International ratings agency Fitch Ratings has announced that it has revised Australia-based Fortescue Metals Group Limited's outlook to negative from stable, affirming the credit rating at 'BB+'.
The negative outlook primarily reflects the increasing pressure on liquidity that Fortescue is facing as a result of the precipitous fall in iron ore prices. Fitch acknowledges Fortescue's move to defer part of its 155 million mt per year expansion project until iron ore prices return to more sustainable levels. The cuts in the expansion project will result in capital expenditure savings of $1.6 billion in 2013.
According to Fitch, while these measures will help to alleviate some of the liquidity pressure in 2013, it is mostly dependent on the recovery of iron ore price to around $110/mt.
Fortescue's rating continues to reflect its position as a high-margin producer, which is supported by its low production costs relative to peers and proximity to its customers in Asia. Fortescue's rating is also supported by its strategic importance to downstream Chinese steel producers.