Metal & Mining Stocks: Green Week

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Metal and mining stocks traded in the green this past week. Mines Management (MGN), Gold Reserve (GRZ) and Stillwater Mining (SWC) wrapped up on a positive note, while Solitario Exploration & Royalty (XPL) and Golden Star Resources (GSS) declined.

Mines Management emerged top gainer last week, jumping 41.7%. Gold Reserve followed, increasing 36.1% as gold prices surged 5.5% to $1,743.7 per ounce at the close last week.

Stillwater Mining gained 35.5% after the company reported favorable third-quarter 2011 results. Net income for the quarter increased to $40.7 million, or 37 cents per diluted share, compared to $5.9 million, or 6 cents per diluted share, in the same quarter the prior year. SWC's revenues increased substantially to $253.7 million from $142.9 million in the year-ago period.

Coal stocks Patriot Coal (PCX), Westmoreland Coal (WLB) and James River Coal (JRCC) gained 34.1%, 27.6% and 26.5%, respectively. Last week, U.S.-based energy companies were seeking partnerships with the country's coal firms, aiming to open up the market further.

Allegheny Technologies (ATI) moved up 23.8% after the company reported revenue of $1.35 billion for 2011 third quarter, up 28% from the same period the prior year. Also, net earnings grew to $62.3 million, or 56 cents per share, from $1 million, or 1-cent per share, in the year-ago period. Also, ATI has extended the terms of its long-term titanium products supply agreement with Boeing through December 31, 2018.

Aluminum Corporation of China (ACH) climbed 23.4% after swinging to a net profit of $87.46 million, vs. a net loss of $18.5 million in the equivalent period last year. Sales surged 45% to $6.5 billion.

Endeavour Silver (EXK) and Mechel (MTL) gained 23% and 22.8%, respectively. Last week, Mechel announced the launch of a biochemical cleaning facility to treat phenolic waste water from Mechel-Coke OOO's coke and chemicals production process.

Arch Coal (ACI) rose 22% after reporting third-quarter 2011 revenue of $1.20 billion, increasing from $874.7 million recorded in the year-ago quarter.

Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) advanced 21.3% after the company's third-quarter 2011 net profit rose 98% to $589.5 million, or $4.07 per share, from $297.4 million, or $2.18 per share, in the prior-year quarter. The company's operating margin expanded to 38.3% from 29%.

Peabody Energy (BTU) was up 20.4% at close last week. The company announced a 9% increase in revenue to a record $2.04 billion. Net income earned during the quarter increased to $281.5 million, or $1 per share, from $236.3 million, or 83 cents per share, in the same period the previous year.

Solitario Exploration & Royalty, Golden Star Resources and Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM) dropped 1.2%, 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively. AEM reported a net loss of $81.6 million, or 48 cents per share, compared to a net profit of $121.5 million, or 73 cents per share.