Equity analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse were the first to benefit from controversial guidance from gold mining company Newcrest in 2013.An agreed statement of facts by ASIC and Newcrest Mining shows the pair were advised by Newcrest's investor relations manager, Spencer Cole, to "sharpen their pens" and reduce production forecasts.This was to make them consistent with as yet undisclosed revised budgets developed by Newcrest.Cole gave the analysts specific advice on which variables in a financial model to adjust, based on his own knowledge of the company. Email evidence shows Cole expected to be able to guide one analyst "directionally".UBS, CLSA, Deutsche Bank, Citi, RBC and Macquarie also received advice on following days.ASIC and Newcrest will make a joint submission to the Federal Court of Australia on  "the appropriate penalties."ASIC said Newcrest has admitted the contraventions and the parties have filed a joint application for civil penalties to be imposed.