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FCX vs. SCCO: Freeport-McMoRan vs. Southern Copper Stock Comparison

How do Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO) 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 Southern Copper (SCCO) are both classified in the Copper sub-industry within the broader Metals & Mining industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Company profile comparison for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO)
Profile ItemFCXSCCO
NameFreeport-McMoRan Inc.Southern Copper Corporation
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorMaterialsMaterials
GICS Industry GroupMaterialsMaterials
GICS IndustryMetals & MiningMetals & Mining
GICS Sub-IndustryCopperCopper
Market Capitalization93.60 billion USD156.21 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJuly 10, 1995January 5, 1996
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

FCX
SCCO
GSPC
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO)
MetricFCXSCCO
Total Return (1Y)59.56%53.02%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)26.38%45.17%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)13.14%30.37%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

FCX
SCCO
GSPC
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO)
MetricFCXSCCO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)47.59%51.74%
Beta (5Y)1.371.15
Max Drawdown (5Y)-51.26%-43.07%
Avg. Volume (3M)12.61M1.11M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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FCX and SCCO are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO)
MetricFCXSCCO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)1.160.94
Sortino Ratio (1Y)1.681.39

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Southern Copper (SCCO) at 52.88% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 14.76% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for SCCO.

FCX

Materials industry group

14.76%

Max
58.68%
Q3
20.35%
FCX
14.76%
Median
7.56%
Q1
-5.43%
Min
-41.32%

SCCO

Materials industry group

52.88%

Max
58.68%
SCCO
52.88%
Q3
20.35%
Median
7.56%
Q1
-5.43%
Min
-41.32%
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their ROE against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Southern Copper (SCCO) at 37.16% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 11.39%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.

FCX

Materials industry group

11.39%

Max
40.44%
Q3
16.91%
FCX
11.39%
Median
4.50%
Q1
0.00%
Min
-22.98%

SCCO

Materials industry group

37.16%

Max
40.44%
SCCO
37.16%
Q3
16.91%
Median
4.50%
Q1
0.00%
Min
-22.98%
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their net margin against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 33.40% and Southern Copper (SCCO) at 59.94% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

FCX

Materials industry group

33.40%

Max
66.54%
FCX
33.40%
Q3
29.02%
Median
12.77%
Q1
2.41%
Min
-29.20%

SCCO

Materials industry group

59.94%

Max
66.54%
SCCO
59.94%
Q3
29.02%
Median
12.77%
Q1
2.41%
Min
-29.20%
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO)
MetricFCXSCCO
ROE (TTM)14.76%52.88%
ROA (TTM)7.59%27.29%
Net Margin (TTM)11.39%37.16%
Operating Margin (TTM)33.40%59.94%
Gross Margin (TTM)38.28%65.83%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 1.81% and Southern Copper (SCCO) at 17.38% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 16.92% and Southern Copper (SCCO) at 25.41% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO)
MetricFCXSCCO
Revenue Growth (YoY)1.81%17.38%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)4.39%10.13%
EPS Growth (YoY)16.92%25.41%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-14.00%17.64%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 2.07 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Southern Copper (SCCO) at 4.31 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.

FCX

Materials industry group

2.07

Max
5.85
Q3
3.38
Median
2.23
FCX
2.07
Q1
1.45
Min
0.16

SCCO

Materials industry group

4.31

Max
5.85
SCCO
4.31
Q3
3.38
Median
2.23
Q1
1.45
Min
0.16
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their current ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 0.32 and Southern Copper (SCCO) at 0.63 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

FCX

Materials industry group

0.32

Max
2.03
Q3
0.93
Median
0.47
FCX
0.32
Q1
0.13
Min
0.00

SCCO

Materials industry group

0.63

Max
2.03
Q3
0.93
SCCO
0.63
Median
0.47
Q1
0.13
Min
0.00
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO)
MetricFCXSCCO
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.074.31
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.320.63
Net Debt / EBITDA0.660.04

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Southern Copper (SCCO) at 2.09% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 0.93% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, SCCO the richer one.

FCX

Materials industry group

0.93%

Max
4.46%
Q3
1.86%
FCX
0.93%
Median
0.43%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

SCCO

Materials industry group

2.09%

Max
4.46%
SCCO
2.09%
Q3
1.86%
Median
0.43%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 29.56% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Southern Copper (SCCO) at 53.90% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

FCX

Materials industry group

29.56%

Max
87.47%
Q3
40.42%
FCX
29.56%
Median
11.56%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

SCCO

Materials industry group

53.90%

Max
87.47%
SCCO
53.90%
Q3
40.42%
Median
11.56%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO)
MetricFCXSCCO
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.93%2.09%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)29.56%53.90%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Southern Copper (SCCO) at 24.60 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 32.11 sits in the richer quartile — FCX needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

FCX

Materials industry group

32.11

Max
57.00
FCX
32.11
Q3
31.07
Median
19.38
Q1
11.61
Min
5.43

SCCO

Materials industry group

24.60

Max
57.00
Q3
31.07
SCCO
24.60
Median
19.38
Q1
11.61
Min
5.43
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 3.62 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Southern Copper (SCCO) at 9.13 clears its benchmark range — SCCO looks notably rich on sales.

FCX

Materials industry group

3.62

Max
8.50
Q3
4.04
FCX
3.62
Median
1.79
Q1
0.69
Min
0.00

SCCO

Materials industry group

9.13

SCCO
9.13
Max
8.50
Q3
4.04
Median
1.79
Q1
0.69
Min
0.00
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at 4.65 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Southern Copper (SCCO) at 11.56 prices even higher, above its industry range.

FCX

Materials industry group

4.65

Max
6.69
FCX
4.65
Q3
3.43
Median
2.07
Q1
1.25
Min
-0.27

SCCO

Materials industry group

11.56

SCCO
11.56
Max
6.69
Q3
3.43
Median
2.07
Q1
1.25
Min
-0.27
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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs. Southern Copper (SCCO): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Southern Copper (SCCO)
MetricFCXSCCO
P/E Ratio (TTM)32.1124.60
P/S Ratio (TTM)3.629.13
P/B Ratio (MRQ)4.6511.56
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)2.31%3.63%