Two S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stocks are grabbing headline news today following the release their December quarterly results.
Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) shares are up 1% in early morning trade on Thursday, trading for $5.05 apiece.
And Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) shares are up 0.1%, changing hands for $6.45 each.
For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.3% at this same time.
Both miners will be enjoying some added tailwinds from the big overnight leap in the gold price. Gold has surged 4.6% since this time yesterday, currently trading for US$5,417 per ounce. That sees the gold price up 96% over 12 months.
Here's what else is catching investor interest.
ASX 200 gold stock edging higher despite production decline
Perseus Mining shares are in the green despite the miner reporting an 11% quarter-on-quarter decline in gold production to 88,888 ounces over the three months to 31 December. That decline was partly driven by "operational headwinds" at Perseus' flagship Yaoure gold mine.
Costs ramped up over the quarter, with the ASX 200 gold stock reporting an all-in site cost (AISC) of US$1,800 per ounce, up 18.8% from the prior quarter.
And with bullion prices surging, Perseus reported an average realised gold price of US$3,437 per ounce, up 11.8% from the September quarter.
As at 31 December, the miner had a cash and bullion balance of US$755 million.
Looking ahead, Perseus CEO Craig Jones said, "We remain well placed to deliver on our FY26 production targets and continue investing in the future of Perseus."
The ASX 200 gold stock is forecasting FY 2026 gold production in the range of 400,000 ounces to 440,000 ounces. On the cost front, management expects AISC to be in the range of US$1,600 to US$1,760 per ounce.
Which brings us to…
Ramelius Resources shares jump as FY26 guidance maintained
Ramelius Resources shares are lifting after the miner reported quarterly gold production of 45,610 ounces.
This was down from 55,013 ounces of gold in the September quarter. However, the decline looks to have been largely priced in by the market already.
The ASX 200 gold stock noted:
Lower production was the result of lower grades which was in line with plan expectations and as advised in the September 2025 Quarterly Report. The decline in grade was primarily due to lower grades mined from Cue during the Quarter.
Ramelius also saw an uptick in costs, reporting an AISC of AU$1,977 per ounce, up from AU$1,836 per ounce in the prior quarter.
The miner sold 45,531 ounces of gold over the three months, at an average realised price of AU$5,175 per ounce.
As at 31 December, the ASX 200 gold stock held cash and gold of AU$694 million, down 16% quarter on quarter.
Ramelius Resources maintained its full-year FY 2026 production and cost guidance.
