Vale Still Looks Iron-Clad

Experienced investors know that the market is always playing a game of "he loves me, he loves me not" when it comes to commodities and commodity companies like Vale (Nasdaq: VALE), but this Brazilian iron ore giant has nevertheless managed to produce impressive long-term gains for shareholders. While the company's ever-increasing size argues that it will be more beholden to global commodity cycles in the future, the company's growth plans suggest that further growth is still possible. 

A Hot Third Quarter
Much to the chagrin of steelmakers like U.S. Steel (NYSE:X) and POSCO (NYSE:PKX), iron ore prices are hot right now. Much to the delight of Vale shareholders, the company translated higher prices and production into more than double the level of last year's sales and 46% sequential growth. Earnings were also far higher on an annual basis, and up 63% sequentially, while adjusted EBTIDA nearly tripled annually and increased almost 60% sequentially.

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http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/Vale-Still-Looks-Iron-Clad-VALE-X-PKX-RIO-BHP-FSUMY1029.aspx

The Steel Sector: No Jam Today, But Maybe Tomorrow

Investors might feel like the White Queen is running the economy these days. There was good growth in the past, and a lot of people seem to be expecting it again in the not-so-distant future, but it is pretty hard to find in the present. With a series of pre-announcements over the last few days, the steel sector is definitely shaping up as a "jam yesterday, jam tomorrow, sorry ... none today" sort of sector right now. 

Steel Dynamics
To a certain extent, maybe Steel Dynamics' (Nasdaq:STLD) downward revision for the third quarter was not a big surprise. After all, analysts have taken down the numbers on this major mini-mill operator multiple times over the last three months and estimates are now about a third lower.

For the full piece:
http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/The-Steel-Sector-No-Jam-Today-But-Maybe-Tomorrow-STLD-NUE-AKS-X-CMC-VALE-CLF0917.aspx

Steel Dynamics Pitted, But Not Rusting

So, how is the economy doing, exactly? Alcoa (NYSE:AA) or CSX (NYSE:CSX) earnings may have you feeling optimistic, while earnings from major banks cast a pall over that scenario. In that context, maybe Steel Dynamics (Nasdaq:STLD) earnings are a perfect metaphor - they were good, but not great, and guidance was a little murky. 

The Quarter That Was
Steel Dynamics reported 5% sequential growth in revenue (to $1.63 billion) and earnings per share of $0.22. Both of these metrics were slightly below the average Wall Street analyst estimate; enough to be a mild disappointment, but nothing to panic about. 


For the full piece, please go to:
http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/Steel-Dynamics-Pitted-But-Not-Rusting-AA-CSX-STLD-X-NUE-AKS-WHR0722.aspx