Erste Group Bank Boosts Earnings Estimates for Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO) – Erste Group Bank raised their FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Rio Tinto in a research note issued on Thursday, October 8th. Erste Group Bank analyst S. Lingnau now expects that the mining company will earn $8.48 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $8.45. Erste Group Bank currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Rio Tinto’s current full-year earnings is $8.39 per share. Erste Group Bank also issued estimates for Rio Tinto’s FY2027 earnings at $8.59 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Morningstar upgraded shares of Rio Tinto to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Rio Tinto in a research note on Monday, August 24th. They set an “underweight” rating and a $90.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Rio Tinto from an “underperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 6th. DZ Bank reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research note on Tuesday, September 15th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Rio Tinto from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $101.62.

Rio Tinto Stock Down 1.9%

Shares of NYSE RIO opened at $91.28 on Tuesday. Rio Tinto has a fifty-two week low of $67.39 and a fifty-two week high of $112.58. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $98.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $98.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.42.

Institutional Trading of Rio Tinto

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of RIO. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in shares of Rio Tinto by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,623,294 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $338,017,000 after purchasing an additional 225,016 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its stake in shares of Rio Tinto by 170.8% in the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,886,335 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $311,023,000 after purchasing an additional 2,451,140 shares during the last quarter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Rio Tinto in the 1st quarter worth approximately $106,724,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in shares of Rio Tinto by 417.6% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 965,800 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $90,099,000 after purchasing an additional 779,200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Auto Owners Insurance Co raised its holdings in shares of Rio Tinto by 7,903.0% in the 4th quarter. Auto Owners Insurance Co now owns 768,288 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $61,486,000 after purchasing an additional 758,688 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 19.33% of the company’s stock.

Rio Tinto Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th were given a dividend of $2.11 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 14th. This represents a dividend yield of 441.0%.

Key Headlines Impacting Rio Tinto

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

• Positive Sentiment: Copper production accelerated: Oyu Tolgoi copper output rose 27% year over year in the third quarter and 29% year to date, reaching an annualized rate of approximately 450,000 tonnes. The improvement supports Rio Tinto’s growth strategy and benefits from strong long-term demand expectations for copper. Rio Tinto keeps 2026 guidance as Oyu Tolgoi copper output jumps 27%
• Positive Sentiment: Iron ore sales improved: Global iron ore sales increased 3% year to date, while third-quarter sales rose about 2% and exceeded market expectations. Simandou also reached an annualized production run rate of roughly 10 million tonnes, showing progress on the major new Guinean project. Rio Tinto posts 2% rise in third-quarter iron ore sales
• Positive Sentiment: Potential capital release: Stronger iron ore sales and operating performance have prompted reports that Rio Tinto could release approximately $5 billion, or up to A$7 billion, in capital. Such a release could improve shareholder returns or balance-sheet flexibility, although the timing and form remain uncertain. Rio Tinto on track to release $5 billion in capital
• Neutral Sentiment: Guidance was maintained: Rio Tinto kept its 2026 production and cost targets unchanged. This confirms execution remains on track, but investors received no formal increase to earnings expectations despite the stronger quarterly results. Rio Tinto Says Oyu Tolgoi Copper Output Up 29% Year-to-Date
• Neutral Sentiment: Iron Ore Company of Canada reported 3.81 million tonnes of saleable production in the third quarter, including 2.46 million tonnes of pellets and 1.34 million tonnes of concentrate. Rio Tinto releases IOC production and sales information
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction remained cautious: The stock’s decline suggests investors may have viewed the unchanged guidance, exposure to volatile iron ore prices and ongoing project ramp-up risks as outweighing the positive production trends in the near term.

Rio Tinto Company Profile

Rio Tinto plc is a global mining and metals company that explores for, develops, and operates mineral resources. Its principal products include iron ore, aluminum, copper, lithium, borates, titanium dioxide feedstocks, and salt. The company supplies raw materials to industries such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, packaging, and renewable energy.

Rio Tinto’s iron ore business is concentrated in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, while its aluminum operations span bauxite mining, alumina refining, and aluminum smelting in several countries.