The US September consumer confidence index plunged 6.7 points to 81.9, the lowest since 2014 and deteriorating across the board. The University of Michigan survey showed consumers' assessments of their current financial situation and that one year ahead both fell about 10 per cent, with high-price concerns continuing to brew. Inflation pressure showed no signs of easing. US Fed Governor Cook said AI demand growth, rising oil prices, and supply chain disruptions from Middle East conflicts would keep inflation under pressure, but gave no clear guidance on rate hikes. CME data showed the market-implied probability of a 25 bp rate hike in October had risen to 70.9 per cent, and the probability of a cumulative 50 bp hike by December reached 58.7 per cent. Tightening expectations strengthened...
The proposed Srikakulam aluminium smelter project in Andhra Pradesh is gaining momentum, with around 6,800 acres of saline land earmarked at Mulapeta and Pundi for the large-scale industrial development. The proposal could also bridge Odisha’s alumina industry with Andhra Pradesh’s coastal port infrastructure, forming a potential industrial link between the two states. Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu discussed the proposed smelter with Union Minister for Mines G Kishan Reddy in Delhi, highlighting the availability of around 6,800 acres of saline land in Srikakulam district. Out of this, 5,000 acres are located in Mulapeta and 1,800 acres in Pundi. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: “ Global Bauxite &...
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In a research note released Monday, Goldman Sachs analyst Sal Tharani upgraded Century Aluminum from Sell to Neutral. The analyst stated, “We were wrong on CENX as its cost cutting initiatives,” adding that the price of aluminum was better than they had expected and contributed to the jump in the company's stock price. In addition, the analyst is raising 2014, 2015 and normalized earnings per share estimates to $0.32, $1.00 and $1.50, from ($0.02), $0.45 and $0.75, respectively. This is primarily due to better aluminum all-in pricing, cost cutting measures and Century Aluminum's new power purchase strategy. Shares of the company are fairly neutral on Monday.
Much to the relief of aluminium producers, the white metal has outperformed other non-ferrous metals in price gains, except nickel, which managed to advance 40 per cent after Indonesia put a ban on minerals exports in January. The three-month aluminium price, which in some intraday trades at London Metal Exchange (LME) breached the psychologically important $1,900 a tonne, has risen to its highest since August 2013. The undoing of aluminium for a long time has been excess capacity outside China and its use leading to the build up of stocks of over 5 million tonnes (mt) at LME warehouses. Equally big, if not larger, inventories are held at non-LME storehouses. Such large stocks coincided with major demand slump for all metals in the world's leading economies struggling to come out of...
A bearish target at $1,898 per tonne remains unchanged for LME aluminium as the correction from the July 3 high of $1,938.50 has not completed. The correction was triggered by resistance at $1,931, the 76.4 percent Fibonacci projection level of an upward wave C that developed from the May 21 low of $1,754.75. It has been strengthened by a similar resistance that was established by a trendline ascending from the April 11 high of $1,902.50. For three days, aluminium has closed below $1,931. This might not be an accumulation of the bullish momentum, instead, it looks more like a reversal of the uptrend. A break above $1,931 will confirm the extension of the wave C towards $1,986, the 100 percent projection level. The views expressed are his own. No information in this analysis should be...
A Cyprus court has granted an injunction on transactions involving the assets of a Montenegrin aluminum smelter, KAP, including a recent deal to sell it to a local company, Uniprom, for EUR 28 million ($38 million), En+ Group’s Pavel Priymakov told RIA Novosti on Monday. Oleg Deripaska’s En+ Group was the largest private shareholder and investor (via CEAC Holdings Limited) in Aluminum Plant Podgorica (KAP). En+ bought controlling stakes in the smelter and a bauxite mine that supplied raw materials to it at privatization auctions in 2005. CEAC, which was established in 2005 to manage En+ Group’s aluminum interests in Central and Eastern Europe, and the Montenegrin government each owned 29.3% of KAP prior to the company’s sale. When the smelter filed for bankruptcy in 2013, the Russian...
An economics researcher says a groundbreaking for an aluminum plant in western Kentucky sends a bigger message about economic recovery. Governor Steve Beshear, who was joined by other public and private sector officials, broke ground last week on a $150 million dollar aluminum production plant in Bowling Green. Center for Business and Economic Research Director Chris Bolinger says this project comes with a well-thought-out investment plan. "And so, they're not gonna locate a plant here, and invest, it's a lot of money, in a plant that then isn't gonna have a good outlet for its product," said Bolinger. Bolinger hopes the large investment in aluminum production inspires other industries to move forward with projects in Kentucky. Bolinger believes the event reaffirms optimism in the...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba) continues to build momentum with its production figures up by 2.5% YoY to reach 464,012 metric tonnes in the first half of 2014 (versus 452,727 mt in H1 2013), while its sales figures topped 456,282 mt for the same period in 2014, an increase of 1,852 mt versus 454,430 mt in H1 2013. In addition, Alba was able to sustain its Value-Added (VA) sales for this period with an average of 65% versus 66% in H1 2013. Commenting on Alba’s sales and production figures for H1 2014, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray said: “Alba is continually focusing to deliver reliable performance despite low LME prices. By leveraging the company’s operational performance along with our integrated marketing approach, we were able to stretch our targets.” Aluminium Bahrain...
2Q 2014 Highlights • Net income of $138 million, or $0.12 per share; excluding special items, net income of $216 million, or $0.18 per share, up sequentially and year-over-year • Revenue of $5.8 billion, up 7 percent sequentially, steady from the prior year period • Engineered Products and Solutions delivers highest after-tax-operating income in history of $204 million; record adjusted EBITDA margin of 23.1 percent • Global Rolled Products after-tax-operating income up 34 percent sequentially • Upstream business improves performance for 11th consecutive quarter • $302 million in productivity gains across all segments year-over-year • Lowest net debt since third quarter 2007; cash on hand of $1.2 billion • $518 million cash from operations; $260 million positive free cash flow • Global...
Global aluminium producers have done well to curtail output and also successfully ward off the challenge posed by the proposed rule change for London Metal Exchange (LME)-linked warehouses. In the June quarter, aluminium prices on an average have risen 5.3% over the preceding quarter. And a Reuters report says the regional premium payable for metal deliveries to Japan for the July-September quarter has risen by 8-12% over the preceding quarter. All this should mean extra dollars for every tonne of metal produced by aluminium firms. Regional premiums are payable by buyers for getting quicker deliveries of the metal. Earlier this year, there were fears metal supplies would increase after LME’s proposed rule change that would have forced warehouses to cut down on queues for metal supplies....
Rising demand and the closure of some 2 million tonnes of aluminium capacity are likely to shrink an expected surplus of the metal in China this year. That would help reinvigorate aluminium prices in the world's top consumer and producer of the commodity, underpinning a global benchmark that has already risen around 15 percent since touching its lowest in over four years in February. "The surplus looks better than what we expected at the beginning of the year," said Shanghai-based analyst Wang Chunhui at information provider SMM. He now forecasts a surplus of less than 500,000 tonnes - half the 1 million tonnes touted by analysts and smelters earlier in 2014. Smelters closed about 2 million tonnes of high-cost capacity between late 2013 and May 2014 as prices tanked on worries over the...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), a leading aluminium producer in the world, today (July 07, 2014) announced the launch of the Arabal 2014 website - www.arabal.com. The 18th International Arab Aluminium (Arabal) Conference will be held under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minster of the Kingdom of Bahrain from November 25 to 27, 2014 at the Gulf Hotel, Bahrain under the theme - “GCC: An aluminium power house”. Speaking on this occasion, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Murray said: “It is matter of great pride for Alba to host Arabal, one of the most significant events in the aluminium industry. We are excited to announce the launch of the new website, which will keep you up-to-date on all matters related to Arabal 2014.” The website, which currently...
Vimetco N.V., the global producer of primary and processed aluminium products, held its Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) at the World Trade Center, Strawinskylaan 1643, Tower C, Level 16, 1077 XX Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on 20 June 2014, where all proposed resolutions were duly passed. The Agenda of the AGM along with the Convening Notice was sent to the shareholders of the Company on 8 May 2014 and are available on the Vimetco N.V. website. The AGM adopted the 2013 Annual Accounts of Vimetco NV. With respect to the dividend policy, no changes to the current dividend policy were made. Although the general intention of the Board is to distribute approximately 20% of the consolidated income of the Group on average over the aluminium price cycle to its shareholders, due to absence of...
Doha Primary aluminium smelters in GCC are competitive on global cost curve and companies such as Qatar Alumunium (Qatalum), have an excellent competitive position enabling it to remain profitable even in the current challenging market conditions, a report by London-based CRU has said. CRU is in experts in Mining, Metals and Fertilizers. The group delivers the highest quality business intelligence and advice to its clients in the worldwide metals, mining and fertilizer industries. According to the CRU report, the aluminium industry is set for a robust recovery in 2014 as demand for primary aluminium will pick up in OECD countries. The report noted that the primary demand growth for aluminium in the next 5 years will touch 64.5 million tonnes from the current demand of 49.9 million tonnes,...
Aluminium futures prices fell 0.26 per cent to INR 115.35 per kg today as speculators reduced positions amid a weak trend in base metals at the London Metal Exchange. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in August lost 30 paise, or 0.26 per cent, to INR 115.35 per kg, with a business turnover of 250 lots. The metal for delivery in July also shed 25 paise, or 0.22 per cent, to trade at INR 114.15 per kg in a turnover of 250 lots. Marketmen said a weak trend in copper and other base metals at the London Metal Exchange and subdued demand from consuming industries at domestic spot markets, mainly put pressure on aluminium prices at futures trade here.
LME aluminium is expected to retrace to $1,898, as it has failed to break a resistance at $1,931 per tonne. The resistance is provided by the 76.4 percent Fibonacci projection level of an upward wave C that developed from the May 21 low of $1,754.75. It has joined hands with another similar trendline resistance to cause a correction towards the 61.8 percent retracement at $1,898. A break above $1,931 will confirm the extension of the wave C towards $1,986, the 100 percent projection level. The views expressed are his own. No information in this analysis should be considered as being business, financial or legal advice. Each reader should consult his or her own professional or other advisers for business, financial or legal advice regarding the products mentioned in the analyses.
The Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has tasked the board of directors of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Volta Aluminum Company (VALCO), to work hard to address the challenges confronting their respective organisations and the sector as a whole. He said although the government was putting in place measures to enhance the operations of the two institutions, there was the need for the organisations to also work out modalities to boost their operations. Mr Buah was addressing the members of the two boards after he had sworn them into office in Accra, yesterday. TOR board The nine-member TOR board is chaired by a former Minister of Energy, Dr John Frank Abu. Members include Mr Bona Siriboe, Mr Arnold Seshie and Mr Joseph Anyimah. Others are Ms Jessie...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba)’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa emphasised that the patronage of the Prime Minster of the Kingdom of Bahrain HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa for the 18th International Arab Aluminium Conference (Arabal) 2014 underlines the support of HRH the Prime Minister and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to this key industry and its significance to related downstream industries. Shaikh Daij also expressed his thanks and appreciation to HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, on HRH’s approval for granting patronage to this prestigious conference, which will be hosted by Alba between November 25-27, 2014 at Gulf Hotel, Kingdom of Bahrain under the theme “GCC: An aluminium power...
Alcoa may no longer be a “blue chip” stock since its ouster from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, but it is still viewed as the company that will ceremoniously kick-off earnings season when it reports second-quarter results after Tuesday’s close. The stock has been on a roll in 2014, and investors will have a good idea if that can continue after seeing how the company performed in the last three months. Earnings : Analysts are expecting Alcoa AA +0.20% to report earnings of 12 cents a share for the quarter ending June 30, up from earnings of 7 cents a share, excluding one-time items, reported in the same period a year ago., according to FactSet. That forecast has climbed steadily since the end of 2013, when analysts were projecting earnings of 8 cents a share. The company has beat...
Having met the requirements of the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ – Québec standards bureau), Aluminerie Alouette, a forerunner in its field, becomes the first aluminum industry business to obtain the BNQ's Entreprise en santé – Élite ("Healthy Enterprise – Elite") certification. The only organization in the North Shore region to hold this certification, Alouette is one of just 25 Elite enterprises across Quebec. The BNQ 9700-800 standard recognizes enterprises that focus on prevention, promotion and organizational practices with a positive impact on health and wellbeing in the workplace. Obtained following an extensive audit, Alouette's certification confirms the company's commitment to a healthy work environment, a management approach that promotes health and work/life balance,...
