Barrick Mining?
Rather than pursuing a complete spin-off as initially suggested, Barrick has opted for a more measured approach. The parent company would retain majority control of NewCo while providing its shareholders with additional options to participate in the new entity’s value. Financial advisors M. Klein & Company and Goldman Sachs are overseeing the transaction, with further details expected alongside the company’s full-year 2026 results in February.
Market Experts Revise Targets Upward
Concurrently, several major investment banks have issued upgraded assessments and increased price targets for Barrick. Analysts point to a compelling combination of factors: sustained high gold prices, record-level operational cash flows, and the potential value-unlocking strategy of the planned corporate restructuring. This confluence of positive indicators has solidified confidence on Wall Street.
With these developments, Barrick Gold has firmly established itself as a standout performer within the gold mining sector. The final decision regarding the timing of a potential initial public offering for the new subsidiary is anticipated in the coming months.
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