A stronger showing from Maersk Line should lead AP Moller-Maersk to a more hefty fourth quarter profit today, analysts believe.
Much of the attention will be on what figure the company expects from its market leading container division in 2013 – the year in which it will welcome its first 18,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) new buildings.
Consensus bets in the market place group profit at $806m for the fourth quarter, which would mark a jump from $273milliom 12 months ago.
Maersk Line is tipped to bring in $262million, way better than the $661million red figure it produced in the final three months of 2011.
Much of the attention will be on what figure the company expects from its market leading container division in 2013 – the year in which it will welcome its first 18,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) new buildings.
Consensus bets in the market place group profit at $806m for the fourth quarter, which would mark a jump from $273milliom 12 months ago.
Maersk Line is tipped to bring in $262million, way better than the $661million red figure it produced in the final three months of 2011.
Maersk Oil & Gas is expected to be the main contributor in the fourth quarter.
Analysts believe the division banked $358milion, down from $513million.
Maersk Tankers is projected to report a loss of $25million, an improvement on the $104million red figure seen a year ago.
“The focus is expected to be on the 2013 guidance, particularly for Maersk Line,” wrote RS Platou Markets in a preview.
“Given that 2013 has started better than 2012, expectations are for improved earnings this year.
“However, given record newbuild containership deliveries in 2013 and still negative trade growth for certain lanes, we expect liners to struggle to keep rates up above cash break-even.”
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