Shares in African diamond miner Petra Diamonds hit an all-time low on Monday after it missed forecasts with a 22 per cent fall in annual profit, as a Sino-US trade row and protests in Hong Kong dented demand in big Asian markets.

The miner has been fixing its balance sheet after spending much of this decade investing in its flagship Cullinan mine in South Africa.

Petra’s share price fell to an all-time low of 7.25 pence, recovering slightly to trade down 8 per cent by 0830 GMT at 7.45 pence.

The stock is down about 80 per cent this year.

The miner said on Monday it had generated positive cash flow for the first time since embarking on its major expansion plan in 2011 and had a programme to improve efficiency and cut debt.

Operational cash flow in 2019 was positive at $70.5 million compared with outflows last year.

But adjusted core profit fell to $153 million in the year ended June 30 from $195.4 million a year earlier, compared with analysts’ average expectations of $172 million, according to company-compiled consensus.

Alongside the impact of the Sino-US trade dispute and protests in Hong Kong, some analysts blame manmade stones for price weakness and soft demand.

Natural diamond producers say their product is distinct.

CEO Richard Duffy, who took over in April, said in an interview he expected the market to remain under pressure. In the longer term, actions by major producers, led by Anglo American unit De Beers, to restrict supply should help.

Duffy has been overseeing a three-year plan to cut debt. Petra said net debt was $541 million at the end of June.

Launched in July, Project 2022 aims to reduce debt by delivering $150 million to $200 million in cumulative free cash flow through efficiencies and improvement across the business.

Petra said on Monday non-executive Chairman Adonis Pouroulis would leave the board by the end of the third quarter 2020, once a successor had been appointed.

Duffy said it was a natural moment in the company’s plans for Pouroulis to step down.

Kieron Hodgson, an analyst at Panmure Gordon who rates the company “hold”, said “The ability to deliver on the stated goals of ‘Project 2022’ will be crucial.”

Reuters