Our opinion on the current state of THUNGELA(TGA)Thungela (TGA) is Anglo American's coal assets which have been unbundled into the hands of Anglo shareholders and separately listed on the JSE and the LSE because of Anglo's policy of moving away from carbon-based fossil fuels like coal. Anglo sold its last 8% of Thungela on 25th March 2022 for R1,67bn.
Thungela is a major thermal coal exporter in South Africa. It has over 7500 employees and exports coal to Asia, India, Southeast Asia, and East and North African countries. The company owns 50% of Phola, which operates a coal processing plant, and it has a 23,22% interest in the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT). The company has the capacity to produce over 90 million tons of coal per annum. It operates seven mines in South Africa, four open cast and three underground.
The share began trading on the JSE on 7th June 2021 and immediately fell to 2190c from 2600c. It was originally estimated to be worth a minimum of 4400c but reached a high of 37752c on 16th September 2022. Since then, it has been moving sideways and downwards with lower coal prices and problems with Transnet. Obviously, it is also subject to the volatility of being a single commodity share and dependent on Transnet to get its product to port. The company has committed to paying out at least 30% of "...adjusted operating free cash flow" in the form of a dividend.
In its results for the year to 31st December 2024, the company reported revenue up 16% and headline earnings per share (HEPS) down 27%. The company said, "Adjusted operating free cash flow* of R3.6 billion for the year and net cash* of R8.7 billion at 31 December 2024, after capital expenditure of R3.4 billion. Declaration of a final cash dividend of R11 per share, taking full-year dividend to R13 per share. Share buyback announced of up to R300 million."
Thungela will drift sideways until the price of coal increases—if it ever does. On 21st January 2025, the company announced that its CEO, July Ndlovu, will retire in July 2025 and be replaced by Moses Madondo on 1st August 2025.