In my humble opinion we are simply returning to pretty much what existed in terms of "players" before the phenomenon known as China appeared on the scene as the "biggest consumer of all generations" of bulk commodities. Unfortunately some came to the "table" too late - perhaps the Northern Territory small emerging companies (since all gone or mothballed), the attempt by the South Australian "mega mountain of Fe", the now "folklore" woeful tales of Murchison and Padbury and now the hopeful Roy Hill project of our gladiatoress - none other than Gina Rinehart. Oh what a cracker that may not turn out to be. So BHP, RIO and VALE still at the "QE of Iron Ore" ad infinitum. They don't give a toss about he next man falling including decent companies like AGO - nice people in a really brutal business in the race to the bottom.
The RBA are also a singular "wonder of the world" - they expouse the need to generate a lower currency but haven't got the undercarriage (being well mannered here) to drive that effect by really cutting interest rates. Stuff the argument of the domestic property market - that will deal with itself in good time.
The collapse in the Fe spot and futures prices have been well tabled for ages - perhaps the magnitude was not forecast but $60 was certainly an interim target which, if accompanied by a considerably weaker A$ (circa 70 cents), would have kept the battling second tier like Atlas in the clear while they really carved up the cost base as best as they could.
Unfortunately the rampant three behemoths will be kicking back in Head Office with their loafers and velvet smoking jackets on whilst sipping on something better than Dom Perignon.
A sad time for entrepreneurial free spirit but a definitive reality check for small vs huge.
AGO Price at posting:
12.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
