Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) is one of the Best Stocks to Buy and Hold For the Next 3 Years. On February 18, Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) announced signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Indonesia to extend its mining operations at the high-value Grasberg minerals district indefinitely, based on the site’s resource lifespan. ​Management noted that this agreement extends long-term access of its subsidiary, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), to one of the world’s largest copper and ...

PresentationNext up, we have Freeport. We will do this as a fireside chat. So if you do have questions, please send them in through the app. With us today is President and CEO, Kathleen Quirk. Kathleen, thank you for joining us today. And maybe to kick us off, I will turn it over to you for any opening remarks.Kathleen QuirkCEO, President & Director Great. Thank you. Thank you, Katja. It's great to be here. Happy 35th anniversary, BMO Conference. You guys have just knocked them out of the park every year, a ...

Group 1: Freeport-McMoRan and Copper - Freeport-McMoRan is considered a strong value stock due to its favorable risk-reward profile, with less downside potential compared to upside [2] - The company's EBITDA sensitivity to copper prices indicates potential earnings of $11 billion at $4 per pound and $19 billion at $6 per pound, with a current estimate of $17.6 billion at $5.66 per pound, leading to an EV/EBITDA multiple of 5.5 times in 2027 [2] - Production in Indonesia is expected to ramp up in the coming years, enhancing Freeport's output following a previous accident [3] - The leaching initiative is projected to contribute 250 million to 300 million pounds to 2026 guidance, with expectations of reaching 800 million pounds by 2030, indicating significant upside potential for copper sales volumes [5] Group 2: Albemarle and Lithium - Albemarle experienced a decline in income due to falling lithium prices post-pandemic, resulting in reported losses for 2024 and 2025 [7] - The company has divested noncore businesses and cut costs, positioning itself to benefit from a recent increase in lithium prices [7] - With an average lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) price of $20 per kg in January, Albemarle could achieve $2.4 billion to $2.6 billion in EBITDA by 2026, resulting in an EV/EBITDA ratio of 9.4 based on its current EV of $23.5 billion [8]

Core Viewpoint - Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has shown significant stock performance, with a 72.70% increase over the past year, leading to discussions about its valuation based on the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio [1][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - The current trading price of Freeport-McMoRan is $64.09, reflecting a 2.43% increase in the current session [1]. - Over the past month, the stock has increased by 6.09% [1]. - The stock has experienced a substantial increase of 72.70% over the past year [1]. Group 2: P/E Ratio Analysis - Freeport-McMoRan has a P/E ratio of 41.16, which is higher than the Metals & Mining industry average P/E ratio of 36.93 [3]. - A higher P/E ratio may suggest that Freeport-McMoRan is expected to perform better than its industry peers, but it also raises concerns about potential overvaluation [3]. - The P/E ratio is a critical metric for assessing market performance, but it should not be used in isolation; other factors must also be considered [4].

Core Viewpoint - Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indonesian government to extend the operating rights for PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in the Grasberg minerals district for the life of the resource, ensuring continued governance and operational structures [1] Group 1: Agreement Details - The MOU stipulates that the existing governance and operating structure will remain in effect throughout the life of the resource [1] - FCX will transfer a 12% share interest in PTFI to the Indonesian government in 2041 at no cost, with reimbursement for pro-rata costs incurred [1] - FCX will maintain a 48.76% ownership interest in PTFI until 2041, reducing to approximately 37% starting in 2042 [1] Group 2: Operational and Community Commitments - PTFI will prioritize domestic downstreaming through local sales of refined copper, precious metals, and sulfuric acid, and will be positioned to market refined copper to the U.S. if needed [1] - PTFI plans to increase exploration spending and advance studies to identify long-term resources and expansion opportunities [1] - The company will enhance support for communities in Papua, including financial contributions for a new hospital and two medical educational facilities [1] Group 3: Future Outlook - The extension of operating rights and other terms are contingent upon the issuance of an amended special mining business license (IUPK) by the Indonesian government [1] - PTFI intends to expedite the extension application reflecting the agreed terms [1]

Quick Read SPDR S&P Metals and Mining ETF (XME) nearly doubled to $118 from $62 over the past year. Newmont generated $1.6B in free cash flow as gold prices surged to $4,900-$5,000 per ounce. Freeport-McMoRan plans to restart Grasberg mine in Q2 2026 for 300 million pounds of copper. Read: If you follow markets closely, Kalshi lets you profit directly from being right about what comes next. The SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (NYSEARCA:XME) has nearly doubled over the past year, climbing from aroun ...

Core Viewpoint - The SPDR S&P Metals and Mining ETF (XME) has nearly doubled in value over the past year, driven by rising gold prices and copper demand, but future performance will depend on commodity price stability and production growth from key holdings [1]. Group 1: ETF Performance and Holdings - XME increased from approximately $62 to $118, reflecting strong investor interest in commodities linked to electrification, defense, and monetary policy uncertainty [1]. - Major holdings in XME include Newmont, Freeport-McMoRan, and Alcoa, which together account for about 16% of the ETF's portfolio [1]. Group 2: Gold and Copper Prices - Gold prices surged to between $4,900 and $5,000 per ounce, significantly enhancing Newmont's profitability, resulting in $1.6 billion in free cash flow [1]. - Freeport-McMoRan may face challenges if copper prices decline to $6.00 to $6.40 per pound, although the planned restart of the Grasberg mine in Q2 2026 could help mitigate these risks by adding 300 million pounds of copper [1]. Group 3: Production Execution Risks - The restart of Freeport's Grasberg mine is a critical operational catalyst for XME in 2026, but any delays or cost overruns could negatively impact the investment thesis [1]. - Alcoa reported lower-than-expected revenues in Q3, but managed to offset some operational challenges with a $232 million gain from selling its stake in a joint venture [1]. - Execution risks are evident across the sector, with a focus on unit costs, volume guidance, and free cash flow generation being essential for assessing future performance [1].

Core Viewpoint - Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) stock is assigned a buy rating due to a significant valuation arbitrage, not being priced as a traditional capital-intensive miner [1] Group 1 - The investment thesis focuses on the inherent value of Freeport-McMoRan's shadow mine [1]

Group 1 - Copper prices are currently stable, with US prices nearing $6 per pound, which is beneficial for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), the world's largest copper producer [1] - The strong performance of copper prices follows a significant rally in 2025, indicating a favorable market environment for copper producers [1] Group 2 - Freeport-McMoRan has experienced positive impacts from the high copper prices, suggesting potential growth opportunities for the company in the current market [1]

Group 1 - Copper prices are currently strong, with US prices nearing $6 per pound, benefiting Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), the world's largest copper producer [1] - The favorable pricing environment has positively impacted Freeport-McMoRan's financial performance [1]