NYSE:FCX

Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold (FCX)

68.43
+1.94 (2.92%)
as of Aug 17, 2026, 3:21:20 pm Market Open.
230 watching
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Investor Insights
star iconAug 16, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 19 opinions in the last 12 months.

Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold (FCX) is encountering a mixed outlook from various experts. The company has experienced a 36% increase in its stock price this year, driven by the rising demand for copper, particularly due to its essential role in electrification and data centers. However, headwinds exist, including significant resistance at current levels, and concerns about global inventory overhang. Additionally, recent challenges, such as a mudslide affecting production and heightened risks, have led some analysts to suggest caution. Long-term sentiment, however, remains bullish, backed by the expected growth in copper demand, particularly from China and the EV sector, although current market fluctuations and uncertainties could dampen short-term performance.

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Consensus
Buy
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Valuation
Fair Value
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TECK.B
TOP PICK

To invest in this you need to be positive on copper which he is with the electrification of everything and the build out of data centres. Also global growth, especially China, could push the commodity price up. It has great assets and great jurisdictions. It also has long asset life to get through downturns in the price of copper. A catalyst in the coming quarters is its production of really high margin gold by-products. We have an elevated gold price and could see earnings estimates increased.         Buy 16  Hold 6  Sell 1

(Analysts’ price target is $51.24)
WATCH

Tariff policy is uncertain, as we could have an announcement today that gets changed next week. 200-day MA is falling, but at least the price is above that. Likes the space. Would be great if China picked up, as that would really propel the stock.

Sees signs that we could see a pickup down the road, but he's neutral for now.

WEAK BUY

Very significant drop in copper price recently, due to US tariffs being clarified. Yet copper stocks were remarkably resilient. 

This name has wonderful long-life assets. Trading above 50-, 150-, and 200-day MAs. Not strongest copper stock technically, but technicals are fine. Great company with history of raising dividend over time. If inflation rises tomorrow, they can put prices up. See his Top Picks.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 15/25, Down 5%)

China is the biggest buyer of copper in the world, over 50% worldwide. Long-term, copper is a winner, used widely (power generation, EVs, and elsewhere). FCX is one of the largest copper companies, the biggest in the U.S. FCX has bounced around because of Trump's tariffs. He will sit tight, but expected copper demand to double in coming years.

COMMENT

The question also asked about his opinion in general on copper. He likes copper which is the most important of the metals and is therefore in great demand. The price of copper has been hit by tariffs. It is hard to predict the price by random events and the Trump effect. Freeport McMoran is in the U.S. so it has that plus.

HOLD

Q2 beat. She's still bullish on gold and copper. More cyclical than large-cap tech or utilities. Strong US operations. A bit volatile for her, but still some upside of about 8% to price target from here.

COMMENT

If copper stays above $5, FCX will see $9 billion in free cash flow. Shares are not cheap at 20x PE, but earnings growth is a huge 20-40%. Fundamentally, shares should be much higher.

TRADE

It has a hard time breaking $45-46. It's now at the upper end of its trading range, so sell calls. Just reported nice numbers.

BUY

If copper stays at $5, they should produce $9 billion in free cash flow or 15% free cash flow yield.

BUY

Obvious way to play the copper sector. Copper and gold. Significant breakout in the price of copper. Great dividend growth stock over time. Big cash generator.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 17/24, Down 17%)

Copper stocks are very volatile. He uses stop losses on all positions, so ended up coming out of this one. Re-entered about 2 months ago. Should generate a lot of cash longer term. Significant dividend grower. Should actually benefit from tariffs.

TOP PICK

Taken a big hit. Divergence between copper prices and company's performance. Generational opportunity to buy a company like this. Secularly, we're using more and more copper for electrification. Analysts see 7-8% compound  growth rate in copper usage over next 10 years. Yield is 2.01%.

The negative is that 50% of copper is used by China. If tariffs don't get sorted out, something's gotta give. It's not easy to bring mines on quickly. Good risk/reward at current levels.

(Analysts’ price target is $46.78)
DON'T BUY

It's fallen off a cliff since tariffs. Watch FCX as an economic indicator, but would not buy this. At best, this is a short-term trade, but he's a long-term investor.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Mar 13/24, Down 7%)

China's comeback didn't happen in the past year while EV adoption has slowed, but will still happen. The copper spot price is up 25% this quarter. So, FCX will have a great quarter, given their link to that price, but the market won't anticipate that due to fear of tariffs and the impact on copper prices. Will copper be a protected mineral? Tariffs on foreign/Chinese copper? Don't know yet, but long term the secular tailwinds are intact. Copper usage will double over 7 years.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Feb 08/24, Up 3%)

Bought, in part, on prospects of a greener world. Came down on weaker China and on the (much less green) Trump victory. Didn't execute as well in Q4, softer sales, higher capex. Copper's a good long-term bet. Trades at 15x with 19% growth.

Still likes it. USA really needs to grow its way out of this deficit.

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