Investing.com -- Anglo American (JO:AGLJ) PLC (LON:AAL) reported a decline in fourth-quarter copper and diamond production but the numbers still exceeded expectations, sending the company’s shares rising more than 3% in London trading.
The mining giant produced 198,000 tons of copper in the quarter, a 14% drop from the same period last year, largely due to the planned shutdown of its smaller Los Bronces plant. However, the figure is higher than the consensus estimate of 192,000 tons.
Diamond production declined as well, falling 26% year-over-year to 5.8 million carats from 7.9 million, but also better than the 5.3 million carats expected by analysts. The company attributed the decline to lower demand and an elevated inventory level, prompting a reduction in output.
For 2025, Anglo American cut its full-year diamond production guidance to a range of 20 million to 23 million carats, down from the previous forecast of 30 million to 33 million carats.
Copper production targets for 2025 and 2026 remain unchanged. The company noted that all its divisions met full-year production guidance.
Anglo American also said it is making "excellent" progress in streamlining its portfolio. It reported that the sale of its nickel business is advancing well and reiterated that preparations continue for the separation of De Beers.
“The key focus for the market has been on copper and production came ahead of expectations, with a strong result from Los Bronces, and guidance for FY25 remains unchanged (second half weighted),” RBC Capital Markets analysts commented in a note.
“However, not much good news beyond that with weak realised pricing in both iron ore and copper,” they added.
Analysts said the diamond production guidance “has been cut by more than we were expecting.”