By The Gold Report
Source: Streetwise Reports 03/26/2019
An iA Securities report reviews the actual numbers from 2018 and the projected figures for the next five years.
In a March 20 research note, iA Securities analyst George Topping reported that Franco-Nevada Corp.’s (FNV:TSX; FNV:NYSE) Q4/18 was generally in line with expectations and its future outlook positive.
Topping presented the key points regarding Franco-Nevada’s Q4/18. Production of gold equivalent ounces was 105,000 ounces (105 Koz), “marginally less” than forecasted. EBITDA and cash flow per share were as expected, at $119 million and $109 million, respectively. Q4/18 revenue was $148 million, 88% of which came from metals and 12% from energy. “A larger-than-expected writedown was most likely due to prudence,” he noted.
The analyst provided the highlights from the company’s full-year 2018. The total gold equivalent (Au eq) produced was 448 Koz, down 14% from that in 2018, primarily due to operations at two mines. Production at Lundin’s Candelaria decreased 33% year over year (YOY), to 56 Koz Au eq due to mine remediation. Output at Coeur Mining’s Palmarejo was also lower, at 36 Koz Au eq. This 31% YOY drop is attributed to mining having occurred in areas outside of those covered in Franco’s 50% gold stream.
A bright spot was revenue from Franco’s oil and gas division, which increased 85% in 2018 over 2017. This in part was due to additional growth from its Permian Basin and SCOOP and STACK assets.
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Topping cited upcoming operational changes that should positively impact Franco’s bottom line. The start-up of First Quantum’s Cobre Panama should translate into 20 Koz of Au eq 2019 for Franco. Candelaria should rebound to normal operations this year, which means the return of roughly 20 Koz Au eq. Those two mines alone should generate at least a 10% increase in Au eq ounces in 2019. “A rebound at Candelaria [and] Cobre Panama coming online, combined with funds flow from a gold price rally, will all provide catalysts for Franco in 2019,” commented Topping.
KGHM intends to put the Levack Morrison mine on care and maintenance at the end of Q1/19 and restart its McCreedy mine. The latter should replace Levack’s 50% precious metals stream ounces.
Finally, Topping reviewed Franco’s 2019 guidance and compared it to iASecurities’ projections. The company guided to 465500 Koz of Au eq produced from its metals royalty and stream assets in 2019. IA Securities forecasts the number to be at the higher end of the range.
Over the next five years, Franco projects production of 570610 Koz Au eq, which compares to iA Securities’ estimate of 636 Koz. “We estimate the Au eq ounces portfolio will grow by an average of 67% per year” through 2024, Topping wrote.
Regarding oil and gas, Franco guides to 2019 revenue from those assets of $7085 million, assuming a $55 per barrel oil price; iA forecasts $90 million. In five years, Franco expects that amount to increase to $140160 million, also assuming $55 per barrel, due to increased production from the Continental acquisition.
IA Securities has a Buy rating and a CA$115 per share target price on Franco-Nevada, whose stock is currently trading at around CA$102.70 per share.
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Disclosures from iA Securities, Franco-Nevada Corp., Research Update, March 20, 2019
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Company Related Disclosures:
Franco-Nevada Corp.: The analyst has visited the issuer’s operations. No payment or reimbursement was received from the issuer for the associated travel costs.
Lundin Mining Corp.: The analyst has visited the issuer’s operations. No payment or reimbursement was received from the issuer for the associated travel costs.
( Companies Mentioned: FNV:TSX; FNV:NYSE,
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