1) Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO)
Long-term investors should be buoyed by analysts at UBS increasing their 12-month share price target on blue-chip miner Rio Tinto, to between $80 and $90. This followed the release of impressive fourth-quarter production figures. A rise to $80 would be an appreciation of over 20% from the current price of $66.32.
All commodities, apart from semi-soft coking coal and uranium, exceeded production guidance, with copper and iron ore gathering momentum towards the end of 2013.
2) Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL)
Royal Dutch Shell had a shock profit downgrade on Friday night. Its first profit downgrade in a decade places more doubt over whether the company will continue to hold its ownership interest of more than 20% in Woodside.
According to a report in the Australian Financial Review, Shell chief executive, Ben van Beurden, said his focus would be on several issues, including capital efficiency. This term often means selling non-core assets. Shell has previously indicated it wanted to reduce its exposure to Australian LNG. According to Credit Suisse estimates, Australian LNG takes up a disproportionate 30% of the oil giant's capital spending between 2012 and 2015.
3) Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG)
The Aussie dollar continued its downward trend on Friday night to finish at US$87.77. This will be beneficial to a number of stocks. Fortescue Metals has also accelerated repayment of some of its debt facilities. This makes it one of my preferred long-term investments.
It's a holiday in the U.S. on Monday. In Australia GDP figures and Westpac's monthly consumer confidence figures are out Wednesday.
