European Stocks Open Higher Amid Economic Data and Earnings Reports
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy FCX?
Source: CNBC
- Positive Economic Data: U.K. retail sales rose by 1.8% in January 2026, up from a 0.4% increase in December 2025, indicating signs of economic recovery that could boost consumer confidence and market activity.
- Improved Public Finances: The U.K. public sector recorded a £30.4 billion ($40.8 billion) surplus in January 2026, double the level from a year earlier, reflecting improved fiscal health that may support future government spending plans.
- Anglo American Earnings Report: Anglo American reported adjusted core earnings of $6.4 billion for 2025, a 1.6% increase from the previous year, despite a $3.7 billion net loss due to market challenges, showcasing strong performance in copper and premium iron ore.
- Geopolitical Tensions: U.S. President Trump stated he would decide within the next 10 days whether to take military action against Iran, leading to cautious market reactions that could impact investor sentiment and market volatility.
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Analyst Views on FCX
Wall Street analysts forecast FCX stock price to fall
15 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 68.290
Low
46.00
Averages
58.79
High
70.00
Current: 68.290
Low
46.00
Averages
58.79
High
70.00
About FCX
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is an international metals company focused on copper. The Company operates geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable mineral reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum. The Company's segments include the Morenci and Cerro Verde copper mines, the Indonesia operations (including the Grasberg minerals district and PT-FI’s downstream processing facilities), the Rod & Refining operations and Atlantic Copper Smelting & Refining. Its operations include North America, South America and Indonesia. In North America, it manages seven copper operations: Morenci, Bagdad, Safford (including Lone Star), Sierrita and Miami in Arizona, and Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico, and two molybdenum mines: Henderson and Climax in Colorado. It also operates a copper smelter in Miami, Arizona. In South America, it manages two copper operations: Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. In addition to copper, the Grasberg minerals district also produces gold and silver.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Movers: Moderna, CrowdStrike, GitLab, Coinbase, Strategy, Broadcom, and Others
- Stock Market Movement: Stock futures were showing slight increases on Wednesday.
- Investor Sentiment: Investors are assessing the potential for the U.S.-Iran conflict to escalate into a prolonged war.
See More
Global Stock Markets Retreat as Oil Prices Surge
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.94%, reaching a 3.25-month low, reflecting investor concerns over escalating tensions in Iran, which may impact future investment decisions and market stability.
- Surge in Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices rose over 4% to an 8.5-month high due to threats from Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying fears of energy supply disruptions and potential inflationary pressures in the economy.
- Natural Gas Price Spike: European natural gas prices surged more than 22% to a three-year high after Qatar's Ras Laffan plant was targeted by an Iranian drone attack, posing significant risks to global liquefied natural gas supply and market stability.
- Economic Data Expectations: This week, the ADP employment change is expected to increase by 50,000, while the ISM services index is projected to slip slightly, with markets closely monitoring these indicators to assess economic health and potential implications for Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
See More
Middle East War Triggers Broad Decline in Mining Stocks
- Broad Decline in Mining Stocks: Major mining companies saw significant stock declines on Tuesday, with Freeport-McMoRan down 4.3% and Vale down 6.3%, reflecting heightened market concerns over inflation and rising costs due to the Middle Eastern conflict.
- Copper Prices Dip: Front-month Comex copper futures fell 2% to $5.7735/lb, indicating market sensitivity to supply chain risks, particularly with potential disruptions in Middle Eastern production.
- Aluminum Prices Rise: In contrast to the broader metal market downturn, aluminum prices increased by 1.8% to $3,251/metric ton due to a major Middle Eastern producer halting production and declaring force majeure, highlighting concerns over supply disruptions.
- Analysts Bullish on Mining Outlook: Jefferies analysts maintain a bullish outlook on metals and mining stocks, suggesting that despite current risks, companies like Freeport and Alcoa could benefit from increased demand and rising costs in the future.
See More
Global Stock Markets Plunge as Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran Conflict
- Stock Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 2.18%, reaching a 3.25-month low, indicating market concerns over the Iran conflict that may lead to decreased investor confidence and increased volatility.
- Surge in Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices rose over 8% to an 8.5-month high due to Iran's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, potentially causing long-term disruptions in global energy markets and raising inflation expectations.
- Rising Bond Yields: The 10-year German bund yield climbed to a 2.5-week high of 2.814%, reflecting market worries about future inflation, which may prompt investors to shift towards bonds for safety.
- Economic Data Focus: This week, the market will focus on U.S. employment data and economic indicators, with the ADP employment change expected to rise by 40,000 and the ISM services index anticipated to slip slightly, indicating potential economic slowdown.
See More
Freeport McMoRan Shares Decline Amid Iran Conflict's Impact on Commodities
- Stock Performance: Freeport McMoRan's stock experienced a significant decline on Tuesday, reflecting a broader downturn in the metals and mining sector.
- Market Context: The drop in stock prices was linked to a risk-off trading sentiment due to escalating U.S. military actions in Iran, which negatively impacted commodity prices.
See More
Closure of Strait of Hormuz Triggers Global Energy Market Shock
- Energy Supply Disruption: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's announcement of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz sends shockwaves through global energy markets, with approximately 13 million barrels per day of oil transport affected in 2025, potentially pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel and placing immense pressure on import-dependent Asian countries.
- LNG Supply Risks: About 20% of global liquefied natural gas exports are at risk, particularly from Qatar, which halted production following Iranian drone strikes, potentially leading to severe energy shortages for South Asian countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- Vulnerability in Asia: Countries like India and Thailand are highly dependent on rising oil prices, with over half of India's LNG imports linked to the Gulf; thus, a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would simultaneously increase oil and gas import costs, resulting in a dual economic shock.
- China's Resilience: While China is the world's largest crude oil importer and 40% of its oil imports pass through the Strait, its stockpiles and alternative supplies provide some buffer; however, a prolonged closure would intensify price competition across Asia.
See More
Movers: Moderna, CrowdStrike, GitLab, Coinbase, Strategy, Broadcom, and Others
- Stock Market Movement: Stock futures were showing slight increases on Wednesday.
- Investor Sentiment: Investors are assessing the potential for the U.S.-Iran conflict to escalate into a prolonged war.
See More
Global Stock Markets Retreat as Oil Prices Surge
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.94%, reaching a 3.25-month low, reflecting investor concerns over escalating tensions in Iran, which may impact future investment decisions and market stability.
- Surge in Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices rose over 4% to an 8.5-month high due to threats from Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying fears of energy supply disruptions and potential inflationary pressures in the economy.
- Natural Gas Price Spike: European natural gas prices surged more than 22% to a three-year high after Qatar's Ras Laffan plant was targeted by an Iranian drone attack, posing significant risks to global liquefied natural gas supply and market stability.
- Economic Data Expectations: This week, the ADP employment change is expected to increase by 50,000, while the ISM services index is projected to slip slightly, with markets closely monitoring these indicators to assess economic health and potential implications for Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
See More
Middle East War Triggers Broad Decline in Mining Stocks
- Broad Decline in Mining Stocks: Major mining companies saw significant stock declines on Tuesday, with Freeport-McMoRan down 4.3% and Vale down 6.3%, reflecting heightened market concerns over inflation and rising costs due to the Middle Eastern conflict.
- Copper Prices Dip: Front-month Comex copper futures fell 2% to $5.7735/lb, indicating market sensitivity to supply chain risks, particularly with potential disruptions in Middle Eastern production.
- Aluminum Prices Rise: In contrast to the broader metal market downturn, aluminum prices increased by 1.8% to $3,251/metric ton due to a major Middle Eastern producer halting production and declaring force majeure, highlighting concerns over supply disruptions.
- Analysts Bullish on Mining Outlook: Jefferies analysts maintain a bullish outlook on metals and mining stocks, suggesting that despite current risks, companies like Freeport and Alcoa could benefit from increased demand and rising costs in the future.
See More
Global Stock Markets Plunge as Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran Conflict
- Stock Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 2.18%, reaching a 3.25-month low, indicating market concerns over the Iran conflict that may lead to decreased investor confidence and increased volatility.
- Surge in Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices rose over 8% to an 8.5-month high due to Iran's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, potentially causing long-term disruptions in global energy markets and raising inflation expectations.
- Rising Bond Yields: The 10-year German bund yield climbed to a 2.5-week high of 2.814%, reflecting market worries about future inflation, which may prompt investors to shift towards bonds for safety.
- Economic Data Focus: This week, the market will focus on U.S. employment data and economic indicators, with the ADP employment change expected to rise by 40,000 and the ISM services index anticipated to slip slightly, indicating potential economic slowdown.
See More
Freeport McMoRan Shares Decline Amid Iran Conflict's Impact on Commodities
- Stock Performance: Freeport McMoRan's stock experienced a significant decline on Tuesday, reflecting a broader downturn in the metals and mining sector.
- Market Context: The drop in stock prices was linked to a risk-off trading sentiment due to escalating U.S. military actions in Iran, which negatively impacted commodity prices.
See More
Closure of Strait of Hormuz Triggers Global Energy Market Shock
- Energy Supply Disruption: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's announcement of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz sends shockwaves through global energy markets, with approximately 13 million barrels per day of oil transport affected in 2025, potentially pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel and placing immense pressure on import-dependent Asian countries.
- LNG Supply Risks: About 20% of global liquefied natural gas exports are at risk, particularly from Qatar, which halted production following Iranian drone strikes, potentially leading to severe energy shortages for South Asian countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- Vulnerability in Asia: Countries like India and Thailand are highly dependent on rising oil prices, with over half of India's LNG imports linked to the Gulf; thus, a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would simultaneously increase oil and gas import costs, resulting in a dual economic shock.
- China's Resilience: While China is the world's largest crude oil importer and 40% of its oil imports pass through the Strait, its stockpiles and alternative supplies provide some buffer; however, a prolonged closure would intensify price competition across Asia.
See More
