Rio Tinto stock jumps as copper cracks $13,000 — what to know before Wall Street opens

6 January 2026

New York, Jan 6, 2026, 03:41 EST — Market closed

Rio Tinto’s U.S.-listed ADRs closed higher on Monday, near a 52-week high.
Copper’s surge to fresh records has put diversified miners back in focus.
Next catalysts include U.S. payrolls on Friday and Rio’s operations review later this month.

Rio Tinto plc stock ended Monday’s U.S. session up 2.17% at $83.21, according to Markets Insider data, with the ADRs—U.S.-listed certificates that trade like shares—printing a $83.24 52-week high. Businessinsider

The move matters because Rio is a bellwether for global metals demand, and traders have been leaning into materials as copper prices re-rate on supply worries. For investors, it is a quick read-through on how durable the commodity rally looks heading into a heavy macro calendar.

Copper is central to that narrative. The metal, used widely in power cables and electrical equipment, has climbed as the market prices tighter supply and the incentive needed for new mine output.

Copper prices surged to records above $13,000 a metric ton on Monday, Reuters reported, amid fears of shortages and tariff-related pull-forward buying. “Metals, copper included, are rallying on the thematics of critical minerals and security of supply chains,” Duncan Hobbs, research director at Concord Resources, said. Analysts at Citi estimate a 308,000-ton refined copper deficit this year, meaning demand is expected to outstrip supply. Investing.com Australia

In London, Rio Tinto shares closed on Monday at 6,091 pence, up 1.75%, after trading in a 6,047p to 6,131p range, Investing.com data showed. Investing

Macro cross-currents remain in play. The dollar was soft ahead of Friday’s U.S. monthly jobs report, a backdrop that can support dollar-priced commodities by making them cheaper for non-U.S. buyers, a Reuters markets report noted. Reuters

For Rio, the next company-specific check-in is close. The miner’s financial calendar shows its fourth-quarter operations review is due on Jan. 21, followed by annual results on Feb. 19. Rio Tinto

Traders will also watch whether the stock can hold above recent support near Monday’s U.S. previous close of $81.44, while the $83.24 area stands out as a near-term ceiling after Monday’s high, Markets Insider data showed. Businessinsider

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As a journalist focused on finance and the stock market, he delivers fast, reliable, and easy-to-understand coverage of market news.

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