Equity, Bottom-up Analyst, Investics Research

Sameer Taneja

Equity, Bottom-up Analyst

Investics Research

It is important to note that the information provided by Investics Research is based on publicly available data and own knowledge, which has been gathered and analyzed from a variety of sources. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information provided, it is not guaranteed to be free from errors or omissions. All forecasts and estimates are based on information that has been obtained from public sources that are considered to be reliable. The sources include but are not limited to, company announcements, exchange filings, presentations, etc. Investics does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the forecasts, estimates, and/or other information.

Equity Bottom-up Research

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Following the recent COMEX-LME trade fiasco and the underwhelming TSF data, copper's market sentiment was positively influenced by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's indication of a potential rate cut next month.</li>
<li>We anticipate that this development could drive copper prices on the LME above $10,000 USD/ton in the near term, before a subsequent reassertion of fundamental factors.</li>
<li>Earlier, there was downward pressure on copper prices due to China's softening economic performance and the rising levels of inventory in the market.</li>
</ul>


Following the recent COMEX-LME trade fiasco and the underwhelming TSF data, copper's market sentiment was positively influenced by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's indication of a potential rate cut next month.
We anticipate that this development could drive copper prices on the LME above $10,000 USD/ton in the near term, before a subsequent reassertion of fundamental factors.
Earlier, there was downward pressure on copper prices due to China's softening economic performance and the rising levels of inventory in the market.


Rate Cut To Spur Copper Performance In The Short-Term to Over 10K USD/Ton

<ul>
<li>The company has been able to lower costs significantly by 12% YoY, improve on its byproduct credits by 37%YoY due to gold prices increasing, while copper prices rose 3.5% YoY.</li>
<li>Production for H1FY25 rose 10% YoY, led by a ramp-up in Centinala, resulting in EBITDA/profit improving by 60% YoY. </li>
<li>While the stock trades at 25x FY25e P/E, we believe that the runway for earnings improvement is enormous as the company ramps up its volumes and manages costs.</li>
</ul>


The company has been able to lower costs significantly by 12% YoY, improve on its byproduct credits by 37%YoY due to gold prices increasing, while copper prices rose 3.5% YoY.
Production for H1FY25 rose 10% YoY, led by a ramp-up in Centinala, resulting in EBITDA/profit improving by 60% YoY. 
While the stock trades at 25x FY25e P/E, we believe that the runway for earnings improvement is enormous as the company ramps up its volumes and manages costs.


Antofagasta (ANTO LN) H1 2025: Outperforming The Pack

<ul>
<li>By restricting the announcement of a 50% tariff on copper pipes/wiring and leaving out ores, concentrates, and cathodes, the Trump administration destroyed the COMEX-LME spread in one fell swoop. </li>
<li>COMEX prices have plunged, and the spread now is 150 USD/ton from the highs of almost 3000 USD/ton, with high inventories on the COMEX probably needing to be dumped. </li>
<li>Short term copper prices may face pressure, but we see an excellent outlook for the longer term, given the elevated China copper imports, which rose 18% YoY in July. </li>
</ul>


By restricting the announcement of a 50% tariff on copper pipes/wiring and leaving out ores, concentrates, and cathodes, the Trump administration destroyed the COMEX-LME spread in one fell swoop. 
COMEX prices have plunged, and the spread now is 150 USD/ton from the highs of almost 3000 USD/ton, with high inventories on the COMEX probably needing to be dumped. 
Short term copper prices may face pressure, but we see an excellent outlook for the longer term, given the elevated China copper imports, which rose 18% YoY in July. 


COMEX Spread Destroyed By Trump, Long-Term Copper Still Great

<ul>
<li>In our previous insight, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/trump-50-import-tariff-could-send-copper-into-stratosphere-short-term-lme-can-breach-11k-usd-ton" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:192880" rel="noopener">Trump 50% Import Tariff Could Send Copper Into Stratosphere Short-Term: LME Can Breach 11k USD/Ton</a>, we highlighted upside risk to the LME price.</li>
<li>Comex-LME spreads remain elevated at $ 2,500/ton levels, reflecting the impact of tariffs that haven't yet been imposed, amid ongoing supply disruptions. Inventories, though, have stopped depleting on the LME. </li>
<li>We remain bullish on copper in the countdown to August 1st, where it is likely that tariffs of 50% are imposed on copper. </li>
</ul>


In our previous insight, Trump 50% Import Tariff Could Send Copper Into Stratosphere Short-Term: LME Can Breach 11k USD/Ton, we highlighted upside risk to the LME price.
Comex-LME spreads remain elevated at $ 2,500/ton levels, reflecting the impact of tariffs that haven't yet been imposed, amid ongoing supply disruptions. Inventories, though, have stopped depleting on the LME. 
We remain bullish on copper in the countdown to August 1st, where it is likely that tariffs of 50% are imposed on copper. 


Bullish Copper: Comex-LME Spreads Off The Charts + Positive China TSF Data

<ul>
<li>This follows our insight, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/copper-breaches-10k-usd-easy-journey-to-11k-usd-ton-on-lower-inventories-in-the-short-term" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:191702" rel="noopener">Copper Breaches 10k USD: Easy Journey to 11k USD/Ton On Lower Inventories In The Short Term</a>. </li>
<li>Informal miners are disrupting Peruvian copper transport at the Las Bambas (320 kt annual production) and Constancia (110 kt) mines owned by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mmg-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13961:1" rel="noopener">MMG (1208 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hudbay-minerals-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25354:1" rel="noopener">Hudbay Minerals (HBM CN).</a> </li>
<li>Peru is the third largest copper producing country in the world (2.6 million tons or 10% of global production), and so following these disruptions is critical. </li>
</ul>


This follows our insight, Copper Breaches 10k USD: Easy Journey to 11k USD/Ton On Lower Inventories In The Short Term. 
Informal miners are disrupting Peruvian copper transport at the Las Bambas (320 kt annual production) and Constancia (110 kt) mines owned by MMG (1208 HK) and Hudbay Minerals (HBM CN). 
Peru is the third largest copper producing country in the world (2.6 million tons or 10% of global production), and so following these disruptions is critical. 


Peruvian Copper Supply Disruptions Gaining Momentum: Bullish Copper, Back To Over 10k USD This Week?

United Kingdom

Antofagasta plc owns and operates copper mines in Chile and conducts exploration activities in Chile and Peru.  The Group also operates a rail network servicing the mining region of northern Chile, as well as operates a concession for the distribution of water in this region.

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Antofagasta PLC (ANTO LN)

Rate Cut To Spur Copper Performance In The Short-Term to Over 10K USD/Ton

Copper has a new catalyst in anticipated rate cuts by the Fed. We believe that despite the high inventories, there is a good short-term setup for...

Sameer Taneja

Antofagasta (ANTO LN) H1 2025: Outperforming The Pack

Antofagasta (ANTO LN) is outperforming its peers based on improvements in production and costs. Coupled with a strong pricing environment for...

Sameer Taneja

COMEX Spread Destroyed By Trump, Long-Term Copper Still Great

Madness in the markets persist with Trump destroying the COMEX prices by showing leniency on pure copper imports. Despite this, the long-term...

Sameer Taneja

Bullish Copper: Comex-LME Spreads Off The Charts + Positive China TSF Data

Ahead of August 1st, the U.S. is set to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports. We analyze expected stockpiling on the COMEX and identify potential...

Sameer Taneja

Peruvian Copper Supply Disruptions Gaining Momentum: Bullish Copper, Back To Over 10k USD This Week?

Peru's informal miner strikes may disrupt Las Bambas and Constancia, risking short-term tightness in global copper supply, given Peru's nearly 10%...

Sameer Taneja

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