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Southern Copper Corp (SCCO)
NYSE:SCCO

Southern Copper (SCCO) AI Stock Analysis

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Southern Copper

(NYSE:SCCO)

Rating:76Outperform
Price Target:
$104.00
▲(8.74%Upside)
Southern Copper's strong financial performance, particularly its robust revenue growth and profitability margins, are key strengths driving the score. While technical and valuation aspects are relatively neutral, strong shareholder support at corporate events provides a positive sentiment boost.
Positive Factors
Cost Management
Copper cash costs before by-products of $2.05/lb were below consensus of $2.09/lb.
Financial Flexibility
The company ended with a healthy balance sheet and raised US$1bn in a bond, providing ample financial flexibility.
Operational Performance
Copper shipments of 244kt were 2% higher than the VA consensus of 239kt and above our 239kt forecast.
Negative Factors
Earnings Performance
SCCO reported 4Q24 EBITDA of $1.5bn, below our estimates and Bloomberg consensus.
Financial Performance
Revenues came in lower than expected due to light copper sales volume, despite in-line production.
Valuation Concerns
The valuation is considered unattractive with an EV/EBITDA ratio of 11.3x and a free cash flow yield of about 4% for 2025.

Southern Copper (SCCO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Southern Copper Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSouthern Copper Corporation engages in mining, exploring, smelting, and refining copper and other minerals in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile. The company is involved in the mining, milling, and flotation of copper ore to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates; smelting of copper concentrates to produce blister and anode copper; refining of anode copper to produce copper cathodes; production of molybdenum concentrate and sulfuric acid; production of refined silver, gold, and other materials; and mining and processing of zinc and lead. It operates the Toquepala and Cuajone open-pit mines, and a smelter and refinery in Peru; and La Caridad, an open-pit copper mine, as well as a copper ore concentrator, a SX-EW plant, a smelter, refinery, and a rod plant in Mexico. The company also operates Buenavista, an open-pit copper mine, as well as two copper concentrators and two operating SX-EW plants in Mexico. In addition, it operates five underground mines that produce zinc, lead, copper, silver, and gold; a coal mine that produces coal and coke; and a zinc refinery. The company has interests in 82,134 hectares of exploration concessions in Peru; 493,533 hectares of exploration concessions in Mexico; 246,346 hectares of exploration concessions in Argentina; 29,888 hectares of exploration concessions in Chile; and 7,299 hectares of exploration concessions in Ecuador. Southern Copper Corporation was incorporated in 1952 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Southern Copper Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Americas Mining Corporation.
How the Company Makes MoneySouthern Copper Corporation generates revenue primarily through the sale of copper and other metals that it extracts and processes from its mining operations. The company's primary revenue stream comes from its large-scale production of copper, which is sold to a variety of customers, including industrial manufacturers, construction companies, and electronics producers. SCCO's operations benefit from economies of scale, enabling it to maintain competitive production costs. Additionally, SCCO capitalizes on the sale of byproducts such as molybdenum, zinc, and silver, which contribute significantly to its earnings. The company's strategic location of mining operations in resource-rich regions and long-term contracts with major customers and governments also play a crucial role in stabilizing and enhancing its revenue streams.

Southern Copper Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 24, 2025
(Q3-2024)
|
% Change Since: 0.79%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call for Southern Copper Corporation's third quarter of 2024 highlighted significant financial growth, including increased sales, net income, and adjusted EBITDA. The company's projects, particularly Tia Maria, are showing progress, and production levels for zinc and silver have seen substantial increases. However, there are some concerns, such as a decline in molybdenum prices, regulatory challenges in Mexico and Peru, and ongoing issues with illegal mining at the Los Chancas site. Despite these challenges, the positive aspects of the earnings call are more pronounced, indicating a strong overall performance.
Q3-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
Increase in Copper Prices
The London Metal Exchange copper price increased 10% from an average of $3.79 per pound in the third quarter of 2023 to $4.17 in the third quarter of 2024.
Significant Growth in Zinc Production
Zinc mine production increased by 91% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, mainly due to new production at the Buenavista Zinc concentrator.
Record Sales and Revenue Growth
Sales increased by 17% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with total sales reaching $2.9 billion.
Substantial Increase in Net Income
Net income in the third quarter of 2024 was $897 million, representing a 45% increase compared to the third quarter of 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA Growth
Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2024 was $1,685 million, a 31% increase from the same period in 2023, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 57%.
Positive Developments in Tia Maria Project
Progress on the Tia Maria project includes a CapEx budget of $363 million for 2025, with the project expected to generate significant employment opportunities.
Increase in Silver Prices and Production
Silver prices increased by 25% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with mined silver production increasing by 22%.
Negative Updates
Decline in Molybdenum Prices
Molybdenum prices averaged $21.68 per pound in the third quarter of 2024, an 8% decrease from the third quarter of 2023.
Copper Production and Sales Gap
A gap between copper production and sales was noted in the third quarter of 2024, with plans to close this gap by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Challenges with Regulatory Environment
Regulatory changes in Mexico and Peru affect exploration activities and concessions, creating potential future uncertainties.
Issues with Illegal Mining at Los Chancas
Ongoing challenges with illegal mining activities at the Los Chancas project in Peru persist, with efforts to eradicate them still ongoing.
Company Guidance
During Southern Copper Corporation's Q3 2024 earnings call, executive Raul Jacob provided comprehensive guidance on the company's performance and outlook. The company reported a 17% increase in sales to $2.9 billion, driven by a 21% rise in copper sales value and an 8% increase in volume. Copper production rose by 11% from the previous quarter, reaching 252,219 tons, with a forecast of 975,000 tons for 2024. Molybdenum, representing 10% of sales, saw a 6% production increase despite an 8% price decrease. Silver and zinc production increased significantly, with silver sales up 46% and zinc mine production up 91%. The adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2024 was $1,685 million, a 31% increase from Q3 2023, with an EBITDA margin of 57%. The operating cash cost, including by-product credits, was $0.76 per pound of copper. The company also announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.70 per share and a stock dividend, indicating a balanced approach to shareholder returns amidst ongoing capital investments exceeding $15 billion.

Southern Copper Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Southern Copper showcases strong financial health with robust revenue growth, high profitability margins, and efficient cash flow management. The balance sheet is well-managed with a moderate level of leverage. While the free cash flow growth rate has dipped, the company maintains strong operational cash flow conversion, positioning it well for future growth and stability.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Southern Copper has demonstrated robust revenue growth, as evidenced by a 20.74% increase in total revenue from 2023 to the TTM period ending March 2025. The company maintains strong profitability with a net profit margin of 30.00% and a gross profit margin of 63.60% for TTM. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are also impressive at 49.34% and 55.95%, respectively. These metrics indicate effective cost management and strong operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company's balance sheet reflects a healthy equity position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82 for TTM, indicating moderate leverage. The return on equity stands at 37.47%, showcasing strong profitability relative to shareholder equity. However, the equity ratio of 48.34% suggests a balanced asset financing strategy, with potential for improving the equity portion.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Southern Copper exhibits strong cash flow generation, with a free cash flow growth rate of -17.06% from 2024 to TTM due to capital expenditures. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.25, indicating efficient cash conversion. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.02 highlights effective cash management, though there's a slight decrease in free cash flow compared to the previous year.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
11.96B11.43B9.90B10.05B10.93B7.98B
Gross Profit
6.05B5.75B4.32B4.60B6.23B3.28B
EBIT
5.90B5.55B4.19B4.44B6.07B3.12B
EBITDA
6.88B6.54B5.12B5.23B6.86B3.89B
Net Income Common Stockholders
3.59B3.38B2.43B2.64B3.40B1.57B
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
1.58B3.50B1.75B2.28B3.49B2.59B
Total Assets
16.79B18.71B16.73B17.28B18.30B16.67B
Total Debt
7.01B7.00B7.03B7.10B7.39B7.45B
Net Debt
5.76B3.74B5.88B5.03B4.39B5.27B
Total Liabilities
9.18B9.48B9.24B9.13B10.09B9.39B
Stockholders Equity
7.54B9.17B7.42B8.08B8.15B7.22B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
3.35B3.39B2.56B1.85B3.40B2.19B
Operating Cash Flow
4.48B4.42B3.57B2.80B4.29B2.78B
Investing Cash Flow
-1.02B-673.30M-1.40B-666.80M-972.90M-915.80M
Financing Cash Flow
-592.20M-1.65B-3.10B-3.01B-2.48B-1.56B

Southern Copper Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price95.64
Price Trends
50DMA
89.70
Positive
100DMA
91.35
Positive
200DMA
96.13
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
1.17
Negative
RSI
61.11
Neutral
STOCH
81.40
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SCCO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 95.64 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 92.35, above the 50-day MA of 89.70, and below the 200-day MA of 96.13, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 1.17 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 61.11 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 81.40 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SCCO.

Southern Copper Risk Analysis

Southern Copper disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Southern Copper reported the most risks in the “Production” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 1 New Risks
1.
Potential developments in the United States, regulatory uncertainty, tariff threats and trade tensions may affect the Company's business and results of operations. Q4, 2024

Southern Copper Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
NENEM
81
Outperform
$60.67B12.2416.64%1.83%48.69%
BHBHP
77
Outperform
$125.16B11.1226.13%4.92%-3.15%54.08%
RIRIO
77
Outperform
$100.93B8.3220.93%6.74%-0.81%14.59%
76
Outperform
$77.25B21.4541.93%2.75%23.23%53.35%
FCFCX
74
Outperform
$59.88B34.4110.10%1.44%2.84%6.35%
73
Outperform
$40.62B6.9915.98%7.86%-9.59%-25.35%
51
Neutral
$2.03B-1.13-21.36%3.65%2.87%-30.54%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SCCO
Southern Copper
95.64
-9.50
-9.04%
BHP
BHP Group
49.58
-6.13
-11.00%
FCX
Freeport-McMoRan
41.48
-7.81
-15.84%
NEM
Newmont Mining
52.36
11.93
29.51%
RIO
Rio Tinto
59.03
-4.99
-7.79%
VALE
Vale SA
9.49
-1.08
-10.22%

Southern Copper Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Southern Copper’s Annual Meeting Highlights Shareholder Support
Positive
May 29, 2025

On May 23, 2025, Southern Copper Corporation held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where 97.05% of the eligible shares were voted. Key decisions included the election of nine directors, approval of amendments to the Directors’ Stock Award Plan, ratification of the selection of independent accountants, and a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation, reflecting strong shareholder engagement and support for the company’s governance and strategic decisions.

The most recent analyst rating on (SCCO) stock is a Hold with a $100.26 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Southern Copper stock, see the SCCO Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.