Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM +0.72%) is up nearly 50% year to date after a strong third quarter. While the company does explore for and mine silver, zinc, and copper, gold is really the core of its business. Despite silver, zinc, and copper prices selling below their 2011 levels, gold has seen its price rise over the course of 2012 which has really helped drive AEM's earnings. In this video, Motley Fool materials analyst Taylor Muckerman discusses what projects this company has coming up in the next couple of years, and why it might be a pricey stock to buy into at the moment compared to some of its peers.
This precious metals company is up 47.65% this year, leaving it at #5 on our list of the best materials stocks of 2012.
About the Author
Taylor Muckerman was lead energy & materials analyst for fool.com from 2012-2013. He is now Head of Retention for Motley Fool Canada.