Thursday, 23 April 2015

Morning Mumble: Victoria Oil & Gas (another EMC Amendment to their RNS) & Iron Ore (on my Christmas list), any old iron (Fortescue Metals Group)

Good Morning,

Continuing on from my theme in March, EMC: VOG March 2015, today Victoria Oil & Gas update the market on Logbaba Power Station Online. Excuse the sarcasm, but if the power output has increased then surely ones production has also. VOG are in danger of achieving what they say, this is a rare event, as long-term followers should know well.

The EMC does not change the view that the management are the risk to any VOG holding, the asset and developments are good, the power generation means VOG should have a utility premium applied, subject of course to geo-political and management discounts. Today confirms, average gas production since the 50MW has been online is 14.5mmscf/d with a daily peak of 15.3mmscf/d, all good for the bottom line. With that in mind, a review is required, expect a re-rating. 

The market belated realised that BLT (EMC yesterday) were slowing production growth, so with the closure of shorts globally, the prices motored near 5-6%. However, overnight we've had Vale, doing the exact opposite, with a record quarter! Vale's Q1 figures, N4WS expansion plans are likely to have an impact and make up the shortfall that BLT had aided the market with. 

With limited time, analysts may be wise to consider issue that producers even in China are assessing the viability of expanding production/operations to compete at these prices. Certainly, Rio, BLT and Vale's positions are not assured, viable yes. The issue the market has, or should have, is the closures of mines are not happening quick enough to reduce supply. Perhaps the forecasts will need revisiting on price. 

Staying in sector, Fortescue Metals Group (ASX: FMG) have finalised the 'refinancing', where every man, woman and Wonga loan specialist jumped on the bandwagon. Quite clearly showing FMG's management have panicked, with an interest offering of 9.75% per annum, uplifted from the original (USD) $1.5B offering to $2.3B. When there is such an increase, save for income hunters realising the benefits, questions should be raised about the pricing. 

Over to FMG, “We’ve seen strong demand from the market which will result in repayment of our 2017 and 2018 debt in full, refinancing of US$450m of our 2019 debt and an additional US$350m to further strengthen our balance sheet.” They only achieved such an uplift because of a mispricing on the interest rate, admittedly it removes a few obstacles, but all the same, the % is laughable, admittedly it gives FMG fresh 'hope,' One suspects they board would be wise not to beg for production cuts from the majors again...any time soon.

Sirius Minerals (SXX) should be congratulated for requesting the suspension of their stock. Those naughty traders whom planned to travel up had all their plans thwarted at the last minute. One hopes they obtain refunds on their accommodation!

On the Anglo Pacific (APF) news front, APF have only gone and given some guidance on Kestrel. EMC's view this should be shortly after Rio's rather than two days later. Its positive, APF estimate that Rio Tinto will mine between 60% and 65% of total production within Anglo Pacific's royalty lands during 2016. Being a buyer of APF (not without risks), the amount of investments and financing sunk into royalties, one would have liked to see APF be more proactive about their investments. This is the third time now!

Little time to summarise the Gemfields (GEM), (not Gem Diamonds as one confused analyst got today), the auction results were crap, albeit allegedly at a profit even at $4 a carat. We'll avoid sugar-coating, so it’s wise to read the auction results. One has a suspicion there's plenty of 'lower' quality stones heading to eBay at a large premium. Those cheapskates should set up alerts now! 

What GEM are doing utilising a decent grading system to enable bidders to have confidence (or not) as has been evidenced from the previous auctions. Expect some positives in the short-term, especially after a few analysts were on a jolly to visit operations. 

With a positive Montepuez maiden resource due in H2 (need to check), it’s likely to enable a clarity on the valuation of the company. With limited debt ($20M last time it was checked for Kagem), cash at the bank, there's a lot worse out there. With an improvement in sector financing and a sensible approach to improving production, GEM are benefiting, out-performing the sector near 40%, contrary to the view of EMC. One has to wonder whether the 'share options" granted 7 days ago is taking the proverbial somewhat. 

Atb Fraser

1 comment:

  1. Hi Fraser- a 2am start- I was just getting back from London then.... I hope it was worth it and someone got a good kicking.

    Re SXX- I suspect Macquarie are the key to the suspension here. One of the only NOMAD lead moves Ive seen recently, with NOMADs generally preferring to snort white powder etc etc than advise and suggest moves. The Redcar meeting should really be a rubber stamp, so there will be some movement if they don't follow the planning officers recs and say Yes today.

    Re GEM- no real precedent for this sale but $4/carat did look a tad low for me too. No guidance either re what % were heat treated which makes it difficult to compare going forwards too. So GEM had been on a v strong run and a bit of selling today was to be expected. My long is from 25p from 2011 so its a v recent buy for me and I will hold on this news, as the next auction in 6/15 should be a better indication re weakness/strength re prices. A nice company that created a unique market for its product. Not quite in the same way as SXX, who had to educate re a completely unknown product (polyhalite) but they have moved coloured gemstones into the 21st century.

    Re VOG- nice to see they have hooked up both power stations to their gas without incident. They did employ Bodgett and Scarper re their hysterical river crossing, which would have done quicker with a good man, a spade and a bucket no doubt, but since then the mgmt. have been on probation for me too, the dunce caps are off (for now) and they have the jury out for now, watching their next move. There is another power station, they could go down the cng gas route to reach other towns in the area, but maybe the next news will be from Bowleven ironically, who have their drill at Bomono just up the road and if it hits what it may well hit, some sort of deal could ensue between VOG and BLVN. Im long both so interested in the next few months here.

    Cheers. The Leggie

    Cheers. The Leggie

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