Five Ways to Invest in Copper, the Forgotten 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 has 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. It 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, and is based in India. It also mines 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.

Disclosure: The author does not own any of the above.

Comments

[ottorock:]

you really took a long time researching those stockpicks, didn't you? Why not check on CUP's present position again (bought out by chinalco, compulsory purchase order now in place)

2007 Sep 10 10:21 AM