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First Quantum Minerals Ltd (TSE:FM)
TSX:FM

First Quantum Minerals (FM) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:FM

First Quantum Minerals

(TSX:FM)

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Outperform 73 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
C$46.00
▲(13.02% Upside)
First Quantum Minerals' stock is supported by strong technical momentum and robust financial performance, particularly in cash flow generation. However, high valuation metrics and operational challenges in Panama and Sentinel present risks. The positive earnings call sentiment and production achievements contribute to a favorable outlook, but the high P/E ratio suggests caution.
Positive Factors
Strong free cash flow growth and cash conversion
A 201% TTM increase in free cash flow and operating cash conversion ratio >1 indicate durable internal funding ability. This strengthens capacity to fund disciplined capex, service debt, and support expansions without reliance on equity, reducing refinancing risk over the medium term.
Kansanshi S3 expansion completed and ramped
Completion and handover of Kansanshi S3 adds permanent processing capacity and supports higher long-term copper output. Incremental capacity lowers unit costs through scale, improves marginal margins and underpins the company’s multi-year production guidance and cash generation profile.
Stronger liquidity and extended debt maturity
The $1bn gold stream plus $1bn notes boosting liquidity to $2.3bn and pushing maturities to 2029 materially reduces short-term refinancing pressure. This enhances balance-sheet flexibility to fund capex, manage working capital and absorb commodity-cycle volatility over coming years.
Negative Factors
Very low net profit margin
A 0.51% net margin shows limited translation of operating performance into attributable earnings. Persistently thin net profitability constrains retained earnings, depresses returns to equity holders and increases sensitivity to commodity price swings, cost inflation or one-off charges.
Regulatory and contractual uncertainty at Cobre Panamá
An environmental audit and unresolved government agreement create material operational and legal risk for a major asset. Prolonged uncertainty can restrict processing of ore, delay production, and impede capital planning, raising the prospect of sustained cash-flow and reserve impacts.
Operational reliability issues and smelter disruption impact
Ongoing mill fatigue and past smelter shutdowns have reduced sales volumes and crystallized extra royalty costs. Recurring reliability problems and regional processing outages raise unit costs and margin volatility, undermining consistent production and long-term cash flow predictability.

First Quantum Minerals (FM) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

First Quantum Minerals Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionFirst Quantum Minerals Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, and production of mineral properties. It primarily explores for copper, nickel, pyrite, gold, silver, and zinc ores, as well as produces acid. The company has operating mines located in Zambia, Panama, Finland, Turkey, Spain, Australia, and Mauritania, as well as a development project in Zambia. It is exploring the Taca Taca copper-gold-molybdenum project in Argentina, as well as the Haquira copper deposit in Peru. The company was formerly known as First Quantum Ventures Ltd. and changed its name to First Quantum Minerals Ltd. in July 1996. First Quantum Minerals Ltd. was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyFirst Quantum Minerals generates revenue primarily through the sale of copper and nickel products. The company sells its copper in various forms, including cathodes and concentrates, to customers in the global market, including smelters and trading companies. The price of copper, which is influenced by global demand and supply dynamics, directly impacts the company's revenue. Additionally, First Quantum also earns income from by-products such as gold and silver, which are extracted during the mining process. Key revenue streams include long-term contracts and spot market sales. The company has established partnerships with various stakeholders, including local governments and other mining companies, which can provide operational synergies and access to additional markets. Factors such as mining efficiency, operational costs, and global commodity prices are significant contributors to its earnings.

First Quantum Minerals Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 28, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 10, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflects a positive outlook with significant achievements in production and financial positioning, notably the completion of the Kansanshi S3 expansion and improved liquidity. However, challenges remain in Panama with the ongoing audit and the need for a new agreement, as well as maintenance issues at Sentinel and increased royalty costs in Zambia.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Increased Copper Production
Total copper production was 105,000 tonnes, a 15% increase over the second quarter, with Sentinel and Kansanshi reporting higher production. Year-to-date, 295,000 tonnes of copper have been produced, on track to meet the 2025 guidance range of 390,000 to 410,000 tonnes.
Successful Kansanshi S3 Expansion
The Kansanshi S3 expansion project was completed and handed over to operations, exceeding expectations for ramp-up and achieving first production in August. The smelter expansion works are complete, and ongoing project capital works are expected to be completed in Q2 2026.
Strong Financial Position
First Quantum completed a $1 billion gold stream agreement with Royal Gold and issued $1 billion in senior unsecured notes, extending bond maturity to 2029. Liquidity improved to $2.3 billion at quarter-end, with $960 million in cash and a fully undrawn revolver of $1.3 billion.
Çayeli Mine Life Extension
The life of the Çayeli mine in Turkey has been extended to 2036, with over 3 years without a lost time injury, demonstrating commitment to safety and sustainability.
Increased Nickel Production
Enterprise reported a 44% quarter-over-quarter improvement in nickel production, reaching nearly 6,000 tonnes during the third quarter.
Negative Updates
Challenges in Panama
The ongoing environmental audit of Cobre Panamá and the need for a new agreement with the government of Panama are causing operational uncertainties. The audit is expected to take 4 to 6 months, with no formal discussions on processing existing ore stockpiles.
Maintenance Challenges at Sentinel
Continued maintenance is required to address the fatigue issues on Ball Mill 2. While production has improved, a long-term corrective procedure is still being developed.
Impact of Smelter Shutdown in Zambia
Sales volumes in Zambia were lower than production due to the replenishment of inventories following the smelter shutdown in Q2, impacting EBITDA by $45 million.
Higher Royalty Costs
Royalty costs increased by $25 million at Kansanshi due to the smelter shutdown, resulting in an increased proportion of local sales and earlier crystallization of royalties.
Company Guidance
During the First Quantum Minerals Third Quarter 2025 Results Conference Call, the company provided detailed guidance on several key metrics. The company announced a $1 billion non-debt gold stream agreement with Royal Gold, aimed at strengthening the balance sheet and managing liquidity. They reported a 15% quarter-over-quarter increase in total copper production to 105,000 tonnes, with sales volumes totaling 119,000 tonnes. Year-to-date copper production reached 295,000 tonnes, with an annual guidance range of 390,000 to 410,000 tonnes. Kansanshi operations produced 47,000 tonnes of copper in the third quarter, contributing to a narrowed production guidance of 175,000 to 185,000 tonnes for the year. Sentinel operations reported a 14% increase in mill throughput, resulting in an updated copper production guidance of 190,000 to 200,000 tonnes. The company also achieved a 44% increase in nickel production at Enterprise, narrowing the guidance to 18,000 to 23,000 tonnes. Financially, the company reported EBITDA of $435 million, with an adjusted loss of $0.02 per share. They also improved their liquidity by approximately $1.6 billion, resulting in a quarter-end liquidity of $2.3 billion. Capital expenditure guidance for 2025 was lowered to a range of $1.15 billion to $1.2 billion, with the Kansanshi S3 expansion project coming in under budget at $12,000 per tonne of annualized copper production.

First Quantum Minerals Financial Statement Overview

Summary
First Quantum Minerals exhibits strong operational efficiency with healthy EBIT and EBITDA margins, but faces challenges in revenue growth and net profitability. The balance sheet is stable with moderate leverage, and the cash flow statement highlights strong cash generation capabilities.
Income Statement
First Quantum Minerals shows a mixed performance in its income statement. The TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) gross profit margin is healthy at 31.17%, indicating efficient cost management. However, the net profit margin is relatively low at 4.08%, reflecting challenges in converting revenue into profit. The revenue growth rate is negative, showing a decline of 10.1% in the TTM, which is concerning. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are strong at 24.96% and 38.28% respectively, suggesting good operational efficiency despite revenue challenges.
Balance Sheet
The balance sheet of First Quantum Minerals is stable with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54 in the TTM, indicating moderate leverage. The return on equity is low at 1.78%, suggesting limited profitability relative to shareholder equity. The equity ratio stands at 47.01%, reflecting a solid equity base relative to total assets. Overall, the company maintains a balanced financial structure with manageable debt levels.
Cash Flow
The cash flow statement reveals strong cash generation capabilities. The free cash flow growth rate is impressive at 370.59% in the TTM, indicating significant improvement in cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.12, showing robust cash flow relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.32 suggests effective conversion of profits into cash. Overall, the company demonstrates strong cash flow management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue5.53B4.80B6.46B7.63B7.21B5.07B
Gross Profit1.56B1.35B1.29B2.20B2.56B1.08B
EBITDA1.86B1.62B2.25B3.28B3.55B2.16B
Net Income27.89M2.00M-954.00M1.03B832.00M-180.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets34.54B24.11B23.76B25.08B25.27B24.24B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.35B843.00M1.16B1.69B1.86B950.00M
Total Debt9.72B6.37B7.58B7.38B7.91B8.36B
Total Liabilities18.40B12.21B12.98B12.84B13.78B14.20B
Stockholders Equity15.77B11.47B10.25B10.90B10.02B8.87B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.69B365.00M127.00M1.17B1.89B1.00B
Operating Cash Flow2.95B1.65B1.43B2.33B2.88B1.61B
Investing Cash Flow-1.32B-1.29B-1.38B-1.17B-1.10B-673.00M
Financing Cash Flow-1.27B-501.00M-776.00M-1.33B-841.00M-543.00M

First Quantum Minerals Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price40.70
Price Trends
50DMA
32.98
Positive
100DMA
30.55
Positive
200DMA
25.79
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.04
Negative
RSI
75.28
Negative
STOCH
88.36
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:FM, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 40.7 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 36.84, above the 50-day MA of 32.98, and above the 200-day MA of 25.79, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.04 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 75.28 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 88.36 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:FM.

First Quantum Minerals Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
C$4.47B22.1317.26%29.97%658.38%
76
Outperform
C$12.41B19.2316.43%0.07%5.40%413.48%
73
Outperform
C$34.04B527.890.41%8.17%
73
Outperform
C$10.67B24.439.83%44.69%1216.12%
72
Outperform
C$28.87B692.123.33%0.68%-19.68%-90.05%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
58
Neutral
C$3.13B-50.03-10.53%1.17%-169.37%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:FM
First Quantum Minerals
40.70
21.23
109.04%
TSE:HBM
Hudbay Minerals
31.27
18.72
149.18%
TSE:TKO
Taseko Mines
9.03
6.08
206.10%
TSE:LUN
Lundin Mining
33.36
21.05
170.91%
TSE:CS
Capstone Copper
13.76
4.88
54.95%
TSE:ERO
Ero Copper
41.42
21.10
103.84%

First Quantum Minerals Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
First Quantum Sets Dates for 2025 Results, Production Update and Guidance
Neutral
Jan 13, 2026

First Quantum Minerals has scheduled the release of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial and operating results for February 10, 2026, after the close of trading in Toronto, to be followed by a conference call and webcast on February 11. The company will also publish its 2025 preliminary production figures and a new three-year operational guidance update on January 15, 2026, signaling an important checkpoint for investors and other stakeholders as it navigates ongoing operational changes, including the preservation status of Cobre Panamá, care and maintenance at Ravensthorpe, and the continued development of key Latin American growth projects.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:FM) stock is a Buy with a C$40.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on First Quantum Minerals stock, see the TSE:FM Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
First Quantum Minerals to Sell Spanish Las Cruces Mine for Up to $190 Million
Neutral
Dec 24, 2025

First Quantum Minerals has agreed to sell its wholly owned Cobre Las Cruces mine in Spain to Global Panduro, a company controlled by funds managed by Resource Capital Funds, for consideration of up to $190 million plus a profitability‑linked earn-out. The transaction, which includes an upfront cash payment, a loan note, milestone-based deferred payments and contingent earn-out tied to future exit events, is expected to close in the first half of 2026 subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals, marking First Quantum’s exit from the Las Cruces polymetallic redevelopment project and handing its next development phase to a private equity-backed buyer.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:FM) stock is a Hold with a C$33.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on First Quantum Minerals stock, see the TSE:FM Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
First Quantum to Sell Spain’s Cobre Las Cruces Mine for Up to $190 Million
Neutral
Dec 24, 2025

First Quantum Minerals has agreed to sell its wholly owned Cobre Las Cruces mine in Spain to Global Panduro, a vehicle controlled by Resource Capital Funds, for consideration of up to $190 million plus a profitability-linked earn-out. The deal structure includes $45 million in cash on closing, a loan note of about $65 million, up to $80 million in deferred milestone payments tied to development of the polymetallic primary sulphide project at the site, and an additional contingent earn-out based on future exit and liquidity events, with closing targeted for the first half of 2026. The transaction marks First Quantum’s exit from the Las Cruces operation, which previously produced copper cathodes and was slated for redevelopment into an underground polymetallic mine, and shifts the project’s future development to Resource Capital Funds, a specialist mining private equity investor, potentially enhancing capital and execution resources for advancing the asset while giving First Quantum financial flexibility and exposure to future upside through deferred and contingent payments.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:FM) stock is a Hold with a C$33.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on First Quantum Minerals stock, see the TSE:FM Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresPrivate Placements and Financing
First Quantum Minerals Reports Q3 2025 Results with Strategic Financial Moves
Neutral
Oct 28, 2025

First Quantum Minerals reported a net loss of $48 million for the third quarter of 2025, despite improvements in production and metal prices. The company made significant strides in strengthening its financial position through a $1 billion gold stream arrangement and bond transactions. Operationally, the Kansanshi S3 Expansion project was successfully completed, and production guidance for copper, gold, and nickel was updated. The company is also working on resolving issues related to the Cobre Panamá mine, with plans to restart the power plant in the fourth quarter.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:FM) stock is a Hold with a C$35.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on First Quantum Minerals stock, see the TSE:FM 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