Stock Analysis on Net

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX)

$24.99

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

EVA is registered trademark of Stern Stewart.

Economic value added or economic profit is the difference between revenues and costs,where costs include not only expenses, but also cost of capital.

Paying user area

The data is hidden behind: . Unhide it.

This is a one-time payment. There is no automatic renewal.


We accept:

Visa Mastercard American Express Maestro Discover JCB PayPal Google Pay
Visa Secure Mastercard Identity Check American Express SafeKey

Economic Profit

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2025 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


The financial performance from 2021 to 2025 is characterized by a consistent inability to generate positive economic profit, indicating that the returns on invested capital have remained below the weighted cost of capital throughout the analyzed period.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
A general downward trend is observed from 2021, where NOPAT was 6,188 million US$, declining to a low of 4,538 million US$ in 2024. Although a marginal recovery to 4,755 million US$ occurred in 2025, the operational profitability remains significantly below the 2021 level.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital exhibited relative stability between 2021 and 2024, fluctuating minimally around the 20.3% to 20.4% range. A notable increase to 21.17% was recorded in 2025, which increased the financial burden required to justify the capital employed.
Invested Capital
Invested capital showed a fluctuating pattern, peaking in 2022 at 36,035 million US$ before declining to 33,889 million US$ by 2024. A sharp expansion is evident in 2025, with invested capital rising to 40,693 million US$, indicating a substantial increase in the asset base or funding requirements.
Economic Profit
Economic profit remained negative throughout the five-year period, reflecting a continuous destruction of shareholder value. The deficit widened from -938 million US$ in 2021 to -3,861 million US$ in 2025. The acceleration of this loss in 2025 is directly linked to the simultaneous increase in the cost of capital and a significant surge in invested capital, which outweighed the slight improvement in NOPAT.


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Net income attributable to common stockholders
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue2
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents3
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, operating lease liability4
Adjusted interest expense, net
Tax benefit of interest expense, net5
Adjusted interest expense, net, after taxes6
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenue.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income attributable to common stockholders.

4 2025 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

5 2025 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense, net = Adjusted interest expense, net × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

6 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income attributable to common stockholders.


Net income attributable to common stockholders and net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibited distinct performance patterns between 2021 and 2025. NOPAT demonstrated relative stability compared to net income, while both metrics experienced fluctuations over the five-year period.

NOPAT Trend
NOPAT began at US$6,188 million in 2021, representing the highest value within the observed timeframe. A decline was noted in 2022, falling to US$5,116 million. This downward trend continued, albeit at a slower pace, reaching US$4,632 million in 2023. A slight decrease was observed in 2024, with NOPAT at US$4,538 million. Finally, NOPAT increased to US$4,755 million in 2025, indicating a potential stabilization or modest recovery.
Net Income Trend
Net income attributable to common stockholders started at US$4,306 million in 2021. A substantial decrease occurred in 2022, with net income reported at US$3,468 million. This decline was more pronounced in 2023, reaching US$1,848 million. A slight recovery was seen in 2024, with net income at US$1,889 million, followed by a further increase to US$2,204 million in 2025.
Relationship between NOPAT and Net Income
While both metrics moved in similar directions, the magnitude of change differed. The decrease in net income from 2021 to 2023 was more significant than the corresponding decrease in NOPAT. This suggests that factors beyond core operating profitability, such as financing costs or non-operating items, played a substantial role in influencing net income. The relative stabilization of NOPAT in the later years, coupled with the recovery in net income, indicates a potential improvement in the efficiency of translating operating profits into earnings attributable to common stockholders.

Overall, the period demonstrates a challenging environment initially, followed by signs of potential stabilization and recovery in the later years, particularly as evidenced by the 2025 figures for both NOPAT and net income.



Cash Operating Taxes

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Provision for income taxes
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense, net
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).


The provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes exhibited fluctuations over the five-year period. While both metrics generally remained within a relatively narrow range, notable shifts occurred in specific years, particularly in 2024.

Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes remained relatively stable between 2021 and 2023, fluctuating around the $2,200 million to $2,300 million mark. A discernible increase was observed in 2024, reaching $2,523 million, before decreasing to $2,221 million in 2025. This suggests potential impacts from changes in tax regulations or profitability in 2024, followed by a partial reversion in the subsequent year.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes demonstrated a decreasing trend from 2021 to 2023, declining from $2,217 million to $2,009 million. Similar to the provision for income taxes, a substantial increase occurred in 2024, with cash operating taxes rising to $2,672 million. This was followed by a decrease to $2,057 million in 2025, mirroring the pattern observed in the provision for income taxes. The correlation between the two metrics suggests that changes in reported income taxes are largely reflected in actual cash outflows for taxes.
Relationship between Provision and Cash Taxes
The difference between the provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes remained relatively consistent across the period, generally ranging between $80 million and $200 million. This difference likely represents deferred tax items, such as changes in tax loss carryforwards or temporary differences between book and tax accounting methods. The consistency in this difference indicates a stable tax position regarding these deferred items.
2024 Anomaly
The year 2024 stands out due to the significant increases in both the provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes. Further investigation would be required to determine the underlying drivers of this increase, such as a substantial rise in pre-tax income, changes in applicable tax rates, or the recognition of previously unrealized tax liabilities. The subsequent decrease in 2025 suggests the factors driving the 2024 increase were not sustained.


Invested Capital

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Current portion of debt
Long-term debt, less current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Deferred revenue3
Equity equivalents4
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax5
Noncontrolling interests
Adjusted stockholders’ equity
Construction in progress6
Investment securities7
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.

2 Elimination of deferred taxes from assets and liabilities. See details »

3 Addition of deferred revenue.

4 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity.

5 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

6 Subtraction of construction in progress.

7 Subtraction of investment securities.


The reported invested capital exhibited a generally stable pattern over the five-year period, with fluctuations observed. Total reported debt & leases and stockholders’ equity both contributed to the overall invested capital figure, and their individual trends influenced the invested capital’s trajectory.

Invested Capital Trend
Invested capital increased from US$35.043 billion in 2021 to US$36.035 billion in 2022, representing a growth of approximately 2.8%. A slight decrease followed in 2023, with invested capital reaching US$35.126 billion. This was further reduced in 2024 to US$33.889 billion, marking the lowest value within the observed period. However, a significant increase occurred in 2025, with invested capital rising to US$40.693 billion.
Debt & Leases
Total reported debt & leases increased from US$9.769 billion in 2021 to US$10.952 billion in 2022, a rise of approximately 12.1%. It then decreased in both 2023 and 2024, reaching US$9.853 billion and US$9.738 billion respectively. A subsequent increase was noted in 2025, with debt & leases reaching US$10.492 billion. The fluctuations in debt levels likely influenced the invested capital calculations.
Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholders’ equity demonstrated a consistent upward trend throughout the period. It increased from US$13.980 billion in 2021 to US$15.555 billion in 2022, US$16.693 billion in 2023, US$17.581 billion in 2024, and finally to US$18.899 billion in 2025. This continuous growth in equity contributed positively to the overall invested capital, particularly offsetting the decline observed in 2024.

The substantial increase in invested capital in 2025 is primarily attributable to the combined effect of a moderate increase in debt & leases and a more significant increase in stockholders’ equity. The decrease in invested capital in 2024 appears to be driven by a reduction in both debt and equity, although the decrease in debt was less pronounced.



Cost of Capital

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt, including current portion. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt, including current portion. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt, including current portion. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt, including current portion. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt, including current portion. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »



Economic Spread Ratio

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., economic spread ratio calculation

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2025 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =


The financial performance from 2021 to 2025 indicates a persistent destruction of economic value, characterized by consistently negative economic profit and a widening negative economic spread ratio.

Economic Profit Trends
Economic profit remained negative throughout the observed period, reflecting returns that were insufficient to cover the cost of capital. The deficit expanded from -938 million USD in 2021 to -2,506 million USD in 2023. Although a slight improvement was noted in 2024, the economic profit deteriorated sharply to -3,861 million USD by 2025, representing the most significant loss of economic value in the five-year sequence.
Invested Capital Dynamics
Invested capital remained relatively stable between 2021 and 2024, fluctuating between 33,889 million USD and 36,035 million USD. A substantial increase occurred in 2025, with invested capital rising to 40,693 million USD. This expansion of the capital base coincided with the sharpest decline in economic profit, suggesting that the additional capital deployed did not generate a positive economic return.
Economic Spread Ratio Analysis
The economic spread ratio exhibits a consistent downward trajectory, moving from -2.68% in 2021 to -9.49% in 2025. The widening of this negative spread indicates that the gap between the return on invested capital and the cost of capital has increased over time. The most pronounced degradation occurred between 2021 and 2022, when the ratio dropped to -6.16%, with a further critical decline observed in 2025.

The overall trend indicates a decline in capital efficiency. The correlation between the increase in invested capital in 2025 and the simultaneous drop in the economic spread ratio suggests that the growth in the asset base has further eroded the company's ability to create economic value.



Economic Profit Margin

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., economic profit margin calculation

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
 
Revenues
Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue
Adjusted revenues
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2025 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted revenues
= 100 × ÷ =


An evaluation of the economic value added metrics reveals a consistent failure to generate economic profit over the five-year period from 2021 to 2025. While adjusted revenues showed an overall upward trajectory toward the end of the period, the economic profit margin deteriorated significantly, indicating that returns on invested capital remained below the required cost of capital.

Economic Profit Trend
Economic profit remained negative throughout the analysis period, starting at -938 million US dollars in 2021 and expanding to a deficit of -3,861 million US dollars by 2025. A slight recovery was observed in 2024, where the loss narrowed to -2,382 million US dollars, before a sharp decline occurred in the final year.
Adjusted Revenues Performance
Adjusted revenues remained relatively stable between 2021 and 2023, hovering around 22.6 to 22.9 billion US dollars. A growth phase was initiated in 2024 and 2025, with revenues increasing to 25.385 billion and 25.930 billion US dollars, respectively.
Economic Profit Margin Analysis
The economic profit margin exhibited a predominantly downward trend, moving from -4.08% in 2021 to -14.89% in 2025. A period of contraction was evident through 2023, reaching -10.93%, followed by a brief improvement to -9.38% in 2024. The final year marked the most significant erosion of the margin, demonstrating that the increase in adjusted revenues was insufficient to offset the factors driving the negative economic profit.