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Investing.com -- Shares of Ecora (ECOR) tumbled 5% after the company reported mixed full-year financial results, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) surpassing consensus but dividends falling short.
The company’s adjusted EPS came in at USc28.9 per share, significantly above the consensus of USc10.8 per share, largely due to lower-than-expected tax expenses. However, basic EPS showed a loss of USc0.4 per share after a $15 million impairment on Voisey’s Bay, reflecting lower cobalt pricing assumptions for 2025-2027 that were in line with market expectations.
Ecora declared a final dividend of USc1.11 per share, bringing the total dividend for fiscal year 2024 to USc2.81 per share, which represents a yield of 3.28%. This dividend was 7% below the consensus forecast of USc3.00 per share.
The discrepancy was attributed to lower-than-anticipated adjusted free cash flow, stemming from higher interest payments and the exclusion of $2 million received from Narrabri, which had previously been included in calculations.
Despite the mixed results, the company reiterated its portfolio volume guidance for 2025 and provided updates on its Piaui project. Brazilian Nickel’s CEO, Mark Travers, confirmed that Piaui is on schedule for an investment decision in 2026, with construction potentially commencing in late 2026 and first production anticipated in 2029.
The project, which is fully permitted and only awaiting financing, could be a significant catalyst for Ecora, as it holds a 1.6% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on Piaui, accounting for 7% of the company’s net asset value (NAV) forecasts.
RBC analysts commented on the potential upside for Ecora, stating, "We expect shares to re-rate as development projects are commissioned and coal exposure fades. We reiterate our OP rating and price target of 130p."
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