ArcelorMittal Shares Fall 3% Amid CAC 40 Downturn Due to Middle East Tensions
The Luxembourg-based steelmaker sees a significant decline, as the entire Parisian market falls sharply amid renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. This movement is accompanied by a wave of target price increases by analysts, which contrasts with today's drop.
A Decline Part of a General Correction in the CAC 40
ArcelorMittal shares lose 3.14% to €54.36, within a CAC 40 that drops 2.24% to 8,247.5 points. The stock falls below its MM20 (€55.81) and MM50 (€55.35), with respective gaps of 2.60% and 1.79% below these short averages. The RSI at 52 remains in the neutral zone, while the MACD begins a reversal with a histogram back in positive territory.
The decline occurs in a climate of high volatility: the VIX jumps 20.1% to 18.7, as a new direct military escalation is reported between Washington and Tehran, with strikes claimed by Iran against American facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. Concurrently, Brent crude climbs 5.70% to $76.09 a barrel. Despite today's drop, the stock still holds a cushion of 20% above its MM200 (€45.28) and still shows a performance of 96% over one year.
Two Target Price Increases by Oddo BHF and Deutsche Bank
Oddo BHF has raised its target price on ArcelorMittal from €65 to €70, reiterating an 'overweight' rating. Deutsche Bank also adjusted its target from €57 to €61, with a 'buy' opinion. At the current price, the new targets represent an upside potential of about 12% for Deutsche Bank's target and close to 29% for Oddo BHF's.
The upward revision follows a recent rally, which saw the stock gain 19.11% over three months despite a one-month decline of 8.21%. Analysts' opinions are becoming more bullish as the company goes through a managerial transition phase: Geert Van Poelvoorde will leave the CEO position of ArcelorMittal Europe at the end of July, after 37 years with the group, to take over as the chairman of the board of ArcelorMittal Europe Steel. The next technical threshold to watch on the downside is the support at €51.50.
