Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO – Get Free Report) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Thursday. Traders acquired 102,090 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 2,544% compared to the typical volume of 3,861 call options.
Rio Tinto News Roundup
Here are the key news stories impacting Rio Tinto this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Rio Tinto’s Tomago Aluminium smelter secured a power agreement extending through 2038, supported by A$1.1 billion in planned investment. The facility is expected to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2033, reducing the risk of closure when its existing power contract expires in 2028. Rio Tinto secures long-term future of Tomago smelter
- Positive Sentiment: The Australian government committed approximately A$2.5 billion to help keep the country’s largest aluminium smelter operating beyond 2028. The support improves the long-term outlook for Rio Tinto’s aluminium business, employment base and regional operations. Australia commits funding to keep Rio Tinto aluminium smelter open
- Positive Sentiment: Investors traded 102,090 Rio Tinto call options, roughly 25 times the typical volume. The activity may indicate increased near-term bullish interest, although options volume alone does not guarantee further gains.
- Neutral Sentiment: Erste Group modestly raised its Rio Tinto EPS forecasts to $8.36 for fiscal 2026 and $8.40 for fiscal 2027. The revisions are slightly above or near consensus, suggesting limited incremental earnings impact. Rio Tinto analyst estimates
- Negative Sentiment: Rio Tinto was among the miners leading a broader FTSE 100 sell-off. Sector-wide pressure likely reflects investor concerns about commodity prices and the outlook for global industrial demand, offsetting the company-specific Tomago announcements. FTSE 100 mining sector sell-off
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several research firms have commented on RIO. Citigroup reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Bank of America downgraded shares of Rio Tinto from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, May 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada cut shares of Rio Tinto from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on shares of Rio Tinto from $82.00 to $83.50 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Rio Tinto from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Rio Tinto has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $105.50.
Institutional Trading of Rio Tinto
Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new stake in Rio Tinto during the 1st quarter worth approximately $84,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Rio Tinto by 78.4% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 12,087 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $726,000 after purchasing an additional 5,310 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its holdings in Rio Tinto by 20.7% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 11,485 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $690,000 after purchasing an additional 1,968 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC raised its position in Rio Tinto by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 5,280 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $317,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth lifted its holdings in Rio Tinto by 16.7% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 15,985 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $962,000 after buying an additional 2,285 shares during the period. 19.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Rio Tinto Trading Down 3.1%
Rio Tinto stock traded down $3.10 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $98.12. The company had a trading volume of 2,534,925 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,164,463. Rio Tinto has a fifty-two week low of $60.22 and a fifty-two week high of $112.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.42. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $96.24 and a 200 day simple moving average of $97.08.
Rio Tinto Dividend Announcement
The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 24th. Investors of record on Friday, August 14th will be issued a dividend of $2.11 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This represents a dividend yield of 438.0%.
Rio Tinto Company Profile
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.
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