Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) Rating Lowered to Neutral at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) was downgraded by equities researchers at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note issued on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on RIO. Erste Group Bank upgraded Rio Tinto from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Argus upped their target price on Rio Tinto from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Barclays downgraded Rio Tinto from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Rio Tinto from a “hold (c)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Rio Tinto presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $81.00.

Rio Tinto Trading Up 1.3%

NYSE RIO opened at $91.55 on Monday. Rio Tinto has a 52 week low of $51.67 and a 52 week high of $101.53. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $91.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $77.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 1.44.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rio Tinto

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new position in Rio Tinto during the 1st quarter worth approximately $84,000. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake 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 during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew 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 valued at $690,000 after acquiring an additional 1,968 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC increased its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth increased its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 2,285 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 19.33% of the company’s stock.

Rio Tinto News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Rio secured a $1.175–1.2 billion financing package from four international lenders (IFC, IDB Invest, EFA, JBIC) to help fund the $2.5 billion Rincon lithium project in Argentina, which targets roughly 60,000 tpa of battery‑grade lithium carbonate — a material boost to Rio’s lithium growth profile and de‑risking for project funding. Rio Tinto Secures Almost $1.2 Billion in Financing for Argentina Lithium Project
• Positive Sentiment: Rio’s joint venture with the Western Australian government to expand the Dampier desalination plant reinforces long‑term water security for Pilbara operations — a strategic, non‑commodity support for iron‑ore production reliability and permitting. Rio Tinto Desalination Venture Tests Pilbara Operations Support
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader market risk: European equities fell amid geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices, a macro headwind for commodity markets generally — background risk that may amplify swings in Rio’s share price. European Markets Fall Amid Middle East War, Surging Oil Prices
• Negative Sentiment: Mongolia is pressing Rio to renegotiate Oyu Tolgoi commercial terms and has called current terms “unfair”; Rio says it is in active negotiations — a material sovereign/contract risk for one of the company’s largest copper assets that could affect future cash flow and valuation. Rio Tinto in ‘Active Negotiations’ With Mongolia Over Oyu Tolgoi Copper Mine
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst pressure: J.P. Morgan downgraded RIO to a Hold/Neutral, and Sanford Bernstein cut its price target from $83 to $77 — investor sentiment and implied downside have been reduced by these changes. Rio Tinto (RIO) was downgraded to a Hold Rating at J.P. Morgan
• Negative Sentiment: Iron‑ore outlook: UBS warns of a sizeable supply overhang as Chinese port inventories hit multi‑year highs — a risk that could cap iron‑ore prices and weigh on Rio’s core earnings if inventories stay elevated. Rio Tinto and BHP face iron ore inventory warning as prices recover from Chinese New Year lows

About Rio Tinto

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.