Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Brokerages

Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO) has been assigned an average rating of “Hold” from the fifteen analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $81.00.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on RIO shares. Erste Group Bank raised shares of Rio Tinto from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Rio Tinto from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Zacks Research upgraded Rio Tinto from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price target on Rio Tinto from $83.00 to $77.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Finally, DZ Bank cut Rio Tinto from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, February 20th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rio Tinto

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in shares of Rio Tinto by 170.8% in the fourth quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,886,335 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $311,023,000 after acquiring an additional 2,451,140 shares in the last quarter. Milford Funds Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto during the fourth quarter worth approximately $93,143,000. Deutsche Bank AG raised its stake in Rio Tinto by 102.6% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,216,935 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $177,421,000 after purchasing an additional 1,122,667 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC raised its stake in Rio Tinto by 144.7% in the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 1,587,387 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $127,039,000 after purchasing an additional 938,687 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new position in Rio Tinto in the 2nd quarter valued at $49,089,000. 19.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Rio Tinto News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Rio Tinto this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Partnership to supply low‑carbon aluminum for data centers with Prysmian/ELYSIS supports premium product positioning and decarbonization credentials, which can help demand and pricing for Rio’s higher‑margin low‑carbon aluminum. Rio Tinto, Prysmian partner on low-carbon aluminum solutions for data centers
• Positive Sentiment: Memorandum of Understanding with CATL on battery recycling and zero‑carbon mining advances Rio’s circular battery strategy and long‑term access to battery value chains — a strategic growth/ESG positive. Rio Tinto CATL Deal Highlights Push Into Circular Battery And Mining Model
• Positive Sentiment: Rio and Chinalco cleared a regulatory hurdle in a Brazil aluminum deal, reducing execution risk on that transaction and supporting Rio’s aluminum footprint. Rio Tinto, Chinalco clear hurdle in Brazil aluminum deal
• Positive Sentiment: Rio raised its Q2 Japan aluminum offer to the highest premium since 2015, signaling strong near‑term aluminum pricing and potential immediate revenue upside. Rio Tinto raises Q2 Japan aluminum offer to highest premium since 2015
• Neutral Sentiment: Australian suppliers secured $385m EFA support for the Rincón project — improves project finance optics but execution and timing remain uncertain. Australian suppliers tap Rio Tinto’s Rincón project with $385m EFA support
• Neutral Sentiment: Progress at the Smart Creek JV and other exploration advances keep optional upside from new discoveries, but these are longer‑dated and speculative for near‑term earnings. Domestic Metals Advances Rio Tinto JV Smart Creek Project, Eyes Major Discovery
• Negative Sentiment: Rio is slowing and delaying construction of its Quebec lithium processing plant as costs have surged — this raises capital intensity, delays expected lithium supply/revenue and increases short‑term execution risk. Rio Tinto slows pace of construction on Quebec lithium processing plant
• Negative Sentiment: A fatal contractor incident at the Kennecott (Bingham Canyon) copper mine prompted an operational suspension while investigations proceed — immediate production disruption, regulatory scrutiny and worker‑safety concerns are driving downside sentiment. Fatal incident at Rio Tinto Kennecott

Rio Tinto Price Performance

RIO opened at $87.83 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $92.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $77.62. Rio Tinto has a 1 year low of $51.67 and a 1 year high of $101.53.

Rio Tinto Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th will be issued a $2.54 dividend. This represents a yield of 564.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a global mining and metals company that explores for, mines, processes and markets a wide range of commodities. Its principal products include iron ore, aluminum, copper, diamonds and various other minerals and industrial materials. The company’s activities span the full value chain from exploration and project development to mining, processing, smelting and refining, supplying raw materials to industries such as steelmaking, automotive, packaging, electronics and construction.

The origins of Rio Tinto date back to mining operations in the Rio Tinto region of Spain in the 19th century, and the group has since grown into a multinational enterprise.