Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold (FCX-N)

We went through a bear market in commodities from 2011 - 2021. Produces copper and gold. Invested a lot of $$ in its biggest mine. Longer term, whether looking at gold or copper prices, they're going higher. Generating a lot of cash, committed to returning it to shareholders.

People look at this as a cyclical business, and it is, but when the cycle gets going it can go for a long time.

The caller wanted a comparison of the two companies, BHP and FCX. BHP is in a tight trading range with a lot of trading. He doesn't see much upside and there are others to buy. FCX has more copper, and copper is a good story It could be a good buying opportunity but sell if it goes below $44.

He sold this recently. Speculators drive commodity prices, so when that rips higher, he sells. Also, China has stockpiles of copper (so that impacts demand for FCX), and the EV craze has died down. Copper remains a good asset to own, but doesn't see stock performance.

They're focused on their growth projects in Arizona and Indonesia, and are not focused on M&A, despite talk of the M&A cycle in materials heating up. This is driven by copper prices, but FCX is worth watching.

A long-term way to participate in an area that will continue to enjoy demand, given EVs, data centres and infrastructure--they all need copper which is in limited supply. FCX is tied to copper prices, which have declined in the past month. Now, is a buying opportunity.

Very large copper producer. Largest risk is execution - which company has demonstrated ability at. Growth in mines continues to grow. Cash expenses have fallen - good for profits. Existing mines don't have ask much risk as greenfield projects. Also get exposure to gold prices. 

Would recommend buying. Stock heading into the $60 range. 

Copper trade has legs. Wind at its back from cyclical factors and from a secular standpoint. All the fiscal stimulus in the US is about infrastructure, and a lot of copper is needed. EVs, too, use more copper. Tons of power generation needed for AI, and copper is a key component.

Well positioned, levered to copper prices. For every 10 cent increase in price of copper, it makes $400M in cashflow. 

He doesn't like copper, because it's tied levered to China (demand), but FCX is his pick in copper.

The best way to play copper which is seeing demand going up and supplies limited.

He's selling calls on this. The volatility spike is giving him opportunities to write calls for a $57 strike two weeks out (11% annualized). 

Owns it for the copper and the gold. Setup for copper, in particular, is very bullish. We're in a new bull market for materials. New discoveries of copper almost non-existent. Big believer in companies that can set price.

Copper's popping today on news that Chinese smelters are shutting down. Wind at its back on the secular front like EVs, China will emerge from recession. Just because EV adoption is slow, doesn't mean we're not moving in that direction. One study says copper demand will rise 50% by end of decade. Well capitalized and managed. Not expensive. Yield is 1.41%.

Sold it because he doesn't want the commodity exposure and is afraid about the economy and uncertain about China. Wasn't a big position either.

Copper supply's very challenged. Copper is needed for this de-carbonization cycle. Could be a takeover target. Beat on Q4. Guidance was in line. World's largest pure-copper miner. He models 24% EPS growth, trading at 19x, strong balance sheet. Yield is 1.6%.