Teck blasts out record quarterly profit but cuts guidance for copper, coal

Teck Resources (TSE:TCK.B) posted strong third-quarter earnings and rewarded shareholders with a 33% dividend increase. However, the Vancouver-based diversified mining company also lowered its 2011 guidance for copper and coking coal, its principle export commodities.

Coal sales volume was lowered to 22.2 to 23 million tonnes (from 23.5 to 24.5 million) due to weakening steel markets. Teck blamed problems at its Quebrada Blanca operation in Chile for lower than expected copper volumes; 2011 copper sales guidance was lowered to 320,000 tonnes from 330,000 to 340,000t.

The company had a record quarter, increasing its third-quarter revenues to $3.4 billion from the same period in 2010 — a 40% increase.  Adjusted earnings were $742 million compared to $452 million in Q3 of last year.

“We had a very strong third quarter,” said Don Lindsay, President and CEO. “We set new records for each of revenue, gross profit and cash flow and our cash balance has grown to $4.5 billion today. Our coal division accomplished an important milestone that clearly demonstrates the benefits of the capital we are investing. We reached a new record in the quarter for total material moved, a critical step towards achieving our production growth targets.”

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