NEW YORK, Jan 22, 2026, 03:16 EST — Market closed
Rio Tinto’s U.S.-listed shares ended Wednesday up 3.7% and were last at $88.84 in late trade, after the miner flagged record quarterly iron ore shipments from its Pilbara operations and higher copper output in its fourth-quarter update. (Riotinto)
The production print matters right now because Rio’s iron ore cash flow sets the tone for dividends and spending, and traders have been looking for proof the company could claw back volume after weather hits earlier in the year.
It lands in a noisy spot for the sector. Copper has become the swing metal for miners chasing growth, while iron ore still pays the bills — and both feed straight into how investors handicap any big deal talk around the stock.
A UK Takeover Code filing published on Thursday added another datapoint for that deal chatter. Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited filed an opening position disclosure showing “Nil” interests and derivatives in Glencore shares, while a person deemed acting in concert, J.P. Morgan Structured Products B.V., held 21,765 shares, the filing showed. (Investegate)
Analyst Glyn Lawcock at Barrenjoey called it “a solid quarter,” but said realised iron ore pricing looked weaker than rival BHP’s, and he pointed investors back to cost delivery. “The key for Simon … is delivery,” he said, referring to chief executive Simon Trott, while Rio has until Feb. 5 to make a formal offer for Glencore or walk away under UK rules. (Reuters)
BMO Capital Markets mining analyst Alexander Pearce wrote that Rio finished the year strongly in key commodities, but said “the near-term focus remains on the potential merger with Glencore.” (Mining)
In London, Rio Tinto shares closed at 6,641 pence on Wednesday, up 5.18%, after the output update. (Sharecast)
But the upside case has plenty of ways to get dented. A softer iron ore price, another round of Pilbara weather disruptions, or a messy deal process — including potential regulatory pushback and questions over what assets sit inside any combination — can turn a production beat into a short-lived pop.
Investors’ next hard date is Rio’s 2025 annual results on Thursday, Feb. 19, when Trott and finance chief Peter Cunningham are scheduled to host the presentation. (Riotinto)
