Freeport-McMoRan (FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan's price has dropped roughly a tenth over the past month.

What is going on right now?

The stock has slipped about 6% in the last week alone, pulling it below its recent trading range. Reports of tanker attacks near the Strait of Hormuz may raise energy costs for mining operations like Freeport's.

How is the business itself doing?

Freeport digs up copper and gold, mostly from its massive Grasberg mine in Indonesia. Revenue dipped about 7%, but the company's profit jumped 28%, meaning it's squeezing more money from each ton it pulls out of the ground.

What stands out?

The company earns about 33 cents in operating profit for every dollar of revenue, which is notable for a mining operation. Its debt is low relative to what it owns.

What comes next?

Freeport's next earnings report lands on October 27, and it will show whether that profit growth held up as copper prices shifted.