| Are Glencore’s Leverage Ratios Getting Worrisome? | |
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Glencore: An Investment Overview of a Mining Giant (Continued from Prior Part) Leverage ratios
The metals and mining industry is capital-intensive by nature. Companies have to borrow money to invest in plants and new mines. As a result, it’s important for investors in mining companies (XME) to know how these companies manage their leverage ratios. It’s important to know the companies’ debt ratios when market conditions are as challenging as they are under current market conditions.
Glencore’s leverage ratios
Glencore had a net debt to adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of 2.7 in 1H15, as can be seen in the chart above. The ratio has risen from the previous year, as Glencore’s earnings have fallen on lower commodity (DBC) prices. However, the ratio is not high considering industry standards. Glencore’s net debt to EBITDA is much lower compared with that of other companies in this space, such as Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Teck Resources (TCK).
Incidentally, Freeport has raised $1 billion from at-the-market equity offering and announced plans to raise another $1 billion using the same route. The cash from these equity offerings could help Freeport become free cash flow positive in fiscal 2015.
Rio Tinto (RIO) has lower financial leverage ratios compared with Glencore. Both Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton (BHP) have maintained their dividends despite falling commodity prices.
Debt to equity
Glencore (GLNCY) had a total debt-to-equity ratio of 104.4% as of June 30, 2015. The ratio has been pretty steady over the last couple of years. Again, Glencore’s debt-to-equity ratio isn’t high considering industry standards.
There are concerns about Glencore’s ability to roll over its debt. To get a clear picture, we can look at the company’s upcoming debt maturities, which we’ll discuss in detail in the next part of this series.
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Vale Inco is a nickel and copper producing company based in Brazil. Vale Inco produces nickel, copper, gold, palladium and platinum in Canada, and holds various exploration projects in Australia, in Brazil, in Canada, in Indonesia, in New Caledonia, in Peru and in Turkey. Its main assets in production are MCCREEDY WEST MINE and VICTORIA - INCO in Canada and its main exploration properties are EAGLE CREEK, MEL PROJECT, B20, SHEBANDOWAN - BAND-ORE and GARSON MINE in Canada and GOONGARRIE SOUTH - GOONGARRIE, HIGHWAY - GOONGARRIE, SCOTIA - GOONGARRIE, BIG FOUR HERON - GOONGARRIE, GOONGARRIE HILL - GOONGARRIE, TOBY PROPERTY and BORDER DOWNS in Australia. |