Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) is gearing up to announce its quarterly earnings on Thursday, 2026-01-22. Here's a quick overview of what investors should know before the release.

Analysts are estimating that Freeport-McMoRan will report an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.30.

The market awaits Freeport-McMoRan's announcement, with hopes high for news of surpassing estimates and providing upbeat guidance for the next quarter.

It's important for new investors to understand that guidance can be a significant driver of stock prices.

Overview of Past Earnings

Last quarter the company beat EPS by $0.09, which was followed by a 0.34% increase in the share price the next day.

Here's a look at Freeport-McMoRan's past performance and the resulting price change:

Quarter	Q3 2025	Q2 2025	Q1 2025	Q4 2024
EPS Estimate	0.41	0.45	0.24	0.22
EPS Actual	0.50	0.54	0.24	0.31
Price Change %	0.00	-1.00	-1.00	-2.00

Tracking Freeport-McMoRan's Stock Performance

Shares of Freeport-McMoRan were trading at $60.07 as of January 20. Over the last 52-week period, shares are up 56.03%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are likely bullish going into this earnings release.

Analyst Views on Freeport-McMoRan

For investors, grasping market sentiments and expectations in the industry is vital. This analysis explores the latest insights regarding Freeport-McMoRan.

A total of 10 analyst ratings have been received for Freeport-McMoRan, with the consensus rating being Outperform. The average one-year price target stands at $56.1, suggesting a potential 4.45% downside.

Analyzing Ratings Among Peers

The below comparison of the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of Southern Copper and Ero Copper, three prominent players in the industry, gives insights for their relative performance expectations and market positioning.

• Analysts currently favor an Neutral trajectory for Southern Copper, with an average 1-year price target of $135.12, suggesting a potential 130.15% upside.
• Analysts currently favor an Buy trajectory for Ero Copper, with an average 1-year price target of $30.0, suggesting a potential 48.9% downside.

Summary of Peers Analysis

The peer analysis summary provides a snapshot of key metrics for Southern Copper and Ero Copper, illuminating their respective standings within the industry. These metrics offer valuable insights into their market positions and comparative performance.

Company	Consensus	Revenue Growth	Gross Profit	Return on Equity
Freeport-McMoRan	Outperform	2.68%	$2.14B	3.65%
Southern Copper	Neutral	15.23%	$1.81B	10.84%
Ero Copper	Buy	41.86%	$57.40M	4.21%

Key Takeaway:

Freeport-McMoRan ranks highest in gross profit among its peers. It is in the middle for consensus rating and revenue growth. However, it has the lowest return on equity compared to its peers.

Unveiling the Story Behind Freeport-McMoRan

Freeport-McMoRan owns stakes in 10 copper mines, led by its 49% ownership of the Grasberg copper and gold operations in Indonesia, 55% of the Cerro Verde mine in Peru, and 72% of Morenci in Arizona. It sold around 1.2 million metric tons of copper (its share) in 2024, making it the one of the world's largest copper miners by volume. It also sold about 900,000 ounces of gold, mostly from Grasberg, and 70 million pounds of molybdenum. It had about 25 years of copper reserves at the end of December 2024. we expect it to sell similar amounts of copper midcycle in 2029, though we expect gold volumes to decline to about 650,000 ounces then due to falling production at Grasberg.

Financial Insights: Freeport-McMoRan

Market Capitalization Analysis: With an elevated market capitalization, the company stands out above industry averages, showcasing substantial size and market acknowledgment.

Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Freeport-McMoRan's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 2.68% as of 30 September, 2025, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Materials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.

Net Margin: Freeport-McMoRan's net margin falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 9.67%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.

Return on Equity (ROE): Freeport-McMoRan's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 3.65%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.

Return on Assets (ROA): Freeport-McMoRan's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 1.19%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.

Debt Management: Freeport-McMoRan's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 0.5, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.

To track all earnings releases for Freeport-McMoRan visit their earnings calendar on our site.

This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.