Global mining companies face significant uncertainty heading into 2025. Ongoing geopolitical turmoil is both a help and a hindrance—at times pushing investors toward safe-haven assets like precious metals, but also complicating the operations of many mining companies. The policy outlook for a second Trump administration is also a big question. On the one hand, tariffs can have a very negative impact on the industry; On the other hand, analysts suggest that a more favorable petition process for non-U.S. firms could make the process of setting up operations in the United States, which is notoriously difficult for mining companies, somewhat easier.
There is no easy answer to how mining stocks might perform in the coming months. However, investors interested in this space may want to look at companies with unusually high trading volumes relative to the broader industry. A number of firms stand out for their strong trading volumes in the month ending 19 December 2024, including Vale SA. New York Stock Exchange: VAILCleveland-Cliffs Inc. New York Stock Exchange: CLFand Kinross Gold Corp. New York Stock Exchange: KGC.
Vale: the opportunity to buy while shares fall
Like many other mining companies, Brazilian iron ore producer Vale suffered a share price downturn in 2024, with its share price falling by about 43% in the year to December 19, 2024. Currency devaluation and changes in interest rates likely contributed to this. indicators such as iron ore price volatility.
Vale stock forecast for today
$14.38
Growth potential 61.59%Hold
Based on 10 analyst ratings
| High forecast | US$19.00 |
|---|---|
| Average forecast | $14.38 |
| Low forecast | $11.30 |
Vale stock forecast details
However, there are many reasons why investors can be optimistic about Vale over the long term, and increased trading volume could indicate additional activity around the stock even though the price is relatively low. From a fundamental perspective, Vale appears to be undervalued, with a P/S ratio of 0.96 and a Forward P/E ratio of 4.2.
The company also has a strong cash flow yield of 14% forecast for 2025 thanks to modest production costs, which should allow it to continue to increase its dividend. The company currently has a dividend yield of an impressive 10.4% and a sustainable payout ratio of 42.1%. The company’s 30-day trading volume was more than 439 million.
Cleveland-Cliffs: Domestic steelmaker poised for growth
Cleveland-Cliffs is another iron ore miner whose shares performed even worse than Vale last year, falling more than 55% over the same period. But the company’s November acquisition of Stelco Holdings – a move that will make it North America’s largest flat-rolled producer – is likely to bring benefits including improved supply chain and lower costs in 2025 and beyond.
Cleveland Cliffs Stock Forecast Today
$17.22
Growth potential 83.61%Hold
Based on ratings from 11 analysts
| High forecast | $23.00 |
|---|---|
| Average forecast | $17.22 |
| Low forecast | $11.00 |
Cleveland-Cliffs Reserve Forecast Details
Cleveland-Cliffs could also be a beneficiary of the Trump administration’s tariffs, given that it is an American company with operations in the United States.
The company’s 2024 sell-off P/S ratio is an attractive 0.24, and analysts have given Cleveland-Cliffs a consensus price target of $17.39, more than 84% above the December 19 share price.
This may have contributed to the company’s 30-day trading volume exceeding 208 million.
Kinross: record free cash flow, debt repayment
The Kinross Gold share price history for 2024 is very different from the share price history of the companies above. As of Dec. 19, shares of the gold mining company were up more than 47% over the past year; Like many other gold mining stocks, they have been rising along with gold prices for much of the year. However, over the past month on the same date, the stock has fallen 9%.
Kinross Gold stock forecast for today
$11.13
Growth potential 20.27%Moderate purchase
Based on ratings of 3 analysts
| High forecast | $12.00 |
|---|---|
| Average forecast | $11.13 |
| Low forecast | US$10.00 |
Details of the forecast for Kinross Gold shares
One of Kinross’ strengths is its strong free cash flow. For the third quarter, the company reported record free cash flow of more than $414 million, bringing the total for the first three quarters of the year to nearly $906 million.
This allowed the company to pay off debts amounting to about $350 million, significantly reducing its debt burden.
Combine that with production remaining strong despite the slight decline, and it’s easy to see why investors are trading KGC shares with monthly volume of over 212 million.
Take a wider view
Trading volume is just one indicator of a company’s stock activity, and investors should keep in mind that high trading volume does not necessarily mean that a firm’s stock will rise in price. However, all three of the above companies have other metrics that could make investors think they’re heading into 2025.
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