Gold bugs have been busy in 2025, bidding gold stocks higher and higher as the price of gold has also soared. The upward trajectory ended earlier this week, leading gold stocks like Harmony Gold (HMY 1.96%) to lose their luster in investors' eyes.
According to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, shares of Harmony Gold are down 10.5% from the end of last Friday's market session through the close of trading yesterday.
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After glittering brightly in investors' eyes, gold lost some of its sparkle
Plunging as much as 6% on Tuesday, the price of gold pulled back sharply from the tremendous gains it had logged so far in 2025. Amid growing political uncertainty -- including but not limited to the government shutdown -- and a general sense of fear that the market may be headed for a correction, investors had been enthusiastic about embracing more defense investments such as gold.
NYSE: HMY
Key Data Points
Gold stocks have benefited from the surging interest in gold. From the start of the year through the end of last week, for example, Harmony Gold stock had ripped about 143% higher.
Operating gold assets in South Africa, Harmony Gold reported gold production of 1.48 million ounces in fiscal 2025. With gold prices rising during fiscal 2025, Harmony reaped plenty of benefits. The company, for example, reported a 20% year-over-year increase in revenue, which management attributed to a 27% increase in the average gold price.
Is the pullback in Harmony Gold stock a buying opportunity?
Prospective Harmony Gold investors should recognize that enduring swings in the price of gold -- and gold stocks -- is part and parcel of gold investing. For those eager to gain gold exposure but who are looking to mitigate the risk of individual stocks plunging, a gold exchange-traded fund may be a more alluring option.
