First Trust Advisors LP Has $46.04 Million Stock Position in Rio Tinto PLC $RIO

Key Points

• First Trust Advisors LP cut its Rio Tinto stake by 19.3% in Q3, selling 166,740 shares and finishing the quarter with 697,464 shares worth about $46.04 million (≈0.06% of the company).
• Rio Tinto secured a roughly $1.175 billion financing package for its Rincon lithium project in Argentina (part of a ~ $2.5bn project targeting ~60,000 tpa battery‑grade lithium) and raised its Q2 Japan aluminum premium to the highest level since 2015, signaling potential upside for its lithium and aluminum segments.
• The company declared a $2.54 dividend payable April 16 (record/ex‑dividend date March 6), while analysts carry a consensus "Hold" rating with an average price target of $81 and the stock trading near $92 (52‑week range $51.67–$101.53).

First Trust Advisors LP lowered its position in Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO - Free Report) by 19.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 697,464 shares of the mining company's stock after selling 166,740 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP owned approximately 0.06% of Rio Tinto worth $46,040,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of RIO. Salomon & Ludwin LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Rio Tinto by 62.2% during the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 472 shares of the mining company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in Rio Tinto in the third quarter worth approximately $36,000. Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. bought a new position in Rio Tinto during the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. MTM Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Rio Tinto during the second quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Rio Tinto in the second quarter valued at approximately $53,000. 19.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently commented on RIO. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Rio Tinto from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Rio Tinto from a "hold (c)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a report on Friday, February 20th. HSBC downgraded shares of Rio Tinto from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley downgraded Rio Tinto from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $81.00.

Rio Tinto Stock Performance

Shares of RIO opened at $92.16 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $91.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $77.35. Rio Tinto PLC has a 52 week low of $51.67 and a 52 week high of $101.53.

Rio Tinto Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be issued a $2.54 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th. This represents a yield of 564.0%.

Key Rio Tinto News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Rio secured a roughly $1.175bn financing package for its Rincon lithium project in Argentina, supporting development of the ~$2.5bn project targeting ~60,000 tpa battery‑grade lithium carbonate — a clear funding and execution milestone that de‑risks Rio’s lithium growth profile. Rio Tinto secures $1.175 billion financing package for Rincon lithium project in Argentina
• Positive Sentiment: Rio said it raised its Q2 Japan aluminum offer to the highest premium since 2015 — signaling tighter aluminum markets/pricing that could boost revenue and margins for Rio’s aluminum segment. Rio Tinto raises Q2 Japan aluminum offer to highest premium since 2015
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst commentary and coverage highlight that RIO has surged ~65% over six months on rising copper output, first production at Johnson Camp and major lithium & iron‑ore projects — reinforcing momentum expectations for growth. Should You Buy Rio Tinto Stock After a 64.9% Rally in 6 Months?
• Neutral Sentiment: Partner Domestic Metals reports advancement of a Rio Tinto JV Smart Creek exploration project and is “eyeing a major discovery” — an early‑stage upside catalyst but speculative until drill results confirm commercial resources. Domestic Metals Advances Rio Tinto JV Smart Creek Project, Eyes Major Discovery
• Negative Sentiment: Mongolian authorities are pressing to renegotiate commercial terms for the giant Oyu Tolgoi copper mine and Rio says it is in active negotiations — heightening political and contract risk for one of Rio’s flagship copper assets. Rio Tinto in ‘Active Negotiations' With Mongolia Over Oyu Tolgoi Copper Mine
• Negative Sentiment: Major broker actions: J.P. Morgan downgraded Rio to a Hold and Sanford C. Bernstein cut its price target to $77 — analyst moves that can pressure near‑term sentiment and cap upside. Rio Tinto (RIO) was downgraded to a Hold Rating at J.P. Morgan
• Negative Sentiment: UBS warns that Chinese port iron‑ore inventories are near multi‑year highs, risking a supply overhang that could weaken iron‑ore prices — a key price driver for Rio’s iron‑ore earnings. Rio Tinto and BHP face iron ore inventory warning as prices recover from Chinese New Year lows

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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