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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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Neutral 68 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
C$35.00
▲(3.46% Upside)
First Quantum Minerals demonstrates strong operational efficiency and positive technical momentum, which are significant strengths. However, the stock's high P/E ratio indicates overvaluation, and challenges in revenue growth and net profitability weigh on the overall score. The positive earnings call sentiment and improved liquidity provide a supportive outlook.
Positive Factors
Operational Efficiency
Strong operational efficiency with high EBIT and EBITDA margins suggests effective cost management and operational strength, supporting long-term profitability.
Liquidity Improvement
Improved liquidity enhances financial flexibility and reduces risk, enabling the company to invest in growth opportunities and manage debt effectively.
Çayeli Mine Life Extension
Extending the mine life to 2036 secures long-term resource availability, supporting sustained production and revenue generation from this asset.
Negative Factors
Revenue Decline
A decline in revenue growth indicates challenges in market demand or competitive positioning, potentially impacting future profitability and market share.
Challenges in Panama
Operational uncertainties in Panama due to environmental audits could disrupt production and require additional resources to resolve, affecting long-term operations.
Maintenance Challenges at Sentinel
Ongoing maintenance issues at Sentinel could lead to production inefficiencies and increased costs, impacting operational reliability and profitability.

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 17, 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 shows 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
65
Positive
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
70
Positive
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
75
Positive
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 Revenue4.95B4.80B6.46B7.63B7.21B5.07B
Gross Profit1.54B1.35B1.29B2.20B2.56B1.08B
EBITDA1.85B1.62B2.25B3.28B3.55B2.16B
Net Income202.00M2.00M-954.00M1.03B832.00M-180.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets24.28B24.11B23.76B25.08B25.27B24.24B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments747.00M843.00M1.16B1.69B1.86B950.00M
Total Debt6.20B6.37B7.58B7.38B7.91B8.36B
Total Liabilities12.57B12.21B12.98B12.84B13.78B14.20B
Stockholders Equity11.40B11.47B10.25B10.90B10.02B8.87B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow560.00M365.00M127.00M1.17B1.89B1.00B
Operating Cash Flow1.77B1.65B1.43B2.33B2.88B1.61B
Investing Cash Flow-1.26B-1.29B-1.38B-1.17B-1.10B-673.00M
Financing Cash Flow-647.00M-501.00M-776.00M-1.33B-841.00M-543.00M

First Quantum Minerals Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price33.83
Price Trends
50DMA
30.68
Positive
100DMA
27.78
Positive
200DMA
24.01
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.91
Negative
RSI
63.50
Neutral
STOCH
74.55
Neutral
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 33.83 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 30.74, above the 50-day MA of 30.68, and above the 200-day MA of 24.01, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.91 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 63.50 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 74.55 is Neutral, 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
$3.60B19.1017.26%29.97%658.38%
76
Outperform
$9.65B14.9816.43%0.08%5.40%413.48%
70
Neutral
$8.93B20.779.83%44.69%1216.12%
68
Neutral
$23.04B358.240.41%8.17%
67
Neutral
$21.94B531.333.33%0.74%-19.68%-90.05%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
58
Neutral
$2.62B-10.53%1.17%-169.37%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:FM
First Quantum Minerals
33.83
14.43
74.38%
TSE:HBM
Hudbay Minerals
25.63
13.31
108.04%
TSE:TKO
Taseko Mines
7.50
4.54
153.38%
TSE:LUN
Lundin Mining
27.14
14.47
114.21%
TSE:CS
Capstone Copper
13.40
4.45
49.72%
TSE:ERO
Ero Copper
35.75
16.24
83.24%

First Quantum Minerals Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
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.

Financial Disclosures
First Quantum to Announce Q3 2025 Results
Neutral
Oct 1, 2025

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. announced it will release its third quarter 2025 financial and operating results on October 28, 2025, after the close of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The company will discuss these results during a conference call and webcast on October 29, 2025, providing stakeholders an opportunity to gain insights into its financial performance and operational strategies.

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 01, 2025