By The Gold Report

Source: Streetwise Reports   05/10/2018

Edward Sterck, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets, discussed the implications of its recent suspension of shipments for this Chilean firm in the short and medium term.

In a May 8 research report, analyst Edward Sterck with BMO Capital Markets relayed that Antofagasta Plc (ANTO:LSE) has resolved the blocked concentrate pipeline at Los Pelambres that caused concentrate shipments to be stopped for 21 days. The company confirmed the pipeline is now cleared and undamaged and shipments have since resumed.

During the period in which shipments were suspended, the company continued operating the plant and mine as usual, so mining and processing continued unaffected. Production and sales, however, were impacted as the concentrate had to be stockpiled, Sterck explained. Consequently, Q2/18 earnings will likely reflect lower-than-expected copper production of about 10 thousand tons (10 Kt) and a drop in copper sales of about 15 Kt.

Despite that, however, Sterck noted any impact on 2018 as a whole should be “minimal,” with any shortfall incurred in Q2/18 or H1/18 balancing out in H2/18, “given that operations have resumed with no capex impact.” He added, “At most, the impact to full year 2018 would likely be 5 Kt copper.”

In fact, Antofagasta reiterated its 2018 production guidance of 705–740 Kt of copper. BMO estimates 727 Kt of production for the year.

It also maintains an Outperform rating and a £12 per share target price on Antofagasta, whose stock is currently trading at around £10.37 per share.

Energy Report articles like this? Sign up for our free e-newsletter, and you’ll learn when new articles have been published. To see a list of recent articles and interviews with industry analysts and commentators, visit our Streetwise Interviews page.

Disclosure:
1) Doresa Banning compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.
2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees.
3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports’ terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.
5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article, until one week after the publication of the interview or article.

Disclosures from BMO Capital Markets, Antofagasta, May 8, 2018

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Analyst’s Certification
I, Edward Sterck, hereby certify that the views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject securities or issuers. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report.

Analysts who prepared this report are compensated based upon (among other factors) the overall profitability of BMO Capital Markets and their affiliates, which includes the overall profitability of investment banking services. Compensation for research is based on effectiveness in generating new ideas and in communication of ideas to clients, performance of recommendations, accuracy of earnings estimates, and service to clients.

Analysts employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and/or BMO Capital Markets Limited are not registered as research analysts with FINRA. These analysts may not be associated persons of BMO Capital Markets Corp. and therefore may not be subject to the FINRA Rule 2241 restrictions on communications with a subject company, public appearances and trading securities held by a research analyst account.

For Important Disclosures on the stocks discussed in this report, please click here.

( Companies Mentioned: ANTO:LSE,
)