Avoid Barrick Gold - Better Mining Plays Exist

5/7 - "If you have an aversion to certain ingredients, or you just don't like the presentation, all the flavor in the world won't save the meal. Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX) is like that as an investment. I find the "meats" -- gold and copper -- most appetizing. But when the chef tosses in forward hedge contracts, insider selling, and project delays, though, that starts to look to me like a waste."

"Goldcorp and Newmont both delivered solid earnings recently, giving investors viable alternatives among the major gold producers. Kinross Gold (NYSE: KGC) recently echoed Barrick's forecast for increased M&A activity in the sector, and it also stands to benefit. With so many alternatives, I see no reason for Fools to rush to sit down to the meal Barrick is serving."