Should You Buy, Sell or Hold Barrick Mining Ahead of Q1 Earnings?

Barrick Mining (Q1 results due May 11) is expected to report a strong earnings print helped by higher realized gold prices despite weaker production and rising costs. Zacks models show a likely earnings beat (Earnings ESP +0.56%) with consensus Q1 EPS of $0.74 (+111.4% YoY). Production headwinds (consensus ~655k oz in Q1, down ~14% YoY) and higher cash costs/AISC (Q1 AISC consensus ~$1,932; 2026 guidance $1,760–$1,950) may pressure margins. The stock has already rallied ~120% over the past year, outperforming peers and the S&P 500. Zacks’ view is balanced — the gold-price tailwind should support profitability, but persistent cost and operational risks justify a Hold for existing investors ahead of earnings.