GFI

We rate GOLD FIELDS LTD (GFI) as a Buy with a composite score of 68.9/100 at a current price of $56.77. The stock scores above average across the majority of our six quantitative factors and ranks #128 out of 7,333 stocks in our universe, reflecting a favorable risk-reward profile.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in value (89th percentile) and quality (85th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. All factors score above the 40th percentile, indicating no material weakness in the quantitative profile. We assign a Narrow Moat rating (65/100), Low uncertainty, and Exemplary capital allocation.

Key items to watch: sustainability of the current growth rate. Any material change in these dynamics could warrant a reassessment of our rating. The moat trend is stable, which suggests the competitive landscape is stable for now.

GOLD FIELDS LTD holds an above-average position (#13 of 50) within the Mining sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 68.9/100 places it at rank #128 in our full 7,333-stock universe. With a $11.6B market capitalization, GOLD FIELDS LTD operates at meaningful scale within the Mining sector, providing competitive advantages in distribution, procurement, and customer reach.

The near-term outlook is constructive, with revenue growing at 30% and momentum in the 74th percentile confirming positive market sentiment and institutional accumulation. The combination of strong top-line growth and favorable price dynamics suggests the company is executing well on its growth strategy. Investment factor at the 45th percentile indicates reinvestment patterns that investors should monitor for sustainability.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 45% (+2.1pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 40% (+27.8pp vs sector) and net margins of 24.8%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 55%. This efficient conversion suggests well-controlled operating costs and limited margin leakage between the gross and net levels.

At a current price of $56.77, GOLD FIELDS LTD appears undervalued relative to its fundamentals. Our value factor score of 89/100 reflects a composite assessment across multiple valuation metrics including price-to-earnings, price-to-book, EV/EBITDA, and price-to-sales ratios relative to both sector peers and the broader market. The stock screens as attractively priced on a majority of these measures, suggesting the market may be underappreciating the underlying fundamentals.

The stock currently trades at a P/E of 41.0x (a 199% premium to the sector median of 13.7x), EV/EBITDA of 6.5x (at a premium), P/B of 9.3x, P/S of 2.3x. The above-sector P/E multiple suggests the market is pricing in superior growth or quality, which our analysis partially supports given strong quality metrics.

We assign a Low uncertainty rating to GOLD FIELDS LTD. The company exhibits strong financial stability with a beta of 0.26, and a stability factor in the 61th percentile. The predictable nature of the business model and solid financial position reduce the range of potential outcomes, giving us confidence in our fair value estimate.

Specific risk factors that inform our assessment include: low beta of 0.26 — while defensive, this may indicate limited upside participation in bull markets; elevated valuation multiple (P/E 41.0x) that leaves limited margin for error. Each of these factors independently widens the distribution of potential outcomes, and in combination they create a risk profile that demands careful position sizing. The stability factor at the 61th percentile and quality factor at the 85th percentile provide a quantitative summary of the overall risk landscape.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 45% provide a buffer against cost pressures; above-average stability (61th percentile) suggests predictable business dynamics; a 3.01% dividend yield anchors total return. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile is favorable for long-term investors.

We rate GOLD FIELDS LTD's capital allocation as Exemplary. Management demonstrates a strong track record of balancing reinvestment with shareholder returns, evidenced by returns on equity of 99.2%, a 3.01% dividend yield, best-in-class net margins of 24.8%. Exemplary allocators typically generate returns on equity above 20% while maintaining debt-to-equity below 50% — GOLD FIELDS LTD meets this high bar.

The balance sheet remains conservatively managed, providing financial flexibility for opportunistic investments while maintaining a margin of safety for shareholders. The company returns capital via a 3.01% dividend yield, and the combination of 50.9% return on assets and controlled leverage suggests management is deploying capital at rates well above the cost of capital — the hallmark of exemplary stewardship.

In summary, GOLD FIELDS LTD receives a Buy rating with a composite score of 68.9/100 (rank #128 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a Narrow Moat (65/100, trend: stable), Low uncertainty, and Exemplary capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 71/100.

Our analysis supports a constructive view on GOLD FIELDS LTD. The combination of identifiable competitive advantages, low uncertainty, and exemplary capital allocation creates a risk-reward profile that favors accumulation at current levels. We recommend investors consider adding this name to portfolios aligned with the stock's risk profile.