Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a> has one of its most prized assets in Mongolia. The Oyu Tolgoi mine has an 80-year mine-life and will ramp up significantly in coming years.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/entree-resources-ltd-3aeeb68c-80d0-4ada-822e-898883fbb28e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26727:1" rel="noopener">Entree Resources (ETG CN)</a> is the last remaining hurdle to acquire after the successful integration of Turquoise Hill in late 2022.</li>
<li>Entree just released a batch of 2022 (!) drilling results, one month before an arbitration deadline. Why was it released now? Will Rio finally move on Entree before the deadline?</li>
</ul>



Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) has one of its most prized assets in Mongolia. The Oyu Tolgoi mine has an 80-year mine-life and will ramp up significantly in coming years.

Entree Resources (ETG CN) is the last remaining hurdle to acquire after the successful integration of Turquoise Hill in late 2022.
Entree just released a batch of 2022 (!) drilling results, one month before an arbitration deadline. Why was it released now? Will Rio finally move on Entree before the deadline?


Rio: JV Partner in Mongolia Releases Incredible Copper Grades One Month Before Arbitration Deadline

Iron Ore, Copper, Equities, Mint Finance

Umang Agrawal

Iron Ore, Copper, Equities

Deep Fundamental Analysis

Mint Finance

Mint Finance's investment research blends deep fundamental analysis with technical & quant insights. Investment strategies straddle across multiple asset classes with risk management embedded into every trade to deliver an outsized reward-to-risk ratio.

Mint Finance's research is centered around three key themes. First, energy transition and climate change. Second, artificial intelligence. Third, shifting world order with its impact across politics and monetary economics.

Commodities

<ul>
<li>Elevated portside inventories and a fresh WoW increase suggest Golden Week restocking has yet to translate into meaningful inventory drawdowns.</li>
<li>Options positioning is turning increasingly constructive, with call OI building at strikes 105 and 110. OI PCR of 0.61 reinforces the bullish bias.</li>
<li>Managed money extended its bearish positioning for a 12th straight week, trimming long exposure by ~4% while increasing short positions by ~3%. </li>
</ul>


Elevated portside inventories and a fresh WoW increase suggest Golden Week restocking has yet to translate into meaningful inventory drawdowns.
Options positioning is turning increasingly constructive, with call OI building at strikes 105 and 110. OI PCR of 0.61 reinforces the bullish bias.
Managed money extended its bearish positioning for a 12th straight week, trimming long exposure by ~4% while increasing short positions by ~3%. 


Iron Ore’s GWH Restocking Is Back in Play, But Mill Margins Lag

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

<ul>
<li>The iron ore cost curve has risen by 5-10 USD/ton since the blockage of the Straits of Hormuz, which has put upward pressure on diesel prices (15%-20% of mining costs).</li>
<li>Chinese blast furnace capacity utilization is now trending towards 90%, leading to mill margins inflecting into positive territory, based on commentary provided by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vale-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23731:1" rel="noopener">Vale (VALE US)</a> in its Q1 results.</li>
<li>Iran's steel/iron ore production (30/~45 million tons respectively) has stalled, and Simandou's ramp-up guidance (10-15 million tons for FY26) is slower than initially anticipated by the market. </li>
</ul>


The iron ore cost curve has risen by 5-10 USD/ton since the blockage of the Straits of Hormuz, which has put upward pressure on diesel prices (15%-20% of mining costs).
Chinese blast furnace capacity utilization is now trending towards 90%, leading to mill margins inflecting into positive territory, based on commentary provided by Vale (VALE US) in its Q1 results.
Iran's steel/iron ore production (30/~45 million tons respectively) has stalled, and Simandou's ramp-up guidance (10-15 million tons for FY26) is slower than initially anticipated by the market. 


Iron Ore: Simandou Supply Disappoints/ What's Happening To The Cost Curve/ Chinese Mills Profitable?

Bayon Financial

Graeme Cunningham

Independent Insight Provider

Bayon Financial provides industry and company analysis focusing on mid and small cap equity research coverage across a range of sectors including mining, financials and telecoms.

<ul>
<li>BHP reported Q1/26 operational results broadly on track with full year guidance, with output across the divisions ranging from 20% to 27% of the full year estimate</li>
<li>While production of copper, iron ore, alumina, silver and gold saw strong gains yoy, aluminum output was near flat, bauxite declined, and some divisions fell qoq on weather issues</li>
<li>We see rising risks to both iron ore and copper prices which are unlikely be offset by strong aluminum, with our valuation well below the consensus low-end and market price</li>
</ul>


BHP reported Q1/26 operational results broadly on track with full year guidance, with output across the divisions ranging from 20% to 27% of the full year estimate
While production of copper, iron ore, alumina, silver and gold saw strong gains yoy, aluminum output was near flat, bauxite declined, and some divisions fell qoq on weather issues
We see rising risks to both iron ore and copper prices which are unlikely be offset by strong aluminum, with our valuation well below the consensus low-end and market price


Rio Tinto: Q1/26 Operations On Track With Guidance

Financial News, Analysis and Data, FNArena

FNArena

Financial News, Analysis and Data

Online financial media company focused on Australian equities, with a global perspective

<ul><li>Rio Tinto&rsquo;s March quarter copper production beat forecasts, offset by a cyclonic period for iron ore.</li><li> Rio Tinto&rsquo;s March quarter production a net beat thanks to copper Weather was an offset in the Pilbara and elsewhere across the portfolio Costs increasing due to diesel prices Aluminium benefitting from Middle East disruption</li></ul>

Rio Tinto&rsquo;s March quarter copper production beat forecasts, offset by a cyclonic period for iron ore. Rio Tinto&rsquo;s March quarter production a net beat thanks to copper Weather was an offset in the Pilbara and elsewhere across the portfolio Costs increasing due to diesel prices Aluminium benefitting from Middle East disruption

Australia

Rio Tinto Limited is an international mining company.  The Company has interests in mining for aluminum, borax, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, tin, uranium, zinc, titanium dioxide feedstock, diamonds, talc and zircon. Dually-listed company with RIO LN.

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Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)

Rio: JV Partner in Mongolia Releases Incredible Copper Grades One Month Before Arbitration Deadline

Rio Tinto still has an "annoying" third partner in its world-class Oyu Tolgoi mining project in Mongolia. Entree Resources is a prime takeover target.

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Iron Ore’s GWH Restocking Is Back in Play, But Mill Margins Lag

Iron ore’s near-term direction remains sentiment-led, as restocking and bullish options positioning compete with weak steel margins.

Mint Finance

Iron Ore: Simandou Supply Disappoints/ What's Happening To The Cost Curve/ Chinese Mills Profitable?

China's mill margins are turning positive, but watch the risks: diesel shortages are squeezing the cost curve, and Simandou supply is...

Sameer Taneja

Rio Tinto: Q1/26 Operations On Track With Guidance

Q1/26 operations were strong yoy, with some weakness qoq on weather, but we see risks to iron ore and copper prices, and our below-the-low-end-of...

Graeme Cunningham

Copper Offsets Iron Ore For Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto’s March quarter copper production beat forecasts, offset by a cyclonic period for iron ore. Rio Tinto’s March quarter production a net...

FNArena

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