[ET Net News Agency, 10 December 2018] Citi Research lowered its target price for
Chalco (02600) to HK$4.3 from HK$6.4 and maintained its "buy" rating.
The research house expects the long-run story for aluminium to remain intact but
investor sentiment will likely be driven by the macro in 2019. Citi said 2018 saw weaker
than expected demand growth, mainly due to weaker construction, power, and transportation
demand. It forecast 2019E demand will grow 4.6%.
The research house said 2018 also saw slower capacity ramp-up due to capacity license
constraints, funding pressures and low margins that dis-incentivized ramp-ups. Citi
expects 2019 aluminium capacity additions to deliver about 2.3mt. (KL)