Silver Wheaton (TSX: T.SLW, Stock Forum) Monday reported third-quarter net earnings of US$119.7 million, or 34 cents a share, an 11% decrease from $135.0 million, or 38 cents per share, it earned during the same period last year, this according to a company news release. The Capital IQ analyst consensus forecast was for 40 cents a share.
Revenue for the quarter slipped 13% to US$161.3 million from $185.2 million.
Silver Wheaton’s quarterly dividend, which is based on 20% of the cash generated by operations, also fell to seven cents per share.
"While overall production was strong, payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not shipped during the quarter increased by two million ounces due to the timing of concentrate shipments, negatively affecting silver equivalent sales volume. This increase included the new precious metals contained in base metal concentrates produced at the 777 mine as the concentrate storage and transportation system was being filled with materials mined after August 1st. It is very important to remember that these ounces will inevitably be sold, it is simply a matter of timing," said Silver Wheaton President and CEO Randy Smallwood.