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Rio Tinto Plc (RIO)
NYSE:RIO

Rio Tinto (RIO) AI Stock Analysis

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RIO

Rio Tinto

(NYSE:RIO)

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Outperform 80 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:80Outperform
Price Target:
$98.00
▲(15.46% Upside)
Rio Tinto's stock score is driven by strong technical indicators and a solid valuation, supported by a robust dividend yield. Financial performance is stable, with strong profitability and a solid balance sheet, though revenue growth and cash flow conversion present challenges. The absence of earnings call and corporate events data did not impact the score.
Positive Factors
Balance Sheet Health
Low leverage and a >50% equity ratio give Rio Tinto durable financial flexibility to fund capex, weather commodity cycles, and pursue strategic options without straining liquidity. Strong ROE signals efficient capital use and supports long-term shareholder returns.
Sustained Profitability Margins
High and improving gross and operating margins reflect scale, low unit costs and effective cost management across core assets. Such margin durability supports cash flow resilience and ability to invest in high-return projects through commodity cycles.
Operational Scale & Decarbonisation Innovation
Piloting battery-swap haul trucks demonstrates investment in cost-saving, decarbonisation tech that can lower long-term operating costs and emissions. Leading adoption of cleaner haulage can preserve license to operate and improve competitiveness amid tightening ESG standards.
Negative Factors
Revenue & Cash Conversion Weakness
Material decline in free cash flow and weakened cash conversion reduces internally available funding for development projects and dividends. Persistent negative top-line growth pressures earnings upside and increases reliance on asset sales or higher-risk financing over the medium term.
Asset Sales & Strategic Uncertainty
A major divestment program can simplify the portfolio but risks selling future growth engines, disrupting customer or partner relationships, and creating execution risk. Large-scale disposals may also signal strategic reset and increase short-to-medium term uncertainty over core asset plans.
Operational & Governance Risk at Oyu Tolgoi
Investigations and government oversight at a flagship copper operation can delay projects, increase compliance and legal costs, and strain host-government relations. Such governance risks pose sustained production and permitting uncertainty for a major long-life asset.

Rio Tinto (RIO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Rio Tinto Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionRio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. The Iron Ore segment engages in the iron ore mining, and salt and gypsum production in Western Australia. The Aluminum segment is involved in bauxite mining; alumina refining; and aluminium smelting. The Copper segment engages in mining and refining of copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, and other by-products and exploration activities. The Minerals segment is involved in mining and processing of borates, titanium dioxide feedstock, and iron concentrate and pellets; diamond mining, sorting, and marketing; and development projects for battery materials, such as lithium. It also owns and operates open pit and underground mines; and refineries, smelters, processing plants and power, and shipping facilities. Rio Tinto Group was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
How the Company Makes MoneyRio Tinto generates revenue primarily through the extraction and sale of minerals and metals. Key revenue streams include the production of iron ore, which is a significant contributor to its earnings due to high demand from steel manufacturers, especially in Asia. The company also earns revenue from its aluminum, copper, and diamond operations, each contributing to its diversified portfolio. Additionally, Rio Tinto benefits from long-term contracts and spot market sales, allowing it to capitalize on fluctuating commodity prices. Strategic partnerships with governments and other entities, along with effective cost management and operational efficiency, further enhance its profitability. The company's focus on sustainability and innovation also positions it favorably in the market, attracting investments and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

Rio Tinto Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 19, 2025
(Q4-2024)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 19, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted steady financial performance and growth prospects, particularly in aluminum and copper, alongside impressive shareholder returns and decarbonization progress. However, challenges remain with weather impacts on iron ore production and pricing, as well as operational issues in certain segments. The sentiment is cautiously optimistic with a focus on strategic growth and resilience.
Q4-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
Consistent Shareholder Returns
For the ninth consecutive year, the company has paid ordinary dividends at the top end of the range, equating to $6.5 billion, maintaining a 60% payout ratio.
Resilient Financial Performance
Operating cash flow increased by 3% with a 67% EBITDA cash conversion rate, even with an 11% drop in iron ore prices.
Positive Growth Outlook
Copper equivalent production increased by 1% in 2024, with guidance for another 4% growth led by the ramp-up of Oyu Tolgoi, excluding Arcadium Lithium acquisition.
Strong Performance in Aluminum and Copper
Aluminum and copper divisions showed rising contributions, with aluminum performance particularly strong, leading to a 61% increase in product group EBITDA.
Significant Progress in Decarbonization
Emissions reduced by 14% from 2018 to 2024, with significant project approvals advancing towards a 50% reduction target by 2030.
Negative Updates
Impact of Weather on Iron Ore
Cyclones and unusual high rainfall in the Pilbara impacted production, with first quarter production affected, but full-year shipment guidance remains unchanged.
Iron Ore Pricing Challenges
Despite strong realized pricing, the iron ore segment faced challenges due to an 11% price drop, impacting overall EBITDA.
Operational Stability Issues
IOC (Iron Ore Company of Canada) has not yet achieved the operational stability the company is striving for.
TiO2 Market Weakness
TiO2 volumes reflected weak Western market conditions for pigment, affecting the Minerals segment performance.
Company Guidance
In the call, guidance for 2024 highlighted several key metrics and strategic achievements. Copper equivalent production grew by 1% in 2024, with a mid-range guidance predicting a 4% increase this year, driven by the Oyu Tolgoi ramp-up. The company anticipates a decade of 3% compound annual production growth, focusing on strategic investments in copper, aluminum, and lithium. Underlying EBITDA was slightly down by 2% to $23.3 billion, despite an 11% drop in iron ore prices, offset by increased contributions from aluminum and copper. Operating cash flow grew by 3%, with an EBITDA cash conversion rate rising to 67%. Capital investment reached $9.5 billion, ending the year with net debt of $5.5 billion. The company maintained a 60% ordinary dividend payout, equating to $6.5 billion. Moreover, the business achieved a record emission reduction, cutting emissions by 14% from 2018 to 2024, targeting a 50% reduction by 2030. Overall, the guidance reflects Rio Tinto's focus on operational improvements, strategic growth, and consistent shareholder returns.

Rio Tinto Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Rio Tinto's financials show strong profitability margins and a solid balance sheet. Despite challenges in revenue growth and cash flow conversion, operational efficiency and capital structure are commendable. Continued focus on cost management and cash flow improvement is essential.
Income Statement
Rio Tinto has shown a mixed performance in its recent income statements. The Gross Profit Margin improved in 2024, reaching 56.43% from 32.01% in 2023, indicating better cost management. However, the Net Profit Margin saw a slight decline from 18.61% in 2023 to 21.53% in 2024. The Revenue Growth Rate was negative at -0.71% from 2023 to 2024, showing a slight contraction in sales. Despite these challenges, EBIT and EBITDA margins remain strong at 29.17% and 43.16% respectively, showcasing operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
Rio Tinto maintains a solid balance sheet with a healthy Equity Ratio of 53.73% in 2024, reflecting strong capitalization. The Debt-to-Equity Ratio improved to 0.25 from 0.26, indicating effective management of liabilities. Return on Equity is robust at 20.91%, a slight increase from 18.43% in 2023, highlighting the company's ability to generate returns for its shareholders.
Cash Flow
The cash flow position of Rio Tinto shows some areas of concern. Free Cash Flow decreased by 25.95% from 2023 to 2024, but operating cash flow remains stable. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is strong at 1.35, indicating good cash generation relative to net profits. However, the Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio fell to 0.52, suggesting reduced cash conversion efficiency.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue53.96B53.66B54.04B55.55B63.49B44.61B
Gross Profit14.24B30.28B17.30B34.27B44.93B29.13B
EBITDA18.50B19.06B20.38B24.76B35.08B19.66B
Net Income10.25B11.55B10.06B12.39B21.11B9.77B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets120.81B102.79B103.55B96.74B102.90B97.39B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments9.33B7.20B10.79B8.94B15.35B13.23B
Total Debt23.64B13.86B14.35B12.27B13.53B14.02B
Total Liabilities58.84B44.82B47.21B44.47B46.31B45.49B
Stockholders Equity58.20B55.25B54.59B50.17B51.43B47.05B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow5.20B5.98B8.07B9.38B17.96B9.69B
Operating Cash Flow15.58B15.60B15.16B16.13B25.34B15.88B
Investing Cash Flow-16.58B-9.59B-6.96B-6.71B-7.16B-6.56B
Financing Cash Flow-207.45M-7.09B-5.28B-15.47B-15.86B-7.13B

Rio Tinto Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price84.88
Price Trends
50DMA
74.38
Positive
100DMA
69.52
Positive
200DMA
63.95
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.88
Negative
RSI
76.64
Negative
STOCH
94.79
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For RIO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 84.88 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 79.39, above the 50-day MA of 74.38, and above the 200-day MA of 63.95, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.88 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 76.64 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 94.79 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for RIO.

Rio Tinto Risk Analysis

Rio Tinto disclosed 14 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Rio Tinto reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 3 New Risks
1.
Being responsible operators throughout the entire life ofour assets – from discovery to closure Q4, 2024
2.
Preventing loss of operational control that may lead to potential fatalities, permanent disablements, or material production disruption Q4, 2024
3.
Remaining competitive through economic cycles or shocks by maintaining strong financial and operating performance, underpinned by a healthy inventory of high-quality reserves Q4, 2024

Rio Tinto Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$144.00B13.4218.18%4.60%-0.44%-4.20%
79
Outperform
$58.09B10.7013.65%10.04%-8.49%-41.69%
73
Outperform
$159.28B17.7919.51%3.55%-7.86%14.17%
69
Neutral
$2.79B146.892.08%0.43%3.93%-73.94%
64
Neutral
$1.28B-79.18-1.64%1.14%7.92%91.83%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
61
Neutral
$10.60B-89.01-6.83%26.44%-95.87%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
RIO
Rio Tinto
84.88
29.63
53.63%
BHP
BHP Group
63.86
17.11
36.59%
MTRN
Materion
132.05
35.46
36.71%
VALE
Vale SA
14.26
6.67
87.90%
NEXA
Nexa Resources SA
9.70
2.92
43.07%
MP
MP Materials
62.50
43.12
222.50%

Rio Tinto Corporate Events

Rio Tinto Updates Market on Voting Rights and December 2025 Operational Developments
Jan 5, 2026

In a Form 6-K filed for December 2025 and signed on 5 January 2026, Rio Tinto outlined a series of recent corporate, operational and governance developments, including stock exchange notifications on its total voting rights, changes in director and key management shareholdings, and the issuance and conversion of unquoted equity securities. As part of these disclosures, the company reported that as of 28 November 2025 Rio Tinto plc’s issued share capital consisted of 1,256,010,228 ordinary shares of 10p each, of which 1,717,902 were held in treasury, resulting in 1,254,292,326 voting rights, a key reference figure for shareholders monitoring ownership thresholds under UK transparency rules; it also highlighted its dual-listed capital structure with Rio Tinto Limited, as well as a stream of December announcements covering lithium resource reporting, progress on copper production technology, partnerships with Aboriginal corporations, investment in Pilbara iron ore feasibility work and the introduction of battery-electric haul trucks in the Pilbara, all of which signal ongoing portfolio development and operational modernisation across its core mining businesses.

The most recent analyst rating on (RIO) stock is a Hold with a $70.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rio Tinto stock, see the RIO Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Oct 07, 2025