Glencore Plc (LON: GLEN) said trading profit will be at the top end of its target this year but posted lower production figures for its first half.
The company made nearly $1 billion in earnings before interest and taxes in oil trading in the first six months of 2020, similar to what it made in the whole of 2019, Bloomberg reported last week.
In March and April, as oil prices plunged, traders were able to buy and store huge amounts of cheap crude before selling it on later for higher prices.
“Our marketing business has risen to the challenge, delivering robust counter-cyclical earnings,” Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg said in a statement Friday.
“A very strong first-half performance allows us to now raise our full year 2020 EBIT expectations to the top end of our $2.2-$3.2 billion guidance range.”
The company reported copper production of 588,100 tonnes in H1, 74,900 tonnes (11%) lower than H1 2019, mainly reflecting Mutanda mine in DRC being on care and maintenance, expected lower grades at Antapaccay in Peru and the short-term impact of Antamina’s covid-19 related demobilisation in Peru. The impact was partly offset by stronger milling throughput at Collahuasi mine in Chile.
Company plans to cut coal production after prices tumble
“Iam particularly pleased to report a strong operational performance at Katanga, with its ramp-up on track to achieve design capacity by the end of the year.” said Glasenberg.
Glencore’s zinc production was 550,100 tonnes, in line with H1 2019, reflecting stronger grades at the Canadian mines and the various temporary covid-19 related suspensions at Antamina and other South American operations.
Nickel production of 55,200 tonnes was in line with H1 2019, reflecting a strong period of operations at Murrin mine in Western Australia.
Coal production of 58.1 million tonnes was 10.1 million tonnes (15%) lower than H1 2019, mainly reflecting the covid-19 related asset suspensions in Colombia.
Dividend
Glencore warned its net debt, which is already the highest among mining companies, would be higher in the first half of the year.
In March, it deferred a decision to pay a $2.6 billion dividend until interim results next week.
“While we expect our operating cash flow to remain solid, we are ready to adapt to changing market conditions.” said Glasenberg.
“I suspect the company will be under a degree of pressure to pay dividend given the payouts from Rio Tinto and Anglo American,” said BMO Capital Markets analyst Edward Sterck.
Glencore’s stock was down 1.1% on the LSE on Friday (3:13PM BST). The company has a $30.6 billion market capitalization.