Ahead of its interim results, Antofagasta PLC (LSE:ANTO) impressed with a recent operational update, showing better cost performance than expected in the first half.
Deutsche Bank forecasts EBITDA of $2.05 billion for the half-year, with the FTSE 100 copper miner having left guidance unchanged and expecting a sequential lift in output over the two remaining quarters of the year.
Production for H1 came in at 315kt, and no surprises are expected when results are published.
Antofagasta has “been one of the best performing copper stocks this year,” the bank said, crediting “steady operational performance (compared to downgrades from several peers)” and its “relatively near-term and fully-approved production growth.”
A dividend of 14 cents per share is forecast, based on a 35% payout ratio, and Deutsche sees net debt ending the half at around $2.2bn.
That said, analysts highlighted the miner’s heavy investment cycle, cautioning that the group faces “negative FCF in 2025 and minimal FCF in 2026.”