** Morgan Stanley expects European mining equipment makers'
aftermarket businesses to see a more supportive environment in
2025, while original equipment recovery will take more time
** "Miners have been given an incentive to maximise
production from existing assets, supporting equipment suppliers'
aftermarket businesses" - MS
** It predicts 2025 mining capex will be flat
year-over-year, followed by a slight decrease in 2026 - still
around 30% below the 2012 peak
** It double upgrades UK-based Weir Group WEIR.L and
downgrades Sweden's Epiroc EPIRa.ST
** MS says margin consensus for Epiroc is too high, while
its competitive advantage is "less clear", with Sandvik
SAND.ST taking market share in surface mining and electric
mining equipment
** Weir is expected to exceed its 20% operating margin
target by 2026, while its improved FCF leaves room for inorganic
growth or share buybacks, MS says
** Although the mining industry is fairly concentrated, MS
says further consolidation should not be ruled out
COMPANY RATING OLD RATING PT OLD PT
Epiroc underweight equal-weight SEK 182 SEK 200
Weir Group overweight underweight 2,560p 2,080p
Metso equal-weight - EUR 9.80 EUR 10
Sandvik equal-weight - SEK 220 SEK 215
(Reporting by Agnieszka Olenska)
((Agnieszka.olenska@thomsonreuters.com))