SCCO
Basic MaterialsSouthern Copper Corporation · Copper · $150B
What is Southern Copper Corporation?
Southern Copper Corporation is one of the world's largest integrated copper producers, operating mines, smelters, and refineries across Peru and Mexico. The company also produces molybdenum, zinc, silver, gold, and other minerals as part of its diversified mining portfolio.
Southern Copper generates revenue by mining copper ore and processing it through concentrators, smelters, and refineries to produce finished copper products including cathodes and rod. The company operates large open-pit mines in Peru and Mexico, supplemented by underground zinc and lead mines. Beyond copper, it extracts and refines molybdenum, silver, gold, zinc, and lead — giving it multiple revenue streams tied to global commodity demand. Exploration concessions spanning hundreds of thousands of hectares across Latin America underpin its long-term resource pipeline.
Southern Copper was incorporated in 1952 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Copper cathodes and rod from integrated smelting and refining
- Molybdenum concentrate production
- Zinc and lead mining and refining
- Silver and gold as by-product metals
- Sulfuric acid as an industrial by-product
Is SCCO a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates SCCO as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile with meaningful strengths and one notable area of concern.
The Quality pillar stands out, pointing to a business that generates returns well above what many mining peers achieve. Growth also registers as Strong, supported by copper's central role in electrification and infrastructure buildout. The Risk pillar likewise scores Strong, suggesting the balance sheet and operational profile hold up relatively well against sector volatility.
The Moat pillar is rated Weak — copper mining is a commodity business where pricing power is largely set by global markets rather than individual producers, limiting durable competitive differentiation.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does SCCO pay dividends?
Yes — Southern Copper Corporation pays a dividend.
Southern Copper pays a regular dividend, which is notable in the mining sector where payouts can be cyclical or inconsistent. The company's integrated, low-cost production model has historically supported dividend distributions even through commodity price cycles. Income-oriented investors often view SCCO's dividend history as a distinguishing feature relative to pure-play exploration companies.
When does SCCO report earnings?
Southern Copper reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed equities.
Results tend to move with copper prices, production volumes, and operating cost trends across its Peruvian and Mexican assets. The company's integrated structure — from mine to refined product — gives it some insulation against smelting margin swings that affect less vertically integrated peers.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Southern Copper's investor relations page directly.
SCCO Price History
+240.3% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Southern Copper Corporation?
Based on Southern Copper Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
SCCO Long-term Outlook
The Growth pillar's Strong rating reflects copper's structural demand tailwinds from electric vehicles, power grids, and renewable energy infrastructure — trends that favor large, established producers like SCCO. The Strong Risk rating suggests the company enters this growth phase from a relatively stable financial footing. However, the Weak Moat rating is a reminder that commodity price swings remain the dominant variable in any forward outlook, and the Neutral Valuation label indicates the market has already priced in a meaningful portion of the copper demand story.
Growth drivers
- Rising copper demand from EV production and grid electrification
- Large exploration land bank across Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador
- Integrated operations enabling cost efficiency from mine to finished product
Key risks
- Copper price volatility driven by global macroeconomic conditions
- Operational and regulatory risk across multiple Latin American jurisdictions
- Valuation already reflects much of the copper demand narrative
SCCO vs Peers
Southern Copper operates alongside several major global copper producers, each with a distinct geographic and operational profile.
Freeport-McMoRan is the largest publicly traded copper producer by volume, with flagship assets in the Americas and Indonesia, giving it broader geographic diversification than SCCO.
Lundin Mining is a mid-tier diversified base metals producer with copper assets primarily in the Americas and Europe, operating at a smaller scale than SCCO.
First Quantum is a major copper producer with significant exposure to Zambia and Panama, carrying a different geopolitical risk profile compared to SCCO's Latin American focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Southern Copper Corporation do?
Southern Copper mines, smelts, and refines copper and other minerals across Peru and Mexico, with exploration activity in Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador. Its integrated operations produce copper cathodes, molybdenum concentrate, zinc, silver, and gold. The company is one of the largest copper producers in the world by reserve base.
Does SCCO pay dividends?
Yes, Southern Copper pays a regular dividend. The company's integrated, relatively low-cost production model has supported consistent distributions over time. Dividend levels can vary with copper prices and earnings, so investors should review the latest declared amounts on the company's investor relations page.
When does SCCO report earnings?
Southern Copper reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. For the exact schedule and most recent results, check Southern Copper's investor relations page, as specific dates are subject to change.
Is SCCO a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates SCCO as Good overall. The Quality and Growth pillars are both Strong, while the Risk pillar also scores well. The main concern is a Weak Moat rating — copper is a commodity, and pricing is set by global markets. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is SCCO overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for SCCO is rated Neutral, suggesting the market price reflects a fair balance between current fundamentals and growth expectations. It is neither deeply discounted nor obviously stretched relative to the company's earnings and asset profile. See the complete valuation metrics with a Pro account.
How does SCCO compare to its competitors?
Among large copper producers, SCCO stands out for its integrated operations and significant reserve base in Peru and Mexico. Freeport-McMoRan is larger by volume, while Lundin Mining and First Quantum operate at different scales and geographies. UQS Pro members can view side-by-side pillar comparisons across these peers.
What is SCCO's market cap bracket?
Southern Copper Corporation is classified as a large-cap company, placing it among the more substantial publicly traded copper producers globally. Large-cap status generally reflects greater liquidity and institutional coverage compared to mid- or small-cap mining peers.
Who founded Southern Copper Corporation?
Southern Copper was incorporated in 1952, with roots in US and Latin American mining development. The company is currently majority-owned by Grupo México, one of the largest mining conglomerates in Latin America. Full historical context is widely available through public company filings.
Is SCCO a long-term quality investment?
From a quality indicator perspective, SCCO's Strong Quality and Strong Risk pillar ratings suggest a business with durable operational characteristics. The Weak Moat rating is the key long-term caveat — commodity producers depend heavily on price cycles rather than proprietary advantages. Long-term suitability depends on an investor's view of copper demand and risk tolerance.
What is the main competitive advantage of Southern Copper?
Southern Copper's primary advantage lies in its large, long-life reserve base and vertically integrated operations — from open-pit mining through smelting and refining. This integration reduces exposure to third-party processing costs. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this as Weak overall, reflecting the commodity nature of copper markets.
What sector does SCCO belong to?
SCCO is classified in the Basic Materials sector, specifically within copper and diversified metals mining. This sector is highly sensitive to global economic cycles, infrastructure spending, and the energy transition — all of which influence copper demand and pricing.
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Pro Analysis
SCCO — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 62.0 | 75.9 | 38.0 | 70.6 | 86.8 | 42.4 | +0.6 |
| May 15, 2026 | 61.4 | 75.7 | 38.0 | 69.9 | 86.8 | 40.1 | -0.1 |
| May 12, 2026 | 61.5 | 75.8 | 38.0 | 69.9 | 86.8 | 40.2 | -0.1 |
| May 7, 2026 | 61.6 | 75.0 | 38.0 | 70.8 | 85.6 | 42.5 | -0.4 |
| May 6, 2026 | 62.0 | 75.0 | 38.0 | 70.8 | 85.6 | 45.0 | -0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 62.1 | 75.0 | 38.0 | 71.4 | 85.6 | 45.1 | +0.3 |
| May 2, 2026 | 61.8 | 75.0 | 38.0 | 71.4 | 85.6 | 42.9 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 61.8 | 75.0 | 38.0 | 71.2 | 85.6 | 43.0 | +0.4 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 61.4 | 75.0 | 38.0 | 71.2 | 85.6 | 40.3 | 0.0 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | 61.4 | 75.0 | 38.0 | 71.1 | 85.6 | 40.5 | -5.8 |
SCCO — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 75.9/100 (25%)Southern Copper Corporation demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 70.6/100 (20%)Southern Copper Corporation demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 86.8/100 (15%)Southern Copper Corporation carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 42.4/100 (15%)Southern Copper Corporation has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 38/100 (25%)Southern Copper Corporation possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for SCCO.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the SCCO UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Southern Copper Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Southern Copper Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Southern Copper Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.