Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) has been on a tear so far this year, with its share price soaring from $2.06 apiece in early January to yesterday's closing price of $3.20.
This stellar performance represents a 55% jump in the company's share price and leaves shareholders with plenty to smile about.
Not only that, but investors who bought shares in this ASX 200 gold miner a year ago would now be up by 75%.
A pretty good return, to say the least!
So, what has been driving the share price surge in this Aussie gold producer?
Let's find out.
Image source: Getty Images
What happened?
Gold Road is a well-established gold miner best known for its 50% stake in the Gruyere gold mine in Western Australia.
The company originally discovered this gold deposit back in 2013.
In 2019, Gold Road and its South African joint venture partner Gold Fields Ltd (NYSE: GFI) brought Gruyere into production.
Today, Gold Fields owns the remaining 50% stake in Gruyere.
But that might be about to change.
In a nutshell, the two miners entered a scheme implementation deed in May which could see Gold Fields acquire Gold Road in a $3.7 billion deal.
And on the day of the announcement, Gold Road shares rocketed by about 10% to $3.25 each.
What else?
This potential acquisition of Gold Road also coincides with a soaring gold price.
Over the last year, the price of the precious metal has jumped by nearly 40% to currently trade at about US$3,337 per ounce.
And a stronger gold price helps improve the company's financial performance and boost its share price.
For instance, in the second half of 2024 Gold Road saw its revenue of $316 million rocket by 49% from the previous half-year.
And its operating earnings (EBITDA) of $200 million more than doubled during this period.
What is Macquarie saying?
Macquarie analysts have now shared their views about Gold Road shares in a research report released on Wednesday.
In essence, the broker has placed a 'neutral' rating on the company with a 12-month target share price of $3.30.
This equates to a modest 3.13% increase from yesterday's closing price of $3.20.
Unsurprisingly, the broker's views are predominantly influenced by the proposed takeover.
It anticipates Golden Road to hold a shareholder meeting around September, where investors will be able to vote on the anticipated acquisition.
Macquarie noted that Golden Road continues to recommend that its shareholders vote in favour of the scheme with Gold Fields.
As such, it believes the takeover could be concluded around October this year, as long as the deal overcomes all remaining hurdles.
