Inside Freeport's Latest Earnings

Core Insights - Freeport-McMoRan reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings that exceeded expectations, with adjusted EPS of $0.47, surpassing analyst predictions of $0.28 to $0.29 per share [2][8] - Revenue for the quarter was approximately $5.63 billion, slightly down from the previous year but above consensus estimates, driven by higher realized commodity prices, with copper averaging $5.33 per pound and gold at $4,078 per ounce [2][5] Operational Performance - Copper production declined over 30% year-over-year due to a temporary halt at the Grasberg Block Cave mine, one of the largest copper mines globally [5] - Despite production challenges, the company exceeded sales volume forecasts in other areas and maintained cash costs under control, generating strong operational cash flow and an adjusted EBITDA of just over $2 billion for the quarter [5] Stock Performance - The stock price movements around the earnings announcement were mixed, as much of the positive news was already reflected in the stock price, with concerns about production scheduling dampening enthusiasm [6] - Recently, FCX stock has shown resilience, moving towards recent highs due to optimism surrounding the phased restart of Grasberg and favorable commodity pricing dynamics [6] Future Outlook - Management plans a phased restart of Grasberg operations in Q2 2026, with a potential return to full production by mid-2026, which is expected to significantly enhance production levels and earnings capacity [7] - For 2026, the company anticipates slightly lower copper sales and reduced gold production compared to 2025, but expects strong growth into 2027-2028 as major projects commence and output recovers [7] - Freeport reaffirmed its capital allocation priorities, focusing on prudent spending for growth initiatives while maintaining a robust balance sheet [7]