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Glencore shares tumble to record low Glencore shares tumble to record low
(about 4 hours later)
Shares in commodity giant Glencore plunged almost 30% after analysts raised fears about lower metal prices. Shares in commodity giant Glencore plunged 30% after analysts raised fears about lower metal prices.
The company's shares dropped to a new record low of 69p on Monday, helping push the FTSE 100 down 2%.The company's shares dropped to a new record low of 69p on Monday, helping push the FTSE 100 down 2%.
Analysts warned slumping metal prices could leave Glencore shares almost worthless because of its heavy debts.Analysts warned slumping metal prices could leave Glencore shares almost worthless because of its heavy debts.
Fears over Glencore's £20bn debt pile have seen its shares drop more than 30% in the past month. Fears over Glencore's £20bn debt pile have seen its shares dive in the past month and the cost of insuring that debt has soared.
'Value eliminated''Value eliminated'
More than £3.5bn was wiped off Glencore's market value after a warning from analysts at Investec.More than £3.5bn was wiped off Glencore's market value after a warning from analysts at Investec.
They wrote that low metals prices "could see almost all equity value eliminated" at the Switzerland-based company.They wrote that low metals prices "could see almost all equity value eliminated" at the Switzerland-based company.
They also questioned how much Glencore could raise from selling its agriculture division, as "valuing such a volatile business is likely to be tough".They also questioned how much Glencore could raise from selling its agriculture division, as "valuing such a volatile business is likely to be tough".
Glencore hopes to generate up to $12bn (£7.9bn) from the sale of its grains business to reduce its debt burden.Glencore hopes to generate up to $12bn (£7.9bn) from the sale of its grains business to reduce its debt burden.
The Investec analysts said that without major restructuring, Glencore and another debt-laden mining firm, Anglo American, could see their value "evaporate".The Investec analysts said that without major restructuring, Glencore and another debt-laden mining firm, Anglo American, could see their value "evaporate".
Shares in London-listed Anglo American also fell 10%.Shares in London-listed Anglo American also fell 10%.
Hunter Hillcoat, an analyst at Investec, said: "Mining companies gorged themselves on cheap debt in a race to grow production following the Chinese stimulus that occurred in the wake of the great financial crisis.Hunter Hillcoat, an analyst at Investec, said: "Mining companies gorged themselves on cheap debt in a race to grow production following the Chinese stimulus that occurred in the wake of the great financial crisis.
"The consequences are only now coming home to roost, as mines take a long time to build.""The consequences are only now coming home to roost, as mines take a long time to build."
Fears of a slowdown in China's economy has weighed on metal prices, with copper, aluminium and nickel all down more than 25% compared to a year ago.Fears of a slowdown in China's economy has weighed on metal prices, with copper, aluminium and nickel all down more than 25% compared to a year ago.