HSBC Global Research lowered its target price for Maanshan Iron & Steel (00323) to HK$3.26 from HK$4.5 to reflect its lower ROE (return on equity) estimates.
The research house also downgraded its rating to "hold from "buy", given an unexciting steel price outlook, and Maanshan's product exposure to the property sector, which is showing signs of slowing.
HSBC said raw material price strength, especially for iron ore, has been the main reason for margin declines for steelmakers so far in 2019. Iron ore peaked at US$125/t in June and has averaged US$95.3/t for 2019, up 37%. While the price has eased from this peak, it is still hovering around US$90/t, considerably higher on a year-on-year (YoY) basis.
The steel price has held up well in 2019 so far although it has been much weaker than prices of raw materials. Rebar and HRC prices are flat year-to-date but down 16% YoY and 14% YoY, respectively. This has resulted in significant margin squeezes for steel companies.
HSBC cut its 2019-20 net profit estimates for Maanshan by 26.3% and 1.7% and to RMB3,211mn and RMB4,407mn.
18/09/2019 17:27
{I-bank focus}HSBC lowers Maanshan Iron (00323) to HK$3.26
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