VALE

Developments in the Iron Ore Market

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BHP Billiton (BHP) shares have reached their lowest levels since 2008 after reports surfaced November 5 of a mining dam the company owns via a joint venture with Vale (VALE) broke. The dam failure has decimated a rural community, killed at least 8 people, left at least 20 people missing, and potentially contaminated the water source of hundreds of thousands of Brazilians.  Samarco, the limited liability company set up to operate the joint venture between BHP and Vale, has been said to be fully responsible for the failure, but the two-year old company may do little to protect its parent companies from hefty fines and cleanup and legal costs. According to an environmental lawyer, if Samarco cannot cover the cleanup … Read more

La Decada Perdida Revisitado? Brazil’s Economy Is Teetering on Disaster

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The silhouette of Christ Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. The 2014 World Cup and preparations for the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games should have given a boost to Brazil’s (EWZ) economic health, but the country is facing its toughest times in decades. Once lauded for its tremendous economic growth prospects thanks to a rising middle class and a commodity boom, Brazil is now reeling from public discontent related to inflation, corruption, complicated regulations, and a burdensome debt load. The corruption scandal at state-run Petrobras (PBR) may only be the tip of the iceberg, and it has sent shockwaves within political circles going all the way to the top. Protests in the country have been recurring. Brazil, the world’s seventh-largest economy … Read more

Rio Tinto Focused on Cutting Costs

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Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio holding Rio Tinto (RIO) has been under significant pressure as global macroeconomic weakness and challenges facing the mining industry have not been kind to the company. The iron ore giant is focused on cutting costs as never before amid the turmoil in the global commodities markets, where some commodity prices have fallen to levels not witnessed since the Global Financial Crisis. China’s equity market collapse and the uncertainty in the Eurozone as it relates to the Greece debt negotiations haven’t helped. Ongoing flawless cost control will remain vital for Rio, as we expect the global surplus of iron ore to continue to prevent a strong recovery in iron ore prices, at least in the near term. … Read more

Iron Prices to Move Higher, Ore Is It Wishful Thinking?

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A number iron ore producers–including Vale (VALE), BHP Billiton (BHP), Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF), and Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio holding Rio Tinto (RIO)–have seen share prices jump after reports that Chinese demand for the key ingredient in steel production will increase in the second half of 2015. This is good news for iron ore producers, as approximately half of the world’s steel is produced in China. According to Vale CEO Murilo Ferreira, Chinese imports of iron ore will increase significantly in the back half of this year as domestic production is expected to be down ~200 million metric tons. According to Ferreira, a significant amount–more than most realize–of Chinese iron ore producers have ceased operations, boosting the country’s import demand. … Read more

When “Bad” News Is “Good” News…Take A Euro Trip?

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Pack the bags, kiss the grandkids, it’s time to do some traveling!!! Maybe to Europe? From a global perspective, for those whose wealth and income is generated in US dollars, you can arguably buy more with one US dollar today than at any other time in the past 12 years, according to a popular index that measures the value of the dollar versus a basket of other currencies. Expectations are being ratcheted up for impending interest rate hikes by the Fed, and this means that assets are flying into US greenbacks from all over the world. The dollar is strengthening against the euro, the pound, the loonie, the aussie, the rand, and the list goes on and on. This decade … Read more

BHP or Rio Tinto? Is That the Right Question?

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Dr. Copper is speaking, and we don’t like what he’s saying. For those long-tenured market participants, a look at the copper markets (JJC, CPER, CUPM) generally provides insight into the health of the global economy. Copper is used in just about everything related to construction and manufacturing, and the price of the metal signals the relationship between its supply and demand. A strong copper price, therefore, indicates that demand for the metal is healthy, and that in most cases and by extension, the general economy is healthy as well. What we are witnessing in the copper markets, however, is something else, and on a high level, no different than the shellacking the crude oil markets have been experiencing in recent … Read more

$45 Oil Prices!?!? There Is Never a Sense of Urgency When One Is Prepared

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Image Source: Macrotrends The bull market in energy (XLE) has lasted for the better part of a decade. Ever since the turn of the new century, energy perma-bulls have made the case that “black gold” (USO) should continue its ever-upward price advance thanks to ongoing demand from emerging and developing economies coupled with reduced inventories and areas of supply. We’re seeing this thesis challenged right at this moment. In deciding not to cut crude oil output in the face of oversupply and falling prices, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), for the lack of a better phrase, is now essentially engaged in a price war with producers in the US that are using breakthrough technology to produce oil … Read more

This Just Feels Different…Mr. Brown

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We think the correction is coming. Here are 7 reasons why we plan to reduce exposure to cyclicals and add some protection to the portfolios. By Brian Nelson, CFA I hope you don’t mind my using baseball analogies. Baseball and investing are perhaps the only two endeavors where if you get more than half right, you’re at the top of the list. In any case, you don’t have to be a big baseball fan to appreciate the similarities. I used an example with Ted Williams in this piece about fat pitch investing, but there’s another analogy that is worth sharing. I’ve been to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory Tour a few times in the past couple years. My little … Read more

Yikes! Brazil’s Real Plunges; Protests in Hong Kong

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Recession worries in Brazil (EWZ) sent the Brazilian real to a five-year low after poll results showed President Dima Rousseff gaining a lead over candidate Marina Silva, according to Bloomberg. Dropping a couple percent versus the US dollar today, its biggest one-day drop in three years, the Brazilian real has fallen more than 10% during the third quarter. Many had hoped a new government would spur economic growth in the country. The Brazilian economy is an important one, a component of the faster-growing BRIC nations, and many firms in our coverage universe are dependent on its resilience. This could potentially compound problems in Latin America, with Argentina defaulting on its debt earlier this year. Fundamentals at PetroBras (PBR), Gol Linhas … Read more