Archive
Mining Week 19/’12: Week of the Investors
Top Stories of the Week:
- Xstrata’s investors voice GlenStrata concern
- In the re-election of Xstrata’s directors the vote against re-election of Ivan Glasenberg, the head of Glencore, increased from 3.6% last year to 13.6% this week.
- When voting on Glencore’s takeover offer for Xstrata a group of approx. 17% of shareholders could block the deal as 75% of shareholders excluding Glencore’s 33% needs to support the deal.
- Mr. Glasenberg indicated most of the debate on the merger currently is about the share ratio, which Glencore currently offering 2.8 shares per share of Xstrata.
- Sources: Financial Times 1; Financial Times 2; Xstrata shareholder meeting results; Xstrata notice on Quatar shareholding
- BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto return cash rather than invest more
- Both BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto stressed their commitment to dividend and buyback policies this week.
- Though reiterating the sustained belief in the long-term growth fundamentals of the commodities markets, the focus of the messages in investor presentations is shifting towards limiting and phasing investment, rather than growing as fast as possible.
- Sources: Financial Times; BHP Billiton Macquarie presentation; Rio Tinto Asian investors presentation
Trends & Implications:
- Miners currently focus on returning cash to shareholders because of the combination of short-term cost pressures that make margins shrink and longer term uncertainty about the pace of growth of global demand and the direction of metal prices. Citigroup’s forecast of a falling overall capex (see below in FT’s picture) shows uncertainty about how many of the projects in the current pipeline are really going to make it. Investments in star projects are still done, but the projects that could turn out to be marginal or lossgiving are on hold.
- Mr. Glasenberg’s comments about the share ratio discussion appear to indicate that Glencore’s bid for Xstrata might be sweetened if the deal runs the risk of not being accepted in Xstrata’s shareholder meeting early July.
©2012 | Wilfred Visser | thebusinessofmining.com
Antofagasta Raises Dividend
“Chilean miner Antofagasta PLC on Tuesday doubled its interim dividend after reporting a 54% rise in first-half net profit due to higher average commodity prices and volumes. Chief Executive Marcelo Awad said the miner remains well positioned to deal with commodity-price volatility and relatively strong cost pressures given its low average net-cost position. …
Antofagasta expects global copper output to fall 500,000 tons short of demand this year and forecasts prices to average more than $4.20 a pound in the second half. This compares with $4 a pound in mid-August and a record average $4.26 a pound for a calendar half-year in the first half. Antofagasta reported an 84% rise in first-half earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or Ebitda, to $1.95 billion. Net profit rose 54% from a year earlier to $696.2 million, while the declared interim dividend rose to $0.08 a share from $0.04 a share in the same period a year ago.”
Source: Wall Street Journal, August 23 2011
Observations:
- Antofagasta mainly operates in Chile. The key growth project is the ‘Esperanza’ project close to the operating ‘El Tesoro’ mine. Exploration in Peru, USA, Australia and Pakistan signals the ambition to expand internationally.
- The company is controlled by the Luksic family, which holds approx. 65% of the shares.
Implications:
- Antofagasta appears not to be affected by the strikes that stopped production in other mines in the region, signalling a good relationship of the management with the unions.
- The payout ratio of 11% of profits is above expectations, but below the 35% benchmark the company adheres to. The management is either hoarding cash for a significant investment or is planning to announce a special dividend at the end of the year. Last year a special dividend of 100% was turned out at year end.
©2011 | Wilfred Visser | thebusinessofmining.com
Peabody, ArcelorMittal Sweeten Offer for Macarthur
“The world’s largest private-sector coal miner and the largest steelmaker by output on Thursday sweetened their offer for Australian pulverized coal miner Macarthur Coal Ltd. to around A$4.73 billion (US$5.05 billion), while moving a step closer to success by agreeing to start due diligence on the deal. Peabody Energy Corp. and ArcelorMittal said Monday they would start receiving data and site access from Macarthur from the coming Monday.
St. Louis-based Peabody and Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal made an indicative A$15.50 per share bid for Macarthur, the world’s largest miner of pulverized steelmaking coal, according to the announcement Monday.”
Source: Wall Street Journal, July 14 2011
Observations:
- Peabody tried to buy Macarthur early 2010, but this offer did not convince the 3 major shareholders (ArcelorMittal, Posco and Citic). In the new offer, announced last week, Peabody teams up with ArcelorMittal in a 60%/40% ownership structure.
- The sweetening of the offer consists of the withdrawal of the demand that a $0.16/share dividend not be paid out by Macarthur. In turn the buyers get access to the due diligence information required to test the offer assumptions and to prepare integration.
Implications:
- It appears Macarthur’s board is cooperative in the deal, opening books and mines for inspection in exchange for a small increase in value for current shareholders (approx. 1% of market value).
- If the deal goes ahead the major shareholders that don’t participate in the takeover will need to decide whether or not to sell their shares. Posco and Citic both are strategic shareholders, but only Posco has interest in retaining access to Macarthur’s products, which will potentially become much more difficult if competing ArcelorMittal increases its ownership stake.
©2011 | Wilfred Visser | thebusinessofmining.com
Anglo American: Restructured and competitive again
“Anglo American performed strongly in 2010, both operationally and financially, and we have continued to deliver on our clear strategic objectives. In addition to benefiting from higher commodity prices, our focused commodity businesses are driving superior operating performances, through major productivity improvements, disciplined cost management and the benefits of our asset optimisation and global supply chain programmes. We completed a number of sales of non-core businesses during 2010 and into 2011 and our divestment programme is now well advanced. Anglo American’s EBITDA of $12.0 billion, operating profit of $9.8 billion and underlying earnings of $5.0 billion, reflects delivery on all fronts.
We have transformed our Platinum business, moving it down the cost curve, with 23% productivity gains and cash operating costs controlled below inflation, and further safety improvements, while exceeding our refined platinum production target of 2.5 million ounces. Our Kumba Iron Ore, Metallurgical Coal and Nickel businesses also delivered productivity gains, while the benefits of the restructuring of De Beers are clear to see, with the business reaping the rewards of the much improved environment for diamonds.”
Source: Anglo American press release, February 18 2011
Observations:
- Anglo American’s revenue, EBITDA and Earnings per Share outperformed analyst’s average expectations. Contrary to BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto the company managed to keep controllable costs stable while increasing output.
- Capex for the next 3 years is planned at $16bln, below planned investments for the main competitors. However, the company has a strong exploration portfolio, especially in thermal coal, copper and platinum.
Implications:
- The company did announce dividends, but is not yet planning to buy back shares. As the company now holds over $6bln in cash it might be aiming for targeted acquisitions in the near future.
- The high commodity prices of last year have helped all major diversified miners to reduce gearing to low levels (Anglo American now at 16%). The low gearing and the high cash flow from operations will enable the miners to undertake large projects, both in organic growth and M&A.
©2011 | Wilfred Visser | thebusinessofmining.com