Can this ASX 200 stock keep its end of year rally going?

This $10 billion S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stock has staged an impressive comeback in recent months.

After facing cost challenges and reduced profits, BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) is regaining traction as investors respond positively to its stronger fundamentals.

The share price tells the story. Over the past month, BlueScope has climbed steadily with 6.4% to $23.68 at the time of writing, extending a recovery trend that began mid-year.

Over six months, the ASX 200 stock has rebounded strongly from lows in the high teens, delivering a convincing turnaround. Year to date, the share price is up more than 26%, making it one of the more resilient names in the ASX materials sector.

This raises the question: Can BlueScope Steel continue the rally into the new year?

Recovering Australian and US markets

The revival of the ASX 200 stock stems from several factors. Australian construction activity has strengthened, boosting demand for BlueScope’s coated and painted steel products, like Colorbond and Zincalume. The company’s North American operations have also benefited from a more supportive trade environment, giving its US mini-mill business extra breathing room.

Add ongoing cost-reduction programs, efficiency gains, and a strategic push toward higher-margin premium steel products, and the market sees a company positioning itself more smartly within a cyclical industry.

Steep energy and material costs

That doesn’t mean the risks have vanished. BlueScope still faces steep energy and raw-material costs at home. The board of the ASX 200 stock publicly flagged this as a threat to the competitiveness of Australian manufacturing.

Its recent full-year profit collapse — down nearly 90% following an impairment on its US coated-products division — highlighted weaknesses in parts of its global portfolio. Global steel spreads remain volatile, and any slump in construction or manufacturing demand could quickly weigh on margins.

The company also continues to grapple with lower returns on equity compared with industry peers, raising questions about capital efficiency.

Better sentiment

For now, the rally looks grounded in improving operational performance rather than pure sentiment. If energy pressures moderate and steel demand holds firm, BlueScope has a credible path to extend its end-of-year surge.

Despite the headwinds, sentiment is improving. Management of the steel producer has kept dividends stable, signalling confidence in the underlying business. Operationally, the company’s Australian steelmaking division remains a steady performer, while its move toward branded, value-added products gives it more pricing power than commodity steelmakers typically enjoy.

Analysts are generally upbeat, with most analysts recommending the ASX 200 stock as a buy or even a strong buy. Several major brokers see further room for gains, with average 12-month price targets just over $26 and some high-end estimates of $28. This implies an 18.5% upside at the current share price.

The post Can this ASX 200 stock keep its end of year rally going? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.