More domestic financing for nickel smelters
Nickel ended slightly higher by 022% to US$20,135 on LME Wednesday (May 23). The commodity recovered well from trading below US$16,000 per ton in the first months of the year despite mid-long term concern on oversupply of the commodity from Indonesia’s aggressive expansion and lower-than-expected growth of electric vehicle (EV) sales in the first quarter.
Oil & Gas Journal
Tradingeconomics.com reported that oil prices dropped by more than 1% to settle at $78.26 per barrel on Friday last week (May 10), gaining over 1% on the week, following comments from US central bank officials suggesting that interest rates could remain higher for longer, potentially curbing demand from major crude consumers.
Squeezed margins of nickel producers
Shares of nickel producers listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) ended mostly higher grounds on Wednesday (May 10) as investors responded positively recovery of nickel prices in the past few weeks.
Squeezed margins of coal miners
Pretty much as predicted, coal miners reported lower sales revenues and net profit in the first quarter of 2024 due to correction in prices. While the commodity recovered significantly in the past few weeks, it is still traded way below the same period last year, which could lead to squeezed margins for the remainder of the year.
Lower Cost Helps Triputra Agro
Plantation firm Triputra Agro Persada (TAPG), controlled by the family of tycoon TP Rachmat (shareholder of Adaro Energy/ADRO), booked profit attributable to owners of Rp371 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, grew 25.7% year on year (y/y), helped by lower cost of sales and higher share in profit from joint ventures.
Coal Journal
Newcastle coal futures declined 1.46% to US$145.60 per ton on Monday (May 6) and it has corrected 18.29% so far this year, Tradingeconomics.com reported. The commodity, however, surged to the highest level since early December, amid increasingly strong demand for key consumers China and India.
Nickel hits Aneka Tambang
State miner Aneka Tambang (ANTM) reported net profit of Rp238 billion only in the first quarter of 2024, fell nearly 86% from the corresponding period last year due to pressures from its nickel business segment.
Coal Journal
Investors accumulated shares of giant coal Bumi Resources (BUMI) on Tuesday (April 23), lifting the stock price by 21.18% to Rp103, to make market capitalization of Rp38.25 trillion. This development followed report that BUMI intends to eliminating accumulated losses. BUMI will restructure its capital through a quasi reorganization plan.
Freeport Earnings
PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), the world’s largest copper and gold mine, managed to record a net profit of US$3.16 billion, equivalent to Rp48.79 trillion in 2023, slightly above Bank Central Asia/BBCA (Rp48.3 trillion). This should boost financials of MIND ID, the largest shareholder of PTFI, which is parent of state mining companies like Aneka Tambang (ANTM), Bukit Asam (PTBA), Timah (TINS), and soon PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO).
Nickel Journal
Banks continue to lend support to nickel industry despite recent correction of prices. PT ESG New Energy Material, a joint venture between IDX-listed Merdeka Battery Materials (MBMA) and GEM (China), has just secured US$490 million loan facility from a syndication of state banks Mandiri (BMRI) and BNI (BBNI) with the Bangkok Bank PCL.