Q1 2014 Earnings on Tap: Potash, Miners, and Agribusinesses Report
The first quarter earnings season of 2014 is well on its way, with several bellwethers reporting both hits and misses. On the commodity producer front, Alcoa (AA) kicked off the season. AA reported revenues of $5.45 billion, below the expected $5.56 billion, and earnings of $0.09 per share, which managed to beat analyst estimates of $0.05. Agribusiness giant Monsanto (MON) managed to beat both EPS and revenue estimates, posting quarterly revenues of $5.83 billion and earnings of $3.15 per share [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Q3 Earnings Scorecard: Commodity Stock Hits And Misses
2013′s third quarter earnings season was perhaps not what many analysts had expected, as companies across all sectors reported both hits and misses. In the commodity space, Alcoa had set the tone for the start of the season, beating earnings and revenue estimates and posting a profit of $24 million. And while other commodity stocks also managed to post better-than-expected results, some showed signs of weakness from this year’s commodity slump [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
U.S. Housing Market Faces Potential Headwinds
Since the unprecedented crash of 2008, U.S. markets have struggled to make up lost ground. After five years, the economy has finally started to pick up steam – slowly, but surely. And as the economy continues to pick up its pace, many investors are returning to the corner of the market that was one of the primary sources of the 2008 financial crisis: housing. Across the board, housing stats have been on the rise in recent years, including home prices, housing starts, building permits, and construction. A closer look at the industry in recent months, however, reveals several red flags [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Major Commodity Earnings This Week: A Bit of Everything
As we make our way into the last quarter of the year, the eyes of investors and analysts turn to the performance of the most recent quarter. Q3 earnings season is upon us and has opened up with gloomy expectations, as many companies have already lowered guidance ahead of their reports. Below, we detail the most significant commodity firms that will release earnings this week [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter]:
Q2 Earnings Scorecard: Commodity Stock Hits And Misses
2013′s second quarter earnings season was perhaps not what many analysts had expected, as companies across all sectors reported both hits and misses. In the commodity space, Alcoa had set the tone for the start of the season, beating estimates despite falling aluminum prices. And while other commodity stocks also managed to post better-than-expected results, some showed signs of weakness from this year’s commodity slump [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Major Commodity Earnings This Week: FCX, HAL, VLO
As we enter the trenches of earnings season, investors and analysts alike are taking cues from today’s leading companies on where the economy is headed. Thus far, it seems that the results have been a mixed bag, with a number of firms smashing their marks while others fell short. The attention for this week will remain fixated on individual reports to help give a deeper insight into how sustainable to current bull run truly is. Below, we outline some of the most prominent commodity firms slated to report earnings this week [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
The World’s Biggest Copper Producers
Copper has long been one of the most important and popular industrial metals in the world. With 3% per year production growth since 1900, approximately 16 million tons of the metal was produced in 2011, according to the International Copper Study Group. The metal’s wide use is attributable to its availability and recyclability, as well is its metallic properties that make copper an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, and antimicrobial and corrosion resistant [for more copper news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Earnings Preview: Good News For Oil, Bad News For Gold And Copper (SCCO, TRP, NEM, SU)
Earnings season for Q1 2013 is well on its way, with several bellwether commodity stocks already reporting better-than-expected results. Agribusiness giant Monsanto Company (MON) posted earnings that significantly beat out estimates: earnings rose 22%, while profits came in at $1.48 billion. Meanwhile, Halliburton (HAL) reported an unprofitable quarter, though the company added $1 billion to reserves tied to litigation involving the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion. Barrick Gold (ABX) also beat analyst expectations, clocking in an EPS of $0.86 [for more oil news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Copper Drops Into Danger Zone
Metals across the board have suffered steep losses in recent days, with gold’s alarming 9% one-day drop rattling the markets and investor confidence. And while gold remains as one of traders’ top concerns, another metal’s volatile movements has been raising some red flags. Yesterday, copper futures for April delivery tumbled 3.6% to $3.1880 a pound, marking the lowest level since October 2011. The metal has almost dropped 20% from its most recent high, so the probability of copper entering bear territory is quite likely [for more copper news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Copper Stocks To Play The Housing Recovery
As the main culprit responsible for the credit crisis and resulting Great Recession, the U.S. housing market has spent much of the last few years in the doldrums. The combination of shaky mortgage loans, falling home values, and rising foreclosure rates really took a toll on the overall sector. Over the last few years, housing-related stocks have seen their share prices dwindle as a lack of available credit, and general deleveraging has prevented many from home ownership. However, recent data may support a turnaround is in the works for the all-important sector.
