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Southern Copper Corp (SCCO)
NYSE:SCCO

Southern Copper (SCCO) AI Stock Analysis

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SCSouthern Copper
(NYSE:SCCO)
72Outperform
Southern Copper presents a solid financial foundation with strong growth in revenue and profitability, positioning it well in the mining industry. However, technical indicators point to bearish short-term momentum, which could impact near-term performance. The company's valuation is reasonable with a fair P/E ratio and a modest dividend yield, although with higher volatility. Investors should consider the strong financials against the backdrop of current market sentiment and technical challenges.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
Cash from operations of US$1,361m beat the VA consensus of $959m and our US$954m estimate.
Project Development
Progress on the development of the large Tia Maria project could unlock material value for the company.
Negative Factors
Earnings
SCCO reported 4Q24 EBITDA of $1.5bn, below our estimates and Bloomberg consensus.

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

Southern Copper Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSouthern Copper Corporation (SCCO) is a leading global mining company primarily engaged in the exploration, mining, and production of copper. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, SCCO operates extensive mining facilities in Peru and Mexico, which are among the most significant copper-producing countries in the world. In addition to copper, the company also produces molybdenum, zinc, silver, and other metals as byproducts, making it a diversified player in the metals and mining sector.
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 Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Southern Copper's financial statements reflect a robust and growing company with strong profitability and cash flow metrics. The company benefits from a favorable market environment, evidenced by revenue growth and improved margins. While the balance sheet is strong, careful attention to leverage and liabilities is advised to ensure continued financial health. Overall, Southern Copper is well-positioned for future growth in the mining industry.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Southern Copper shows strong financial performance with significant revenue growth of 15.6% in the latest year, driven by increasing demand in the mining sector. The company maintains robust profitability, evidenced by a high EBITDA margin of 51.3% and a net profit margin of 29.5%. The consistent improvement in these margins over the years indicates a stable and effective operational strategy. However, the gross profit margin appears inflated due to the reported gross profit equaling total revenue, which may need clarification.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company has a healthy balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, highlighting strong equity financing. The equity ratio of 49% reflects a well-capitalized structure, supporting financial stability. The return on equity stands at 36.8%, showcasing efficient use of shareholder funds to generate profits. However, the relatively high total liabilities to assets ratio of 50.6% suggests potential leverage risks if not managed cautiously.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
Southern Copper demonstrates excellent cash flow management with a significant free cash flow growth rate of 72.4% over the past year, driven by strong operating cash flows. The operating cash flow to net income ratio of 1.31 further emphasizes effective cash generation from operations. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.31 indicates room for improving efficiency in converting profits into cash.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
10.94B11.43B9.90B10.05B10.93B7.98B
Gross Profit
5.25B11.43B4.32B4.60B6.23B3.28B
EBIT
5.12B5.55B4.19B4.44B6.07B3.12B
EBITDA
6.01B5.87B5.12B5.23B6.86B3.89B
Net Income Common Stockholders
3.03B3.38B2.43B2.64B3.40B1.57B
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
1.75B3.50B1.75B2.28B3.49B2.59B
Total Assets
16.73B18.71B16.73B17.28B18.30B16.67B
Total Debt
7.03B1.24B7.03B7.10B7.39B7.45B
Net Debt
5.88B-2.02B5.88B5.03B4.39B5.27B
Total Liabilities
9.24B9.48B9.24B9.13B10.09B9.39B
Stockholders Equity
7.42B9.17B7.42B8.08B8.15B7.22B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
2.55B4.42B2.56B1.85B3.40B2.19B
Operating Cash Flow
3.60B4.42B3.57B2.80B4.29B2.78B
Investing Cash Flow
-1.12B-673.30M-1.40B-666.80M-972.90M-915.80M
Financing Cash Flow
-1.87B-1.65B-3.10B-3.01B-2.48B-1.56B

Southern Copper Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price90.96
Price Trends
50DMA
92.86
Negative
100DMA
98.20
Negative
200DMA
101.32
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.22
Positive
RSI
46.71
Neutral
STOCH
54.37
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SCCO, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 90.96 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 93.02, below the 50-day MA of 92.86, and below the 200-day MA of 101.32, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -1.22 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 46.71 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 54.37 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative 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 0 New Risks

Southern Copper Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (47)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$41.47B7.1316.72%9.39%-8.71%-22.75%
BHBHP
74
Outperform
$125.09B11.3226.13%5.70%-3.15%54.08%
72
Outperform
$72.31B21.1440.71%2.16%15.54%39.64%
FCFCX
71
Outperform
$54.15B28.9210.92%1.59%10.71%1.94%
RIRIO
70
Outperform
$104.57B8.9820.93%6.79%-0.81%14.59%
59
Neutral
C$28.14B88.761.56%0.92%-10.03%-86.30%
47
Neutral
$2.64B-4.00-31.55%3.33%2.93%-29.90%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SCCO
Southern Copper
90.96
8.63
10.48%
BHP
BHP Group
50.16
-3.38
-6.31%
FCX
Freeport-McMoRan
36.94
-2.97
-7.44%
RIO
Rio Tinto
62.31
4.16
7.15%
VALE
Vale SA
9.90
-1.93
-16.31%
TSE:TECK.B
Teck Resources
59.61
4.50
8.17%

Southern Copper Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Jan 30, 2025 | % Change Since: 1.01% | Next Earnings Date: Apr 24, 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.
Highlights
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%.
Lowlights
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.
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.