GAU vs HMY vs GFI vs AU

For growth investors, AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is the stronger pick with 70.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 15. 6% for Gold Fields Limited (GFI). Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (HMY) offers the better valuation at 12. 6x trailing P/E (0. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) a "Buy" — based on 14 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, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (HMY) is the cheapest at 12.

6x versus Galiano Gold Inc. at 105. 4x. On forward P/E, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited is actually cheaper at 0. 4x. 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 AngloGold Ashanti Plc's 0. 54x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Gold Fields Limited (GFI) delivered a total return of +361.

9%, compared to +95. 3% for Galiano Gold Inc. (GAU). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GFI returned +1087% versus GAU's -17. 9%. 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), AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

79β versus Galiano Gold Inc. 's 1. 03β — meaning GAU is approximately 31% more volatile than AU relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (HMY) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 55% for Gold Fields Limited — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is pulling ahead at 70.

8% versus 15. 6% for Gold Fields Limited (GFI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: AngloGold Ashanti Plc grew EPS 122. 7% year-over-year, compared to -80. 1% for Galiano Gold Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AU leads at 30. 0% 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.

AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is the more profitable company, earning 26.

6% net margin versus 2. 6% for Galiano Gold Inc. — meaning it keeps 26. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AU leads at 45. 1% versus 21. 4% for GAU. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AU leads at 46. 5%, 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 AngloGold Ashanti Plc's 0. 54x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (HMY) trades at 0. 4x forward P/E versus 9. 2x for AngloGold Ashanti Plc — 8. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GAU: 68. 7% to $4. 25.

In this comparison, AU (3.

7% yield), HMY (1. 1% yield), GFI (0. 9% yield) pay a dividend. GAU 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%, GAU: -17. 9%), 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: GAU is a small-cap quality compounder stock; HMY is a mid-cap high-growth stock; GFI is a mid-cap high-growth stock; AU is a mid-cap high-growth stock. HMY, GFI, AU pay a dividend while GAU 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.