Rise in output to drive Sesa Goa earnings

11 Feb 2010 Evaluate

Estimated 10% growth in steel production in 2010 is good news for iron ore companies such as Sesa Goa Ltd and NMDC Ltd. China and emerging markets are seeing higher demand growth. China is a key market for Indian iron ore producers because it absorbs nearly all the ore the country can export. A sharp uptake in Chinese steel production in 2009, with crude steel production up by 13% compared with an 8% decline in global output, has led to higher demand for iron ore.

 

Though India’s output growth was relatively low at 2.8%, the industry has recovered, and in December, output grew by 7%. Iron ore producers have been able to hike prices mainly due to the sharp increase in demand from the Chinese steel industry. The situation has led to improving margins. However, Indian steel makers have to pay higher prices for iron ore is affecting their margins. Successful lobbying by the steel industry led to a 10% export duty on iron ore lumps and a 5% duty on iron ore fines in December.

 

Sesa Goa’s sales rose by 36% to Rs1,866 crore while its operating profit rose by 85% to Rs1,035 crore. Now, just one month of export duty amounted to about Rs18 crore during the quarter and the full impact will be felt in subsequent quarters.

 

Sharply higher iron ore prices from a year ago will mean that margins will continue to improve year-on-year, even if they lose some shine on a sequential basis. But if the government hikes export duties to 20%, then it will really begin to pinch margins. However, higher output will drive performance, with Sesa Goa’s output up by 36% in the December quarter. The company’s capacity is projected to increase from 16 million tonnes (mt) to 25 mt in 2010 and eventually reach 50 mt by 2013.

 

In the short term, changes in duties could play some havoc with its earnings estimates, reflecting also in its share price. Higher output from its mines and an improving demand outlook for the steel industry are longer term positives.

crackcrack

Vedanta Share Price

445.05 2.50 (0.56%)
22-Nov-2024 16:59 View Price Chart
Peers
Company Name CMP
Hindalco 652.00
Vedanta 445.05
Hindustan Zinc 491.70
Gravita India 2090.50
Ram Ratna Wires 594.05
View more..
© 2024 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.