Copper Bull Market to Climb Much Higher
Commodities / Metals & Mining Mar 27, 2009 - 02:41 PM GMTBy: Q1_Publishing
Exclusive Interview With the “King of Copper” Reveals “…Copper to climb 34% to 61%”
Editor's Note: Andrew Mickey, Q1 Publishing's Chief Investment Strategist, sat down for an exclusive one-on-one with one of the most experienced professionals in the copper industry. In this exclusive interview we reveal where the “King of Copper” believes copper prices are headed to… how China takes a different stand on copper prices and more…
“I expect within no less than six months, the copper price is somewhere between $2.50 and $3.00 per pound.” – Juan Villarzu, Former head of world's largest copper company, Codelco
Sounds pretty reasonable right?
Copper prices have rebounded quickly in the past four months. A pound of copper now trades for $1.86. That's up more than 40% from December lows of $1.30.
For copper to hit $2.50 or $3.00 a pound would only require another 30% to 60% gain. That's reasonable considering what's going on in the world.
The odds of the global economy getting back on track have improved greatly. The bulls are back in charge on Wall Street. China has committed to hundreds of billions of dollars on new and expanded infrastructure projects. And Inflation has returned as one of the real risks facing investors.
All of this is good news for copper prices. And after watching shares of leading copper producers like Freeport McMoran (NYSE:FCX) and the Chemical & Mining of Chile (NYSE:SQM) rebound 174% and 124% respectively from their credit crunch lows, it looks like Wall Street sees a few legs left in the copper rebound.
Outlandish… Absurd…Irrational?
Six months ago, it was a completely different story…
Lehman Brothers just collapsed. Overleveraged hedge funds faced margin calls which sparked the vicious cycle. Forced selling pushed down prices, which led to more forced selling, and on and on. Mines were being mothballed all over the world as metals prices nosedived.
But it was six months ago when Juan Villarzu predicted a hard and fast rebound in copper prices in an interview with Chilean business magazine Poder y Negocios (translation: Power & Business ). To be exact, it was November 14 th – just days away from the stock market lows for the year.
At the time, it was undoubtedly considered absurd or outlandish. A few pundits were calling for the end of civilization as we know it. Not Villarzu though. He knew better.
Why would Villarzu expect such a strong rebound? Why would he expect it to come so quickly? Why was he one of the very few people willing to make such a contrarian call?
Well, to answer all those questions, you just have to learn a bit about Villarzu.
The “King of Copper”
Villarzu is one of the most experienced professionals in the copper industry. Frankly, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone more knowledgeable of copper.
You see, Villarzu was appointed CEO of Codelco in 1994. Codelco is the national copper company of Chile. It is now the largest copper company in the world. It accounts for 10% of Chile's annual GDP. But it wasn't doing nearly as well 16 years ago.
At the time, Codelco was struggling. The state-run company was plagued by inefficiency. Even though it was mining some of the most lucrative mines in the world, it was still losing money. According to Mark Mulligan of Latin CEO magazine, “ [Codelco's] costs were out of control, productivity was low; assaying errors had inflated yield projections at some mines and a series of imprudent derivatives operations had wiped out profits.”
As a result, Chile's president personally tapped Villarzu to turn around the country's national copper mining company in 1994. Villarzu led a turnaround that has led Codelco to become the world's largest copper company.
His Next Big Call
Not bad, huh? Villlarzu has an impressive track record many mining executives would envy, but he hasn't stopped there. He has since left Codelco and started his own company, Apoquindo Minerals (TSXV:AQM) .
In his ongoing quest to uncover hidden opportunities, get past the mainstream headlines to find out what's really going on, and invest accordingly, Q1 Publishing's Chief Investment Strategist, Andrew Mickey, recently tracked down Villarzu. In an exclusive interview for his 100% free e-letter, the Prosperity Dispatch and its partners, Villarzu reveals:
• Where copper prices are headed over the near-term
• How China takes a different stand on copper prices
• Role of the “scrap” metal market for copper
• What the “antimicrobial” properties mean for the future of copper
• All that and more…
One more thing, before we begin. I have to say, no one can predict the price of anything, perfectly over the short-term down to the penny. There are too many variables. But, as you've seen from his track record, experience, and in-depth knowledge, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who would be better to do so than Juan Villarzu.
The full transcript is available for your viewing below.
Enjoy,
Carly Walton
Publisher, Q1 Publishing
Andrew Mickey: Juan, in market despair last November, you boldly made a call for a strong rebound in copper prices. Even executives from major mining companies were not bold enough to say this at that time. It seemed like there were two or three mines being shut down a week. What did you see in the copper market that was actually bullish at the time?
Juan Villarzu: Two things. I always thought that China would continue to grow between 7-8% and even if the rest of the world has zero growth. That would mean an increase in copper consumption of about 10% annually, or 490,000 tons of new copper each year. Secondly, I know the way the industry reacts to external events.
I supposed the producers would be influenced by the negative economic expectations and therefore, would reduce production. This has occurred.
The effect of both of those made me optimistic.
Andrew Mickey: China imported a record amount of Copper in February. Do you see this demand coming from China preparing for a massive build out, building up stockpiles, or simply finding a place to spend its U.S. dollar?
Juan Villarzu: Before the crisis, the strategy of companies was to increase stock as they believed the copper price would continue to rise. When the crisis hit, there was a massive drop in stocks in order to generate working capital.
Fundamentally, the Chinese have a long term perspective that there will be an increase in copper consumption. As a result, they are much more willing buyers. China is accumulating stock because the price is attractive and it is a good return on their dollars, but also, because they expect the price of copper to rise.
Andrew Mickey: One of the most poorly understood aspects of metals markets is the scrap market (where metals are recycled and resold). How does the scrap metal market affect copper supply/demand and how transparent is that market in order to gauge supply/demand?
Juan Villarzu: Indeed, there is little information regarding this market; however, it has not been a decisive factor either for the demand or supply side of the copper market.
Andrew Mickey: When we look at oil, we know there are millions and millions of barrels just waiting on the sidelines. Tankers are sitting in port filled to the brim and oil and natural gas inventories are setting new records. Is copper facing a similar situation or does copper work completely differently?
Juan Villarzu: In the case of copper, we do not have a large quantity of copper stocks. Although, recently copper stockpiles have resumed their decline.
This is because the copper market is slightly different. There are not giant stockpiles waiting on the sidelines. There are only limited levels of copper inventory.
Andrew Mickey: We all know the China story. We here at Q1 Publishing really focus on the 50 years of growth ahead in India, the demographics are perfect there, and the build out of 2 billion people.
What do you see as the biggest demand drivers for copper? Is it from new refrigerators and air conditioners for growing middle classes, is it more fundamental like water treatment facilities and other big projects like that, or some combination thereof?
Juan Villarzu: Fundamentally, the Chinese demand is important for the great urbanization it is undergoing. The construction of new cities is required to respond to the immigration from the rural to urban centers.
This is very copper intensive… building, construction, housing, electricity and so forth. Furthermore, there are more people requiring durable goods in the market which also have a high copper content. The type of development that China is experiencing is very copper intensive.
In the future there are other applications; for example, the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) declared copper as an efficient bactericide in February of 2008.
Copper is special because of its “antimicrobial” properties, and is a substance that can inactivate microbes such as bacteria, fungus and virus. It has been demonstrated that some of the most toxic bacteria, fungi and virus, cannot survive when in contact with copper.
There are organizations developing this application of copper. For example, wherever hands make contact: handles, bath towel bars, malls, transportation, plumbing, industrial cooking equipment, supermarkets, packaging; there are applications for hospitals, schools, office buildings cruise ships, cages for salmon farms...the list goes on.
Andrew Mickey: Where do you see copper prices 6 months from now? Three to five years? And is there any reason to expect the $4 a pound days to come back – ever?
Juan Villarzu: I think copper will be at $2 by the end of the year, and will be above $2 next year. I do not expect the price to return to $4 (in the last cycle, the price of copper was pushed up by speculation of funds, and this will not reoccur due to new regulations that will come into play) but we could see $3 in 2011 or 2012.
Andrew Mickey: One area of concern we always have is political risk. You've worked a long time in Chile and it's known as a mining, foreign-investment friendly place.
Do you see that staying the same way or are there some potential hidden risks the world hasn't really figured out yet ?
Juan Villarzu: There is no reason to be worried. Chile has a clear and important consensus regarding foreign investment and the mining industry and I see no reason for the government to change.
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There you have it. Mr. Villarzu expects copper to climb another 34% to 61%.
At Q1 Publishing , we've learned to not rule anything out at this point. Inflation is coming, demand for copper has held up, and even moderate global economic growth could easily send copper prices higher.
At the Prosperity Dispatch we've sat down with many leaders in their fields in the past few months to get the real scoop. Real specialists like stem cell insider Dr. Allen Eaves, demographer and best-selling author Harry S. Dent, gold investing guru John Embry, and David Dreman, the man who wrote the book on Contrarian Investing , among many others.
It's all intended to help us develop a unique and fact-based investment approach. Our research philosophy is simple. Find the best sources of information with the deepest experience and hands-on knowledge and apply what you've learned to making safe, prudent, and successful investments. It's the only way to do it.
Thanks for reading and we hope you decide to take advantage of our independent research. That's why we do it.
To your wealth,
Carly Walton
Publisher, Q1 Publishing
Full Disclosure: Villarzu is currently the Chairman of Apoquindo Minerals (TSXV:AQM).
Q1 Publishing is committed to providing investors with well-researched, level-headed, no-nonsense, analysis and investment advice that will allow you to secure enduring wealth and independence.
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Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.
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