commodity stocks are generally considered as value stocks.
They are mostly capital intensive, thus expose to more risk during economic downturn。
Their tangible and untangible book values are tie to the underlying commodity price.
Their earnings are influenced by both inputs and outputs.
A low PE means the market has plugged in a slow growth for earnings using any simple valuation model.
A low PE also means that the company is not spending (capital expenditure) which also translate to slow growth in the future.
And I agree, the downside is limited.
I have FCX. But for AA, I have to say that it is less of a typical commodity company. Aluminum is all about demand and energy cost. Underground value is not that important.
Now with commodity prices still close to the top of a cycle, we have to rely on further currency debase to drive the prices even higher. However, I see monetary policy in US tilts to tighten under political pressure. EU problem will pushes that date further, but the EU problem itself is deflationary.