Pete Wargent blogspot

PERSONAL/BUSINESS COACH | PROPERTY BUYER | ANALYST

'Must-read, must-follow, one of the best analysts in Australia' - Stephen Koukoulas, ex-Senior Economics Adviser to Prime Minister Gillard.

'One of Australia's brightest financial minds, must-follow for accurate & in-depth analysis' - David Scutt, Markets & Economics Editor, Sydney Morning Herald.

'I've been investing 40 years & still learn new concepts from Pete; one of the best commentators...and not just a theorist!' - Michael Yardney, Amazon #1 bestseller.

Wednesday 8 February 2023

Boral's energy costs were up 54pc in 2022

Boral laments energy costs

Boral reported a strong 53 per cent increase in NPAT to $56.8 million over the 6 months to December 2022, thanks in part to strong cost discipline in the challenging inflationary environment.


Source: ASX, Boral

Over the remainder FY23 Boral aims to maintain a strong cost focus. 


Boral's energy costs were up by a brutal 54 per cent in the December 2022 half versus the prior year comparative period, while cartage costs were also up 20 per cent year-on-year due to driver and truck shortages.  

Source: ASX, Boral

Energy price conditions have eased

The driver and truck shortages should be righted now that population growth is running at full tilt, but you can understand the concern around energy prices.

Ironically, the ALP won its election campaign on providing $275 cheaper energy bills for households by 2025 due to its plans to increase renewable energy sources - but to say that global events have overtaken matters would be something of an understatement. 

The AEMO reported that wholesale electricity prices pulled back dramatically by 57 per cent from excruciating highs of $216/MWh to $93/MWh between the September and the December quarters last year.

East coast gas prices also fell from $26/GJ to $17.79/GJ.

Source: AEMO

Energy price conditions have eased more generally following the Federal Government's intervention in the electricity market in December, which have seen futures for the next two years significantly cut.

Source: AEMO

From an inflation perspective this will obviously in time bring good news, as inflation will start to fall over the medium term. 

But you can understand the angst of listed companies because energy prices are still well above 2021 levels and are cutting into profit margins. 

Electricity price offerings for households were 20 to 30 per cent higher over the past year, and in the short-term households are expected to come under further pressure with Energy Australia, Origin, and AGL all expected to increase gas rates over February and March.