FCX vs STLD: which was the better investment?
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. against Steel Dynamics, Inc. on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 22, 1996 to Oct 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did FCX beat STLD?
No — measured from Nov 22, 1996 to Oct 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, STLD came out ahead: $822,903 versus $79,997 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 15.9% annual return against 7.2%.
What would $10,000 in FCX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) on Nov 22, 1996 would be worth about $79,997 as of Oct 15, 2026, a total return of 700.0% (7.2% per year). The same $10,000 in STLD would be worth $822,903.
Which was riskier — FCX or STLD?
FCX swung with an annualized volatility of 51.1% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -92.4%; STLD ran at 46.9% volatility with a -87.0% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.10 for FCX vs 0.30 for STLD.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 22, 1996 through Oct 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with FCX vs STLD. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.