UPDATE: DNB Markets Initiates Diana Shipping to Buy on Dry Bulk Demand Trends

DNB Markets initiated coverage on Diana Shipping

with a Buy rating and an $8.80 price target. DNB Markets commented, "We expect 2012 to mark the trough in dry bulk utilisation, at 83%, rising to 84% in 2013 and 87% in 2014 on a declining order book and longer sailing distances. We forecast annual ton-mile demand growth of 11% over 2013–2015, versus 9% annually over 2004–2007. We expect global export iron ore and coal capacity to increase by 10% p.a., after canvassing, and compiling data from, c90% of the world's iron ore, coal ports and miners. Our port study makes us confident commodity prices will stay low, justifying our above-trend demand growth assumption, arguing China will be incentivised to import rather than rely on domestic production due to higher production costs domestically." Diana Shipping closed at $7.59 on Tuesday.