Fortescue Metals Group (ASX: FMG) has seen its profit fall by 40% for the six months to December 2012, hit by falling iron ore prices, rising depreciation and amortisation costs, and higher interest costs.
Net profit came it at US$478 million compared to $801 million in the previous corresponding period, and the company cut its dividend.
And that's despite production volumes rising 32% to 35.7 million tonnes. The good news is that Fortescue has hit an annualised run rate of 100 million tonnes in December 2012, and the iron ore price has recovered to around US$150 a tonne, after falling below US$90 a tonne in September 2012.
The company's plan to get to 155 million tonnes of production per annum also appears on track, with required infrastructure milestones met and the Kings development recommencing in January 2013. Current cash costs are between US$45 and US$50 a tonne and expected to remain at those levels for the next four months. Once Solomon Firetail and Kings mines become fully operational, Fortescue estimates that cash costs will fall to around US$38-$40 a tonne.
The company maintained its forecast to ship between 82 and 84 million tonnes for the full 2013 financial year.
Foolish takeaway
With other iron ore miners including BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Brazilian giant Vale all increasing their iron ore production, it's hard to see the iron ore price remain at the current levels of around US$150 a tonne. China's demand is also expected to fall away as it moves to a more consumer focused economy, which could have major consequences for Fortescue, especially with more than US$12 billion of debt sitting on its balance sheet.
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The Motley Fool's purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool's free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson. Motley Fool writer/analyst Mike King owns shares in BHP.
