The Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price is up 2% after the mining giant released its June quarter production numbers.
Fortescue’s strong FY21 Q4
The mining giant said that it achieved record iron ore shipments of 49.3 million tonnes (mt) for the quarter and 182.2mt for FY21. That beat its guidance of 182mt.
It achieved record average revenue of US$168 per dry metric tonne (dmt) for the quarter and US$135 per dmt for FY21.
The C1 cost for the fourth quarter (the cost of production) was US$15.23 per wet metric tonne (wmt), 2% higher than the previous quarter. The C1 cost for FY21 was US$13.93 per wmt, in line with its guidance.
That led to strong free cashflow generation, which helped the business finish with cash on hand of US$6.9 billion and net cash of US$2.7 billion at 30 June 2021. That compared to net debt at 31 March 2021.
Total capital expenditure for FY21 was US$3.6 billion, with first production achieved at Eliwana. It also continues to develop its projects Iron Bridge and Pilbara Energy Connect (PEC).
FY22 guidance
The business also provided guidance for the current financial year.
It’s expecting iron ore shipments to be 180mt to 185mt for FY22, with a C1 cost of US$15 to US$15.50.
Excluding Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), it expects to spend between US$2.8 billion to US$3.2 billion on capital expenditure.
FFI
FFI continues to progress a global portfolio of renewable green energy projects and decarbonisation technologies with FY22 expenditure expected to be between US$400 million to US$600 million.
Key areas of activity include green fleet development and decarbonisation technologies, as well as studies and asset identification across Australia, Asia, Africa, South America and North America.
FFI said its vision is to make renewable green hydrogen the most globally traded seaborne energy commodity in the world.
Summary thoughts about the Fortescue share price
The iron ore giant is really capitalising on the strong iron ore price. Fortescue is seeing great cashflow and this is likely to mean really good dividends too.
I’m a happy shareholder, but I bought shares at a much lower price, so I’m cautious about buying right now when iron ore is seeing incredible market conditions. Usually, the best time to buy a commodity business is when that resource price is weak, not strong.
There are other ASX dividend shares that may be wiser ideas right now.