Agnico Eagle Posts Record Net Income in Q1 2025 Despite Lower Gold Sales And Surging Tax Bill
Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX: AEM) posted a record-breaking net income of $814.7 million in Q1 2025, more than doubling its $347.2 million profit from the same quarter last year. The dramatic increase, up 135%, was largely driven by a 40% year-on-year surge in realized gold prices to $2,891/oz.
Adjusted net income came in at $770 million or $1.53 per share, versus $377 million or $0.76 last year. However, exploration and corporate development expenses were halved year-on-year ($89 million vs. $200 million), suggesting a temporary pullback in long-term investment in favor of short-term margin expansion.
Total revenue from mining operations hit $2.47 billion, a 35% increase from Q1 2024’s $1.83 billion. Despite the top-line growth, actual gold sales volumes dropped nearly 4% to 842,965 ounces from 879,063 ounces.
Operating cash flow rose 33% to $1.04 billion, while free cash flow reached $594 million, up 50% from $396 million. Strikingly, the company paid out a staggering $536.6 million in income and mining taxes—over four times the prior year’s $130.8 million.
Capital expenditures climbed to $419 million from $372 million last year, with a heavier tilt toward development spending ($186M) versus sustaining capital ($168M).
Agnico Eagle strengthened its cash position by $212 million quarter-on-quarter, ending Q1 with $1.14 billion in cash. This allowed the company to slash net debt from $217 million to $5 million. Long-term debt remained unchanged at $1.14 billion.
Total gold production slipped marginally to 873,794 ounces from 878,652 ounces. The decline stemmed mainly from Canadian Malartic, where lower grades at the Barnat pit dragged output. AISC decreased slightly to $1,183/oz from $1,190/oz, but management has already flagged an uptick to as high as $1,300/oz in the coming quarters.
The company returned $226 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks in Q1, repurchasing 488,047 shares at an average of $102.44. Agnico Eagle plans to expand its NCIB to allow up to $1 billion in share repurchases.
Agnico Eagle has also reaffirmed its 2025 guidance, projecting gold production between 3.3 to 3.5 million ounces. This forecast aligns with 2024’s output of 3.49 million ounces but marks a 3% reduction from prior estimates. It anticipates total cash costs per ounce to range from $915 to $965, with AISC between $1,250 and $1,300. Capital expenditures for 2025 are expected to be between $1.75 billion and $1.95 billion, excluding capitalized exploration.
Agnico Eagle last traded at $119.63 on the TSX.
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