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Capstone Copper (TSE:CS)
TSX:CS

Capstone Copper (CS) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:CS

Capstone Copper

(TSX:CS)

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Outperform 73 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
C$18.50
▲(17.24% Upside)
Capstone Copper's strong technical indicators and robust earnings performance drive a positive outlook. However, the stock's valuation and operational challenges, particularly at Mantoverde and Pinto Valley, suggest caution. The company's focus on strategic growth and operational efficiency supports a moderately optimistic view.
Positive Factors
Strong liquidity and leverage
Liquidity above $1 billion and a sub-1.0x net debt/EBITDA provide durable financial flexibility. This reduces refinancing and funding risk for projects, supports near-term capex and JV obligations, and cushions the company through commodity cycles over the next several quarters.
Sustained cost reductions
Three consecutive quarters of falling C1 cash costs indicate structural operational improvements and better unit-cost control. Lower sustainable cash costs protect margins if copper prices soften and support free cash flow generation across the business cycle.
Strategic JV de-risks Santo Domingo
A minority JV with external capital reduces CapEx burden, shares development risk and validates project economics. Partner funding accelerates project advancement while preserving balance sheet capacity for other growth or operational needs over the medium term.
Negative Factors
Low net profitability
A sub-4% net margin limits retained earnings and resilience to downturns, constraining the firm's ability to fund growth internally. Persistently low profitability can depress returns and force reliance on external capital for expansions or to cover unexpected operational shortfalls.
Operational reliability risk (Mantoverde)
Repeat mechanical failures point to maintenance, reliability or asset-age issues that can persist without targeted investment. Chronic downtime elevates unit costs, reduces realized volumes, and can erode margin improvements unless capital and operational plans address root causes.
Water and throughput risk (Pinto Valley)
Drought-driven throughput limits are a structural operating risk in arid jurisdictions. Water scarcity can cap production growth, require costly mitigation investments, and increase production volatility across seasons, affecting medium-term output and unit-cost stability.

Capstone Copper (CS) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

Capstone Copper Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCapstone Copper Corp. operates as a copper mining company with focus on the Americas. It owns and operates the Pinto Valley copper mine located in Arizona, the United States; the Cozamin copper-silver mine located in Zacatecas, Mexico; the Mantos Blancos copper-silver mine located in the Antofagasta region, Chile; and 70% of the Mantoverde copper-gold mine located in the Atacama region, Chile. The company also owns the fully permitted Santo Domingo copper-gold project located northeast of Mantoverde in the Atacama region, Chile, as well as a portfolio of exploration properties in the Americas. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyCapstone Copper generates revenue primarily through the sale of copper concentrate and cathode, which are sold to smelters and refiners. The company's revenue model is heavily reliant on the global demand for copper, which is influenced by factors such as industrial production, infrastructure development, and the shift towards green energy solutions. Key revenue streams include the direct sale of copper products, as well as revenue from by-products like gold and silver. Additionally, Capstone Copper may benefit from strategic partnerships with other mining firms and stakeholders in the supply chain, enhancing its operational efficiency and market reach. Fluctuations in copper prices on the commodities market significantly impact the company's earnings, making the management of production costs and operational efficiency critical for profitability.

Capstone Copper Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 30, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 02, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reported significant achievements in revenue, joint ventures, and EBITDA growth, along with effective cost control. However, these positive results were somewhat offset by operational challenges, particularly at Mantoverde and Pinto Valley, affecting production and leading to a cautious outlook on guidance.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Quarterly Revenue
Q3 2025 reported record quarterly revenue of $598.4 million, driven by strong copper production and commodity prices.
Joint Venture with Orion Resources Partners
Announced a minority joint venture agreement with Orion Resources Partners at the Santo Domingo project, with Orion contributing up to $360 million for 25% of the project.
Operational Excellence in Cost Control
Consolidated C1 cash cost of $2.42 per pound, marking the third consecutive quarter of cost reduction.
Record Adjusted EBITDA
Q3 2025 achieved record adjusted EBITDA of $249.2 million, an increase of 106% year-over-year.
Strong Operating Cash Flow
Reported strong operating cash flow of $231.2 million before working capital changes.
Improved Liquidity Position
Available liquidity greater than $1 billion as of September 30, 2025, with a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 0.9x.
Negative Updates
Mantoverde Motor Failures
Higher-than-normal downtime at Mantoverde due to motor failures in the ball mill, impacting production.
Arizona Drought Impact
Severe drought conditions in Arizona constrained throughput at Pinto Valley, leading to lower production.
Challenges at Mantos Blancos
Slightly lower throughput due to maintenance and structural issues with the final concentrate thickener.
Production and Cost Guidance Adjustments
Total copper production is expected to finish within the lower half of the range and cash costs within the upper half for 2025.
Company Guidance
During Capstone Copper's Q3 2025 results conference call, the company provided guidance for the upcoming quarters, emphasizing ongoing operational improvements and strategic growth initiatives. Consolidated copper production reached 55,300 tonnes at a C1 cash cost of $2.42 per pound, marking the third consecutive quarter of reduced cash costs. The Mantoverde site experienced higher downtime due to motor failures, impacting throughput, but was partially offset by record recoveries. The company anticipates finishing 2025 with production within the lower half of the guidance range and cash costs within the upper half. Strong copper prices drove record quarterly revenue of $598.4 million, with adjusted EBITDA reaching $249.2 million, a 106% year-over-year increase. Capstone's financial position is robust, with liquidity exceeding $1 billion and a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 0.9x. Looking ahead, the company focuses on enhancing operational consistency, executing strategic projects such as the Mantoverde optimization and the Santo Domingo joint venture, and leveraging exploration opportunities to support long-term growth.

Capstone Copper Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Capstone Copper shows strong revenue growth and operational efficiency with robust gross profit and EBIT margins. However, low net profit margin and return on equity indicate room for improvement in profitability and shareholder returns. Cash flow generation is improving but needs further enhancement for better financial flexibility.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Capstone Copper has demonstrated strong revenue growth with a 20.84% increase in the TTM period. The gross profit margin is healthy at 37.39%, indicating efficient cost management. However, the net profit margin is relatively low at 3.89%, suggesting potential areas for improvement in profitability. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are solid, reflecting good operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52 indicates a moderate level of leverage, which is manageable but should be monitored. The return on equity is low at 2.48%, suggesting limited returns for shareholders. The equity ratio is stable, showing a strong equity base relative to total assets.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Capstone Copper's free cash flow has grown by 22.99% in the TTM period, indicating improved cash generation. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio is low at 0.09, suggesting that cash flow generation from operations could be enhanced. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.76, showing a decent conversion of earnings into cash.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.11B1.60B1.35B1.30B794.77M453.76M
Gross Profit717.32M522.46M319.36M381.86M452.37M162.57M
EBITDA915.55M353.40M184.33M334.97M434.28M96.77M
Net Income308.06M82.91M-101.67M122.20M226.83M12.56M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.96B6.36B5.83B5.43B1.71B1.39B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments309.36M132.27M125.91M173.55M261.87M59.88M
Total Debt1.49B1.32B1.36B811.22M15.89M192.74M
Total Liabilities3.21B2.90B2.79B2.22B704.84M501.41M
Stockholders Equity3.32B3.05B2.64B2.78B1.01B777.49M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow63.26M-133.88M-577.25M-488.34M409.41M40.18M
Operating Cash Flow548.49M292.64M49.48M54.75M540.59M142.65M
Investing Cash Flow-485.22M-425.08M-621.66M-337.00M-158.13M-101.26M
Financing Cash Flow103.68M139.87M523.41M193.79M-180.53M-23.88M

Capstone Copper Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price15.78
Price Trends
50DMA
13.81
Positive
100DMA
12.74
Positive
200DMA
10.39
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.67
Negative
RSI
57.45
Neutral
STOCH
50.59
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:CS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 15.78 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 14.88, above the 50-day MA of 13.81, and above the 200-day MA of 10.39, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.67 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 57.45 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 50.59 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:CS.

Capstone Copper Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
C$12.05B28.019.83%44.69%1216.12%
73
Outperform
C$31.34B486.660.41%8.17%
72
Outperform
C$28.21B757.053.33%0.68%-19.68%-90.05%
70
Outperform
C$13.85B22.0116.43%0.07%5.40%413.48%
69
Neutral
$5.02B25.7417.26%29.97%658.38%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
54
Neutral
C$4.12B-10.53%1.17%-169.37%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:CS
Capstone Copper
15.78
7.44
89.21%
TSE:HBM
Hudbay Minerals
34.96
22.35
177.26%
TSE:TKO
Taseko Mines
11.44
8.60
302.82%
TSE:LUN
Lundin Mining
33.02
21.34
182.66%
TSE:ERO
Ero Copper
48.19
28.77
148.15%
TSE:FM
First Quantum Minerals
37.57
18.38
95.78%

Capstone Copper Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Capstone Copper Restarts Mantoverde Mine at Reduced Capacity Amid Ongoing Strike
Negative
Feb 1, 2026

Capstone Copper has resumed operations at its Mantoverde copper-gold mine in Chile after production was disrupted by restricted access to the site’s desalination plant, and it now expects to operate at 50% to 75% of normal production levels while a labour strike continues. The company emphasized its willingness to continue negotiations with Union #2, which represents about 22% of the workforce and has been on strike since January 2, stressing adherence to legal procedures, employee rights and transparency as it seeks to stabilize operations and maintain community and stakeholder benefits during the dispute.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:CS) stock is a Buy with a C$17.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Capstone Copper stock, see the TSE:CS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyLegal Proceedings
Capstone Copper’s Mantoverde Output Threatened as Strike Cuts Desalinated Water Supply
Negative
Jan 22, 2026

Capstone Copper has temporarily halted sulphide operations and is preparing to suspend oxide production at its Mantoverde mine in Chile after a strike by Union #2 escalated into an incident at the company’s remote desalination plant, where individuals interfered with the electrical system and cut off the water supply needed for the mine. Striking workers are blocking access to the desalination facilities, forcing Mantoverde to rely on limited on-site water reserves for essential services, while the company seeks court support to regain access and restart the plant, and continues to call for constructive dialogue with the union as it attempts to safeguard operations, uphold legal procedures and maintain its commitment to safe and responsible mining for employees and surrounding communities.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:CS) stock is a Buy with a C$18.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Capstone Copper stock, see the TSE:CS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresPrivate Placements and Financing
Capstone Copper Hits Record 2025 Output as Chilean Mines Power Growth
Positive
Jan 15, 2026

Capstone Copper reported record 2025 consolidated copper production of 224,764 tonnes, meeting its annual guidance and marking a 22% increase over 2024 and 37% over 2023, driven mainly by the ramp-up of the Mantoverde Development Project and the Mantos Blancos debottlenecking initiative. Mantoverde’s annual output rose 65% year-on-year to 95,115 tonnes, with a record monthly production of 10,747 tonnes in December, while Mantos Blancos delivered 61,919 tonnes, surpassing its 2025 guidance and posting record quarterly output in the fourth quarter; Pinto Valley’s annual production reached 42,382 tonnes despite drought-related constraints, and Cozamin achieved 25,348 tonnes, near the top of its guidance range. Management framed 2025 as a transformational year marked by multiple growth milestones, including sanctioning the Mantoverde Optimized Project, securing a partner for the Santo Domingo project, advancing exploration in the Mantoverde–Santo Domingo district, and completing balance sheet refinancing, collectively positioning the company for disciplined execution and a new phase of value-accretive growth in 2026, while also updating investors on ongoing labour negotiations at Mantoverde.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:CS) stock is a Buy with a C$17.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Capstone Copper stock, see the TSE:CS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Capstone Copper Faces Strike at Mantoverde Mine, Plans to Operate at Reduced Capacity
Negative
Jan 2, 2026

Capstone Copper said Union #2 at its Mantoverde copper-gold mine in Chile, representing about half of the mine’s employees and 22% of the total workforce, will begin a strike on 2 January 2026 after collective bargaining talks failed, prompting a planned gradual reduction of certain activities and an expectation that the operation will run at up to 30% of normal production during the stoppage. The company stressed it remains open to dialogue, will follow all legal procedures and safety measures, and highlighted that it has already reached three-year agreements with Mantoverde’s three other unions and continues to play a significant economic role in Chile through wages, benefits and local employment, underscoring both the operational risk from the strike and the broader social and economic stakes for workers, contractors and nearby communities.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:CS) stock is a Buy with a C$14.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Capstone Copper stock, see the TSE:CS Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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.Date of analysis: Dec 19, 2025