Guidance on copper... RBC Capital Markets analyst Sam Crittenden offered guidance on copper prices and his top picks in the North American mining sector,
“With copper falling in the quarter, the majority of companies reported Q3 results below consensus estimates and cost inflation drove … costs up another 9% q/q; however, given dramatic swings in copper sentiment, there was a muted reaction to results.
The sector was up sharply last week on unverified reports about China relaxing COVID restrictions (the government has since reaffirmed stringent COVID policies) and hopes of slowing FED rate hikes. We continue to think caution is warranted given slowing global growth into 2023; however, we would have some copper exposure due to a tight physical market and positive medium term fundamentals.
We continue to like Teck as they can take advantage of elevated met coal prices, and double copper production as QB2 ramps up, First Quantum and Ivanhoe provide the best leverage to copper, in our view, Capstone is creating value through expanding Mantos Blancos and Mantoverde, Hudbay can unlock value by de-risking Copper World, and Champion Iron provides a rerating opportunity as Phase 2 ramps up.”