Southern Copper Corp is an integrated producer of copper and other minerals and operates the mining, smelting, and refining facilities in Peru and Mexico... Show more
Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO) follows a variable dividend policy tied to its mining operations and commodity prices. The company distributes dividends quarterly, reflecting its status as a modest-yield dividend stock rather than a high-yield or aggressive dividend growth name. Current trailing twelve-month yield hovers around 2.1% to 2.2%, with annualized payouts near $3.94 per share. This profile suits investors looking for income combined with cyclical exposure to copper demand, without the high yields seen in some mature sectors.
SCCO has paid dividends for more than 30 years, delivering quarterly distributions without interruption. Payouts have varied significantly with copper market cycles, ranging from lower amounts in weaker periods to higher levels during strong earnings. Recent quarters show increases, including a rise to $1.10 per share in the latest distribution. While long-term consistency is evident, growth rates have been uneven, with some periods of flat or reduced dividends during industry downturns. The company does not maintain a formal dividend growth streak but adjusts payouts to align with free cash flow generation.
The dividend appears sustainable, backed by a payout ratio of approximately 58% to 60% of earnings. This level provides reasonable coverage from profits and free cash flow, leaving room for reinvestment in operations. SCCO maintains a solid balance sheet with debt levels typical for large-scale mining, supported by substantial copper reserves in Mexico and Peru. Earnings and cash flow from core operations have historically covered distributions, though commodity price volatility remains a key risk factor for long-term stability.
Within the basic materials and mining sector, SCCO's yield of roughly 2.1% to 2.2% sits above Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) at about 0.8% but below Rio Tinto (RIO) near 4.1%. Peers such as BHP Group show yields around 1.7%. SCCO's profile offers a balanced combination of yield and cyclical upside compared to lower-yielding U.S. copper producers, while remaining more moderate than some international diversified miners.
Tickeron’s AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps identify dividend stocks, income-focused investments, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. Explore opportunities with the AI Screener.
Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO) may appeal to income investors seeking moderate yields alongside exposure to the copper sector, as well as long-term investors comfortable with commodity cycles. Its quarterly payments and earnings coverage provide a degree of reliability, though variability in payouts makes it less suitable for conservative investors prioritizing steady growth. Dividend growth investors might view recent increases positively but should note the influence of metal prices on future distributions. Overall, the stock fits portfolios balancing income with industrial materials exposure, without excessive risk from high payout ratios.
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
a company which engages in the production of copper, molybdenum, zinc and silver
Industry OtherMetalsMinerals