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>We analyse <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/champion-iron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19734:1" rel="noopener">Champion Iron (CIA AU)</a> after improvements in its operations in Q2FY26. The company destocked 477k tons and is down to 1.7 million tons to further reduce the stockpile.</li>
<li>The company also saw an improvement in its realized iron ore price (to 128 CAD/ton or 19% YoY) as it reduced its contractual arrangements for material. </li>
<li>Despite the improvement in operational performance, which will drive profitability up 52% YoY, the stock trades at 11.7x FY26 PE and is fairly valued. We prefer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fenix-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7405:1" rel="noopener">Fenix Resources (FEX AU)</a> </li>
</ul>


We analyse Champion Iron (CIA AU) after improvements in its operations in Q2FY26. The company destocked 477k tons and is down to 1.7 million tons to further reduce the stockpile.
The company also saw an improvement in its realized iron ore price (to 128 CAD/ton or 19% YoY) as it reduced its contractual arrangements for material. 
Despite the improvement in operational performance, which will drive profitability up 52% YoY, the stock trades at 11.7x FY26 PE and is fairly valued. We prefer Fenix Resources (FEX AU) 


Champion Iron Ore (CIA AU): Fairly Valued Despite Operational Improvements

<ul>
<li>We are now set for a <a href="https://www.mining.com/explaining-the-iron-ore-grade-shift/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decline in the benchmark grade from 62% to 61% effective January 2nd, 2026, for Platts</a>, aligning the benchmark with more commonly traded fines.  </li>
<li>Alot of exchanges have begun to adopt this change, and we will update our FY26 numbers for it as well. Iron ore remains elevated at 105 USD/ton, climbing 2.3% WoW. </li>
<li>We continue to advocate strongly for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fenix-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7405:1" rel="noopener">Fenix Resources (FEX AU)</a>. Read <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/fenix-resources-fex-au-exciting-value-adding-catalyst-can-triple-production-again" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:200341" rel="noopener">Fenix Resources (FEX AU): Exciting Value-Adding Catalyst Can Triple Production Again</a> for a detailed outline of our thesis. </li>
</ul>


We are now set for a decline in the benchmark grade from 62% to 61% effective January 2nd, 2026, for Platts, aligning the benchmark with more commonly traded fines.  
Alot of exchanges have begun to adopt this change, and we will update our FY26 numbers for it as well. Iron ore remains elevated at 105 USD/ton, climbing 2.3% WoW. 
We continue to advocate strongly for Fenix Resources (FEX AU). Read Fenix Resources (FEX AU): Exciting Value-Adding Catalyst Can Triple Production Again for a detailed outline of our thesis. 


Iron Ore At 105 USD/Ton: Sweet Spot for Fenix Resources (FEX AU)

<ul>
<li>This is a follow-up on our insight from 2 weeks ago, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/iron-ore-pullback-from-102-usd-ton-to-95-usd-ton" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:196969" rel="noopener">Iron Ore: Pullback From 102 USD/Ton to 95 USD/Ton</a>, where we estimated a pullback on the iron ore price. </li>
<li>With mill margins retreating into negative territory and TSF numbers (although healthy) coming far below street expectations, the stage is set for iron ore to retreat to 95 USD/ton. </li>
<li>Despite iron ore prices retreating to the 95 USD/ton level, we like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fenix-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7405:1" rel="noopener">Fenix Resources (FEX AU)</a>(Read: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/fenix-resources-tripling-of-production-achieved-1-2x-price-ocf" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:197917" rel="noopener">Fenix Resources Tripling of Production Achieved, 1.2x Price/OCF</a> ).</li>
</ul>


This is a follow-up on our insight from 2 weeks ago, Iron Ore: Pullback From 102 USD/Ton to 95 USD/Ton, where we estimated a pullback on the iron ore price. 
With mill margins retreating into negative territory and TSF numbers (although healthy) coming far below street expectations, the stage is set for iron ore to retreat to 95 USD/ton. 
Despite iron ore prices retreating to the 95 USD/ton level, we like Fenix Resources (FEX AU)(Read: Fenix Resources Tripling of Production Achieved, 1.2x Price/OCF ).


Iron Ore: Reiterate Fall to 95 USD/Ton In the Near Term

<ul>
<li>Following our bullish call on iron ore, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/iron-ore-small-bounce-to-100-usd-ton-on-oversold-levels" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:188600" rel="noopener">Iron Ore: Small Bounce to 100 USD/Ton On Oversold Levels</a>, we are now less excited on iron ore and see it drift lower. </li>
<li>We expected iron ore to test the lower-end of the long-term band of 95-110 USD/ton (vs current spot of 102 USD/ton).</li>
<li>While iron ore inventories/stocks at ports drift lower, mill margins have capped out and are not rising any further, leading us to call for a short-term decline in ore prices.</li>
</ul>


Following our bullish call on iron ore, Iron Ore: Small Bounce to 100 USD/Ton On Oversold Levels, we are now less excited on iron ore and see it drift lower. 
We expected iron ore to test the lower-end of the long-term band of 95-110 USD/ton (vs current spot of 102 USD/ton).
While iron ore inventories/stocks at ports drift lower, mill margins have capped out and are not rising any further, leading us to call for a short-term decline in ore prices.


Iron Ore: Pullback From 102 USD/Ton to 95 USD/Ton

<ul>
<li>We reiterate positive momentum on iron ore pricing as mill spreads pass 100 RMB/ton and positive lending data from China increases optimism. Iron ore prices are now 103 USD/ton.</li>
<li>Read: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/iron-ore-small-bounce-from-96-to-100-usd-ton-as-china-mill-margins-turn-positive" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:192602" rel="noopener">Iron Ore: Small Bounce From 96 to 100 USD/Ton As China Mill Margins Turn Positive</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/iron-ore-mill-spreads-continue-to-improve-bullish-ore-to-110-usd-ton" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:193443" rel="noopener">Iron Ore: Mill Spreads Continue to Improve, Bullish Ore To 110 USD/Ton</a>. </li>
<li>We like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fenix-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7405:1" rel="noopener">Fenix Resources (FEX AU)</a>, which is about to commission the Beebyn-W11 mine and triple its production to 4.1 million tons (vs 1.4 million tons two quarters ago).</li>
</ul>


We reiterate positive momentum on iron ore pricing as mill spreads pass 100 RMB/ton and positive lending data from China increases optimism. Iron ore prices are now 103 USD/ton.
Read: Iron Ore: Small Bounce From 96 to 100 USD/Ton As China Mill Margins Turn Positive and Iron Ore: Mill Spreads Continue to Improve, Bullish Ore To 110 USD/Ton. 
We like Fenix Resources (FEX AU), which is about to commission the Beebyn-W11 mine and triple its production to 4.1 million tons (vs 1.4 million tons two quarters ago).


Iron Ore to 110 USD/Ton: Positive TSF Data and Mill Spread Momentum Builds

Australia

Fenix Resources Ltd operates as a resource exploration company. The Company explores for iron ore, vanadium, and manganese. Fenix Resources develops its projects in Australia.

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Fenix Resources (FEX AU)

Champion Iron Ore (CIA AU): Fairly Valued Despite Operational Improvements

Champion Iron (CIA CN) has seen a dramatic turnaround in its operations. We discuss its prospects, Q2 results, and its valuation and contrast it...

Sameer Taneja

Iron Ore At 105 USD/Ton: Sweet Spot for Fenix Resources (FEX AU)

With Iron ore prices at 105 USD/ton and a short-term decline of 5-10 USD/ton on the cards, the only positive way to play the sector is Fenix...

Sameer Taneja

Iron Ore: Reiterate Fall to 95 USD/Ton In the Near Term

Underwhelming TSF data, lacklustre China steel production/apparent demand numbers, and negative China mill margins will catalyze a short-term...

Sameer Taneja

Iron Ore: Pullback From 102 USD/Ton to 95 USD/Ton

Following our recent short-term bullish call on iron ore, we have now flipped the script and are calling for a reversal to 95 USD/ton (from current...

Sameer Taneja

Iron Ore to 110 USD/Ton: Positive TSF Data and Mill Spread Momentum Builds

We maintain our bullish iron ore outlook of $110/ton, up from current $103. We favor 62% Fe prices and highlight Fenix Resources (FEX AU) as a...

Sameer Taneja

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