Commodities & Metals

Can Cliffs Save Itself With Earnings?

mining
Source: Thinkstock
After markets close on Tuesday, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF) is scheduled to report first-quarter 2015 earnings. The current estimates call for a net loss in earnings of $0.19 per share and revenues of $562.46 million. In the year-ago first quarter, Cliffs posted a net loss per share of $0.54 and revenues of $940 million.

Cliffs is an iron ore and coal producer that has seen its share price tumble from a high of nearly $100 in July 2011 to a recent low of $4.12. Some of that is due to declining global demand for steel, primarily in China. Because both iron ore and the company’s metallurgical coal are major ingredients in steelmaking, Cliffs was hit with a double whammy.

Now Cliffs is also contending with a strong dollar that makes its exports more costly than iron ore from South America or coal from Australia. The company’s iron ore resources are well-placed in the United States near the country’s principal steel production cities, but that is a drag on exports.

What may have hurt Cliffs most was a $1.4 billion non-cash write-down in 2013 on its acquisition of a Canadian iron ore miner and an expansion project at its Bloom Lake mine, among other things. Things went downhill from there.

After Cliffs reported fourth-quarter results earlier this year, Credit Suisse had a price target of $1 and an Underperform rating on the stock. Merrill Lynch rated the company at Underperform with $4 price target. Not exactly a vote of confidence.

ALSO READ: 8 Analyst Stock Picks Under $10 With Massive Upside Targets

Since then shares have lost about $0.80, or nearly 12%, and the consensus price target on the stock is around $4.60. Analysts have very negative targets on Cliffs, and some of them have even questioned these targets with more fears than that.

Shares traded down about 1.5% to $6.04 in the late morning Tuesday, in a 52-week range of $4.12 to $18.41.

Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored

A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.