LABRADOR IRON ORE ROYALTY CORPORATION - RESULTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2024 /CNW/ -
To the Holders of Common Shares of Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation
The Directors of Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation ("LIORC" or the "Corporation") present the third quarter report for the period ended September 30, 2024.
Financial Performance
In the third quarter of 2024, LIORC's financial results were negatively affected by lower iron ore prices and lower pellet premiums, as well as lower concentrate for sale ("CFS") sales tonnages, partly offset by higher pellet sales tonnages. Royalty revenue for the third quarter of 2024 of $41.5 million was 12% lower than the third quarter of 2023 and 21% lower than the second quarter of 2024. Equity earnings from Iron Ore Company of Canada ("IOC") were $9.7 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $23.1 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $18.5 million in the second quarter of 2024. Net income per share for the third quarter of 2024 was $0.53 per share, which was a 32% decrease over both the same period in 2023 and the second quarter of 2024. LIORC received a dividend from IOC in the amount of $20.3 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to a dividend from IOC in the amount of $30.6 million in the third quarter of 2023. The adjusted cash flow per share for the third quarter of 2024 was $0.68 per share, which was 23% lower than in the same period in 2023 and 39% lower than the second quarter of 2024. While adjusted cash flow is not a recognized measure under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), the Directors believe that it is a useful analytical measure as it better reflects cash available for dividends to shareholders.
Iron ore prices during the third quarter of 2024 were lower than in the third quarter of 2023, as they were negatively impacted by a reduction in global steel production and an increase in iron ore shipments from the largest seaborne iron ore producers. According to the World Steel Association, global crude steel production was down 6% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. On the supply side, shipments in the quarter ended September 30, 2024, in aggregate from the world's three largest iron ore producers (Rio Tinto, Vale and BHP) increased by 1% over the prior quarter and by 1% over the same quarter last year.
IOC sells CFS based on the Platts index for 65% Fe, CFR China ("65% Fe index"). All references to tonnes and per tonne prices in this report refer to wet metric tonnes, other than references to Platts quoted pricing, which refer to dry metric tonnes. Historically, IOC's wet ore contains approximately 3% less ore per equivalent volume than dry ore. In the third quarter of 2024, the 65% Fe index averaged US$114 per tonne, a 9% decrease over the prior quarter and a 9% decrease over the average of US$125 per tonne in the third quarter of 2023. The monthly Atlantic Blast Furnace 65% Fe pellet premium index as quoted by Platts (the "pellet premium") averaged US$39 per tonne in the third quarter of 2024, down 20% from an average of US$49 per tonne in the same quarter of 2023, as lower steel margins continued to cause steel producers to substitute higher quality pellets with less expensive lower quality iron ore.
Based on sales as reported for the LIORC royalty, the overall average price realized by IOC for CFS and pellets, FOB Sept-Îles, was approximately US$109 per tonne in the third quarter of 2024, compared to approximately US$127 per tonne in the third quarter of 2023.
Iron Ore Company of Canada Operations
Operations
IOC concentrate production in the third quarter of 2024 of 3.8 million tonnes was 10% lower than the same quarter of 2023 and 1% lower than the second quarter of 2024, due to an 11-day site-wide shutdown following forest fires in mid-July. Concentrate production was also negatively affected by the rescheduling of major maintenance from the second quarter and revisions to the mine plan which resulted in a higher strip ratio and a lower weight yield.
IOC saleable production (CFS plus pellets) of 3.6 million tonnes in the third quarter of 2024 was 11% lower than the same quarter of 2023. Pellet production of 2.2 million tonnes was 2% higher than the corresponding quarter in 2023, predominantly due to reliability issues and the rebuild of induration machine number 3 in the third quarter of 2023. CFS production of 1.4 million tonnes was 26% lower than the same quarter of 2023 mainly due to lower production of concentrate referred to above and the higher production of pellets.
Sales as Reported for the LIORC Royalty
Total iron ore sales tonnage by IOC (CFS plus pellets) of 4.0 million tonnes in the third quarter of 2024 was 3% higher than the total sales tonnage for the same period in 2023 and 5% lower than the second quarter of 2024. IOC sales tonnage in the quarter was negatively impacted by the availability of inventory due to the lower production tonnage and the timing of vessels. Pellet sales tonnages were 11% higher than the same quarter of 2023 and 20% lower than the second quarter of 2024. CFS sales tonnages were 5% lower than the same quarter of 2023 and 18% higher than the second quarter of 2024.
Outlook
In its third quarter production report, Rio Tinto disclosed that, because of an 11-day stie-wide shutdown following the forest fires in July and the resulting revised mine plan and maintenance schedule, the 2024 guidance for IOC's saleable production (CFS plus pellets) was reduced to 15.5 million to 16.3 million tonnes, down from the previous guidance of 16.7 to 19.6 million tonnes. This compares to 16.5 million tonnes of saleable production in 2023. IOC has also amended its 2024 capital expenditure forecast. IOC is now forecasting that its 2024 capital expenditure will be US$381 million, down from the originally budgeted US$431 million. To date, IOC's capital expenditures are on track with the new forecast.
Looking forward, iron ore pricing appears challenging. Recently, the World Steel Association made significant downward revisions to its 2024 and 2025 steel demand outlook for China and the rest of the world, reflecting the ongoing downturn in the Chinese real estate sector, as well as the persistent weakness in manufacturing alongside lingering global economic headwinds. It is now forecasting that global steel demand will drop by 0.9% in 2024 to 1,751 Mt, before rebounding by 1.2% in 2025 to 1,772 Mt. It's prior forecast saw global steel production reaching 1,793 Mt in 2024 and 1,815 Mt in 2025. Since the end of the third quarter, iron ore prices improved briefly at the beginning of October following a number of positive announcements regarding government economic stimulus measures in China, before falling back at the end of the month as more information about the stimulus was released. The 65% Fe index reached a monthly high of US$125 per tonne on October 7, before dropping back to close the month at US$119 per tonne.
On April 16, 2024, the Federal Finance Minister tabled the Federal Budget 2024 which proposed an increase in the capital gains inclusion rate for corporations from one half to two thirds for capital gains realized on or after June 25, 2024. If this tax change is passed into law, it will be accounted for in the period of enactment and reflected in the financial results at that time. LIORC's deferred income taxes payable includes a capital gain equal to the carrying value of its investment in IOC less its cost. If the capital gains rate change is enacted, it would have the impact of increasing deferred income taxes by approximately $23.7 million or $0.37 per share. This is a non-cash entry and will only impact LIORC in the event it sells its shares in IOC.
LIORC has no debt and at September 30, 2024 had positive net working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $29 million, which included the third quarter net royalty payment received from IOC on October 25, 2024 and the LIORC dividend in the amount of $0.70 per share paid to shareholders on the next business day.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Directors of the Corporation,
John F. TuerPresident and Chief Executive OfficerNovember 5, 2024
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Management's Discussion and Analysis section of Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation's ("LIORC" or the "Corporation") 2023 Annual Report, and the financial statements and notes contained therein and the September 30, 2024 interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
Overview of the Business
The Corporation's revenues are entirely dependent on the operations of IOC as its principal assets relate to the operations of IOC and its principal source of revenue is the 7% royalty it receives on all sales of iron ore products by IOC. In addition to the volume of iron ore sold, the Corporation's royalty revenue is affected by the price of iron ore and the Canadian, U.S. dollar exchange rate. The first quarter sales of IOC are traditionally adversely affected by the general winter operating conditions and are usually 15%, 20% of the annual volume, with the balance spread fairly evenly throughout the other three quarters. Because of the size of individual shipments, some quarters may be affected by the timing of the loading of ships that can be delayed from one quarter to the next.
Financial Highlights
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
(in millions except per share information)
Revenue
$ 42.3
$ 47.7
$ 152.1
$ 146.4
Equity earnings from IOC
$ 9.7
$ 23.1
$ 62.6
$ 58.5
Net income
$ 33.6
$ 49.4
$ 143.1
$ 134.9
Net income per share
$ 0.53
$ 0.77
$ 2.24
$ 2.11
Dividend from IOC
$ 20.3
$ 30.6
$ 61.8
$ 50.4
Cash flow from operations
$ 43.0
$ 65.7
$ 155.1
$ 126.1
Cash flow from operations per share(1)
$ 0.67
$ 1.03
$ 2.42
$ 1.97
Adjusted cash flow(1)
$ 43.6
$ 56.8
$ 145.8
$ 131.3
Adjusted cash flow per share(1)
$ 0.68
$ 0.89
$ 2.28
$ 2.05
Dividends declared per share
$ 0.70
$ 0.95
$ 2.25
$ 2.10
(1) This is a non-IFRS financial measure and does not have a standard meaning under IFRS.
Please refer to Standardized Cash Flow and Adjusted Cash Flow section in the MD&A.
The lower revenue, net income and equity earnings from IOC achieved in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to 2023 were mainly due to lower iron ore prices and lower pellet premiums, as well as lower CFS sales tonnages, partly offset by higher pellet sales tonnages. While the third quarter of 2024 sales tonnage (CFS plus pellets) was negatively impacted by the availability of inventory due to the lower production tonnage and the timing of vessels, it was 3% higher than the same quarter in 2023, due to greater inventory issues experienced in 2023. While CFS sales tonnage was 5% lower than the same quarter in 2023, pellet sales tonnage was 11% higher.
The lower iron ore prices and lower pellet premiums resulted in royalty income of $41.5 million for the quarter as compared to $47.0 million for the same period in 2023. Third quarter 2024 cash flow from operations was 43.0 million or $0.67 per share compared to $65.7 million or $1.03 per share for the same period in 2023. LIORC received an IOC dividend in the third quarter of 2024 in the amount of $20.3 million or $0.32 per share compared to $30.6 million or $0.48 per share for the same period in 2023. Equity earnings from IOC amounted to $9.7 million or $0.15 per share in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $23.1 million or $0.36 per share for the same period in 2023.
Operating Highlights
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
IOC Operations
2024
2023
2024
2023
(in millions of tonnes)
Sales(1)
Pellets
2.03
1.82
7.01
6.08
Concentrate for sale ("CFS")(2)
1.99
2.10
5.61
5.89
Total(3)
4.02
3.92
12.61
11.96
Production
Concentrate produced
3.83
4.27
12.45
12.72
Saleable production
Pellets
2.17
2.12
6.83
5.92
CFS
1.43
1.94
4.94
5.96
Total(3)
3.60
4.06
11.77
11.88
Average index prices per tonne (US$)
65% Fe index(4)
$ 114
$ 125
$ 125
$ 130
62% Fe index(5)
$ 100
$ 114
$ 112
$ 117
Pellet premium(6)
$ 39
$ 49
$ 41
$ 47
(1)
