AngloGold Ashanti Surges 6.19% on $260M Volume Outpacing Peers as Earnings and Analyst Upgrades Fuel Bullish Momentum

AngloGold Ashanti (AU) surged 6.19% on August 5, 2025, with a trading volume of $0.26 billion, marking a 42.02% increase from the previous day. The stock climbed to a 52-week high of $56.69, driven by robust Q2 earnings and analyst upgrades. J.P. Morgan and RBC Capital elevated the stock to top EMEA gold pick status, citing strong production growth and cost discipline. Options activity intensified, with AU20250815C55 call options surging 168% in turnover, reflecting aggressive bullish positioning.

The rally was underpinned by a 21% year-on-year production increase and doubled free cash flow in Q2. Analysts highlighted AngloGold’s strategic portfolio streamlining, including the sale of Mineração Serra Grande, as a catalyst for long-term value. The stock outperformed peer Newmont (NEM), which rose 2.50%, amid expectations of a September Fed rate cut and a broader gold price rally. Technical indicators showed a bullish bias, with the RSI near overbought levels and MACD signaling positive momentum.

Options strategies focused on short-term breakout plays, with AU20250815C55 and AU20250919C55 call options attracting high liquidity. The 52-week high of $56.69 remains a critical resistance level, while a breakdown below $48.61 could trigger a pullback. Analysts emphasized monitoring the $53.25 intraday low as a near-term support. The gold sector’s momentum was further fueled by institutional demand and macroeconomic tailwinds, positioning AngloGold as a key player in the summer rally.

A backtest of a liquidity-driven strategy showed a 166.71% return from 2022 to the present by purchasing the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day. This significantly outperformed the benchmark return of 29.18%, underscoring the efficacy of volume-based approaches in capturing short-term market movements, particularly in volatile sectors like gold mining.