Highlights
- Northern Star (NST) gains renewed confidence from market analysts.
- Performance gap narrows with Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN) after recent underperformance.
- Set price target of $22.50 signals optimism for near-term outlook.
Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST), a well-known name in the Australian gold mining space and a component of the benchmark ASX300 index, is back in focus after recent analyst sentiment shifted more positively.
After trailing peer Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN) by nearly 90% over the past year, Northern Star is now attracting attention as a potential rebound candidate. The renewed confidence comes amid a backdrop where gold prices have remained elevated, yet the company’s share performance has lagged behind its closest rival.
One of the key voices behind this renewed optimism is analyst Kate McCutcheon, who points out that Northern Star’s prior operational downgrades for FY25 and FY26 did little to reassure the market. However, the worst may be over, as the stock now appears better positioned heading into the fourth quarter. She believes the company could benefit from a more focused strategy that avoids major acquisitions and instead centres on strengthening operational performance.
By contrast, Evolution Mining has recently impressed the market with clearer delivery on its operational goals, a stronger balance sheet, and improved visibility. This distinction is cited as a major reason behind the gap in performance between the two gold players.
Nevertheless, Northern Star’s fundamentals still offer notable appeal. With a price target now set at $22.50, sentiment appears to be shifting. For investors keeping a close eye on ASX dividend stocks, Northern Star remains on the radar given its history of shareholder returns and position within Australia’s key indices.
Moreover, being part of the ASX300 means Northern Star is among the top 300 companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, adding a layer of credibility and market relevance that few mid-tier miners possess.
As markets continue to assess the landscape for gold equities, Northern Star’s trajectory could be one to watch closely, particularly as it navigates operational improvements and a more cautious growth path.