Freeport (FCX) To Divest Majority Stake In Indonesia Unit

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) provided an update on its negotiations with the Indonesian Government regarding long-term operating rights of PT Freeport Indonesia (PT-FI).

Freeport and the government of Indonesia have agreed on a framework to support PT-FI’s investment plans in Papua. Per the terms of the framework, PT-FI will convert its Contract of Work to a special license (IUPK). This will provide long-term operating rights to PT-FI till 2041. The Indonesian government will provide certainty of legal and fiscal terms during the term of the IUPK.

PT-FI will also build a new smelter in Indonesia within five years and Freeport will divest its majority stake in PT-FI, at fair market value, so that Indonesian interests own 51% of PT-FI's shares.

Shares of Freeport fell roughly 2.1% yesterday to eventually close at $15.21.

Freeport is presently in talks about the procedure and timing of divestments with the Indonesian government, so that the company retains control over governance and operations of PT-FI.

According to Freeport, reaching an understanding on a framework of the mutual agreement is positive and significant for all stakeholders and the framework will support its ongoing investment program and operations in Papua. The company is also committed to complete the required definitive documentation for this framework at the earliest.

Freeport stock has moved up 32.4% in the last three months, substantially outperforming the 20.8% rally of the industry it belongs to.

Freeport reported net income (attributable to common stock) of 18 cents per share in second-quarter 2017, against a year-ago loss of 38 cents per share. Barring one-time items, adjusted earnings were 17 cents. The figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 20 cents. Revenues rose around 11.3% year over year to $3,711 million in the second quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,678.

Consolidated copper sales volumes (of 942 million pounds) for the quarter were lower than the company’s expectations reflecting the impact of worker absenteeism on mining and milling rates in Indonesia.

Copper sales from Indonesia mining were 247 million pounds in the quarter, up 26% from 196 million pounds the year-ago quarter. The results reflect the sale of concentrate in inventory and increased ore grades, partly offset by reduced mill rates. Gold sales surged 182.8% to 427,000 ounces and production rose 120.2% year over year to 348,000 ounces in the second quarter.

Freeport expects sales from Indonesia mining to be about 1 billion pounds of copper and 1.6 million ounces of gold for 2017.

Freeport-McMoran, Inc. Price and Consensus

Freeport-McMoran, Inc. Price and Consensus | Freeport-McMoran, Inc. Quote

Freeport currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are The Chemours Company (NYSE:CC) , POSCO (NYSE:PKX) and Kronos Worldwide Inc. (NYSE:KRO) . All three stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.

Chemours has expected long-term earnings growth rate of 15.5%.

POSCO has expected long-term earnings growth rate of 5%.

Kronos has expected long-term earnings growth rate of 5%.

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