CNL vs GFI vs MUX vs AEM vs KGC

For growth investors, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) is the stronger pick with 43.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 13. 2% for McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX). Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) offers the better valuation at 15. 3x trailing P/E (9. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Collective Mining Ltd. (CNL) a "Buy" — based on 2 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, Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) is the cheapest at 15.

3x versus McEwen Mining Inc. at 39. 6x. On forward P/E, Gold Fields Limited is actually cheaper at 7. 6x — 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: Gold Fields Limited wins at 0. 16x versus Kinross Gold Corporation's 0. 78x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Collective Mining Ltd.

(CNL) delivered a total return of +539. 7%, compared to +79. 8% for McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GFI returned +1087% versus MUX's -0. 1%. 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.

52β versus McEwen Mining Inc. 's 1. 27β — meaning MUX is approximately 143% more volatile than AEM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 55% for Gold Fields Limited — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) is pulling ahead at 43.

7% versus 13. 2% for McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: McEwen Mining Inc. grew EPS 168. 6% year-over-year, compared to -15. 2% for Collective Mining Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AEM leads at 29. 3% annualised revenue growth. 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.

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) is the more profitable company, earning 37.

5% net margin versus 0. 0% for Collective Mining Ltd. — meaning it keeps 37. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AEM leads at 53. 1% versus -6. 5% for MUX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AEM leads at 58. 1%, 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, Gold Fields Limited (GFI) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 16x versus Kinross Gold Corporation's 0. 78x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Gold Fields Limited (GFI) trades at 7. 6x forward P/E versus 22. 2x for McEwen Mining Inc. — 14. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CNL: 41. 1% to $25. 00.

In this comparison, GFI (0.

9% yield), AEM (0. 8% yield), KGC (0. 4% yield), MUX (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. CNL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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

86), 0. 9% yield, +1087% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (GFI: +1087%, MUX: -0. 1%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Basic Materials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: CNL is a small-cap quality compounder stock; GFI is a mid-cap high-growth stock; MUX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; AEM is a mid-cap high-growth stock; KGC is a mid-cap high-growth stock. GFI, AEM pay a dividend while CNL, MUX, KGC do 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.