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The 2006 survey of corporate performance reveals investment-banking firm Lehman Brothers Holdings, copper producer Phelps Dodge and refinery operator Valero Energy are among those that make the grade for consistently generating real cash returns and creating value for shareholders. The bull market in commodities and the run-up in stock prices give some investors pause, but the long-term prospects for the leaders are good, while those at the bottom of the rankings, such as Borders Group, look inviting as possible turnaround stories or takeover candidates.

Financial analysis of Metals and Mining Industry securities is given. Securities performance is outlined through graphs, charts and forecasting data.

The diversified metals and mining industry is being aided by the improving US economy. Both copper and nickel prices are rising. The timeliness of these stocks is still low, but improving.

The metals and mining (diversified) industry is comprised of nickel, copper, and aluminum companies in the US and Canada. The economic pullback of 2001 and early 2002 have had an effect on all these companies. These stocks are not timely in 2002 due to poor earnings momentum.

Slower economic growth, both abroad and in the US, is affecting the metals and mining industry in the years 2001 and 2002. Prices are lower due to increased inventory and reduced shipments. These stocks are not timely for 2002, but several have good long-term prospects.

Consumption of aluminum in the US has decreased due to lower demand and production has also been scaled back. Prices of nickel and copper have decreased after peaking earlier. These stocks are not timely for the year 2001, but several have long-term potential.

Aluminum demand has decreased due to slow economic growth in the US, with resulting lower prices. Prices for nickel and copper have also declined. These stocks are not timely for investors in 2001.

Continued economic recovery in Asia and consumption has improved earnings prospects for the aluminum industry in the 4th qtr of 1999 and early in the year 2000. The same factors have also made prospects for the copper industry improve, but some difficult conditions must still be dealt with. Valuations for the aluminum stocks are high in the year 2000, and copper stocks offer good returns for the speculative investor over the next three to five years.

Weak commodity prices in the 1990s has lead to increased consolidation and restructuring in the international aluminum industry, much of which will be scrutinized by various regulatory agencies. Prices for the copper industry seem to have bottomed out in 1999, and there is increased merger activity in this industry, as well. These stocks are not good prospects for investors in 1999 in spite of increased prices and earnings.

The demand for aluminum is being outpaced by production, but the use of aluminum in automobiles may change this, and there is a negative effect on industry profits in 1999. The environment for the copper industry is still hostile, but Asarco and Cyprus Amax are merging to the probable benefit of both. These stocks are not timely in 1999, but several copper stocks have potential for the next three to five years.

Production of aluminum has outpaced demand in the 1990s, and there has been a corresponding decrease in prices, but long-term demand should increase in the future. Financial conditions in the copper industry are more harsh with copper prices at their lowest since the late 1980s, and these stocks are not timely in 1999. Conservative investors should avoid the aluminum industry due to economic uncertainty, and copper stocks are best avoided until the industry recovers, although the industry shows potential through the years 2002-2004.

Prices for aluminum decreased in 1998 due to low demand, the weak economic conditions in Asia and higher inventories, but Reynolds Metals Co and Alcoa had strong earnings for the year in spite of this. Copper industry stocks have reached their lowest timeliness ratings for a decade as copper prices in late 1998 were 20% less than the year before, and the economic environment for copper is not good, either. Investors should avoid both copper and aluminum stocks in 1999.

Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. today declared a cash dividend of $1.68 per share to holders of record as of Oct. 15 for its 6.75 percent [...]

Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. has declared quarterly cash dividends payable on May 1 to shareholders of record as of April 16. Common stockholders will receive [...]

Phelps Dodge Corp. was offered $42.5 million by Brazilian mining company Companhia Vale do Rio Doce SA, or CVRD, for a 50 percent stake in the Sossego, Brazil, copper [...]

Phelps Dodge Corp., the Phoenix-based mining industry leader, filed a universal shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. According to an Aug. 16 company statement, when the registration [...]

Analysts expect Phelps Dodge annual earnings per share to nearly triple in 2001, as copper prices rebound. Its sale of two non-mining businesses makes the stock a copper bellweather.