Credit Suisse: China materials sector outlook

With 1H12 earnings season ahead, Credit Suisse believes "surprises are more on the downside for the China material sectors." It expects a "deep loss" in the steel and aluminium sector in general, followed by base metals and Chinese cement names with 1H12 earnings set to decline 30-50 per cent on average; earnings for coal and gold sectors should be more stable on-year, yet, moderate downside risk remains. "Nevertheless, we do not believe the negative earnings would be too much of a negative driver for the stock prices at this point, given the low expectation on 1H12. (Source: Dow Jones Global Equities News)