Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO) Receives $85.00 Average PT from Analysts

Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO) has received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the sixteen analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $85.00.

RIO has been the subject of several analyst reports. HSBC cut shares of Rio Tinto from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday. Citigroup reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Hsbc Global Res cut Rio Tinto from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Erste Group Bank raised Rio Tinto from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd.

Key Headlines Impacting Rio Tinto

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

• Positive Sentiment: Market talk of a potential merger with Glencore has pushed M&A speculation that could create the world’s largest miner and materially change Rio’s strategic profile and valuation — a bullish catalyst for the stock. The Possible Faces of a Rio Tinto-Glencore Deal
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and bullish write-ups are supporting sentiment — Erste Group Bank recently upgraded RIO, and bullish commentary has highlighted a strong rebound since the 2025 low, arguing upside remains. Rio Tinto Upgraded at Erste Group Bank
• Positive Sentiment: Company initiatives on renewables and zero‑waste (new solar arrays and expanded solar at Kennecott) strengthen ESG credentials, lower operating costs and support long‑term copper production economics — positive for longer‑term investor confidence. How Zero-Waste Thinking Helped Build Rio Tinto a Solar Array
• Neutral Sentiment: Dimensional Fund Advisors filed a Form 8.3 disclosing a 1%+ position in Rio Tinto — notable institutional ownership that could influence liquidity or takeover dynamics but does not by itself change fundamentals. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro/sector pieces highlighting demand for critical minerals (where Rio has exposure via copper) suggest structural tailwinds over the cycle, but these are longer‑term and less immediate drivers of today’s move. China’s Stranglehold on Critical Minerals Creates Massive Opportunity
• Negative Sentiment: Vale’s iron‑ore output rose in 2025 and, for the first time in seven years, topped Rio’s Pilbara — increased rival supply can weigh on iron‑ore pricing and margins for Rio’s iron business. Vale’s iron ore production rises 3% in 2025, surpassing Rio Tinto’s Pilbara
• Negative Sentiment: HSBC downgraded Rio Tinto from “strong‑buy” to “hold,” which may cap near‑term upside and influence other momentum traders. HSBC Downgrade (reported)

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rio Tinto

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wealth Quarterback LLC raised its position in shares of Rio Tinto by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Quarterback LLC now owns 6,532 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $523,000 after buying an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Rio Tinto by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 10,963 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $877,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. boosted its holdings in shares of Rio Tinto by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 3,060 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $245,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Rio Tinto by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC now owns 5,736 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $459,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wedmont Private Capital increased its stake in shares of Rio Tinto by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 3,780 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $321,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the last quarter. 19.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Rio Tinto Stock Performance

RIO opened at $92.90 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $79.27 and a 200-day moving average of $69.94. Rio Tinto has a fifty-two week low of $51.67 and a fifty-two week high of $92.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 1.03.

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.