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Investing.com - Freeport-McMoRan Inc (NYSE:FCX) stock is facing pressure after Bank of America downgraded the company’s bonds to Underweight from Market Weight following a serious incident at its Grasberg mine in Indonesia.
The mining company provided an update on the mud rush incident that occurred on September 8, 2025, at its Grasberg operation, confirming two fatalities and reporting that five people remain missing as of September 20, 2025. Freeport-McMoRan has initiated an investigation to determine the cause, expected to be completed by year-end 2025.
The company has declared force majeure and announced material reductions to production guidance for the third and fourth quarters of 2025, as well as for 2026. Bank of America cited these production cuts and potential repair timeline uncertainties as key factors in its downgrade decision.
BofA analysts expressed concern about Freeport-McMoRan’s historically difficult relationship with the Indonesian government, referencing the fallout from a 2013 incident at Grasberg that resulted in 28 miner deaths. The bank also highlighted ongoing negotiations between the company and Indonesia to extend mining licenses beyond 2041 as an additional risk factor.
Despite these challenges, Bank of America noted that $1.0 billion in insurance proceeds should prevent irreparable fundamental damage to the company if the mine returns to operation as planned, though analysts believe FCX bonds now screen rich compared to peers Anglo American and Glencore.
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