FCX vs. VALE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FCX and VALE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
FCX is a standard domestic listing, while VALE trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | FCX | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Freeport-McMoRan Inc. | Vale S.A. |
| Country | United States | Brazil |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Metals & Mining | Metals & Mining |
| Market Capitalization | 62.73 billion USD | 43.41 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 10, 1995 | March 21, 2002 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FCX and VALE by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | FCX | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.38% | 2.99% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 15.89% | 0.87% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 13.27% | -1.58% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 0.90% | -4.21% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 8.57% | 2.49% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 14.73% | 0.44% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 9.76M | 21.46M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 13.90M | 20.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 36.72% | 24.39% |
| Beta | 1.63 | 0.93 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FCX
10.84%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 16.14%
- Median
- 7.01%
- Q1
- 1.15%
- Min
- -19.85%
FCX’s Return on Equity of 10.84% is on par with the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
VALE
13.93%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 16.14%
- Median
- 7.01%
- Q1
- 1.15%
- Min
- -19.85%
VALE’s Return on Equity of 13.93% is on par with the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FCX
7.11%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 40.97%
- Q3
- 17.87%
- Median
- 7.03%
- Q1
- 1.82%
- Min
- -20.01%
FCX’s Net Profit Margin of 7.11% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
VALE
13.81%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 40.97%
- Q3
- 17.87%
- Median
- 7.03%
- Q1
- 1.82%
- Min
- -20.01%
VALE’s Net Profit Margin of 13.81% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FCX
26.28%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 59.48%
- Q3
- 26.06%
- Median
- 10.50%
- Q1
- 2.89%
- Min
- -21.46%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.28% places FCX in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
VALE
20.82%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 59.48%
- Q3
- 26.06%
- Median
- 10.50%
- Q1
- 2.89%
- Min
- -21.46%
VALE’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.82% is around the midpoint for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FCX | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 10.84% | 13.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.45% | 5.93% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.11% | 13.81% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 26.28% | 20.82% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.30% | 34.24% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FCX
2.47
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.81
- Q3
- 2.86
- Median
- 1.94
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- 0.13
FCX’s Current Ratio of 2.47 aligns with the median group of the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
VALE
1.22
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.81
- Q3
- 2.86
- Median
- 1.94
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- 0.13
VALE’s Current Ratio of 1.22 falls into the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FCX
0.51
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.11
- Q3
- 0.52
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.12
- Min
- 0.00
FCX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.51 is typical for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
VALE
0.45
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.11
- Q3
- 0.52
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.12
- Min
- 0.00
VALE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.45 is typical for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
FCX
23.87
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 65.47
- Q3
- 29.91
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- -26.49
FCX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 23.87 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
VALE
2.82
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 65.47
- Q3
- 29.91
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- -26.49
VALE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.82 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FCX | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.47 | 1.22 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.21 | 0.81 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.51 | 0.45 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 23.87 | 2.82 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FCX
1.46%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.36%
- Q3
- 3.78%
- Median
- 1.41%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
FCX’s Dividend Yield of 1.46% is consistent with its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
VALE
8.93%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.36%
- Q3
- 3.78%
- Median
- 1.41%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 8.93%, VALE offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FCX
44.96%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 63.28%
- Median
- 38.78%
- Q1
- 12.84%
- Min
- 0.00%
FCX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 44.96% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
VALE
94.22%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 63.28%
- Median
- 38.78%
- Q1
- 12.84%
- Min
- 0.00%
VALE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 94.22% is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FCX | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.46% | 8.93% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 44.96% | 94.22% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FCX
30.89
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 57.44
- Q3
- 32.87
- Median
- 18.04
- Q1
- 9.84
- Min
- 0.00
FCX’s P/E Ratio of 30.89 is within the middle range for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
VALE
7.85
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 57.44
- Q3
- 32.87
- Median
- 18.04
- Q1
- 9.84
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, VALE’s P/E Ratio of 7.85 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FCX
2.39
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 3.19
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.14
FCX’s P/S Ratio of 2.39 aligns with the market consensus for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
VALE
1.08
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 3.19
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.14
VALE’s P/S Ratio of 1.08 aligns with the market consensus for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FCX
3.42
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.15
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.25
FCX’s P/B Ratio of 3.42 is in the upper tier for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
VALE
1.12
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.15
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.25
VALE’s P/B Ratio of 1.12 is within the conventional range for the Metals & Mining industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | FCX | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 30.89 | 7.85 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.39 | 1.08 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.42 | 1.12 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 27.74 | 20.23 |