We recently published a list of 15 Best Stocks to Buy According to Hosking Partners. In this article, we are going to take a look at where International Seaways, Inc. (NYSE:INSW) stands against the other best stocks to buy according to Hosking Partners.
Hosking Partners was established in 2013 by Jeremy Hosking as an independent partnership that offers a single global equity strategy. The firm appeals to investors seeking long-term returns and innovative thinking employing a capital cycle approach to investing. It has a diverse set of stocks in its portfolio that belong to a variety of industries consisting of AI, shipping, and financial services, among others. Jeremy Hosking earned an MA from the University of Cambridge, after which he served Marathon Asset Management 26 years as a founding partner and lead portfolio manager. There he contributed to developing the capital cycle approach to investment.
In its recent blog about shipping, Hosking Partners believes that understanding the cycles in different classes of shipping and global trends is essential for successful investment in the industry. Currently, Shipping (covering the container, dry bulk, product tanker and LNG sub-sectors) represents 1.25% of the portfolio. Global trade has declined as a percentage of GDP since 2010 caused by deglobalization, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical instability from the Russia-Ukraine war. This trend, coupled with the energy transition, is expected to constrain future supply and increase commodity price volatility, benefiting shipping by enabling cross-border trade.
Furthermore, shipping is a significant emitter of CO2, accounting for about 3% of global emissions. Environmental regulations aim to reduce emissions, but uncertainty over future fuel technology deters investment in new ships, leading to a tighter supply. The industry’s efficiency, measured by emissions per tonne-km, remains high compared to other transport modes. The shipping industry is at a pivotal juncture, with significant transformations driven by AI, the energy transition, and ESG considerations.
Another industry that Hosking Partners talks about is copper mining. Copper is often seen as a barometer for economic health and is crucial for the energy transition, including electric vehicles, power grids, and wind turbines. Wall Street banks are optimistic about copper prices, forecasting significant gains. Citi analysts suggest that prices could surge to over $15,000 per ton in the next 2-3 years if a strong economic recovery occurs, while their base case projects a rise to $12,000 per ton with modest demand growth through 2025 and 2026. Bank of America has also increased its 2024 copper price target to $9,321 from $8,625, citing tight mine supply and high demand driven by the energy transition as key factors.
However, some experts are cautious. Colin Hamilton of BMO Capital Markets argues that commodity markets tend to self-correct, and if supply issues persist, demand may adjust, potentially leading to lower prices. Hamilton suggests that while high price targets might be temporarily achievable, adjustments in demand could follow. The market may see a modest surplus due to increased mined supply, which is projected to grow by 4-4.5%. This is largely driven by new greenfield and brownfield projects. Despite the near-term surplus, long-term scarcity is anticipated as regulatory and political challenges in South America could impede the development of new mines.
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Sprawling oceangoing cargo vessels sailing on a glistening sea.
International Seaways, Inc. (NYSE:INSW)
Hosking Partners’ Stake Value: $52,096,664
Percentage of Hosking Partners’ 13F Portfolio: 1.92%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34
International Seaways, Inc. (NYSE:INSW) provides global shipping services through voyage charters, commercial pools, and time charters. The company, established in 2016, provides energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products across international markets. International Seaways owns and operates a fleet of 82 vessels, including crude, product, and chemical tankers in addition to Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), Suezmaxes, Aframaxes, and Medium Range (MR) tankers.
It became the first NYSE-listed shipowner to include a sustainability-linked pricing mechanism in a credit facility. Recently, Seaways has benefited by geopolitical events (Russian-Ukraine conflict) that have caused disruptions to both crude and product tanker trade, as these events have not just defined tanker earnings but merely boosted a fundamentally strong market. Due to strong tanker market the order book has grown to about 11% of the total fleet but the current order book only represents about 11% of the total fleet, which is insufficient to replace the aging fleet. With the average tanker now over 13 years old, fleet efficiency and utilization are declining. However, International Seaways has more than $500 million in available credit to fuel our growth. Its net debt is only 14% of the current fleet’s value, and its wholly-owned 34 tankers are entirely debt-free.
During Q2 2024, the company acquired six modern MR vessels for $232 million, funding 85% of the purchase with cash and the rest with common shares. It also sold three older vessels, generating $73 million in net proceeds, and entered into three new time charter agreements, increasing future contracted revenues by $86 million. Additionally, the company ordered six dual-fuel LR1 vessels for $359 million, with deliveries expected between late 2025 and mid-2026. These vessels will be added to the Panamax International Pool, which has consistently outperformed the market.
Overall INSW ranks 15th on our list of the best stocks to buy according to Hosking Partners. While we acknowledge the potential of INSW as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than INSW but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.