QRG Capital Management Inc. Cuts Stock Holdings in Rio Tinto PLC $RIO

QRG Capital Management Inc. reduced its stake in Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO) by 25.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 58,047 shares of the mining company’s stock after selling 19,531 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Rio Tinto were worth $3,832,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of RIO. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Rio Tinto in the 1st quarter valued at about $84,000. AQR Capital Management LLC raised 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 valued at $726,000 after acquiring an additional 5,310 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its stake 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 acquiring an additional 1,968 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in Rio Tinto by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 5,280 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $317,000 after acquiring an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth increased its position in shares of Rio Tinto by 16.7% in the 1st 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 during the last quarter. 19.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Rio Tinto Stock Performance

Shares of RIO stock opened at $85.14 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $76.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $68.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Rio Tinto PLC has a 1 year low of $51.67 and a 1 year high of $87.34.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on RIO shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a report on Monday, November 17th. Argus upped their price objective on Rio Tinto from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Zacks Research raised Rio Tinto from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a report on Monday, December 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $85.00.

Key Headlines Impacting Rio Tinto

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

• Positive Sentiment: Rio Tinto secured a commercial supply agreement to provide copper for Amazon/AWS data‑center projects, positioning the company in high‑growth AI infrastructure metal demand and validating its bioleaching/processing partnerships. Rio Tinto to supply copper to Amazon for AI data centers
• Positive Sentiment: Amazon/AWS commercial tie‑ups reported across outlets (including industry and regional press) reinforce demand visibility for Rio’s copper projects and its role in next‑gen data‑center supply chains. Amazon Web Services inks landmark metal deal with mining giant Rio Tinto
• Positive Sentiment: Rio and BHP are coordinating on Pilbara iron‑ore cost savings and exploring joint Pilbara development, which could improve margins and capital efficiency if approved. This suggests industry consolidation on operations/CapEx. Rio Tinto and BHP team up for iron ore savings in Australia
• Positive Sentiment: Operationally, Rio reported stronger iron‑ore output (record Gudai‑Darri performance, improved Pilbara efficiency), supporting longer‑term revenue prospects. Is RIO’s Higher Iron Ore Production a Catalyst for Future Growth?
• Neutral Sentiment: Dimensional Fund Advisors filed Form 8.3 disclosures showing an ownership stake above 1% in Rio Tinto (separate filings for RIO TINTO PLC and RIO TINTO LTD). Institutional stakes can be stabilizing but are not an immediate directional catalyst. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3 – RIO TINTO PLC – Ordinary Shares
• Neutral Sentiment: Broker/coverage pieces reiterate merger speculation and Rio’s copper & cost‑cutting narratives; useful context but largely confirmatory. Rio Tinto Group (RIO) Balances $207B Merger Speculation With Cost Reduction and Copper Production Goals
• Negative Sentiment: Speculation about a possible merger with Glencore is clouded by reports that Chinese regulators may demand asset sales to address resource‑security and concentration concerns — a development that raises regulatory risk and could reduce expected merger benefits. That uncertainty is a likely driver of downward pressure. Rio Tinto-Glencore merger may need asset sales to win over China

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.