Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

by · The Markets Daily

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX – Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 28,027,039 shares, an increase of 35.2% from the November 30th total of 20,725,394 shares. Approximately 2.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 16,211,640 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 16,211,640 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days. Approximately 2.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

More Freeport-McMoRan News

Here are the key news stories impacting Freeport-McMoRan this week:

  • Positive Sentiment: Raymond James raised its price target on FCX to $53 and maintained an “outperform” rating, providing analyst support that could cap downside and attract buyers who follow broker guidance. MarketScreener
  • Positive Sentiment: Rising metals prices (copper, silver, gold) are a tailwind for Freeport’s revenue and long‑term outlook — recent coverage highlights strong commodity rallies that typically benefit major copper producers like FCX. MarketBeat
  • Positive Sentiment: Silver and broader metals momentum (e.g., silver’s surge) continues to attract flows to miners and refiners, a thematic positive that can lift FCX alongside peers. 247wallst
  • Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary notes FCX among names in focus during mixed futures trading; this is general market noise that can amplify moves but doesn’t change company fundamentals. Benzinga
  • Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms (Glancy Prongay & Murray, The Gross Law Firm, Bronstein Gewirtz & Grossman, Rosen, Faruqi & Faruqi) are filing reminders and solicitations for lead‑plaintiff motions in a securities‑class‑action tied to a class period through Sept. 24, 2025, with a Jan. 12, 2026 lead‑plaintiff deadline — increasing litigation headline risk, potential legal costs, and investor uncertainty. PR Newswire GlobeNewswire GlobeNewswire 2 GazetteXtra/Rosen Newsfile/Faruqi

Freeport-McMoRan Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of FCX stock traded down $0.62 on Wednesday, hitting $50.79. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 8,774,545 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,717,104. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.77, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.49. Freeport-McMoRan has a fifty-two week low of $27.66 and a fifty-two week high of $53.76. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $44.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $43.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 2.45 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.74 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 7.84% and a net margin of 7.97%.The business’s revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.38 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Freeport-McMoRan will post 1.68 EPS for the current year.

Freeport-McMoRan Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a dividend of $0.075 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Freeport-McMoRan’s dividend payout ratio is presently 21.13%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Freeport-McMoRan news, CAO Stephen T. Higgins sold 28,423 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.99, for a total value of $1,364,019.77. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 105,294 shares in the company, valued at $5,053,059.06. This trade represents a 21.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Ellie L. Mikes sold 9,572 shares of Freeport-McMoRan stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.66, for a total transaction of $456,201.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 38,761 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,847,349.26. This trade represents a 19.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.75% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Freeport-McMoRan

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of FCX. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. bought a new position in Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1,962.9% during the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 722 shares of the natural resource company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 687 shares in the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Pilgrim Partners Asia Pte Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 80.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on FCX. Dbs Bank decreased their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $51.00 to $48.00 in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. HSBC cut their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $50.00 to $48.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Freeport-McMoRan from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $54.00 to $48.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on Freeport-McMoRan from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Freeport-McMoRan presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $49.87.

View Our Latest Report on FCX

Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc is a U.S.-based natural resources company primarily engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of copper, gold and molybdenum. Its operations encompass large-scale open-pit and underground mining as well as associated concentrator and milling facilities. The company produces copper in the form of concentrates and cathodes, and also recovers gold and molybdenum as co-products; its business model includes exploration, development, mining, beneficiation and the sale of bulk commodities to smelters and industrial customers.

Freeport-McMoRan conducts operations and development activities across multiple geographies, with substantial assets in the Americas and Indonesia.

Featured Stories