Despite Likely Tough Quarter, Alcoa's Long-Term Fundamentals Intact: Opinion
NEW YORK (Trefis ) -- Alcoa(AA) will kick off first-quarter earnings season when it reports results after the market closes Tuesday.
We expect the company to record its second consecutive quarterly loss as it continues to battle with a decline in aluminum demand and the subsequent decline in prices due to global economic conditions.
Although aluminum prices have recovered a bit in 2012, they are still significantly down from a year ago.
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Alcoa has realigned its strategy and is closing down some of its smelters in an attempt to remain profitable and to strengthen its product portfolio going forward.
Alcoa competes with companies such as ArcelorMittal(MT) and US Steel(X) .
Our price estimate for Alcoa stands at $12, implying a premium of close to 20% to the current market price.
Aluminum Price Recovery Not Enough for First Quarter
On average, aluminum prices are up approximately 5% in the first quarter.
Improving conditions in the U.S. economy and a modest recovery from the European debt crisis have contributed to the rise in aluminum demand and prices.
However, China's reduction in its GDP growth target has capped the price gain as demand concerns loom.
Aluminum prices hit a 17-month low in December before recovering to $2,126 this year.
That is still well below the 2011 high of $2,803, however.
Mounting input costs and losses have forced Alcoa to announce a reduction of about 12%, or about 531,000 tons, in its smelting capacity. The company is also scouting for a buyer for its European plant.
Long-Term Fundamentals Intact
We believe that Alcoa's long-term fundamentals are strong even as it has lost quite a bit in 2011 and the first quarter of 2012.
Alcoa expects aluminum consumption to double by 2020 and maintains its outlook of 7% year-on-year growth in global aluminum consumption in 2012.
With the U.S. economy showing some encouraging signs, we believe it will bolster aluminum demand and prices going forward.