PLS 2.13% $3.83 pilbara minerals limited

What's PLS worth?

  1. 3,342 Posts.
    lightbulb Created with Sketch. 887

    What’s PLS worth?


    As per my post on the daily SP chatter string, I’ve started a new string for valuation/analysis/critique. Hopefully this string can be more dedicated to fundamental analysis of PLS rather than wild speculation.

    IMO there’s a lot I like PLS … it’s a true Tier 1 asset (large asset, projected to be at sharp end for cost), leveraged to growth of EV and I also like the relationship/options with Posco. However, being in commissioning/construction mode and producing a new mineral with volatile pricing – it’s at the high end of the risk spectrum and SP volitivity. So, what’s it worth today?


    Market Analysts:

    • ThompsonReuters consensus 12 month SP target is $1.02 across 7 analysts.
    • High$1.20 (unchanged since Aug18); Low $0.70.
    • 5 of the 7 analysts have downgraded the SP target since start Apr19

    Bringing those 12 month targets back to SP as of today, the analysts have an averagevalue of ~90c.


    I prefer to try to understand the range of values based on key risks. IMO the biggest of these are:

    • SP6 price received
    • SP6 yield (driving both costs/dmt and production tonnes)
    • Time frame for existing/new production to achieve design performance


    Potential CAPEX blowouts and other OPEX are minor risks IMO (ie. I think these can be well managed by KB and his team). On the upside, Posco JV and Stage 3 could add value, but as I said on the other string, there are too few details to estimate value IMO. If others have methods of valuing these (as opposed to just speculating what they’re worth) – perhaps they can add them to the string.


    I’ve therefore created a matrix of values based on:

    • Operating cost basis uses latest Stage 3 advice (US$290/t at 75% yield). This is much higher than the Stage 1 LOM figure (US$207/t) but PLS have since adjusted down the yield and possibly other components. Therefore, US$290 may be a tad conservative (but Stage 1 Feas too bullish).
    • CashOPEX components affected by yield have been scaled (ie. mining &processing) those unaffected left as per Stage 3 advice (eg. Royalties, nativetitle)
    • Simple 10x Net Operating Cash Flow valuation model at time of performance metric.
    • Future performance discounted back to Jun19 at 12%pa.


    Results below. I’ve included the Stage 1 only numbers to illustrate the importance of getting to design yield (15-20c worth in SP terms). Seems to me the analysts (on average) are projecting either much lower SP6 prices than PLS is currently achieving and/or a lack of confidence in PLS achieving design yield.

    https://hotcopper.com.au/data/attachments/1593/1593423-fc2d73214d6013ff2e0bc233332eee58.jpg



    As a reference point, PLS based their Stage 1 Feasibility Study on a long term SP6 price of onlyUS$537/t.


    Have others done similar price/yield/value analysis? Thoughts?

    Last edited by SimonGr: 13/06/19
 
watchlist Created with Sketch. Add PLS (ASX) to my watchlist
(20min delay)
Last
$3.83
Change
0.080(2.13%)
Mkt cap ! $11.52B
Open High Low Value Volume
$3.90 $3.91 $3.83 $93.62M 24.24M

Buyers (Bids)

No. Vol. Price($)
3 473181 $3.83
 

Sellers (Offers)

Price($) Vol. No.
$3.84 139317 5
View Market Depth
Last trade - 16.10pm 28/03/2024 (20 minute delay) ?
Last
$3.84
  Change
0.080 ( 2.50 %)
Open High Low Volume
$3.91 $3.92 $3.83 7472288
Last updated 15.59pm 28/03/2024 ?
PLS (ASX) Chart
arrow-down-2 Created with Sketch. arrow-down-2 Created with Sketch.