6 ASX mining shares just upgraded by brokers

A collection of ASX mining shares have been upgraded by various brokers today.

While the upgrades demonstrate increased confidence in these ASX mining shares, many are already trading above the brokers’ raised valuations.

Over the past three months, the S&P/ASX 300 Metals & Mining Index (ASX: XMM) has increased by almost 25%.

Investors are likely more enthusiastic about ASX mining shares now that China has dumped its COVID-19 Zero policy. This significantly disrupted the Chinese economy and affected demand for our exports.

Which ASX mining share got the biggest price forecast bump?

According to The Australian, Goldman feels a lot more confident about the prospects for ASX copper share Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR).

The broker has raised its 12-month share price target by a whopping 38% to $4.50. But Sandfire shares are already trading well above this at $6.20, down 1.12% at lunchtime on Friday.

Goldman has also upgraded its share price target on ASX iron ore share Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) by 22% to $8.40.

Champion Iron shares are swapping hands for $7.76 today, up 0.91%. So, there’s a bit of potential upside available for investors here.

The broker has also raised its price target for South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) shares by 17% to $4.20. South 32 shares are already above this point, trading at $4.64 today, up 1.98%.

Conversely, Credit Suisse is not so confident and has cut its recommendation on South 32 shares to neutral.

Goldman upped its price target for BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares by 12% to $48.10. But investors are more bullish, pushing BHP shares to $49.89 today, up 1.03%.

Goldman also backs ASX coal share New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC).

The team has raised its price target on New Hope shares by 26% to $4.90. But the New Hope share price has soared well beyond this to $6.27, up 5.91% on no news from the company at all today.

At the time of writing, it’s the top-performing share on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) today, according to ASX data.

They’ve also raised their forecast for the thermal coal price by 18% to US$275 per tonne for 2023.

Goldman also sees Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) heading 9% higher to $130 per share. Rio Tinto is currently trading at $122.85 per share, up 1.39% today.

Barclays has raised its recommendation on Rio Tinto shares to equal weight.

What’s got the brokers positive on ASX resources stocks?

In a new note, Goldman Sachs says it is forecasting a commodity price recovery in the second half of FY23:

While we continue to think 1Q23 will be a tough quarter for base metals and steel due to ongoing weak European and global demand, our expectation of a China reopening in 2Q, extreme lows in global base metal inventories and ongoing supply side disruptions make us positive on a 2H commodity price recovery.

Goldman said it was “most positive” on 62% fe and high-grade iron ore, as well as coking coal, due to an expected increase in Chinese steel production.

The broker is also optimistic about copper, aluminium, and zinc due to low global inventories and supply-side disruptions.

It cites copper production issues in Chile and a “slow restart of European aluminium and zinc smelters” as reasons for the shortages right now.