The $1 billion stake held in Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX:NST) by Gold Fields Limited (JSE:GFI) is in focus for investment bankers, which are said to be pitching on a selldown that may happen as early as this week. When South Africa's Gold Fields finalises its deal to buy Australian-listed gold miner Gold Road Resources this week for $3.6 billion or $3.29 per share, Gold Fields will inherit almost 49.3 million shares in Northern Star. Gold Road had inherited the Northern Star stake because it earlier owned a 17.3% stake in De Grey Mining.
Northern Star bought De Grey Mining in May for $5 billion. The adviser for Gold Fields is JPMorgan and it will likely advise on the selldown out of Northern Star. If the block trade unfolds, the Northern Star shares will likely be in strong demand as investors hope to capitalise on the gold price hitting new records this year of over $5,000 an ounce.
