Question 1

Is FCX a buy according to UQS?

Accepted Answer

UQS rates FCX as Good at 56.1/100, driven primarily by the Risk pillar (76.7) and Growth pillar (66.3). The score reflects a balance sheet with manageable leverage, a sharp forward earnings recovery priced in, but a narrow moat (32.0) and a trailing PEG of 7.27 that indicate near-term valuation tension. The label 'Good' places FCX in the 51–70 range — a mid-tier rating, not exceptional and not poor.

Question 2

What is FCX's PEG ratio and what does it mean?

Accepted Answer

FCX carries a TTM PEG ratio of 7.27, well above the sector median of 0.69, which typically signals an expensive valuation relative to current earnings growth. However, this elevated PEG is largely a function of depressed trailing earnings rather than structural overvaluation — the forward P/E of 16.3 implies the market is pricing in a significant earnings recovery. A PEG above 2 is generally considered expensive; FCX's reading warrants scrutiny of whether the forward growth estimates are realized. See the [PEG ratio guide](/learn/peg-ratio).

Question 3

Why might FCX's UQS Score change?

Accepted Answer

The UQS Score is recalculated daily using trailing twelve-month financials and forward analyst consensus estimates. For FCX, the most sensitive inputs are forward revenue growth (38.5%) and forward EPS growth (183.1%) — if analyst estimates are revised downward, the Growth and Valuation pillar scores could decline. Copper price movements that affect reported margins would also shift the Quality pillar. Changes in debt levels would impact the Risk score. The score regenerates automatically when underlying data updates.

Question 4

How does FCX compare to ABX.TO and WPM.TO?

Accepted Answer

FCX operates primarily in copper, while Barrick Gold (ABX.TO) and Wheaton Precious Metals (WPM.TO) are gold-focused, creating different commodity price sensitivities and margin structures. WPM's streaming business model typically generates higher margins and stronger moat characteristics than traditional miners like FCX or ABX. FCX's operating margin of 24.4% versus the sector median of 4.7% is competitive, but its moat score of 32.0 reflects the structural pricing limitations common to all three commodity producers.

Question 5

What drives FCX's Moat score?

Accepted Answer

Cost advantage (12/20) and scale & ecosystem (10/20) lead FCX's moat profile. The cost advantage reflects the ore grade and scale of assets like Grasberg, which allow FCX to produce copper at competitive all-in costs. Scale & ecosystem captures the infrastructure, logistics, and resource base that are difficult to replicate. Intangibles/IP (8/20) reflects permitting and resource rights. Switching costs (2/20) and network effects (0/20) are not meaningful competitive factors in commodity mining. See the [economic moat explainer](/learn/economic-moat).

Date	UQS	Quality	Moat	Growth	Risk	Value	Change
Aug 15, 2026	27.7	33.1	32.0	17.3	53.1	0.0	-12.7
Aug 6, 2026	40.4	56.3	32.0	17.3	74.2	25.1	-13.6
Aug 2, 2026	54.0	59.3	32.0	56.4	77.2	55.3	+0.1
Jul 26, 2026	53.9	59.3	32.0	56.4	77.2	55.0	-0.3
Jul 25, 2026	54.2	59.3	32.0	56.4	77.2	56.6	+0.1
Jul 24, 2026	54.1	59.1	32.0	56.4	77.2	56.2	-0.3
Jul 23, 2026	54.4	58.2	32.0	56.4	80.2	56.6	-0.2
Jul 22, 2026	54.6	58.7	32.0	56.4	80.2	57.4	-0.4
Jul 21, 2026	55.0	59.5	32.0	56.4	80.2	59.0	-0.1
Jul 18, 2026	55.1	59.5	32.0	56.4	80.2	59.1	0.0

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