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Demand for steel, iron ore and copper will rise, while aluminum, nickel and zinc will remain in surplus
EBITDA is expected to grow by about 30% over the next 12 to 18 months as the economy recovers from the pandemic-induced slowdown
The outlook for the global metals and mining industry has been changed to positive from stable, Moody’s Investors Service says in a report published today. The industry´s EBITDA is expected to grow by about 30% over the next 12 to 18 months as the world economy recovers from the pandemic-induced slowdown and demand for steel, iron ore and copper increases while supplies remain tight.
“The positive outlook for the global metals and mining industry stems mainly from rising demand and tight supplies for steel, iron ore and copper as economic activity picks up in the wake of the pandemic,” said Barbara Mattos, a Moody’s Senior Vice President. “Aluminum, nickel and zinc will remain in surplus in 2021, with aluminum seeing a slow recovery, while nickel and zinc supplies will grow as production levels normalize.”
Aluminum, a key metal for the aerospace and automotive industries, will remain in surplus as the aerospace sector slowly recovers from the downturn and semiconductor shortages stymie auto production, Mattos says.
Copper prices will benefit from low inventories and vulnerability to supply disruptions, while demand for stainless steel and batteries will buttress nickel prices. For the medium term, the transition into greener economies, electric vehicles and renewable energy all point to positive market fundamentals for copper.
Meanwhile, steelmakers’ operating results and cash flow will improve significantly in the year ahead on the back of historically high prices. Producers in Europe, China and elsewhere are facing rising production costs as they invest in cleaner technologies, while steel prices will gradually soften as supply and demand rebalance. Similarly, in the US and other countries that depend on electric arc furnaces, costs for scrap and other metallics are rising.
Although currently high prices for iron ore aren’t sustainable, market fundamentals remain strong for 2021 due to supply constraints and a lack of major expansion projects in the coming years, Moody’s says. High prices will support strong cash flow for the major producers, some of which will post all- time high cash flow and EBITDA.
Coal producers’ cash flow and earnings likewise will improve significantly this year, though prices will ease off and the post-COVID bump in demand will subside later in 2021. Demand for thermal coal and met coal, which are used in steel production, will pick up. Low near-term interest rates and the uncertain pace of economic recovery will bolster demand for gold and silver, while prices for rough diamonds will rise amid restocking by cutters and polishers and robust demand from retailers.
Source: Moody’s