Petra Diamonds (LON:PDL) has announced a trading update for H1 FY 2017 which is soft, in our view, as achieved prices disappointed. Production increased 24% YoY to 2mnct as mining at Finsch and Cullinan moved away from undiluted ore thereby improving grades while PDL also benefitted from the increased contribution from tailings production at Ekapa. Grades were in line with company guidance and full year guidance of 4.4-4.6mnct is unchanged. However, since the period end, PDL has experienced some labour disruption at Cullinan due to a dispute with contractors. This may impact up to 0.6mnt of ore throughput.
Revenue was up 48% YoY to US$228.5mn, in part due to the timing of sales as volumes sold increased 47% YoY to 1.9mnct. However, per carat prices demonstrate a mixed picture. Despite a periodic increase in per carat values at Finsch of 20% and at Koffiefontein of 8% these disappointed versus guidance. At Cullinan and Williamson per carat values were ahead of guidance although at Williamson values declined 17% YoY.
Capex was marginally lower at US$135m (-4% YoY) although this represents c70% of FY 2017 capex. Net debt was up 21% YoY to US$465m.