Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) Goes for the Gold (and Copper) Again

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I’ve thought Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE:FCX) was a better-balanced operation after its acquisition of oil and gas driller Plains Exploration and McMoRan Exploration, and with Grasberg back online, it should be able to weather the downturn in the mining sector better than many of its peers.

Trading below eight times expected earnings and at a fraction of its anticipated growth rate, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE:FCX)offers a better risk profile than does Southern Copper Corp (NYSE:SCCO) at more than 12 times estimates, just about where Goldcorp Inc. (USA) (NYSE:GG) sits. While Yamana Gold Inc. (USA) (NYSE:AUY) might present a similar valuation as the copper and gold miner, Freeport’s return to its energy sector roots gives it more diversification that makes it the better bet in my book.

The article Freeport-McMoRan Goes for the Gold (and Copper) Again originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Rich Duprey has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold.

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