Close

Citigroup Downgrades Miners as Commodity Prices Slump (XME) (GOLD) (BHP) (RIO)

July 16, 2012 12:22 PM EDT
Get Alerts GOLD Hot Sheet
Price: $16.70 --0%

Rating Summary:
    13 Buy, 13 Hold, 1 Sell

Rating Trend: Up Up

Today's Overall Ratings:
    Up: 8 | Down: 8 | New: 12
Join SI Premium – FREE
As a result of the reduction in commodity price forecasts, Citigroup lowered earnings estimates for global mining companies. 2013 and 2014 commodity price forecasts are lower by 5-10 percent on average for base metals, say analysts at Citigroup. Among base metals, aluminum forecasts are in the worst shape, with nickel, and copper also seen lower.

The forecast for most precious metals prices aren't much better, with rhodium seen lower by 25.8 percent and palladium lower by 13 percent. Silver is the only standout in precious metals, and is expected to rise by 7 percent.

In response to expected lower commodity prices, 2012-2014 earnings estimates were reduced by 6-23 percent for the bigger diversified miners, and earnings for base metal producers are being cut 6-20 percent.

Citi downgraded Centamin and Petropavlovsk to Neutral from Buy. Polymetal and Randgold (Nasdaq: GOLD) were downgraded to sell from neutral.

BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP), Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO), and African minerals are the preferred companies in the space, say analyst at Citigroup.

SPDR S&P Metals & Mining (NYSE: XME) is trading lower by 1.85 percent intraday on Monday.


Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

Analyst Comments, Commodities, ETFs

Related Entities

Citi, Standard & Poor's, Earnings