Why Shares in Freeport-McMoRan Fell Today

Shares in copper miner Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) declined by nearly 5% by mid-afternoon today. The move comes after a copper price dip following some disappointing economic data from China. The country is often seen as the swing factor in determining the price of economically sensitive commodities, and the industrial metal is definitely one of those.

The bad data comes from China's closely followed survey of purchasing managers index (PMI), published by the National Bureau of Statistics. The reading of 49 for July (a reading above 50 indicates expansion) disappointed the market and suggested that China's weak patch would continue.

The debate around the country's growth trend puts the bulls (who argue that growth will bounce back after the COVID-19 lockdowns are eased) with the bears (who believe it's more of a structural problem and point to ongoing issues in the housing market). Today the bears have the upper hand.

Source Fool.com