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Freeport (FCX) Beats Q4 Earnings & Revenue Estimates

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Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX - Free Report) is a mining giant that is primarily engaged in mineral exploration and development, mining and milling of copper, gold, molybdenum and silver, as well as the smelting and refining of copper concentrates.

Earnings

Freeport reported adjusted earnings of 51 cents per share for the fourth quarter that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents.

Revenues

Freeport posted revenues of $5,041 million, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,811.2 million.

Estimate Trend & Surprise History

Investors should note that the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Freeport for the fourth quarter and full year have been going up over the past month. The company has missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters while beating in one, with an average negative surprise of 7.9%.

Key Stats/Developments to Note

Freeport anticipates consolidated sales volumes for 2018 to be roughly 3.9 billion pounds of copper, 2.4 million ounces of gold and 91 million pounds of molybdenum, including 1 billion pounds of copper, 675,000 ounces of gold and 24 million pounds of molybdenum for first-quarter 2018.

For 2018, the company expects operating cash flows to exceed $5.8 billion (including $0.3 billion in working capital and other tax payments) and capital expenditures to be around $2.1 billion, which includes $1.2 billion for major mining projects mainly related to underground development in the Grasberg and the Lone Star oxide project.

Freeport had no borrowings with $3.5 billion available under its revolving credit facility at the end of 2017.  

Zacks Rank

Currently, Freeport has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but that could change following the company’s earnings report which was just released.

Market Reaction

Freeport’s shares were up roughly 4% in the pre-market trading following the release. It would be interesting to see how the market reacts to the results during the trading session today.

Check back later for our full write up on Freeport’s earnings report!

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