Winter exploration at a Lundin Mining operation in Sweden.
Investors are making money in base-metal mining stocks again. The S&P/TSX global base-metals index is up 66 per cent year to date and at its highest level since mid-2014. The price of copper has moved up sharply in recent weeks and was at $2.60 (U.S.) a pound on Wednesday. Zinc prices have also moved up over the past year.
One of the companies that has benefited from this turnaround is Lundin Mining Corp. The share price has more than doubled this year and the stock appears to have more upside potential. Here are the details:
Background
Lundin Mining is a diversified Canadian base-metals mining company with operations in Chile, the United States, Portugal and Sweden. It produces mainly copper, nickel and zinc but also has gold and silver output from its Candelaria complex in Chile.
In addition, the firm holds a 24-per-cent equity stake in the world-class Tenke Fungurume copper/cobalt mine (about to be sold) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in the Freeport Cobalt Oy business, which includes a cobalt refinery located in Kokkola, Finland. The company's head office is in Toronto.
Stock performance
It's been hard for investors to keep the faith in this company but they are finally being rewarded. The stock fell to $2.98 (Canadian) in February of this year, its lowest point in five years. At that time only people with a long time horizon and a lot of faith were hanging in, hoping for a turnaround in base-metals prices. That happened sooner than expected and the shares are now close to their highest level since 2011.
Recent developments
The company announced last month that it plans to sell its 24-per-cent position in the Tenke Fungurume copper/cobalt mine in the Congo to a Chinese group for $1.14-billion. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2017. Chief executive officer Paul Conibear said it was a difficult decision but the deal "will enable Lundin Mining to advance its strategy to incrementally grow the company with projects and operations we control, while maintaining a strong balance sheet."
Third-quarter results showed a 6-per-cent increase in revenue over the year before, to $374.5-million. This was due primarily to higher metals prices, which were partially offset by lower sales volumes. Management said production was down from the same period in 2015, however the company is on track to meet or exceed its full-year guidance across all operations.
Lundin reported a loss for the quarter of $11.4-million (2 cents a share), which was an improvement over a loss of $34.6-million (5 cents) in the same period last year.
Subsequently, the company issued guidance calling for increased copper and zinc production over the next three years and lower costs in 2017 at its Candelaria mine and Neves-Corvo operation in Portugal.
The balance sheet is showing steady improvement. The company's net-debt position as of Sept. 30 was $308.8-million compared to $441.3-million at the end of 2015. This was due primarily to operating cash flows of $255.3-million during the first nine months of the fiscal year and receipt of distributions from Tenke and Freeport Cobalt of totalling $38.5-million.
Dividend
In a significant move for the company, the board of directors recently approved Lundin's first-ever dividend. The quarterly payment of 3 cents a share (12 cents a year) will start in January. The shares yield 1.7 per cent at the current price.
"With a significant cash balance, strong balance sheet, and ongoing cash flow from our operations, Lundin Mining is well positioned to fund future growth opportunities while providing a dividend return," said Mr. Conibear.
Conclusion
Lundin is suitable for aggressive investors looking for capital gains and a modest dividend. Higher base-metal prices should push up the share price further next year.
Ask your financial adviser if the shares are suitable for your portfolio.
Gordon Pape is editor and publisher of the Internet Wealth Builder and Income Investor newsletters. For more information and details on how to subscribe, go to buildingwealth.ca.
Gordon Pape