ASA vs AEM

For growth investors, ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited (ASA) is the stronger pick with 947.

2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 43. 7% for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM). ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited (ASA) offers the better valuation at 11. 4x trailing P/E (1715. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) a "Buy" — based on 31 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited (ASA) is the cheapest at 11.

4x versus Agnico Eagle Mines Limited at 21. 8x. On forward P/E, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is actually cheaper at 13. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Agnico Eagle Mines Limited wins at 0. 42x versus ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited's 340. 56x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited (ASA) delivered a total return of +202.

8%, compared to +194. 1% for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ASA returned +465. 3% versus AEM's +363. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

66β versus ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited's 0. 99β — meaning ASA is approximately 50% more volatile than AEM relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited (ASA) is pulling ahead at 947.

2% versus 43. 7% for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited grew EPS 1112% year-over-year, compared to 134. 4% for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited (ASA) is the more profitable company, earning 96.

9% net margin versus 37. 5% for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited — meaning it keeps 96. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ASA leads at 96. 9% versus 53. 1% for AEM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ASA leads at 100. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 42x versus ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited's 340. 56x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) trades at 13. 9x forward P/E versus 1715. 1x for ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited — 1701. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, AEM (0.

7% yield) pays a dividend. ASA does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

66), 0. 7% yield, +363. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AEM: +363. 7%, ASA: +465. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (ASA (Financial Services) and AEM (Basic Materials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

AEM pays a dividend while ASA does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.