South32 lifts net cash and sets Brazil Alumina output record in March quarter

The South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) share price is in focus after the company delivered a solid March 2026 quarter, with net cash up by US$121 million and record production at Brazil Alumina.

What did South32 report?

• Group net cash rose by US$121 million to US$96 million for the March 2026 quarter
• Brazil Alumina achieved record year-to-date production, up 5% to 1,060kt
• Sierra Gorda delivered a record quarterly distribution of US$135 million (South32 share)
• Australia Manganese production guidance revised down by 6% due to weather impacts
• US$158 million invested in Hermosa development during the quarter
• Fully-franked interim dividend of US$175 million paid after the quarter-end

What else do investors need to know?

South32 reported a tragic fatality at Worsley Alumina in March, leading to some temporary suspension of non-critical work and an ongoing safety review. The team also responded to external challenges such as wet weather events and increased global freight costs from geopolitical tensions.

Despite headwinds, the company maintained production guidance across most operations, with only Australia Manganese seeing guidance cut due to site water issues following heavy rains and cyclones. The company continues to monitor supply chains closely but reports no current diesel shortages.

South32 invested US$239 million in group capital expenditure (excluding Hermosa and joint ventures) in the first nine months of FY26. The company executed a US$35 million on-market share buyback and has extended its capital management program, with US$209 million yet to be returned to shareholders.

What’s next for South32?

Looking ahead, South32 expects to complete its review of project milestones and capital expenditure for the Hermosa Taylor project in the June 2026 half year, as more infrastructure contracts are awarded. The company remains focused on managing water at Australia Manganese and drawing down inventory at Mozal Aluminium and Cannington as rail access improves.

Management reaffirms their strategy to invest in high-quality growth, particularly in copper, zinc and silver, while maintaining a strong balance sheet to support returns and weather market volatility.

South32 share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, South32 shares have risen 69%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 15% over the same period.

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The post South32 lifts net cash and sets Brazil Alumina output record in March quarter appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.