The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Citigroup analyst Alexander Hacking is sticking with his "neutral" call on Barrick Gold. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Mr. Hacking trimmed his share target by $8 to $30 (all figures U.S.). Analysts on average target the shares at $31.02. Mr. Hacking says he is "positive" on Barrick and hopeful, in a middling sort of way, that its underperforming legacy assets could be turned around. The Globe says Mr. Hacking has a more conservative view on gold these days, and as such, now prefers industrial metals "at this point in the cycle." Mr. Hacking says in a note: "Positive factors include low operating costs, a stable balance sheet, new management with a strong operating track record, potential upside from synergies at the new Nevada JV. Negative factors include some challenging legacy assets, geopolitical risk, challenges to grow production from such a large base and limited free cash flow. On balance we see equal upside and downside at current levels." The Globe reported on March 4 that Credit Suisse analyst Fahad Tariq, though calling the gold sector "unloved," still rated Barrick "outperform," when it was worth $19.54.