Southern Copper vs Freeport-McMoRan
This page compares Southern Copper Corp. and Freeport-McMoRan Inc., examining their business models, financial performance, and market context to help readers understand their roles and prospects in the metals sector. The comparison remains neutral, accessible, and free of promotion. Educational content, not financial advice.
This page compares Southern Copper Corp. and Freeport-McMoRan Inc., examining their business models, financial performance, and market context to help readers understand their roles and prospects in t...
Why It's Moving
Southern Copper Hits 52-Week High After Crushing Q3 Earnings Expectations
- Q3 net sales soared 15.2% year-over-year to a record $3.38 billion, beating estimates of $3.05 billion, driven by higher volumes of silver, molybdenum, and zinc, signaling diversified revenue resilience.[1][3][4]
- Earnings per share of $1.35 topped forecasts by $0.09, highlighting cost discipline and expansion plans that position SCCO for sustained copper market deficits tied to AI and decarbonization trends.[1][3]
- Board hiked quarterly dividend to $0.90 per share in late October, reflecting confidence in converting profitability into shareholder returns despite a minor insider sale of 400 shares on December 3.[1][3][4]
FCX surges amid copper rally as class action noise fades into the background.
- Stock rocketed from $44.80 on December 9 to $48.11 on December 11, a 7.3% gain reflecting broader copper market strength.[2][3]
- Copper prices advanced on expectations of tighter supply and steady industrial demand, lifting miners like FCX.[2]
- Class action deadline alert on December 11 revisited 2025 Grasberg landslide but failed to dent momentum, with shares ignoring past safety concerns.[1]
Southern Copper Hits 52-Week High After Crushing Q3 Earnings Expectations
- Q3 net sales soared 15.2% year-over-year to a record $3.38 billion, beating estimates of $3.05 billion, driven by higher volumes of silver, molybdenum, and zinc, signaling diversified revenue resilience.[1][3][4]
- Earnings per share of $1.35 topped forecasts by $0.09, highlighting cost discipline and expansion plans that position SCCO for sustained copper market deficits tied to AI and decarbonization trends.[1][3]
- Board hiked quarterly dividend to $0.90 per share in late October, reflecting confidence in converting profitability into shareholder returns despite a minor insider sale of 400 shares on December 3.[1][3][4]
FCX surges amid copper rally as class action noise fades into the background.
- Stock rocketed from $44.80 on December 9 to $48.11 on December 11, a 7.3% gain reflecting broader copper market strength.[2][3]
- Copper prices advanced on expectations of tighter supply and steady industrial demand, lifting miners like FCX.[2]
- Class action deadline alert on December 11 revisited 2025 Grasberg landslide but failed to dent momentum, with shares ignoring past safety concerns.[1]
Which Baskets Do They Appear In?
America's Copper Advantage: Tariffs Reshape The Market
The U.S. has imposed a 50% tariff on certain copper imports, causing market volatility and creating a potential advantage for domestic producers. This theme focuses on U.S.-based copper fabricators and refiners who stand to benefit from these protectionist measures.
Published: July 31, 2025
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Explore BasketResource Nationalism Portfolio
This carefully selected collection features companies with strategic control over essential, finite resources in politically stable regions. As global demand for critical materials grows, these stocks offer a powerful defense against international supply chain disruptions.
Published: June 17, 2025
Explore BasketWhich Baskets Do They Appear In?
America's Copper Advantage: Tariffs Reshape The Market
The U.S. has imposed a 50% tariff on certain copper imports, causing market volatility and creating a potential advantage for domestic producers. This theme focuses on U.S.-based copper fabricators and refiners who stand to benefit from these protectionist measures.
Published: July 31, 2025
Explore BasketElectrification Essentials
Power up your portfolio with companies that form the backbone of our electric future. These carefully selected stocks represent firms providing the indispensable materials and infrastructure needed for the global energy transition.
Published: June 17, 2025
Explore BasketResource Nationalism Portfolio
This carefully selected collection features companies with strategic control over essential, finite resources in politically stable regions. As global demand for critical materials grows, these stocks offer a powerful defense against international supply chain disruptions.
Published: June 17, 2025
Explore BasketInvestment Analysis
Southern Copper
SCCO
Pros
- Southern Copper reported strong Q3 2025 revenue growth, surpassing estimates and showing resilience in a challenging market.
- The company maintains a high dividend yield, projected at 6.4% for 2025, making it attractive for income-focused investors.
- Southern Copper benefits from robust production growth in zinc and silver, diversifying its revenue streams beyond copper.
Considerations
- Copper production declined slightly year-on-year, reflecting operational challenges and potential supply constraints.
- Analysts forecast a negative average price target for the stock, suggesting limited near-term upside and possible downside risk.
- The company faces headwinds from global trade tensions and potential tariffs on US copper imports, impacting future demand.
Pros
- Freeport-McMoRan holds a leading position in global copper mining, with significant stakes in major operations like Grasberg in Indonesia.
- The company benefits from a diversified asset base across North America, reducing reliance on any single region or commodity.
- Freeport-McMoRan has demonstrated strong operational efficiency and cost management in recent quarters.
Considerations
- Freeport-McMoRan's stock has underperformed over the past year, with a notable decline compared to sector peers.
- The company is exposed to geopolitical risks in key mining regions, which could disrupt operations and impact profitability.
- Freeport-McMoRan faces ongoing challenges related to environmental regulations and community relations at its mining sites.
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