The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that Barrick Gold edged past Wall Street estimates for second-quarter profit on Monday, as the company benefited from higher prices and strong production. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says that Barrick's U.S.-listed shares were up 2.1 per cent before the bell. Hopes of a U.S. interest-rate cut this year and uncertainty around elections, along with global geopolitical risks, have lifted bullion's safe-haven appeal, pushing it to a record-high level. The company's average realized gold prices jumped 19 per cent to $2,344 an ounce and copper prices rose 22 per cent to $4.53 (U.S.) a pound. The company also benefited from higher production at its mines in Nevada and Papua New Guinea, with gold output of 948,000 ounces in the quarter ended June 30, compared with estimates of 905,800 ounces. Last month, rival Newmont also beat second-quarter profit estimates, benefiting from the rally in bullion prices and robust production at its mines. Barrick said its free cash flow surged more than 400 per cent to $340-million from a year earlier, adding that the "strong cash flow from operations" sets it up to execute various mine expansion projects across the globe.