Will China’s Disappointing July Trade Deflate Metal Bulls?
On August 8, China released its trade data for July. The country’s exports in dollar terms rose 7.2% compared to July 2016 while imports rose 11%.
Materials
How Schlumberger Correlates with Crude Oil
The correlation coefficient between the West Texas Intermediate (or WTI) crude oil price and Schlumberger’s (SLB) stock price between August 4, 2016, and August 4, 2017, is 0.62.
Chemours Stock Fell despite Strong Earnings in 2Q17
Chemours (CC) reported its 2Q17 earnings on August 2, 2017, after the markets closed. The company’s management held a conference call on August 3, 2017.
Genesee & Wyoming’s North American Revenues in 2Q17
In 2Q17, GWR’s North American revenues were $315.7 million, a 3.6% rise from $304.6 million in the same quarter last year.
Why Air Products & Chemicals’ Revenue Rose in 3Q17
Air Products & Chemicals (APD) follows October 1–September 30 as its fiscal year. The company reported revenue of $2.11 billion.
Air Products & Chemicals’ Stock Price Rose
Air Products & Chemicals (APD) announced its fiscal 3Q17 earnings on August 1, 2017. Its adjusted EPS from continuing operations was $1.65.
US Steel Prices: The Outlook for Cliffs Natural Resources
Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) downgraded its EBITDA and net earnings guidance for 2017 due to weaker-than-expected YTD averages of US HRC and seaborne iron ore prices.
Analyzing Copper Miners’ 2017 Production Plans
During its 2Q17 earnings call, Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) lowered its 2017 copper production guidance to 3.7 billion pounds.
Cliffs Natural Resources: What Will Drive Performance after 2Q17?
The 2Q17 earnings season for US-based steel companies is now over. Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) released its 2Q17 results on July 27, 2017, before the market opened.
Shipments for PotashCorp’s Phosphate Segment See Strong Growth
PotashCorp’s (POT) phosphate segment contributed almost a fourth of overall sales for 2Q17. Sales were driven by shipments and price realizations.
How the Gold-Silver Spread Is Trending
The gold-silver spread measures the price of one ounce of gold in relation to silver.
How Dow Chemical’s Consumer Solutions Segment Performed in 2Q17
Dow Chemical’s (DOW) Consumer Solutions segment is the fourth largest segment in terms of revenue.
What Boosted DOW’s Agricultural Sciences Segment’s 2Q17 Revenues?
Dow Chemical’s (DOW) Agricultural Sciences segment accounted for 11.8% of DOW’s total revenue as compared to 13.2% in 2Q16.
What Could Drive Cliffs Natural Resources’ US Volumes in 2H17
US iron ore (or USIO) is the main driver for Cliffs Natural Resources’ (CLF) top and bottom lines. The top line, in turn, is driven by volumes and realized prices.
Key Highlights from Cliffs Natural Resources’ 2Q17 Results
Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) achieved revenues of $569 million for 2Q17, an increase of 15% year-over-year (or YoY).
DuPont’s Performance Materials Segment’s Revenue Rose in 2Q17
In 2Q17, DuPont’s Performance Materials segment reported revenue of $1.38 billion—a increase of 3.40% on a YoY (year-over-year) basis.
Scotts Miracle-Gro: Gross Margins Are Expected to Expand in 3Q17
Wall Street analysts expect gross income of $396 million in 3Q17, which will deliver a gross margin of 37% on 3Q17 sales estimates of $1.06 billion.
Why Cliffs Natural Resources’ Stock Fell despite an Earnings Beat
Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) released its 2Q17 results on July 27, 2017, before the market opened. Here’s what you need to know.
How Analysts View APD’s Fiscal 3Q17 Adjusted Earnings
On March 31, 2017, APD was left with $485.3 million from its share repurchase program.
Analyzing Miners’ Correlation in July 2017
Royal Gold’s correlation fell from a three-year correlation of ~0.75 and a year-to-date correlation of ~0.72 with gold.
Chinese Steel Prices Are Surging—Can They Keep the Momentum?
Chinese steel production has been hitting one record after another. This renewed vigor in the Chinese steel industry is due to higher steel prices.
H.B. Fuller Will Acquire Adecol
H.B. Fuller had a quiet week with a meager gain of 0.1% for the week ending July 21, 2017. The stock closed at $51.50.
How the Euro Pushed the Dollar Lower and What It Meant for Gold
July 20, 2017, was an up day for the euro, which put downward pressure on the US dollar as represented by the U.S. Dollar Index (or DXY).
Have Miners’ Relative Strength Levels Revived?
In this article, we’ll look at some important technical indicators for Coeur Mining (CDE), Barrick Gold (ABX), Buenaventura (BVN), and AngloGold Ashanti (AU).
Understanding DOW’s High 2Q17 Revenue Hopes
As of July 21, 2017, analysts are expecting Dow Chemical (DOW) to post revenues of ~$13.6 billion for 2Q17, which would represent a 14.0% rise on a YoY basis.
Gold-Platinum Ratio: Is Platinum a Long-Term ‘Buy’?
When reading the platinum market, it’s important to analyze the comparative performance of platinum and gold by using the gold-platinum ratio or spread.
China’s Iron Ore Imports Surged in June—Where Will They Go Next?
It’s important for investors to keep track of China’s iron ore import data because they provide a clue regarding the demand patterns for imported iron ore among Chinese mills and traders.
What Led to PPG’s Performance Coatings Segment’s Revenue Fall?
PPG Industries’ Performance Coatings segment is its largest revenue contributor. The segment’s contribution to PPG’s overall revenue fell from 61.8% in 2Q16 to 60.5% in 2Q17.
Can Iron Ore Miners’ Supply Discipline Lead to a Price Upside?
Rio Tinto (RIO) released its operational update for 1H17 on July 18, 2017. Rio’s iron ore shipments fell 6% year-over-year (or YoY) to 77.7 million tons in 2Q17.
China’s Auto Sales Rebounded in June: Gauging Iron Ore’s Impact
Since China’s automobile industry is the second-largest consumer of steel after the real estate sector, it’s important to track its developments.
Analysts’ Views: What Iron Ore Price Could Bring Balance?
While iron ore prices have rebounded recently, analysts are still skeptical about the long term. Morgan Stanley has reduced its iron ore price forecast for 3Q17 by 23% to $50 per ton.
What Can We Expect for DuPont’s Earnings per Share in 2Q17?
DuPont’s earnings per share estimates for 2Q17 As of July 19, 2017, analysts expected DuPont (DDD) to post operating EPS (earnings per share) of $1.29, an increase of 4.0% YoY (year-over-year). In 2Q16, DuPont reported operating EPS of $1.24. The forecast increase in DuPont’s operating EPS is expected to be driven by improved SG&A (selling, general, […]
A Look at Ammonia Prices Last Week
The current levels of ammonia prices at several locations are below their comparative levels last year.
Goldman Sachs Rated WestRock Company as ‘Neutral’
WestRock (WRK) reported fiscal 3Q16 net sales of $3.6 billion, a rise of 44.0% compared to net sales of $2.5 billion in fiscal 3Q15.
Goldman Sachs Rated Packaging Corporation of America as ‘Sell’
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) has a market cap of $7.6 billion. It fell 1.3% to close at $80.64 per share on September 22, 2016.
How Do Chinese Copper Demand Indicators Look This Month?
It’s important for investors in companies such as Freeport-McMoRan, BHP Billiton, and Rio Tinto to track Chinese copper demand indicators.
Urea Input: Anthracite Coal Prices Rose Last Week in China
Producers in China mainly use coal as an input material to produce nitrogen fertilizers, especially urea. China is impacted by price movements in coal.
Synergies Monsanto and Bayer Could Exploit through a Merger
Monsanto’s business is the best fit for Bayer’s Crop Science segment—it contributes ~22% of Bayer’s revenue. The segment is similar to Monsanto’s business.
Why Corn Prices Are Still Declining in September
Corn prices on September 12 were 1.6% higher at $3.30 per bushel compared to $3.20 per bushel in August 2016.
Weekly Nitrogen Update: Anthracite Prices Fell in China
For the week ending September 9, average weekly anthracite coal prices in China fell 4.2% to $81.1 per metric ton—compared to the previous week.
Rising Volatility Continues to Affect Miners’ Stocks
The precious metals price correction that happened on September 2, 2016, extended to September 6. How did equities and funds respond?
Deutsche Bank Upgrades Goodyear to ‘Buy’
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (GT) has a market cap of $8.2 billion. It rose by 4.8% to close at $31.16 per share on September 6, 2016.
Newell Brands Makes Changes in Its Management
NWL fell by 0.20% to close at $53.57 per share during the fifth week of August, with weekly, monthly, and YTD price movements of -0.20%, 0.90%, and 23.1%.
Why Did Harley-Davidson Cut Jobs?
Harley-Davidson rose by 0.36% to close at $52.89 per share on September 1, 2016. Its weekly, monthly, and YTD price movements were -0.66%, 2.4%, and 18.5%.
PPG Industries’ Geographical Revenue Mix
PPG Industries (PPG) is a leading global player in the paint and coatings segment, operating in 70 global locations. Let’s look at their revenue contributions to PPG.
PPG Industries’ Business Model Aids Its Coatings Segment
PPG Industries’ (PPG) coatings segment has been growing at a CAGR of 7.1% since 2010. PPG has been able to increase its revenues basically through acquisitions.
Why Nitrogen Prices Have Fallen So Hard this Year
The global nitrogen fertilizer capacity is abundant, allowing it to fulfill the current market requirements. This has put pressure on nitrogen prices, which fell significantly over the past year.
Why Did Soros Fund Management Reduce Its Holdings in Barrick Gold?
Billionaire investor George Soros, who said in April 2016 that gold was the only asset that could outperform in the current market environment, is now getting out of gold.
What Could Drive BHP Billiton’s Free Cash Flows for Fiscal 2017?
BHP Billiton’s (BHP) (BBL) unit costs declined by 16% in fiscal 2016, supported by increased capital efficiency. This helped BHP generate strong free cash flow.
How Do Freeport McMoRan’s Fundamentals Compare to Its Peers?
Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) has been trading largely sideways around the $12 price level for almost a month. August has been a dull month for most companies in the metals and mining space.