Global Materials | Industrials | Commodities

Rahul Jain

Commodities

<ul>
<li>Commodity trends remain bifurcated: gold, copper, and uranium are surging, while iron ore, and coal struggle under oversupply and weak demand.</li>
<li>Top picks: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zijin-mining-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24628:1" rel="noopener">Zijin Mining Group (601899 CH)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shandong-gold-mining-co-ltd-4527fb98-bb5d-4d74-91fe-66f9c0224eb3" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27455:1" rel="noopener">Shandong Gold Mining (1787 HK)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jsw-steel-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18561:1" rel="noopener">JSW Steel Ltd (JSTL IN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lloyds-metals-energy-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15467:1" rel="noopener">Lloyds Metals &amp; Energy (LYDM IN)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/paladin-energy-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10117:1" rel="noopener">Paladin Energy (PDN AU)</a> </li>
<li>Top shorts: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hindalco-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18490:1" rel="noopener">Hindalco Industries (HNDL IN)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-steel-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:961:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Steel Corporation (5401 JP)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/coal-india-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9117:1" rel="noopener">Coal India Ltd (COAL IN)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tata-steel-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20934:1" rel="noopener">Tata Steel Ltd (TATA IN)</a> </li>
</ul>


Commodity trends remain bifurcated: gold, copper, and uranium are surging, while iron ore, and coal struggle under oversupply and weak demand.
Top picks: Zijin Mining Group (601899 CH)Shandong Gold Mining (1787 HK)JSW Steel Ltd (JSTL IN), Lloyds Metals &amp; Energy (LYDM IN) , Paladin Energy (PDN AU) 
Top shorts: Hindalco Industries (HNDL IN) , Nippon Steel Corporation (5401 JP)Coal India Ltd (COAL IN)Tata Steel Ltd (TATA IN) 


Global Metals & Mining Playbook – July 2025

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>Iron ore prices continue to inch lower as import options for China increase. China accounts for 72% of the seaborne market. </li>
<li>For China, imports from Brazil and Australia account for 82% of its overall number.  South Africa and India are 5% but the other category (13%) is now growing. </li>
<li>Can Imports from other regions, such as <strong>Canada, Ukraine, Africa, Iran, and Peru</strong>, increase? Data shows that it is happening. </li>
</ul>


Iron ore prices continue to inch lower as import options for China increase. China accounts for 72% of the seaborne market. 
For China, imports from Brazil and Australia account for 82% of its overall number.  South Africa and India are 5% but the other category (13%) is now growing. 
Can Imports from other regions, such as Canada, Ukraine, Africa, Iran, and Peru, increase? Data shows that it is happening. 


Iron Ore: China Imports From Ukraine, Iran, And Peru Show An Increasing Trend

<ul>
<li>We summarize our gleanings from the <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> presentation, which captures the cost curve and other interesting details on the DRI market. </li>
<li>After declining below 100 USD/ton for 2 weeks, iron ore prices have slowly inched up towards 100 USD/ton, maintaining their level at the high end of the cost curve. </li>
<li>A 100 USD/ton level bodes well for the cash flows of the larger low-cost players like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vale-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23731:1" rel="noopener">Vale (VALE US)</a>, <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>. </li>
</ul>


We summarize our gleanings from the Champion Iron (CIA AU) presentation, which captures the cost curve and other interesting details on the DRI market. 
After declining below 100 USD/ton for 2 weeks, iron ore prices have slowly inched up towards 100 USD/ton, maintaining their level at the high end of the cost curve. 
A 100 USD/ton level bodes well for the cash flows of the larger low-cost players like Vale (VALE US), Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU). 


Champion Iron Presentation, Iron Ore Cost Curve, and The Case For Green Steel

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Event-Driven

<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> shareholders will vote on Palliser’s AGM resolution to conduct an independent review on whether the potential unification is in the best interests of shareholders. </li>
<li>Palliser and the Board’s arguments for and against unification focus on five factors: tax costs, post-unification share price, lack of scrip M&amp;A, wastage of franking credits, and shareholder support.</li>
<li>A Grant Thornton report supports unification. The board's case is strong primarily on tax costs, while Palliser's case is strong on post-unification share price, M&amp;A, and franking credits.</li>
</ul>



Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) shareholders will vote on Palliser’s AGM resolution to conduct an independent review on whether the potential unification is in the best interests of shareholders. 
Palliser and the Board’s arguments for and against unification focus on five factors: tax costs, post-unification share price, lack of scrip M&amp;A, wastage of franking credits, and shareholder support.
A Grant Thornton report supports unification. The board's case is strong primarily on tax costs, while Palliser's case is strong on post-unification share price, M&amp;A, and franking credits.


Rio Tinto (RIO LN/RIO AU): Thinking About Unification

<ul>
<li>Iron ore majors guide flattish growth for 2025, while China continues to have strong iron ore imports (4.2% YoY for CY24), despite weak steel production (-1.1% YoY). </li>
<li>Significant capacity growth commences in CY26 with the ramp-up of <a target="_blank">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)'s </a>Simandou project, equivalent to 6% of global seaborne trade ~100 million tons.  </li>
<li>We believe the iron ore price will be rangebound until 2026 (between 100-120 USD/ton), after which it is highly probable that it will decline to 80-90 USD/ton.</li>
</ul>


Iron ore majors guide flattish growth for 2025, while China continues to have strong iron ore imports (4.2% YoY for CY24), despite weak steel production (-1.1% YoY). 
Significant capacity growth commences in CY26 with the ramp-up of Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)'s Simandou project, equivalent to 6% of global seaborne trade ~100 million tons.  
We believe the iron ore price will be rangebound until 2026 (between 100-120 USD/ton), after which it is highly probable that it will decline to 80-90 USD/ton.


Iron Ore Majors Guidance: Key To Understanding Supply Side in 2025

Brazil

Vale S.A. produces and sells iron ore, pellets, manganese, alloys, gold, nickel, copper, kaolin, bauxite, alumina, aluminum, and potash. The Company is based in Brazil, where it owns and operates railroads and maritime terminals.

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Vale (VALE3 BZ)

Global Metals & Mining Playbook – July 2025

Commodity trends show gold, copper, and uranium surging, while iron ore and coal struggle. Top picks include Zijin Mining Group, Shandong Gold...

Rahul Jain

Iron Ore: China Imports From Ukraine, Iran, And Peru Show An Increasing Trend

We assess the impact of rising exports from geographic destinations other than Australia and Brazil on iron ore, providing data on increases in...

Sameer Taneja

Champion Iron Presentation, Iron Ore Cost Curve, and The Case For Green Steel

We summarize the recent investor presentation made by Champion Iron (CIA AU). There is strong support at the higher end of the cost surve as shown...

Sameer Taneja

Rio Tinto (RIO LN/RIO AU): Thinking About Unification

A Grant Thornton report supports unification. The board's case is strong primarily on tax costs, while Palliser's case is strong on post...

Arun George

Iron Ore Majors Guidance: Key To Understanding Supply Side in 2025

Our insight summarizes the guidance from iron ore majors and the anticipated impact on prices starting in the calendar year 2026 when Rio Tinto's...

Sameer Taneja

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Global Metals & Mining Playbook – July 2025

​Commodity trends show gold, copper, and uranium surging, while iron ore and coal struggle. Top picks include Zijin Mining Group, Shandong Gold...

Rahul Jain

Iron Ore: China Imports From Ukraine, Iran, And Peru Show An Increasing Trend

We assess the impact of rising exports from geographic destinations other than Australia and Brazil on iron ore, providing data on increases in...

Sameer Taneja

Champion Iron Presentation, Iron Ore Cost Curve, and The Case For Green Steel

We summarize the recent investor presentation made by Champion Iron (CIA AU). There is strong support at the higher end of the cost surve as shown...

Sameer Taneja

Rio Tinto (RIO LN/RIO AU): Thinking About Unification

A Grant Thornton report supports unification. The board's case is strong primarily on tax costs, while Palliser's case is strong on post...

Arun George

Iron Ore Majors Guidance: Key To Understanding Supply Side in 2025

Our insight summarizes the guidance from iron ore majors and the anticipated impact on prices starting in the calendar year 2026 when Rio Tinto's...

Sameer Taneja

Commodity trends show gold, copper, and uranium surging, while iron ore and coal struggle. Top picks include Zijin Mining Group, Shandong Gold...