Rio Tinto PLC $RIO Stock: Salem Investment Counselors Inc. Lowers Position

Key Points

• Salem Investment Counselors reduced its Rio Tinto position by 13.4% in the third quarter, selling 14,308 shares and retaining 92,560 shares valued at approximately $8.7 million.
• Rio Tinto shares opened at $93.10, below the analyst consensus target of $101.62. Despite several Buy ratings, the overall analyst consensus remains Hold.
• Operational updates were generally positive: third-quarter iron ore sales rose 2% year over year, Oyu Tolgoi copper production increased 29% year to date, and the Simandou project reached an annualized production rate of roughly 10 million tonnes.

Salem Investment Counselors Inc. reduced its position in shares of Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO - Free Report) by 13.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 92,560 shares of the mining company's stock after selling 14,308 shares during the period. Salem Investment Counselors Inc.'s holdings in Rio Tinto were worth $8,716,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto during the third quarter valued at approximately $215,000. Walker Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Rio Tinto by 4.3% in the third quarter. Walker Asset Management LLC now owns 5,075 shares of the mining company's stock worth $478,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares during the last quarter. Courier Capital LLC boosted its position in Rio Tinto by 26.7% in the third quarter. Courier Capital LLC now owns 24,816 shares of the mining company's stock worth $2,337,000 after purchasing an additional 5,223 shares during the last quarter. Sacks & Associates LLC bought a new position in Rio Tinto in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,078,000. Finally, Riversedge Advisors LLC grew its stake in Rio Tinto by 11.7% in the 3rd quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC now owns 3,482 shares of the mining company's stock valued at $328,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the period. 19.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Rio Tinto Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of RIO opened at $93.10 on Wednesday. Rio Tinto PLC has a 1 year low of $66.49 and a 1 year 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 stock's fifty day moving average price is $98.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $98.58.

Rio Tinto Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 24th. Investors of record on Friday, August 14th were issued a $2.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 14th. This represents a yield of 441.0%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

RIO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Berenberg Bank reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research note on Wednesday, September 30th. Morningstar upgraded shares of Rio Tinto to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Rio Tinto from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 2nd. Citigroup reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, DZ Bank reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research note on Tuesday, September 15th. 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 assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Rio Tinto has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $101.62.

Key Rio Tinto News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Iron ore sales exceeded expectations. Third-quarter iron ore sales increased 2% year over year, while global iron ore sales rose 3% year to date. The stronger shipments support near-term revenue and cash-flow expectations. Rio Tinto posts 2% rise in third-quarter iron ore sales
• Positive Sentiment: Copper operations continued to improve. Oyu Tolgoi copper production rose 29% year to date, reaching an approximately 450,000-ton annualized production rate during the quarter. This strengthens Rio Tinto’s exposure to potentially favorable long-term copper demand. Rio Tinto releases third quarter 2026 production results
• Positive Sentiment: Simandou is ramping up. The Guinea iron ore project reached an annualized production run rate of roughly 10 million tonnes in the quarter, providing a potential source of future volume growth as commissioning progresses. Rio Tinto third-quarter 2026 production results
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts modestly raised earnings estimates but kept a Hold rating. Erste Group lifted its FY2026 EPS forecast to $8.48 from $8.45 and its FY2027 forecast to $8.59 from $8.44, only slightly above the broader FY2026 consensus of $8.41. Rio Tinto analyst estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Project and investment uncertainty remains. Rio Tinto is approaching a decision on the Kangwinan bauxite expansion in Cape York amid uncertainty surrounding the broader Aurukun development, potentially delaying growth investment or adding execution risk. Rio Tinto Cape York bauxite expansion decision

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.

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