Barclays Maintains Underweight on Southern Copper, Raises Price Target to $160

SCCO's H1 Copper Output Falls Y/Y: What Lies Ahead for the Stock?

Southern Copper's copper production fell 3.8% year-over-year in H1 2026 to 461,206 tons due to lower ore grades at Peruvian operations. Despite the decline, the company raised its 2026 guidance to 917,000 tons and maintains a strong long-term outlook targeting 1.6 million tons by 2033-2034 through major projects like Tía María, Los Chancas, and Michiquillay, supported by $20.5 billion in planned investments.

Shares of copper-related companies are trading higher amid multiple catalysts providing tailwinds for the metal. A weaker dollar, declining London Metal Exchange inventories, and demand confidence stemming from AI-related data center and infrastructure needs are converging to support the red metal's price.

Shares of copper-related companies are trading higher as declining Treasury yields signal economic growth and could support industrial demand. Also, supply bottlenecks related to mining disruptions in Chile contribute to the metal's strength.

The AI Trade Wants More Copper: These 4 Miners Could Be the Big Winners

Copper is becoming the new center of gravity for mining as AI, grid upgrades and electrification drive demand. BofA picks four miners.