Erste Group Bank Predicts Stronger Earnings for Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO) – Investment analysts at Erste Group Bank increased their FY2026 EPS estimates for shares of Rio Tinto in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, April 2nd. Erste Group Bank analyst S. Lingnau now anticipates that the mining company will post earnings per share of $8.16 for the year, up from their previous estimate of $7.99. Erste Group Bank currently has a “Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Rio Tinto’s current full-year earnings is $6.28 per share. Erste Group Bank also issued estimates for Rio Tinto’s FY2027 earnings at $8.15 EPS.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on RIO. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Rio Tinto from a “hold (c)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Friday, February 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Rio Tinto from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, March 9th. Argus increased their target price on shares of Rio Tinto from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Citigroup raised shares of Rio Tinto to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $81.00.

Rio Tinto Stock Performance

RIO stock opened at $98.33 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. Rio Tinto has a 52 week low of $52.27 and a 52 week high of $101.53. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $93.51 and its 200 day moving average is $81.17.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rio Tinto

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RIO. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its position in Rio Tinto by 170.8% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,886,335 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $311,023,000 after buying an additional 2,451,140 shares during the period. Milford Funds Ltd. purchased a new stake in Rio Tinto during the 4th quarter valued at $93,143,000. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its position in Rio Tinto by 102.6% during the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,216,935 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $177,421,000 after buying an additional 1,122,667 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its position in Rio Tinto by 144.7% during the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 1,587,387 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $127,039,000 after buying an additional 938,687 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of Rio Tinto by 31.9% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,157,545 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $208,430,000 after purchasing an additional 763,786 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 19.33% of the company’s stock.

Rio Tinto Dividend Announcement

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

Key Headlines Impacting Rio Tinto

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

• Positive Sentiment: Pilbara output and operational resilience support near‑term iron ore outlook — coverage highlights steady 2025 iron ore production, improved efficiency at Pilbara and progress on new projects that helped offset weather and cost headwinds, underpinning revenue visibility. Can Pilbara Facility Anchor Rio Tinto’s Short-Term Growth Trajectory?
• Positive Sentiment: Green‑steel collaboration boosts strategic, ESG growth story — a joint development agreement (JDA) with Calix for a green iron demo plant in Western Australia underscores Rio’s move into lower‑carbon steel inputs, supporting long‑term premium positioning. Calix Ltd jumps 30% on JDA with Rio Tinto
• Positive Sentiment: Higher aluminium billet premiums may lift margins — reports show Rio Tinto raised U.S. billet premiums alongside peers amid Middle East conflict, which can boost near‑term aluminium revenue. Market Chatter: Rio Tinto, Century Aluminum Raise US Billet Premiums
• Positive Sentiment: CEO emphasizes China as innovation hub — management comments about China as a key hub for innovation reinforce investor confidence in RIO’s technology and market access strategy. Rio Tinto CEO: China a key hub for innovation
• Neutral Sentiment: Former CEO launching deep‑sea mining ventures — multiple stories report Tom Albanese’s firms merging/listing to build a large seabed critical‑minerals platform; this is more industry‑adjacent than a direct competitive threat to Rio today. Ex‑Rio Tinto CEO’s deep‑sea mining firm to merge with Odyssey
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst consensus remains mixed — Rio Tinto retains a consensus “Hold” from analysts, suggesting limited near‑term upside per street estimates despite operational positives. Rio Tinto receives consensus ‘Hold’
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader market and energy developments are tangential — items like a large South African solar commissioning and basic‑materials market commentary provide background on energy/commodity dynamics but are not RIO‑specific catalysts. Bolobedu Solar power plant reaches commissioning

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.