← Glencore overview

Glencore vs Zijin Mining: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Glencore PLC (GLEN.LSE)

Q3 2026
▲3▼1

Glencore surges on profit jump, buyback, copper growth; fraud scandal weighs

  • Profit surge and shareholder returns First-half profit jumped 86% to $4.4bn, driven by Middle East conflict-related commodity prices. Glencore announced a $500m buyback and an 8.5c special dividend, returning cash to shareholders.

    This is the main positive force behind the stock's rise, showing strong earnings and cash returns.

  • Copper output growth and bullish outlook Copper output rose 15%, on track for 1 million tonnes by 2028. BofA raised its copper price forecast by 20% and rated Glencore a Buy, boosting investor confidence.

    Copper is a key profit driver, and higher output plus analyst upgrades support the stock.

  • Trading arm outperformance and new deals The trading division earned $3.3bn, already exceeding all of last year. Glencore also signed a $1bn battery-recycling offtake and backed the Marathon copper project, expanding future growth.

    Trading profits provide stability and the new deals signal strategic expansion.

  • Radiant fraud scandal deepens An executive was suspended amid a $2bn lawsuit and a $480m provision, raising legal and reputational risks. This scandal could weigh on the stock despite strong operational results.

    This is the main counterweight, highlighting potential legal and reputational damage.

September 2026
▲3▼1

Glencore hit by fraud scandal, but copper and recycling deals lift outlook

  • Radiant fraud scandal deepens Glencore suspended an executive after messages showed he told Radiant to avoid email, and faces a $2bn lawsuit plus a $480m provision. This raises legal and reputational risk, weighing on the shares.

    This is the biggest negative force this period, directly hitting Glencore's finances and trust.

  • BofA raises copper forecast, rates Glencore Buy BofA lifted its long-term copper price forecast 20% to $12,000 and rated Glencore Buy with a 650p target, citing copper growth options. Higher copper prices mean more profit for Glencore's key metal.

    Analyst upgrade and higher copper price forecast directly support Glencore's valuation.

  • Glencore signs $1bn battery recycling offtake Glencore will supply black mass to Nth Cycle and buy back lithium and nickel over ten years. This expands its battery-materials trading and positions it in the growing recycling market.

    New long-term supply deal adds a revenue stream and strengthens Glencore's battery metals business.

  • Glencore backs Marathon copper project Glencore invested in Generation Mining's Marathon project and agreed to buy its copper concentrate for its Horne smelter. This secures feed for its processing assets and supports future copper supply.

    Investment and offtake deal enhance Glencore's copper business and downstream operations.

Latest
▲3▼1

Glencore hit by fraud scandal, but copper and recycling deals lift outlook

  • Radiant fraud scandal deepens Glencore suspended an executive after messages showed he told Radiant to avoid email, and faces a $2bn lawsuit plus a $480m provision. This raises legal and reputational risk, weighing on the shares.

    This is the biggest negative force this period, directly hitting Glencore's finances and trust.

  • BofA raises copper forecast, rates Glencore Buy BofA lifted its long-term copper price forecast 20% to $12,000 and rated Glencore Buy with a 650p target, citing copper growth options. Higher copper prices mean more profit for Glencore's key metal.

    Analyst upgrade and higher copper price forecast directly support Glencore's valuation.

  • Glencore signs $1bn battery recycling offtake Glencore will supply black mass to Nth Cycle and buy back lithium and nickel over ten years. This expands its battery-materials trading and positions it in the growing recycling market.

    New long-term supply deal adds a revenue stream and strengthens Glencore's battery metals business.

  • Glencore backs Marathon copper project Glencore invested in Generation Mining's Marathon project and agreed to buy its copper concentrate for its Horne smelter. This secures feed for its processing assets and supports future copper supply.

    Investment and offtake deal enhance Glencore's copper business and downstream operations.

July 2026
▲4

Glencore's profit surges on Middle East volatility, buyback and Australian listing planned

  • First-half profit surges 86% on Middle East conflict Glencore swung to a $4.4 billion first-half profit from a loss last year, with earnings up 86% as commodity prices jumped during the Iran war. This beat expectations and directly boosts the shares.

    This is the core new financial result driving the stock higher.

  • Trading arm profits $3.3 billion in first half Glencore's marketing business made about $3.3 billion in the first half, already more than all of last year, thanks to wild price swings during the Iran war. This shows the company can profit from volatility.

    Highlights a key earnings driver that exceeded full-year 2025 already.

  • $500 million buyback and special dividend announced Glencore will buy back $500 million of its own shares and pay a special cash distribution of 8.5 cents per share. Returning cash to shareholders supports the share price.

    Buybacks and special dividends are direct positive signals for the stock.

  • Copper production up 15%, on track for 1 million tonnes First-half copper output rose 15%, and Glencore remains on track to produce about 1 million tonnes annually by 2028. Higher volumes mean more revenue and profit potential.

    Shows operational growth that underpins future earnings.

▲4

Glencore's profit surges on Middle East volatility, buyback and Australian listing planned

  • First-half profit surges 86% on Middle East conflict Glencore swung to a $4.4 billion first-half profit from a loss last year, with earnings up 86% as commodity prices jumped during the Iran war. This beat expectations and directly boosts the shares.

    This is the core new financial result driving the stock higher.

  • Trading arm profits $3.3 billion in first half Glencore's marketing business made about $3.3 billion in the first half, already more than all of last year, thanks to wild price swings during the Iran war. This shows the company can profit from volatility.

    Highlights a key earnings driver that exceeded full-year 2025 already.

  • $500 million buyback and special dividend announced Glencore will buy back $500 million of its own shares and pay a special cash distribution of 8.5 cents per share. Returning cash to shareholders supports the share price.

    Buybacks and special dividends are direct positive signals for the stock.

  • Copper production up 15%, on track for 1 million tonnes First-half copper output rose 15%, and Glencore remains on track to produce about 1 million tonnes annually by 2028. Higher volumes mean more revenue and profit potential.

    Shows operational growth that underpins future earnings.

Zijin Mining Group Co Ltd Class A (601899.CG)

Q3 2026
▲4

Zijin shines on record gold, copper prices and profit surge

  • Gold and silver prices rally on central bank buying and tight supply Gold and silver prices rose sharply as central banks bought more and mine supply lagged, shifting demand to policy and reserves. This lifted Zijin's revenue and profit.

    Higher precious metal prices directly boost Zijin's earnings and stock price.

  • Copper prices climb on DRC export bans and falling LME inventories Copper prices rose due to export bans in the DRC and lower LME inventories. Zijin said the ban had limited operational impact, but higher copper prices still supported earnings.

    Copper is a key revenue driver for Zijin, and price increases directly improve profitability.

  • First-half net profit jumps 68% to 39.2 billion yuan Zijin's first-half net profit surged 68% to about 39.2 billion yuan on higher output and prices. The company also raised its interim dividend to 4.20 yuan per 10 shares, over 11.1 billion yuan.

    Strong profit growth and higher dividends attract investors and support the stock price.

  • Ethiopian approval of $4 billion Allied Gold acquisition Ethiopian regulators approved Zijin's $4 billion acquisition of Allied Gold, expanding gold resources and reducing uncertainty. Shares surged over 20% in July as investors favored dividend-paying blue chips.

    The acquisition approval removes a major overhang and boosts growth prospects, driving the stock higher.

August 2026
▲4

Zijin's profit jumps 68% on gold and copper strength

  • Gold demand shifts to fundamentals Gold demand is growing faster than mine supply, and central banks are buying. This supports higher gold prices, which boosts Zijin's revenue and profit from its gold mines.

    Explains the long-term demand driver behind Zijin's gold business.

  • Copper supply worries lift prices The DRC export ban and falling LME inventories have pushed copper prices higher. Zijin says the ban has limited impact on its operations, but higher copper prices still benefit its copper sales.

    Shows a key supply-side factor affecting copper prices and Zijin's earnings.

  • Record first-half profit and dividend Zijin reported first-half net profit up 68% to 39.2 billion yuan, with strong cash flow and production growth. It proposed a dividend of 4.2 yuan per 10 shares, rewarding shareholders.

    The latest earnings confirm strong financial performance and shareholder returns.

  • Blue-chip safe-haven demand Investors are favoring blue-chip stocks with stable dividends and earnings certainty. Zijin's shares surged over 20% in July as part of this shift, attracting capital.

    Highlights the market rotation into blue chips that has boosted Zijin's stock.

Latest
▲4

Zijin's profit jumps 68% on gold and copper strength

  • Gold demand shifts to fundamentals Gold demand is growing faster than mine supply, and central banks are buying. This supports higher gold prices, which boosts Zijin's revenue and profit from its gold mines.

    Explains the long-term demand driver behind Zijin's gold business.

  • Copper supply worries lift prices The DRC export ban and falling LME inventories have pushed copper prices higher. Zijin says the ban has limited impact on its operations, but higher copper prices still benefit its copper sales.

    Shows a key supply-side factor affecting copper prices and Zijin's earnings.

  • Record first-half profit and dividend Zijin reported first-half net profit up 68% to 39.2 billion yuan, with strong cash flow and production growth. It proposed a dividend of 4.2 yuan per 10 shares, rewarding shareholders.

    The latest earnings confirm strong financial performance and shareholder returns.

  • Blue-chip safe-haven demand Investors are favoring blue-chip stocks with stable dividends and earnings certainty. Zijin's shares surged over 20% in July as part of this shift, attracting capital.

    Highlights the market rotation into blue chips that has boosted Zijin's stock.

July 2026
▲4

Zijin's profit surge, dividend hike, and Ethiopia deal approval lift shares

  • Gold sector strength Gold and silver prices are up sharply year-on-year, and the precious metals sector is shifting to a policy- and reserves-driven phase. This boosts demand for gold miners like Zijin, pushing its stock up as investors expect higher revenue.

    Explains the broader sector tailwind that lifts Zijin's price.

  • 68% profit growth forecast Zijin expects first-half 2026 net profit of about 39.1 billion yuan, up 68% from a year earlier, driven by higher output and selling prices. This strong earnings growth signals the company is making much more money, which supports a higher stock price.

    Directly shows the company's financial performance, a key price driver.

  • Bigger interim dividend Zijin plans to pay an interim dividend of 4.20 yuan per 10 shares, totaling over 11.1 billion yuan, exceeding its earlier proposal. A larger payout returns more cash to shareholders, making the stock more attractive and likely pushing its price up.

    Dividend increases directly enhance shareholder returns and investor appeal.

  • Ethiopia approves Allied Gold deal Ethiopian regulators cleared Zijin's $4 billion acquisition of Allied Gold, with closing expected before July 29. This removes a major hurdle, expands Zijin's gold resources, and reduces uncertainty, which should lift the stock price.

    Regulatory approval is a key step that de-risks a major growth acquisition.

▲4

Zijin's profit surge, dividend hike, and Ethiopia deal approval lift shares

  • Gold sector strength Gold and silver prices are up sharply year-on-year, and the precious metals sector is shifting to a policy- and reserves-driven phase. This boosts demand for gold miners like Zijin, pushing its stock up as investors expect higher revenue.

    Explains the broader sector tailwind that lifts Zijin's price.

  • 68% profit growth forecast Zijin expects first-half 2026 net profit of about 39.1 billion yuan, up 68% from a year earlier, driven by higher output and selling prices. This strong earnings growth signals the company is making much more money, which supports a higher stock price.

    Directly shows the company's financial performance, a key price driver.

  • Bigger interim dividend Zijin plans to pay an interim dividend of 4.20 yuan per 10 shares, totaling over 11.1 billion yuan, exceeding its earlier proposal. A larger payout returns more cash to shareholders, making the stock more attractive and likely pushing its price up.

    Dividend increases directly enhance shareholder returns and investor appeal.

  • Ethiopia approves Allied Gold deal Ethiopian regulators cleared Zijin's $4 billion acquisition of Allied Gold, with closing expected before July 29. This removes a major hurdle, expands Zijin's gold resources, and reduces uncertainty, which should lift the stock price.

    Regulatory approval is a key step that de-risks a major growth acquisition.

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