Current Price
$71.86
PE Ratio (TTM)
35.4x
Intrinsic Value
$99.95
+28.1% margin of safety
As of 2026-10-07, applying a 34.9x earnings multiple to Freeport-McMoRan Inc.'s (FCX) earnings per share of $2.06 yields a fair value estimate of $99.95 per share, versus a market price of $71.86.
Fair value from earnings multiples is sensitive to the multiple you choose. Across the sensitivity grid the estimate spans $84.94 to $116.84. This is a relative estimate anchored to earnings, not a statement of fact. For a cash flow based view, see the intrinsic value estimate on the DCF page.
How the PE model works · Recalculate in PE mode · FCX intrinsic value (DCF view)
At $71.86, FCX trades about 28.1% below its PE-based fair value estimate, a modest discount to its earnings power, though not enough to call it cheap outright.
COMPETITIVE MOAT
↑Vast, High-Quality Reserves
FCX possesses some of the world's largest and highest-grade copper reserves. This geological advantage provides a long-term, low-cost production base.
↑Economies of Scale
Operating massive mines like Grasberg allows FCX to achieve significant economies of scale. This lowers per-unit production costs, creating a competitive advantage.
↑Low-Cost Production
FCX's strategic focus on low-cost expansion opportunities, particularly in Indonesia, positions it to capitalize on favorable copper prices effectively.
INVESTMENT RISKS
↓Commodity Price Volatility
Copper prices are inherently volatile, driven by global economic conditions and demand. Significant price drops can severely impact FCX's revenue and profitability.
↓Environmental and Social Governance (ESG)
Mining operations face increasing scrutiny regarding environmental impact and community relations. Negative ESG events can lead to reputational damage and operational disruptions.
↓Operational and Exploration Risks
Mining is capital-intensive and subject to geological uncertainties, operational disruptions, and the risk that exploration efforts may not yield commercially viable deposits.
Base case
Intrinsic Value
$99.95
Margin of safety
+28.1%
Expected annual return
+6.8%
Base case assumptions: 14.6% annual earnings growth, 34.88x target PE, 10% discount rate, 5 year projection. Data as of 2026-10-07.
This base case uses default assumptions and is not financial advice. The fair value changes significantly when the target PE or earnings growth rate changes. Open the calculator to set your own assumptions and see the full sensitivity range.
Adjust the target PE, earnings growth, and discount rate to see how the fair value and margin of safety for Freeport-McMoRan Inc. respond.
Open PE Calculator for FCXFreeport-McMoRan Inc. is a prominent mining enterprise conducting extensive operations across North America, South America, and Indonesia. The company primarily focuses on the exploration and extraction of key mineral resources such as copper, gold, molybdenum, and silver, alongside other valuable metals. Additionally, it maintains a significant presence in the oil and gas sector. Its diverse portfolio of assets features the notable Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; numerous sites in the United States including Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado. In South America, its holdings include Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. Beyond its mineral interests, Freeport-McMoRan operates a collection of oil and gas properties, predominantly situated off the coasts of California and in the Gulf of Mexico, managing approximately 135 wells as of December 31, 2021. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company adopted its current name, Freeport-McMoRan Inc., in July 2014, having previously operated as Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
PE Ratio (TTM)
35.4x
PEG Ratio
0.66
Earnings Yield
2.87%
ROE (TTM)
15.3%
Revenue/Share (TTM)
$17.93
Dividend Yield
0.83%
Debt/Equity
0.52x
The trailing twelve-month PE ratio of FCX reflects how much investors pay per dollar of Freeport-McMoRan Inc.'s earnings. This metric is most useful when compared to Copper peers and the company's own historical range.
FCX's PE of 35.4x combined with a PEG ratio of 0.66 provides a growth-adjusted perspective. A PEG below 1.0 means the P/E is low relative to the earnings growth rate. Keep in mind that PE-based valuation works best for profitable, mature companies — for high-growth or cyclical Copper, a DCF analysis may be more appropriate.
To value Freeport-McMoRan Inc. using PE: (1) Compare the current PE (35.4x) against the Copper median to assess relative pricing, (2) check the PEG ratio (0.66) to adjust for growth expectations, (3) review the 5-year PE range to identify where the stock sits historically, and (4) estimate fair value by multiplying a target PE by forward EPS estimates. This relative approach complements DCF's absolute valuation.
FCX's PEG ratio is 0.66, calculated by dividing the PE ratio (35.4x) by the expected earnings growth rate. A PEG below 1.0 means the P/E is low relative to the expected earnings growth rate. Note that PEG accuracy depends on the reliability of growth estimates.
PE ratio gives a quick relative read — how FCX is priced versus Copper peers. DCF provides an absolute value based on projected free cash flows. For FCX, with a strong ROE of 15.3%, both methods are worth using — PE for a market-relative check, DCF to stress-test whether fundamentals justify the price. Each method has blind spots: PE ignores capital structure and cash flow quality, while DCF is sensitive to growth and discount rate assumptions.
P/E and DCF value FCX with different methods and assumptions, so the two conclusions can differ. Compare the DCF intrinsic value.
Price as of 2026-10-07. Financial data from Financial Modeling Prep (trailing twelve months) · Valuation methodology by Charlie Wang.
This is an estimate, not investment advice.