The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Feb. 7, edition that National Bank Financial analysts, ahead of the start of fourth quarter 2023 earnings season for Canadian precious metals companies, expect 2024 guidance will remain a focus of investors, pointing to "higher year-over-year variability and cost increases across the sector." The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Pan American Silver is a top pick for the analysts. They rate Pan American "outperform." The analysts gave the shares a 25-cent trim to $27.25. Analysts on average target the shares at $20.45. Analyst Don DeMarco says in a note: "Go-to name for silver exposure (approximately 21-per-cent 2024 production, 34-per-cent reserves) with robust liquidity ($75-million per day) and a material catalyst pending with the potential Escobal mine restart (NBF estimate 2024). Pan American Silver's extensive 11-mine, eight-country portfolio mitigates jurisdiction risk with opportunity for asset dispositions and La Arena II is among next candidates amidst favourable outlook for Cu supply/demand. Management is experienced and the balance sheet is intact with net debt of $462-million, of which $408-million are senior notes with an attractive 2.63-per-cent coupon."