Synergy Asset Management LLC Trims Stock Holdings in Rio Tinto PLC $RIO

Synergy Asset Management LLC decreased its position in Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO) by 68.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 65,544 shares of the mining company’s stock after selling 139,874 shares during the quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Rio Tinto were worth $5,245,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in RIO. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new position in Rio Tinto during the 1st quarter valued at about $84,000. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Rio Tinto by 78.4% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 12,087 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $726,000 after purchasing an additional 5,310 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in Rio Tinto by 20.7% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 11,485 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $690,000 after purchasing an additional 1,968 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in shares of Rio Tinto by 5.8% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 5,280 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $317,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth increased its stake in shares of Rio Tinto by 16.7% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 15,985 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $962,000 after purchasing an additional 2,285 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 19.33% of the company’s stock.

Key Rio Tinto News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Rio secured a A$2 billion partnership with Queensland and the Commonwealth to keep the Boyne aluminium smelter operating and support a transition to lower‑carbon power — this reduces regulatory/power risk for a core aluminium asset. Rio Tinto Gets Government Support to Keep Boyne Smelter Running
• Positive Sentiment: Rio reported record Australian supplier spend of A$19.7bn in 2025, boosting regional ties and social licence — positive for local operating stability and political relationships. Rio Tinto boosts 2025 Australian supplier spend to record A$19.7 billion
• Positive Sentiment: Rio is targeting a mid‑2030s start for the large Resolution copper project in Arizona, a multi‑decade copper source that aligns with long‑term demand for electrification metals. (Long lead time; strategic upside.) Rio Tinto targets mid-2030s for Arizona copper mine opening
• Neutral Sentiment: Rio sold a titanium exploration package in Quebec to SAGA Metals — a non‑core asset disposal that may free exploration capital but has limited near‑term P&L impact. SAGA Metals acquires titanium property from Rio Tinto
• Negative Sentiment: Rio’s Diavik diamond mine has delivered final production after 23 years — exiting diamonds removes a long‑running revenue stream and marks a visible shift to iron ore, copper, aluminium and battery minerals; investors may view this as both strategic refocus and a loss of diversification. Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine delivers its final production
• Negative Sentiment: Rio disclosed $9.9 billion of taxes and royalties paid in 2025 (up from $8.4bn in 2024), a large cash outflow that can weigh on reported profitability and free cash flow in the near term. Rio Tinto releases details of $9.9 billion of taxes and royalties paid in 2025

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on RIO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Rio Tinto from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, March 9th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Rio Tinto from a “hold (c)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. HSBC lowered shares of Rio Tinto from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Zacks Research raised shares of Rio Tinto from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of Rio Tinto from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $81.00.

Rio Tinto Trading Down 2.0%

RIO stock opened at $85.75 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 1.44. Rio Tinto PLC has a 1-year low of $51.67 and a 1-year high of $101.53. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $92.71 and a 200-day moving average price of $79.13.

Rio Tinto Announces Dividend

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

Rio Tinto 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.