Equity, Bottom-up Analyst, Investics Research

Sameer Taneja

Equity, Bottom-up Analyst

Investics Research

It is important to note that the information provided by Investics Research is based on publicly available data and own knowledge, which has been gathered and analyzed from a variety of sources. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information provided, it is not guaranteed to be free from errors or omissions. All forecasts and estimates are based on information that has been obtained from public sources that are considered to be reliable. The sources include but are not limited to, company announcements, exchange filings, presentations, etc. Investics does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the forecasts, estimates, and/or other information.

Equity Bottom-up Research

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We analyze <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/champion-iron-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Champion Iron's (CIA AU)</a> Q2 2025 results. Forest fires, shutdowns, and logistical issues impacted the quarter, with revenues/profits down 9%/69% YoY.</li>
<li>The company reduced its stockpile of iron ore, but the cash pile still declined 100 mn CAD due to significant capex in the flotation plant and dividend payment. </li>
<li>The consensus (and we) will have to significantly reduce earnings as logistics continues to impact growth. </li>
</ul>


We analyze Champion Iron's (CIA AU) Q2 2025 results. Forest fires, shutdowns, and logistical issues impacted the quarter, with revenues/profits down 9%/69% YoY.
The company reduced its stockpile of iron ore, but the cash pile still declined 100 mn CAD due to significant capex in the flotation plant and dividend payment. 
The consensus (and we) will have to significantly reduce earnings as logistics continues to impact growth. 


Champion Iron (CIA AU) Q2 2025: Too Many Execution Glitches

Commodities

<ul>
<li>We like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vale-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23731:1" rel="noopener">Vale (VALE US)</a> for its exposure to high-grade iron ore (95% of EBITDA) and capital return discipline, with a current dividend yield of 8% and 3.5x EV-EBITDA. </li>
<li>The cash flows from the iron ore business could be used to invest in base metals, such as copper, nickel, etc., to enhance the portfolio. </li>
<li>The key risk remains the overhang from the Mariana Dam disaster being settled for  ~25.7 billion USD (vs. the current market cap of 50 billion USD). </li>
</ul>


We like Vale (VALE US) for its exposure to high-grade iron ore (95% of EBITDA) and capital return discipline, with a current dividend yield of 8% and 3.5x EV-EBITDA. 
The cash flows from the iron ore business could be used to invest in base metals, such as copper, nickel, etc., to enhance the portfolio. 
The key risk remains the overhang from the Mariana Dam disaster being settled for  ~25.7 billion USD (vs. the current market cap of 50 billion USD). 


VALE US: Exposure to High-Grade Iron Ore With >8% Dividend Yield

<ul>
<li>Iron ore continued to operate in its band from 95-130 USD/ton over the last few years, with a recent drop from 120 USD/ton to 105 USD/ton on tepid China data.</li>
<li>With incremental news on China's stimulus in the property and infrastructure sectors, we remain confident that iron ore will return to 120 USD/ton in the short term. </li>
<li>We also remain bullish on the 65-62 spread, which has expanded to the teens. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vale-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23731:1" rel="noopener">Vale (VALE US)</a>  are good plays on the spread.</li>
</ul>


Iron ore continued to operate in its band from 95-130 USD/ton over the last few years, with a recent drop from 120 USD/ton to 105 USD/ton on tepid China data.
With incremental news on China's stimulus in the property and infrastructure sectors, we remain confident that iron ore will return to 120 USD/ton in the short term. 
We also remain bullish on the 65-62 spread, which has expanded to the teens. Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) and Vale (VALE US)  are good plays on the spread.


Iron Ore: Disappointing Data Pushed Price Down to 105, Bounce To 120 On Further Stimulus From China

<ul>
<li>Following our initiation on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mount-gibson-iron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19043:1" rel="noopener">Mount Gibson Iron (MGX AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kumba-iron-ore-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25094:1" rel="noopener">Kumba Iron Ore (KIO SJ)</a>, recently we initiate coverage on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/champion-iron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19734:1" rel="noopener">Champion Iron (CIA AU)</a>, a pure play with Canadian assets.</li>
<li>Although it is more richly priced than the other two names, it offers a 50% volume expansion opportunity in FY25/26, subject to financing availability. </li>
<li>Trading at 8.6x FY25 (March-end) PE, 4.6x EV-EBITDA, and a 6% dividend yield (subject to capex), this is not our favorite name at the current price due to production uncertainty. </li>
</ul>


Following our initiation on Mount Gibson Iron (MGX AU) and Kumba Iron Ore (KIO SJ), recently we initiate coverage on Champion Iron (CIA AU), a pure play with Canadian assets.
Although it is more richly priced than the other two names, it offers a 50% volume expansion opportunity in FY25/26, subject to financing availability. 
Trading at 8.6x FY25 (March-end) PE, 4.6x EV-EBITDA, and a 6% dividend yield (subject to capex), this is not our favorite name at the current price due to production uncertainty. 


Champion Iron (CIA CN): Another Expansion Iron Ore Pure Play on High-Grade Ore

<ul>
<li>We initiated on the iron ore space recently with a short-term bullish call (see: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/iron-ore-primer-understanding-the-drivers-of-the-market-ways-to-play-the-sector" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:136452" rel="noopener">Iron Ore Primer: Understanding The Drivers Of the Market, Ways To Play The Sector</a>). </li>
<li>Check out our initiation on  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mount-gibson-mgx-au-iron-ore-pure-play-77-of-the-mkt-cap-in-cash-0-5x-ev-ebitda-with-catalysts" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:136941" rel="noopener">Mount Gibson (MGX AU): Iron Ore Pure Play, 77% of the Mkt Cap in Cash, 0.5x EV-EBITDA With Catalysts</a> ).</li>
<li>Iron ore has a more short-term upside as it bounces off the cost curve in its three-year band (95-130 USD/ton), while China has demonstrated an abundant appetite for restocking. </li>
</ul>


We initiated on the iron ore space recently with a short-term bullish call (see: Iron Ore Primer: Understanding The Drivers Of the Market, Ways To Play The Sector). 
Check out our initiation on  Mount Gibson (MGX AU): Iron Ore Pure Play, 77% of the Mkt Cap in Cash, 0.5x EV-EBITDA With Catalysts ).
Iron ore has a more short-term upside as it bounces off the cost curve in its three-year band (95-130 USD/ton), while China has demonstrated an abundant appetite for restocking. 


Iron Ore Comes Roaring Back! BHP-Anglo, VALE, FMG: What's Hot In the Space

Australia

champion Iron Limited is a exploration company. The Company acquires, explores and develops properties for iron ore deposits.

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Champion Iron (CIA AU)