London, Feb 17, 2026, 07:52 GMT — Premarket
- Rio Tinto shares finished the session 1.1% lower, closing at 7,111 pence in London.
- With the miner’s full-year numbers due Feb. 19, investors are shifting their positions.
- Iron ore prices draw attention, with safety oversight at the Simandou project also under the microscope.
Rio Tinto RIO.L looked ready to kick off trading in London on Tuesday, just two days ahead of its full-year earnings. The stock slipped 1.1% in the previous session, closing at 7,111 pence.
A few weeks back, things seemed brighter. Now, not so much. Iron ore—the core of the company’s profits—has stumbled going into the Lunar New Year lull in Asia. Investors are watching closely for any clues on costs and capex after mining stocks’ recent rally.
According to the investor calendar, Rio is set to release its 2025 annual results this Thursday, with the announcement expected at about 05:30 GMT. Management plans to hold a presentation at 08:30 GMT.
Simandou’s safety record is back in the spotlight after a contract worker was killed at the sprawling iron ore site in Guinea, Rio Tinto said Sunday. Chief executive Simon Trott stated the miner is “determined to learn from this incident”. Reuters
Commodity prices are still pulling the strings here. Iron ore futures slipped on Friday, as traders scaled back ahead of China’s upcoming week-long Lunar New Year break. On Dalian, the most-active May contract fell 1.51%. Singapore’s benchmark March contract lost 1.24%, according to Reuters.
Rival earnings have turned up the heat on dividends. BHP posted a half-year underlying profit that came in above forecasts, alongside a 73-cent interim dividend, shooting its shares up 7% to an all-time high—even after signaling weaker iron ore prices ahead. “They smashed everyone’s expectations from a dividend perspective,” said Andy Forster, portfolio manager at Argo Investments. Reuters
For Rio, the dividend is the line in the sand—miss there, and the market won’t hesitate to punish. Investors are watching every signal for cash payouts, especially if management shows signs of ramping up spending to diversify beyond iron ore, with copper drawing the most attention.
Guidance is up next. Investors are tuned in for Rio’s take on China demand in 2026, any shifts in unit cost outlook, and if the latest safety headlines alter project sequencing plans.
Still, things could easily turn. If iron ore prices fall further, or management signals uncertainty about future demand, or if fresh hiccups emerge from probes or safety inspections, the stock could take a hit—especially given its solid run this year.
