-- 中東情勢の最新の緊迫化を受け、世界の原油・天然ガス価格予測が大幅に上方修正された。RBCキャピタル・マーケッツは、「深刻な原油供給ショック」と緊張緩和への明確な道筋が見えないことを理由に挙げている。 水曜日に発表された調査レポートの中で、同行は2026年のブレント原油価格を1バレル当たり平均90.99ドルと予測しており、これは従来予測から51.3%の上昇となる。また、ウエスト・テキサス・インターミディエイト(WTI)原油価格は1バレル当たり83.63ドルと予測しており、こちらも49.3%の上方修正となる。 同様に、RBCは天然ガス価格の見通しも引き上げ、ヘンリーハブ価格は100万英国熱量単位(MMBtu)当たり4.07ドルと予測している(7%上昇)。一方、欧州の天然ガス価格は2倍以上に上昇すると予想されており、英国NBP価格は1MMBtu当たり16.51ドルと予測されている。 報告書によると、アジアの買い手が代替供給源を求め、域内の買い手と直接競合しているため、欧州のガス価格正常化への期待は「覆された」という。 世界的に見ると、イラン紛争の影響でLNG供給量の約5分の1が停止している。しかし、RBCは、設備増強の増加と中国の需要低迷が、このショックを部分的に緩和する可能性があると指摘した。 同行のアナリストはまた、ホルムズ海峡危機で供給が途絶えたプロパンとブタンの代替需要を理由に、天然ガス液(LNG)価格の予測を上方修正した。
Related Articles
Suncorp Group Sees Improved Earnings Stability Under New Reinsurance Structure, Jefferies Says
Suncorp Group (ASX:SUN) will benefit from reduced earnings volatility and improved capital efficiency following its new five-year aggregate reinsurance program, though growth forecasts have been modestly revised lower, Jefferies said in an April 24 note.Jefferies noted that the new reinsurance program, starting June 30, provides AU$800 million in annual catastrophe protection and up to AU$2.4 billion over five years, capping natural hazard costs at budgeted levels in about 90% of scenarios and reducing earnings volatility from extreme weather.The equity research firm said that the company's revised framework raises its fiscal 2027 natural hazard allowance to AU$1.85 billion and ties it to exposure growth following a AU$453 million first-half 2026 overrun, with the impact broadly neutral.The research firm stated that, despite differing economics from its peers, the company's underlying insurance trading ratio outlook remains steady at 10% to 12% at the top end of its range, with reported earnings expected to better reflect underlying performance as catastrophe volatility eases.The research firm slightly revised its forecasts, cutting gross written premium growth to about 3% from 3.8% due to foreign exchange effects in New Zealand and updating investment income and valuation assumptions, with earnings estimates adjusted within a range of negative 3% to 1% over the forecast period.Jefferies maintained a hold rating on Suncorp Group and raised the price target to AU$17.70 from AU$16.50.
Fortescue Faces Pressure From Iron Bridge Weakness, Green Energy Shift, Jefferies Says
Fortescue (ASX:FMG) reported softer quarterly performance alongside ongoing challenges at Iron Bridge and increased spending on non-core green energy projects, raising concerns over returns and valuation, Jefferies said in an April 24 note.The company reported a softer quarter due to seasonal and weather impacts, with solid performance from its Pilbara hematite operations offset by ongoing underperformance at the Iron Bridge magnetite project, which continues to face throughput and margin challenges and may struggle to justify its value.Jefferies noted that the company's $680 million investment in green energy capacity for third-party customers, such as industrial users and data centers, represents a strategic shift, but views it as non-core capital allocation that may justify a higher discount rate for its mining business until clearer returns emerge.The equity research firm said that the company's Pilbara system is nearing port capacity constraints, a "good problem" that may allow higher-margin hematite production to displace costlier Iron Bridge volumes, as the company reviews its portfolio, trims Iron Bridge output, and keeps overall shipment guidance broadly unchanged.The research firm added that the company remains financially solid with $4.2 billion in cash despite dividends and capital expenditure outflows and is expected to return to a net cash position longer term, but highlighted Iron Bridge uncertainty and higher green energy spending as risks, including a potential write-down, supporting a cautious outlook.Jefferies maintained an underperform rating on Fortescue and reduced the price target to AU$16.50 from AU$17.50.
Research Alert: CFRA Keeps Hold Opinion On Shares Of Otis Worldwide Corporation
CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We cut our 12-month target to $90 from $100 following Q1 earnings, valuing OTIS shares at 19.6x our 2027 EPS outlook of $4.58 (down from $4.70; 2026 EPS view updated to $4.18 from $4.25), a modest discount to industrial machinery peers' and OTIS's five-year forward multiple average given unclear timing of ongoing margin headwinds. Service margins were disappointing in Q1 (contracting 160 bps to 23%) amid higher labor and material costs that came in above pricing. Weakness in China has yet to stabilize, though as noted in the past, this represents a shrinking area of OTIS's portfolio and will have a more limited effect going forward. Overall, the latest quarter was more of the same (China weakness/New Equipment decline), though with the added concern of margin quality being pressured within Service - the core profit driver for OTIS overall. While efforts to shore up profitability are underway, we see timing of recovery being uncertain.