Rumors Swirl Acquirer Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) Is Itself a Takeover Target

Rumors are abound that Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX), which recently announced a mega-merger deal with Phelps Dodge Corp. (NYSE: PD), could itself be a takeover target. Rumored suitors include BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) and Rio Tinto plc (NYSE: RTP). This rumor was just mentioned on CNBC, but has been mentioned at Reuters, FT.com and other sites.