Fatter Profits In Store for Xstrata?

With prices at elevated levels, stronger sequential volumes should set the stage for fatter profits at Xstrata in the second half

Daniel Rohr, CFA 4 August, 2011 | 1:37PM
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As we saw in the financials recently released by peer Anglo American (AAL), bad weather in multiple geographies meant weaker first-half results for Xstrata (XTA) than the firm might have otherwise enjoyed. Sales came in slightly lower than what we saw in the second half of 2010 ($16.8 billion, down from $16.9 billion) despite higher prices for most of Xstrata's key commodities. EBITDA contracted to $5.9 billion (35% margin) from $6.6 billion (39% margin). Like Anglo, Xstrata reported a material improvement in volumes as the first half progressed (see our May 4 note for details concerning the weather effect on first-quarter volumes). With metals and coal prices still at elevated levels, stronger sequential volumes should set the stage for fatter profits in the second half of the year.

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Daniel Rohr, CFA  is a senior equity analyst at Morningstar.

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