Company Overview - Freeport-McMoRan is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.46 per share, indicating no change from the year-ago quarter, with revenues projected at $7.12 billion, reflecting a 7.5% increase year-over-year [3]. Earnings Expectations - Wall Street anticipates flat earnings compared to the previous year, but higher revenues could influence the stock price depending on how actual results compare to estimates [1][2]. - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 5.03% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a more optimistic outlook from analysts [4]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Most Accurate Estimate for Freeport-McMoRan is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of +1.62%, suggesting a likelihood of beating the consensus EPS estimate [12]. - A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, especially when combined with a Zacks Rank of 1, 2, or 3 [10]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Freeport-McMoRan met the expected earnings of $0.24 per share, showing no surprise [13]. - Over the past four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times [14]. Industry Context - In the Zacks Mining - Non Ferrous industry, Southern Copper is expected to report earnings of $1.07 per share, a decrease of 12.3% year-over-year, with revenues projected at $3.01 billion, down 3.5% from the previous year [18]. - The consensus EPS estimate for Southern Copper has been revised 15% lower in the last 30 days, resulting in an Earnings ESP of 0%, making it challenging to predict an earnings beat [19].

Company Overview - Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) is set to announce its earnings on July 23, 2025, with consensus earnings estimated at approximately $0.44 per share and projected revenues rising by nearly 5% compared to the same quarter last year, driven by higher copper prices and consistent production from its Grasberg mine [2] - The company currently has a market capitalization of $65 billion, with revenues of $25 billion over the past twelve months, operating profits of $6.5 billion, and a net income of $1.8 billion [3] Earnings and Market Performance - Historical data shows that Freeport-McMoRan has recorded 19 earnings data points over the last five years, with 10 positive and 9 negative one-day (1D) returns, resulting in positive 1D returns occurring about 53% of the time [5] - The percentage of positive 1D returns increases to 67% when considering the last 3 years, with a median of 3.3% for positive returns and -3.0% for negative returns [5] Investment Strategy Insights - A relatively lower-risk approach involves analyzing the correlation between short-term and medium-term returns after earnings, allowing traders to position themselves based on the strength of the correlation [6] - The Trefis High Quality portfolio has outperformed the S&P 500, achieving returns exceeding 91% since its inception, providing an alternative for investors seeking upside with lower volatility than individual stocks [3][7]

Group 1 - Morgan Stanley downgraded Freeport-McMoRan (FCX.US) and Teck Resources (TECK.US) from "Overweight" to "Hold," with target prices set at $54 and $44 respectively [1] - The performance of copper stocks covered by Morgan Stanley has outpaced LME copper prices by 28 percentage points since April 8, making the risk/reward profile less attractive [1] - Analysts believe Freeport-McMoRan has upside potential due to its exposure to Comex copper and strong gold prospects, but the current risk/reward ratio appears unattractive with few short-term catalysts [1] Group 2 - Morgan Stanley downgraded Southern Copper (SCCO.US) from "Hold" to "Underweight," setting a target price of $99, citing that the stock's valuation seems high relative to historical averages and industry peers [2] - The firm also downgraded Nexa Resources (NEXA.US) from "Hold" to "Underweight," with a target price of $5, due to pessimistic expectations regarding zinc prices and operational issues affecting production targets [2]

Group 1 - The unexpected announcement of a 50% tariff on copper imports has led to a significant surge in copper prices, marking the sharpest single-session gain since 1989 [2][3] - U.S. consumers could face copper prices around $15,000 per metric ton, while global prices may remain around $10,000, indicating a potential paradigm shift in the copper market [2][3] - Despite the tariff-induced price spike, the mining sector's response has been muted, with Freeport-McMoRan Inc and Southern Copper Corp showing limited gains [3][4] Group 2 - Historical data indicates that large price movements in copper often correlate with negative performance in the S&P 500 Index, with an average six-month loss of 0.4% following significant copper price spikes [4][15] - The average returns for copper prices after large daily moves have underperformed compared to typical price movements since 1980, suggesting potential challenges for copper mining stocks [16][17] - The copper mining sector's importance in various industries, including AI and electric vehicles, underscores its economic significance, yet the stock market's reaction remains inconsistent [4][16]

Company Overview - Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is engaged in mineral exploration and development, mining and milling of copper, gold, molybdenum, and silver, as well as smelting and refining of copper concentrates [11] - The company operates primarily through its subsidiaries, including PT Freeport Indonesia, Freeport Minerals Corporation, and Atlantic Copper, with the Grasberg mine in Papua, Indonesia, being its principal asset, containing the world's largest copper and gold reserves [11] Investment Ratings - Freeport-McMoRan has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of A, indicating a solid position in the market [12] - The company is considered a top pick for growth investors, with a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 16.2% for the current fiscal year [12] Earnings Estimates - In the last 60 days, six analysts revised their earnings estimates upwards, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.09 to $1.72 per share [12] - Freeport-McMoRan has an average earnings surprise of +10.5%, suggesting a strong performance relative to expectations [12] Investment Considerations - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, Freeport-McMoRan should be on investors' short lists for potential investment opportunities [13]

Group 1 - The implementation of new tariffs on copper imports in the U.S. could potentially increase Freeport-McMoRan's annual profits by $1.6 billion, benefiting from its position as the largest copper producer in the U.S. and having more expansion options than competitors [1] - Freeport-McMoRan accounts for 60% of U.S. copper production and has been developing U.S. mining projects with decades of growth potential without needing to reapply for permits [1][2] - The U.S. currently relies on imports for about half of its copper demand, primarily from Chile, Canada, and Peru [1] Group 2 - Freeport-McMoRan estimated in April that if the copper tariffs are enacted, it could see at least $800 million in profit growth due to price increases, with the current premium over the London Metal Exchange copper price having doubled [2] - The average time to build a mine in the U.S. is nearly 29 years, making it difficult to achieve self-sufficiency in copper production within a decade [3] - The U.S. has only three copper smelters for processing metal into wire and pipe, with one being inactive since 2019, down from seven in 1995 [3] Group 3 - Freeport plans to extract copper from previously deemed waste rock at its U.S. mines, potentially increasing its annual copper output by 800 million pounds by 2027 [4] - Freeport's mines in Arizona, such as Bagdad and Los Angeles, still have room for growth, and the company may expand its U.S. smelting operations [5] - Other smaller copper producers in the U.S. include KGHM, Lundin, and Grupo Mexico [6]

Group 1: Copper Tariff Impact - The proposed 50% import tariff on copper by the Trump administration has led to a surge in COMEX copper prices, prompting Morgan Stanley to raise the target price for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) from $42 to $56, citing operational excellence and low-cost advantages at the Grasberg mine [2] - A $0.1 increase in copper price per pound could result in an annual EBITDA and operating cash flow increase of $135 million for Freeport-McMoRan [2] - Concerns arise that the copper tariff will elevate U.S. copper prices, increasing costs in construction, automotive, and electronics sectors, with significant implications for the AI industry due to copper's critical role in data centers [2][3] Group 2: Spotify's Growth and AI Integration - Barclays has raised Spotify's target price from $650 to $800, with other institutions also increasing their target prices, reflecting the platform's benefits from changes in Apple's App Store rules and AI-driven personalization [4] - Spotify's stock has risen over 58% this year, driven by AI technologies that enhance user experience through features like AI Playlist and AI DJ, leading to strong user growth with 678 million monthly active users and 268 million paid subscribers [4][5] - The diversification of Spotify's content ecosystem, including music, podcasts, and audiobooks, has further propelled its rapid growth [5] Group 3: Grok 4 AI Model Launch - Elon Musk announced the launch of Grok 4, touted as the world's strongest AI model, which will be integrated into Tesla vehicles and is expected to enhance capabilities in logic reasoning and spatial simulation [6][7] - Grok 4 has shown superior performance in academic and application fields, achieving full marks in the AIME 25 and a 27% accuracy rate in the Humanity's Last Exam, outperforming competitors like OpenAI and Google [7] - The subscription fee for Grok 4 is set at $30 per month, with a more advanced version available for $300 per month, indicating a clear monetization strategy [7] Group 4: Meta's AI Talent Acquisition and Smart Glasses Investment - Meta has offered over $200 million in compensation to attract top AI talent, including former Apple AI team leader, indicating a competitive landscape for AI expertise [8][9] - Meta's $3.5 billion investment in EssilorLuxottica for a stake in smart glasses highlights its commitment to enhancing its presence in the smart eyewear market, which is projected to grow significantly [9] - The smart glasses market is expected to expand from $1.93 billion in 2024 to $8.26 billion by 2030, driven by innovations in AI and fashion [9] Group 5: MP Materials and U.S. Defense Investment - MP Materials has entered a partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, receiving a $400 million investment to accelerate the establishment of a domestic rare earth magnet supply chain [10] - The company plans to build a second magnet manufacturing facility, expected to produce 10,000 tons annually by 2028, which is crucial for military applications [10] - The recent surge in MP Materials' stock price by 50.78% reflects market optimism regarding U.S. rare earth policies and supply chain security [10]

Group 1 - Morgan Stanley is optimistic about Freeport-McMoRan (FCX.US) following a surge in COMEX copper prices due to Trump's proposed 50% tariff on imported copper [1] - The analysis highlights three advantages for Freeport-McMoRan: excellent operational performance, cost advantages from by-product gold at the Grasberg mine, and a higher proportion of U.S. business compared to global peers [1] - A $0.1 per pound premium of COMEX copper over LME copper could lead to an annual EBITDA and operating cash flow increase of $135 million for the company, benefiting from tax and royalty exemptions on U.S. assets [1] Group 2 - Morgan Stanley raised the target price for Freeport-McMoRan from $42 to $56, reflecting stronger commodity prices and reduced recession risks [1] - Other companies of interest include Teck Resources (TECK.US) and Ivanhoe Electric (IE.US), with a focus on their U.S. copper operations [2] - Bank of America identified Freeport-McMoRan and Southern Copper (SCCO.US) as the most sensitive to COMEX copper prices, with Freeport expected to derive 36% of its revenue from U.S. copper by 2025 [2]

Market Impact - Freeport-McMoRan shares surged following President Trump's announcement [1] - Potential 50% tariff imposition on copper imports by the US [1] Trade Policy - US considering a 50% tariff on copper imports [1]

Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided in the content. Core Views of the Report - The IMF has lowered the global economic growth rate forecast for 2025 to 2.8%, and trade policy uncertainty will disrupt the global supply chain. The Fed may be cautious about the timing of interest rate cuts, while the ECB may end the easing cycle. China will continue to implement an expansionary fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary policy in the second half of the year [4]. - In terms of supply, the global copper concentrate supply growth rate is expected to be only 1.7% in 2025 and further decline to 1.4% in 2026. The global refined copper supply growth rate will drop to 2% in 2025. In the second half of the year, domestic small and medium - sized smelters may face production cut risks, and the release of new global refined copper production capacity will be significantly limited [4]. - In terms of demand, copper has become a key strategic reserve resource in the context of global AI and electrification transformation. The global refined copper consumption growth rate is expected to be 3.7% in 2025, and the domestic growth rate will be 3.4% [4]. - The copper price center is expected to continue to rise in the second half of this year, with the risk of periodic high - level corrections due to overseas macro disturbances. The medium - to - long - term upward trend of copper prices remains unchanged. The main operating range of SHFE copper is expected to be 77,000 - 85,000 yuan/ton, and that of LME copper is 9,500 - 10,500 US dollars/ton [4]. Summary According to the Table of Contents 1. Review of the First - Half Market in 2025 - In the first half of 2025, copper prices showed a trend of bottoming out and rebounding. In the first quarter, SHFE copper rose from a low of 73,000 to 83,000 due to supply concerns and macro - economic factors. In the second quarter, prices fluctuated due to trade policy uncertainties, and then rebounded after the Sino - US trade negotiation [11]. - Domestic copper inventory first increased and then decreased. The spot premium changed from discount to premium. In the second half of the year, domestic refined copper spot premium is expected to remain in the premium range, with the center of premium moving up [13]. 2. Macroeconomic Analysis 2.1 Global Trade Situation Eases, and the US Economy Faces Stagflation Risks - The IMF has lowered the economic growth forecasts of major economies in 2025. The Sino - US trade negotiation has reached a preliminary consensus, but the tariff measures after the 90 - day suspension period are uncertain. The US economy has the risk of stagflation, while the eurozone economy shows a weak recovery [15][16]. 2.2 The Fed's Interest Rate Cut Expectations Rise, and the ECB May Slow Down the Rate - Cutting Pace - The Fed may have 1 - 2 small interest rate cuts this year, possibly starting in September. The ECB cut interest rates in June. The future monetary policies of both central banks will be affected by trade policies and economic data [17][19]. 2.3 Strengthen the Domestic Circulation System, and the Central Bank's Monetary Policy Remains Moderately Loose - China's economy faced challenges in the first half of the year. The central bank implemented a series of measures to support the economy. China's economy showed resilience in the first half, and the economic structure is expected to continue to optimize in the second half [21][22]. 3. Copper Ore Supply Analysis 3.1 The Global Concentrate Shortage Exceeds Expectations, and Chinese Enterprises Actively Explore Copper Ore Resources - In the first half of 2025, both Chinese and foreign capital accelerated the development of copper resources. However, the output of major mines was affected by various factors, and the shortage of copper concentrates is expected to exceed market expectations in 2025 - 2026 [25][27]. 3.2 The Global Copper Concentrate Growth Rate in 2025 is Expected to Drop to 1.7% - The planned global copper ore supply increment in 2025 is 115.5 million tons, but the actual increment is expected to be 70 - 80 million tons, with a growth rate dropping to 3%. Considering major interference factors, the actual supply growth rate in 2025 is expected to be only 1.7% and further decline in 2026 [31][33]. 4. Refined Copper Supply Analysis 4.1 Domestic Refined Copper Production Will Slow Down in the Second Half of the Year, and the Annual Year - on - Year Growth Rate May Drop to 4.5% - In the first half of 2025, domestic refined copper output was high, but more than 30% of smelters cut production to some extent. The actual output increment may be significantly lower than expected, and the annual growth rate is expected to slow down to 4.5% [41][43]. 4.2 The Release of Overseas Refined Copper Production in 2025 is Very Slow - Overseas new refined copper smelting capacity in 2025 is only 62 million tons, and the actual output is quite limited. The actual increment is expected to be about 15 million tons [45][46]. 4.3 Refined Copper Imports Will Remain at a Low Level in the Second Half of the Year, and Copper Has Become a Strategic Resource in the Great - Power Game - From January to May 2025, China's refined copper imports decreased year - on - year. In the second half of the year, imports are expected to remain at 25 - 28 million tons per month, and the annual imports will drop significantly compared with last year [48][49]. 4.4 Domestic Scrap Copper Supply is Generally Stable, and Southeast Asia May Fill the Gap in US Scrap Copper Imports - From January to May 2025, China's scrap copper imports decreased slightly year - on - year. The supply of scrap copper is expected to remain stable in the second half of the year, with Southeast Asian imports filling the gap left by the US [66][69]. 4.5 LME Inventories Plummeted by More Than 70% in the First Half of the Year, and the Tight - Balance Reality Has Lowered the Global Inventory Center - As of June 27, global visible inventories decreased significantly. LME inventories are at a low level with a risk of squeezing, while COMEX inventories are rising. Domestic inventories are expected to remain low in the second half of the year [73][75]. 5. Refined Copper Demand Analysis 5.1 This Year's Grid Investment Scale is Expected to Exceed 800 Billion, and the New UHV Grid System is Upgrading at an Accelerated Pace - The planned grid investment in 2025 is expected to reach 825 billion, with an increase of 220 billion compared with 2024. The copper consumption growth rate in grid investment is expected to be 3 - 4% [77]. 5.2 The Real Estate Market is Bottoming Out, and the Real Estate Regulation Policies are Intensifying - The real estate market showed a decline in the first five months of 2025, but the price decline margin narrowed. The market is expected to gradually recover in the second half of the year, with a slight decline in copper consumption growth rate [78][80]. 5.3 The "Two New" Policies Drive the Accelerated Production and Sales of Air - Conditioners - From January to May 2025, air - conditioner production and sales increased year - on - year. However, due to various factors, the production scale may be adjusted in the third quarter, and the export may decline [81][82].