Close menu




September 30th, 2020 | 11:45 CEST

BAT, Barrick Gold, Osino Resources: Supposed political risks, a burden, and an opportunity

  • Investments
Photo credits: pixabay.com

Businesses, like citizens, operate within the regulatory framework. In this way, the state guarantees peaceful coexistence. But what if the legal framework changes? It is easy for individuals to adapt to new circumstances. It can be more challenging for companies - for example, if a business model is shaken by regulatory requirements. The best example is the tobacco company BAT. Recently, the German Bundesrat cleared the way for a law that further restricts advertising for tobacco products. Even e-cigarettes, celebrated by the industry as a source of hope, will be subject to the likely ban. Cinema advertising, marketing activities, etc will also be restricted in the future.

time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Nico Popp
ISIN: CA68828L1004 , CA0679011084 , GB0002875804

Table of contents:


    BAT: Good figures fizzle out on the market

    For companies like BAT, the new laws in Germany are just another chapter in the never-ending story. But although smokers and tobacco companies have been facing headwinds for years, BAT is holding up comparatively well. In the first half of the year, the group even managed to increase its profits by more than 20%.

    The driving force continues to be e-cigarettes, which - despite political headwinds - are popular with customers. BAT is also favorably valued: the price-earnings ratio is below 10, and the dividend yield is also impressive at around 8%. Nevertheless, the share is not a high-flyer on the stock market: on a one-year horizon, despite the solid-key data, a loss of around 3% is recorded. Investors seem to find the anti-smoking policy so deterrent that they are avoiding the share despite the positive figures.

    Barrick Gold has costs under control

    The Barrick Gold share shows that political headwinds do not always have to result in falling prices. The company is still in dispute with Papua New Guinea over the resumption of production at the Porger Mine. The background is environmental damage, which the country would like to see Barrick repair. For its part, the company announces that it intends to resolve the dispute and take all necessary steps. Nevertheless, the dispute continues to smolder. In recent years, Barrick has also been involved in conflicts with authorities in other regions of the world, such as Chile, but that has not hurt the share. On a one-year horizon, Barrick climbed by almost 50%.

    Investors appreciate the share's robust sales growth and low costs. In times when gold prices are rising, this provides a comfortable cushion. In recent months there have been sales of mines that the Group considers unprofitable. Barrick primarily mines gold but also has copper on offer. Both commodities have been performing well since the pandemic, so it can be assumed that the disease will not play any role in Barrick's figures.

    Osino Resources seeks gold in Namibia

    The Osino Resources share has also benefited from the development of the past six months - since the end of March, the share price has only known one direction, and that is up. It has increased by 61% on a one-year horizon. Osino Resources is a Canadian commodities company specializing in gold exploration in Namibia. Namibia is considered one of the most stable countries in Africa with highly developed mining standards and an industry minded government. Osino Resources operates in the promising gold belt northeast of the capital Windhoek. Within twenty kilometres around the company's properties are roads, access to energy, and other essential infrastructure. By the end of 2020, the company plans to confirm and expand on promising results already achieved by drilling new wells.

    Insiders and professional investors rely on Osino Resources

    The experienced management team believes in itself and the project, this is shown by the high proportion of Osino shares in its portfolio: around 38% are in the hands of insiders or other persons associated with the company. Professional investors hold another 34%. Private investors, therefore, account for only ~28% of the company's shareholders. Many private investors still shy away from investing in Africa and see political risks.

    Osino Resources does not see such fears and emphasises the advantages of Namibia as a mining location. The country has a mining history of more than 110 years. Raw materials contribute to a large extent to the country's gross domestic product. As Namibia has been a democracy since 1990, workers and residents of mining projects have rights and can enforce them. The risk of unrest, strikes, and other complications is lower in Namibia than in many other traditional mining regions.


    Conflict of interest

    Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") may in the future hold shares or other financial instruments of the mentioned companies or will bet on rising or falling on rising or falling prices and therefore a conflict of interest may arise in the future. conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the shares or other financial instruments of the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as a "Transaction"). "Transaction"). Transactions may under certain circumstances influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the of the Company.

    Furthermore, Apaton Finance GmbH reserves the right to enter into future relationships with the company or with third parties in relation to reports on the company. with regard to reports on the company, which are published within the scope of the Apaton Finance GmbH as well as in the social media, on partner sites or in e-mails, on partner sites or in e-mails. The above references to existing conflicts of interest apply apply to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH uses for publications on companies.

    Risk notice

    Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and etc. on news.financial. These contents serve information for readers and does not constitute a call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly. implicitly, they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price be understood. The contents do not replace individual professional investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the share(s) offer to sell the share(s) or other financial instrument(s) in question, nor is it an nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

    The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but rather financial analysis, but rather journalistic or advertising texts. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis decisions or transactions on the basis of the information provided here act completely at their own risk. There is no contractual relationship between between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers. users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the company, but not to the investment decision of the reader or user. or user.

    The acquisition of financial instruments entails high risks that can lead to the total loss of the capital invested. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors are based on careful research on careful research, nevertheless no liability for financial losses financial losses or a content guarantee for topicality, correctness, adequacy and completeness of the contents offered here. contents offered here. Please also note our Terms of use.


    Der Autor

    Nico Popp

    At home in Southern Germany, the passionate stock exchange expert has been accompanying the capital markets for about twenty years. With a soft spot for smaller companies, he is constantly on the lookout for exciting investment stories.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on July 31st, 2026 | 07:20 CEST

    China Is Buying Gold—Even More Than Expected? Barrick Mining, Newmont, and Lahontan Gold Stand to Benefit

    • Mining
    • Gold
    • Silver
    • Commodities
    • Investments
    • geopolitics

    While the price of gold holds steady above the USD 4,000 mark, China is buying heavily. According to the Chinese central bank, China purchased 15 metric tons of gold in June alone. This is the highest volume since October 2023. Furthermore, the market has long suspected that China's actual gold purchases are significantly higher than the officially reported amounts. This could mean gold is on the verge of a new rally. For investors looking to profit from a long-term rise in the price of gold, Barrick Mining and Newmont are considered core investments in the gold sector. They offer relatively direct exposure to the price of gold. Rising selling prices can have a disproportionately large impact on cash flow and profits when production costs remain stable. At the same time, operational risks, cost increases, and political uncertainties persist in individual mining countries. Exploration companies are a good option for adding to a portfolio to gain additional exposure to the price of gold.

    Read

    Commented by Armin Schulz on July 30th, 2026 | 09:50 CEST

    Do Not Miss Gold's Next Rally: Why Newmont, Desert Gold and Agnico Eagle Deserve a Closer Look

    • Mining
    • Gold
    • Africa
    • Commodities
    • rally
    • Investments

    Investors are watching the yellow precious metal closely; its price has recently come under pressure but has stabilized above USD 4,000. The fundamental conditions for further price increases remain intact. Central banks continue to prefer buying gold over the US dollar; geopolitical turmoil is driving demand for safe-haven assets; and the prospect of falling key interest rates is traditionally good for gold prices. At the same time, robust physical demand coupled with stagnant production is leading to a supply shortage. This environment is fostering positive sentiment, particularly among producers. A look at the current situation at Newmont, Desert Gold, and Agnico Eagle reveals which companies could benefit most from this tailwind.

    Read

    Commented by Nico Popp on July 29th, 2026 | 07:05 CEST

    Big Money in Sustainability – SAP and Siemens Energy Are Raking It In – RE Royalties Delivers a 10% Dividend

    • royalties
    • dividends
    • Investments
    • Sustainability
    • Energy
    • renewableenergy

    The transition to clean electricity is not failing for lack of will, but because of the enormous practical hurdles. While the rise of artificial intelligence is fueling demand for green energy, existing power grids worldwide are reaching their limits. At the same time, smaller project developers in this niche are grappling with financing and regulatory issues, while industrial conglomerates are required to disclose their carbon footprints with ever-greater transparency. Investors looking to capitalize on this complex situation must understand the various players and the challenges they face. We provide an overview and introduce a little-known hidden gem.

    Read