Analysts Set Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO) PT at $85.00

Shares of Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO) have received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the fifteen research firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and three have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $85.00.

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on RIO. Zacks Research upgraded Rio Tinto from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Erste Group Bank upgraded Rio Tinto from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. HSBC lowered shares of Rio Tinto from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Argus raised their target price on shares of Rio Tinto from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 11th.

Rio Tinto News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 2025 results showed revenue growth and a big EPS lift — revenue $15.4B (+14.6% YoY), gross profit +17% and diluted EPS +23.4% to $2.17; operating cash flow also rose, supporting dividend/capex flexibility. Rio Tinto Plc (RIO) Releases Q4 2025 Earnings: Revenue and EPS Rise but Net Income Falls
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic push into critical minerals — Rio has assumed majority control of Nemaska Lithium in Canada, advancing an integrated lithium strategy that could boost exposure to battery supply chains. Rio Tinto takes majority control of Canada’s Nemaska Lithium
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and momentum signals — Argus issued a Buy and RIO was added to several Zacks Rank #1 lists, which can attract flows from momentum-focused investors. QuiverQuant coverage (analyst note & Zacks mentions)
• Neutral Sentiment: Company commentary and transcript available — management provided detail on performance, production (CuEq growth) and cost discipline in the earnings call and press release; these offer guidance but no major strategic surprises. Rio Tinto Group (RIO) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Operational highlights — Rio reported an 8% uplift in CuEq production and reiterated tighter cost discipline, reinforcing the operational story separate from commodity-price swings. Rio Tinto: Solid results underpinned by 8% CuEq production
• Negative Sentiment: Headline profitability weakness and cash metrics mixed — underlying earnings were flat (reported underlying EBITDA ~ $10.9B for 2025) and annual net profit fell (~14% YoY), which is weighing on market sentiment. Rio Tinto Annual Net Profit Down 14%; Underlying Earnings, Payout Flat
• Negative Sentiment: Sector-wide sell‑off and rotation to copper — miners were broadly sold and market positioning is rotating toward copper and infrastructure metals (BHP hitting highs), which can pressure Rio given its iron‑ore legacy. Forget Chips, Buy Wires: BHP Hits Highs as Copper Overtakes Iron
• Negative Sentiment: Safety incident and rising liabilities/capex — management noted a recent fatality at Simandou and the balance sheet showed higher liabilities and increased capex, which could add near‑term costs and scrutiny. BusinessWire: Solid results / Simandou comment

Rio Tinto Price Performance

NYSE RIO opened at $96.36 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $87.21 and a two-hundred day moving average of $73.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Rio Tinto has a 1-year low of $51.67 and a 1-year high of $100.33.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. PFS Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Rio Tinto during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Nvest Wealth Strategies Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Rio Tinto during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC lifted its holdings in Rio Tinto by 62.2% in the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 472 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH purchased a new stake in Rio Tinto in the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP purchased a new position in Rio Tinto in the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. 19.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.