Tuesday, April 19, 2011 4:29:22 PM
Credit analysts for Standard & Poor's expect majors Anglo American, Rio Tinto and Xstrata will maintain good credit metrics over the medium term.
Author: Dorothy Kosich
Posted: Tuesday , 19 Apr 2011
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RENO, NV -
Citing favorable market conditions allowing mining companies to strengthen their balance sheets, Standard & Poor's Monday upgraded its ratings on Anglo American, Rio Tinto and Xstrata PLC.
"The stable outlooks reflect our view that the companies will maintain credit metrics commensurate with the ratings over the medium term," said S&P Credit Analysts Andrey Nikolaev and Elad Jelasko.
Long-term corporate credit ratings were raised from "BBB+" to "A- for Rio Tinto. "The upgrade reflects our view that company's financial profile is now ‘modest'," the analysts said.
"The company used the very favorable market environment in the last 12 months to substantially decrease its debt through high free cash flow and disposals," S&P noted. "Rio Tinto also improved its liquidity and maturity profile."
"We believe the company can generate positive free operating cash flow through the cycle despite its planned increase in capital expenditures."
S&P raised the long-term corporate credit ratings on Xstrata to ‘BBB+' from ‘BBB', citing Xstrata strengthening its balance sheet through taking advantage of highly favorable market conditions over the past 12 months to reduce debt and improve the company's financial flexibility.
"In the event of a substantial deterioration in commodity prices from current levels, we assume that the group would lower spending on investments and shareholder distributions as needed to protect its credit ratios," the analysts said.
S&P raised the long-term corporate credit rating for Anglo American to ‘BBB+' from ‘BBB' due to the company's efforts to substantially decrease its debt through high free cash flow and disposals amid the very favorable market environment.
"We also take into account that Anglo has just commissioned its Barro Alto project in March 2011 and intends to commission two other large projects in the next two years," the analysts said. "So doing will substantially up its production and improve its cost base, while somewhat reducing its exposure to South Africa."
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