FCX vs. PAAS: Freeport-McMoRan vs. Pan American Silver Stock Comparison
How do Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Pan American Silver (PAAS) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Pan American Silver (PAAS) both belong to the Metals & Mining industry, though FCX is classified under Copper while PAAS falls under Silver.
| Profile Item | FCX | PAAS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Freeport-McMoRan Inc. | Pan American Silver Corp. |
| Country/Region | United States | Canada |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry Group | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Metals & Mining | Metals & Mining |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Copper | Silver |
| Market Capitalization | 85.33 billion USD | 16.98 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 10, 1995 | June 12, 1995 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | FCX | PAAS |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 58.58% | 22.43% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 24.99% | 47.84% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 11.32% | 11.59% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | FCX | PAAS |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 48.40% | 58.13% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.37 | 0.72 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -51.26% | -57.39% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 12.34M | 4.31M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | FCX | PAAS |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.12 | 0.31 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.61 | 0.45 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 22.39% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 15.72% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for PAAS.
FCX
Materials industry group
15.72%
- Max
- 52.88%
- Q3
- 19.49%
- FCX
- 15.72%
- Median
- 8.76%
- Q1
- -3.41%
- Min
- -32.81%
PAAS
Materials industry group
22.39%
- Max
- 52.88%
- PAAS
- 22.39%
- Q3
- 19.49%
- Median
- 8.76%
- Q1
- -3.41%
- Min
- -32.81%
Net Margin (TTM)
Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 35.16% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 13.03%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
FCX
Materials industry group
13.03%
- Max
- 38.66%
- Q3
- 15.98%
- FCX
- 13.03%
- Median
- 5.28%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -20.40%
PAAS
Materials industry group
35.16%
- Max
- 38.66%
- PAAS
- 35.16%
- Q3
- 15.98%
- Median
- 5.28%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- -20.40%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 35.26% and Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 34.29% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
FCX
Materials industry group
35.26%
- Max
- 66.70%
- FCX
- 35.26%
- Q3
- 28.92%
- Median
- 12.56%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -14.07%
PAAS
Materials industry group
34.29%
- Max
- 66.70%
- PAAS
- 34.29%
- Q3
- 28.92%
- Median
- 12.56%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -14.07%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | FCX | PAAS |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 15.72% | 22.39% |
| ROA (TTM) | 7.99% | 11.27% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 13.03% | 35.16% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 35.26% | 34.29% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 38.86% | 55.17% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 1.81% and Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 28.38% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 725.81% clears its industry range for EPS growth, a much stronger earnings trajectory than Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 16.92%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | FCX | PAAS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 1.81% | 28.38% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 4.39% | 34.28% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 16.92% | 725.81% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -14.00% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 2.02 and Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 2.72 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.
FCX
Materials industry group
2.02
- Max
- 5.96
- Q3
- 3.30
- Median
- 2.24
- FCX
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- 0.16
PAAS
Materials industry group
2.72
- Max
- 5.96
- Q3
- 3.30
- PAAS
- 2.72
- Median
- 2.24
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- 0.16
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 0.11 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 0.31 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.
FCX
Materials industry group
0.31
- Max
- 1.98
- Q3
- 0.89
- Median
- 0.47
- FCX
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
PAAS
Materials industry group
0.11
- Max
- 1.98
- Q3
- 0.89
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.13
- PAAS
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | FCX | PAAS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.02 | 2.72 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.31 | 0.11 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.60 | -0.39 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 1.04% and Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 1.69% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.
FCX
Materials industry group
1.04%
- Max
- 4.52%
- Q3
- 1.85%
- FCX
- 1.04%
- Median
- 0.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PAAS
Materials industry group
1.69%
- Max
- 4.52%
- Q3
- 1.85%
- PAAS
- 1.69%
- Median
- 0.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 25.21% and Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 18.00% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.
FCX
Materials industry group
25.21%
- Max
- 83.62%
- Q3
- 41.37%
- FCX
- 25.21%
- Median
- 9.54%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PAAS
Materials industry group
18.00%
- Max
- 83.62%
- Q3
- 41.37%
- PAAS
- 18.00%
- Median
- 9.54%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | FCX | PAAS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.04% | 1.69% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 25.21% | 18.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 10.83 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 24.97 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for PAAS, though growth and earnings durability still matter.
FCX
Materials industry group
24.97
- Max
- 59.00
- Q3
- 32.93
- FCX
- 24.97
- Median
- 18.82
- Q1
- 11.96
- Min
- 3.93
PAAS
Materials industry group
10.83
- Max
- 59.00
- Q3
- 32.93
- Median
- 18.82
- Q1
- 11.96
- PAAS
- 10.83
- Min
- 3.93
P/S Ratio (TTM)
On P/S ratio, both Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 3.23 and Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 3.80 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
FCX
Materials industry group
3.23
- Max
- 9.62
- Q3
- 4.34
- FCX
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.87
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.00
PAAS
Materials industry group
3.80
- Max
- 9.62
- Q3
- 4.34
- PAAS
- 3.80
- Median
- 1.87
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Pan American Silver (PAAS) at 2.29 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 3.97 carries an above-peer premium to book — FCX is pricier on assets.
FCX
Materials industry group
3.97
- Max
- 6.59
- FCX
- 3.97
- Q3
- 3.55
- Median
- 2.08
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- -0.17
PAAS
Materials industry group
2.29
- Max
- 6.59
- Q3
- 3.55
- PAAS
- 2.29
- Median
- 2.08
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- -0.17
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | FCX | PAAS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 24.97 | 10.83 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 3.23 | 3.80 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 3.97 | 2.29 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.19% | 8.01% |