Summary
Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO) reported its third-quarter and nine-month results for the period ending September 30, 2012. The company experienced a significant decrease in net income, largely due to a substantial legal fee related to a shareholder derivative lawsuit settlement. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, net income attributable to SCC was $1.40 billion, a decrease from $1.80 billion in the same period of 2011. This decline was primarily impacted by lower metal prices across its key commodities (copper, molybdenum, silver, and zinc) and a one-time $316.2 million legal fee. Despite lower revenues, the company saw an increase in copper production by 11.2% year-to-date, driven by higher ore grades and recoveries at its Cuajone, La Caridad, and Buenavista mines. Capital expenditures remained robust, with $665.9 million invested in the nine-month period for expansion projects, signaling a continued focus on organic growth.
Financial Highlights
49 data points| Revenue | $1.55B |
| Cost of Revenue | $670.86M |
| Gross Profit | $800.20M |
| SG&A Expenses | $23.76M |
| Operating Expenses | $1.10B |
| Operating Income | $447.80M |
| Net Income | $217.90M |
| EPS (Basic) | $0.26 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 848.42M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 848.42M |
Key Highlights
- 1Net income attributable to SCC for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was $1.40 billion, down from $1.80 billion in the prior year, impacted by lower metal prices and a $316.2 million legal fee from a shareholder derivative lawsuit settlement.
- 2Net sales decreased by 2.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to $5.02 billion, primarily due to lower average commodity prices.
- 3Copper mined production increased by 11.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, driven by improved ore grades and recoveries at key mines.
- 4The company received a significant $2.1 billion payment from its majority shareholder, Americas Mining Corporation (AMC), in October 2012, settling a shareholder derivative lawsuit regarding the 2005 merger.
- 5Capital expenditures totaled $665.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, with significant investments in expansion projects at the Buenavista, Toquepala, and Cuajone mines.
- 6Operating cash costs per pound of copper produced (with by-product credits) increased to $0.65 in the nine months of 2012 from $0.45 in the same period of 2011, mainly due to lower by-product revenues and higher copper production.
- 7The company's outlook is influenced by macroeconomic factors, including the European debt crisis and potential slowdown in China, though it notes positive demand signals from China and a recovering US economy.