5 Best May Dividend Stocks to Buy

3. Southern Copper Corporation (NYSE:SCCO)

Ex-Dividend Date: May 13

On April 23, Scotiabank analyst Alfonso Salazar raised the price recommendation on Southern Copper Corporation (NYSE:SCCO) to $133 from $125. It reiterated an Underperform rating. The firm said it increased its price-to-net-asset-value multiple for the company’s Mexican open-pit assets. Even with that change, the analyst noted there is still no clear upside at current levels.

On April 10, Goldman Sachs upgraded SCCO to Neutral from Sell and raised its price target to $178 from $142.79. The firm said the copper scarcity premium is “larger than ever,” pointing to expectations of tighter supply and demand over time. It added that Southern Copper, as one of the largest pure copper producers with long-life reserves in stable regions, should trade at a premium to peers. The analyst also said the company has “strong defensive positioning” during a downturn, supported by its low cost structure and relatively lower operating leverage.

Southern Copper Corporation (NYSE:SCCO) is an integrated copper producer. It produces copper, molybdenum, zinc, and silver. Its mining, smelting, and refining operations are based in Peru and Mexico, with exploration activities in those countries as well as Argentina and Chile.