Investment Opportunities in Copper and Lithium Mining Stocks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 21 2026
0mins
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Freeport-McMoRan's Value Potential: Based on the latest EBITDA forecasts, Freeport-McMoRan expects EBITDA of $11 billion at $4 per pound copper and $19 billion at $6, with current copper prices at $5.66 suggesting an EBITDA of $17.6 billion, indicating a historically attractive EV/EBITDA multiple of 5.5 times.
- Production Expansion in Indonesia: Freeport plans to ramp up production in Indonesia over the next few years, actively enhancing its production capabilities despite a tragic accident last year, which is expected to strengthen its market competitiveness.
- Albemarle's Improved Outlook: Albemarle faced losses in 2022 due to a significant drop in lithium prices, but after divesting non-core businesses and cutting costs, it is now positioned to benefit from a price recovery, with projected EBITDA of $2.4 billion to $2.6 billion by 2026.
- Rising Lithium Demand from EV Investments: As global investments in electric vehicles grow, lithium demand is surging, making Albemarle's valuation appealing at current lithium prices, with an expected EV/EBITDA ratio of 9.4 for 2026, indicating significant future growth potential.
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Analyst Views on FCX
Wall Street analysts forecast FCX stock price to fall
15 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 60.500
Low
46.00
Averages
58.79
High
70.00
Current: 60.500
Low
46.00
Averages
58.79
High
70.00
About FCX
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is a metals company. The Company operates assets with reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum. Its portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, which is a copper and gold deposit; and operations in the United States, including the large-scale Morenci minerals district in North America and the Cerro Verde operation in South America. Its segments include Cerro Verde copper mine, Indonesia operations and United States Rod & Refining operations. It produces copper concentrate, cathode and continuous cast copper rod. Its copper ore from mines is processed by smelting and refining or by solution extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW). It produces copper cathodes at an electrolytic refinery located in El Paso, Texas. The SX/EW cathode is produced from the Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, Miami, Chino and Tyrone mines in the United States, and from the Cerro Verde and El Abra mines in South America.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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