Rio Tinto share price slips from fresh high as Glencore deal talk runs into China risk
London, January 17, 2026, 08:21 GMT — The market has closed. Rio Tinto (RIO.L) shares fell 1.87% to 6,347 pence (£63.47) on Friday, retreating from Thursday’s 52-week high of 6,468 pence. During the day, the stock fluctuated between 6,287 and 6,405 pence. (Investing.com) Rio now finds itself caught between two powerful forces: volatile daily shifts in industrial metals and the looming uncertainty of a potential merger with Glencore. Both factors trace back to China, which stands as the major customer and possibly the chief regulator. London’s market is closed this weekend, so the real test arrives Monday when trading resumes.