Saturday, September 08, 2007

Copper Stocks: Not a Penny Ante Metal


Copper seems to be the forgotten precious metal. About nine months ago, I wrote about how the value of copper in a penny is worth more than a penny and that the government put a restriction on the export of the coins. Of course copper had many uses besides coinage. It is used in electronics, piping, roofing, statues, cookware, musical instruments, fire extinguishers, and biotech compounds. Here are some copper stocks that might make some cents.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) is the largest copper mining company, but it also mines for gold and silver, and has its primary operations in Indonesia. This Phoenix, Arizona based company has a P/E of 10.66, a PEG of 0.9, and a yield of 1.4%.

Southern Copper Corp. (PCU) is another Phoenix based copper mining company that also mines for molybdenum, zinc, and silver in Peru, Mexico, and Chile. The stock has a P/E of 12.56 and a fairly high yield of 5.8%.

Sterlite Industries India Ltd. (SLT) is a company that produces copper in and is based in India. They also mine for bauxite and zinc. The stock has a P/E of 7.04.

Peru Copper Inc. (CUP) explores for copper in Peru. This American Stock Exchange company, which has a market cap of 827 million, has been generating negative earnings.

Taseko Mines Ltd. (TGB) explores for and develops copper mines in British Columbia. The company has a market cap of 575 million and a P/E of 12.32.

Author does not own any of the above.

By Fred Fuld at Stockerblog.com

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