Assore Limited provided earnings guidance for the half year ended December 31, 2018. Assore announced that market conditions for most of its products were generally stronger over the six months ended 31 December 2018 compared to those which prevailed over the six months ended 31 December 2017. Prices for iron and manganese ores were higher, while those for chrome ore and manganese alloys were lower. Revenues were further enhanced by a weakened exchange rate, with the average Rand/US dollar rate being 5% weaker than first half fiscal 2018. Based on these trading conditions, headline earnings for the first half of the financial year to 31 December 2018 are anticipated to increase to between ZAR 2,770 million, increase of 14% and ZAR 3,000 million, increase of 24% compared to ZAR 2,429 million recorded in the first half of the previous financial year. Attributable earnings are anticipated to increase to between ZAR 2,770 million, increase of 13% and ZAR 3,000 million, increase of 22% compared to ZAR 2,454 million recorded in the first half of the previous financial year. The increased earnings are anticipated to increase headline earnings per share for the six months ended 31 December 2018 to between ZAR 2,685, increase of 14% and ZAR 2,908, increase of 23% per share from ZAR 2,355 per share for the six months ended 31 December 2017.