A BMO Capital Markets report presented both sets of figures.
In a March 20 research note, BMO Capital Markets analyst Andrew Kaip reported that Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (WPM:TSX; WPM:NYSE) beat earnings per share (EPS) estimates in Q4/18 and, looking forward, the Rosemont project offers upside to production guidance.
Kaip highlighted that Wheaton's adjusted Q4/18 EPS was $0.08, which exceeded BMO and consensus' forecasts of $0.05, due to lower costs, depletion and an adjustment related to professional fees dictated by the Canada Revenue Agency settlement.
Also a beat, Kaip added, was the company's operating cash flow during the quarter, coming in at $108.5 million versus BMO's projection of $96 million.
The analyst reported that in Q4/18, Wheaton produced 107,600 ounces (107.6 Koz) of gold, 5.5 million ounces (5.5 Moz) of silver and 5.9 Koz of palladium. It sold 102.8 Koz of gold, 4.4 Moz of silver and 5 Koz of palladium.
As for the company's production projections for 2019, Kaip relayed that management guided to a total 690 Koz of gold equivalent (Au eq), or, specifically, 365 Koz of gold, 24.5 Moz of silver and 22 Koz of palladium. Production guidance through 2023 is an estimated average of 750 Koz Au eq.
Wheaton's guidance excluded any production from the Rosemont project, which will likely "move toward development" now that the water permit has been received, Kaip noted. As such, Rosemont represents upside.
During Q4/18, Wheaton repaid $116.5 million on its credit facility, whose term was extended to 2024, Kaip indicated. At year-end 2018, the company had $76 million in cash and $1.3 billion outstanding on its $2 billion revolving credit facility.
ROTH has an Outperform rating and a US$27 per share target price on Wheaton Precious Metals. Its stock is currently trading at around US$24.83 per share.