EGO vs AEM vs AU vs KGC vs IAG

For growth investors, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) is the stronger pick with 77.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 39. 3% for Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC). Eldorado Gold Corporation (EGO) offers the better valuation at 13. 2x trailing P/E (7. 8x 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, Eldorado Gold Corporation (EGO) is the cheapest at 13.

2x versus Agnico Eagle Mines Limited at 21. 2x. On forward P/E, IAMGOLD Corporation is actually cheaper at 7. 7x — 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: IAMGOLD Corporation wins at 0. 12x 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, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) delivered a total return of +454.

1%, compared to +183. 3% for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AU returned +653. 9% versus EGO's +58. 6%. 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 IAMGOLD Corporation's 0. 93β — meaning IAG is approximately 78% more volatile than AEM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 30% for Eldorado Gold Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) is pulling ahead at 77.

8% versus 39. 3% for Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Kinross Gold Corporation grew EPS 158. 4% year-over-year, compared to -22. 7% for IAMGOLD Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, IAG leads at 44. 7% 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 23. 3% for IAMGOLD Corporation — 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 38. 9% for IAG. 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, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 12x 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, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) trades at 7. 7x forward P/E versus 13. 5x for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited — 5. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IAG: 60. 9% to $29. 50.

In this comparison, AU (3.

7% yield), AEM (0. 8% yield), KGC (0. 4% yield) pay a dividend. EGO, IAG do 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.

52), 0. 8% yield, +351. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AEM: +351. 2%, IAG: +439. 4%), 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.

AEM, AU pay a dividend while EGO, KGC, IAG 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.