Daily analyst comments
MMK reports 2Q2010 operating results
20.07.10 10:34
We are upbeat on the company’s continuing attempts to shift the manufacturing balance towards high-value-added goods, whose share in MMK’s total produce rose to 35% in 2Q2010. A relatively moderate upturn in sales prices looks a bit discouraging; however, it was mainly due to the company’s focus on the less volatile domestic market. In our opinion, the published data should bolster support to MMK equity prices.
On July 19, Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (Russian acronym MMK) released operating data for 2Q2010. The company’s total steel output advanced by 7% q-o-q in the reporting period, up to 2.6 mn tons, which was mainly due to a 24% q-o-q upturn in high-margin product output. In the meantime, HRC and structural steel production declined, while sales prices rose by just 17% q-o-q.
We are upbeat on the company’s continuous attempts to shift the manufacturing balance more towards high-value-added goods, whose share in MMK’s total produce rose to 35% in 2Q2010 from 30% q-o-q. A relatively moderate upturn in sales prices looks a bit discouraging; however, this was mainly due to the company’s focus on the less volatile domestic market. We reiterate a BUY rating for Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (RTS: MAGN) with a 12-month target of USD 1.34 per share.