Rio Tinto vs Southern Copper
This page compares Rio Tinto plc and Southern Copper Corp., examining their business models, financial performance, and market context in a clear, neutral way to help readers understand each company's approach and position. Educational content, not financial advice.
This page compares Rio Tinto plc and Southern Copper Corp., examining their business models, financial performance, and market context in a clear, neutral way to help readers understand each company's...
Why It's Moving
Rio Tinto Stock Charges to New 52-Week High Amid Strong Commodity Momentum.
- Shares hit a record high of $75.69, up over 34% year-to-date, trading well above 50-day and 200-day moving averages to signal building upward momentum.
- Q3 production soared with record bauxite output and 9% higher copper equivalent production year-over-year, positioning Rio Tinto to meet upper-end annual guidance.
- Strategic moves like a 40% cut at Yarwun refinery to extend life and a 15-year renewable energy deal underscore efficiency and sustainability efforts boosting investor confidence.
Southern Copper Hits 52-Week High After Crushing Q3 Earnings Expectations
- Q3 net sales soared 15.2% year-over-year to a record $3.38 billion, beating estimates of $3.05 billion, driven by higher volumes of silver, molybdenum, and zinc, signaling diversified revenue resilience.[1][3][4]
- Earnings per share of $1.35 topped forecasts by $0.09, highlighting cost discipline and expansion plans that position SCCO for sustained copper market deficits tied to AI and decarbonization trends.[1][3]
- Board hiked quarterly dividend to $0.90 per share in late October, reflecting confidence in converting profitability into shareholder returns despite a minor insider sale of 400 shares on December 3.[1][3][4]
Rio Tinto Stock Charges to New 52-Week High Amid Strong Commodity Momentum.
- Shares hit a record high of $75.69, up over 34% year-to-date, trading well above 50-day and 200-day moving averages to signal building upward momentum.
- Q3 production soared with record bauxite output and 9% higher copper equivalent production year-over-year, positioning Rio Tinto to meet upper-end annual guidance.
- Strategic moves like a 40% cut at Yarwun refinery to extend life and a 15-year renewable energy deal underscore efficiency and sustainability efforts boosting investor confidence.
Southern Copper Hits 52-Week High After Crushing Q3 Earnings Expectations
- Q3 net sales soared 15.2% year-over-year to a record $3.38 billion, beating estimates of $3.05 billion, driven by higher volumes of silver, molybdenum, and zinc, signaling diversified revenue resilience.[1][3][4]
- Earnings per share of $1.35 topped forecasts by $0.09, highlighting cost discipline and expansion plans that position SCCO for sustained copper market deficits tied to AI and decarbonization trends.[1][3]
- Board hiked quarterly dividend to $0.90 per share in late October, reflecting confidence in converting profitability into shareholder returns despite a minor insider sale of 400 shares on December 3.[1][3][4]
Which Baskets Do They Appear In?
Electrification Essentials
Power up your portfolio with companies that form the backbone of our electric future. These carefully selected stocks represent firms providing the indispensable materials and infrastructure needed for the global energy transition.
Published: June 17, 2025
Explore BasketResource Nationalism Portfolio
This carefully selected collection features companies with strategic control over essential, finite resources in politically stable regions. As global demand for critical materials grows, these stocks offer a powerful defense against international supply chain disruptions.
Published: June 17, 2025
Explore BasketWhich Baskets Do They Appear In?
Electrification Essentials
Power up your portfolio with companies that form the backbone of our electric future. These carefully selected stocks represent firms providing the indispensable materials and infrastructure needed for the global energy transition.
Published: June 17, 2025
Explore BasketResource Nationalism Portfolio
This carefully selected collection features companies with strategic control over essential, finite resources in politically stable regions. As global demand for critical materials grows, these stocks offer a powerful defense against international supply chain disruptions.
Published: June 17, 2025
Explore BasketInvestment Analysis
Rio Tinto
RIO
Pros
- Rio Tinto has a strong market capitalization around $117 billion and generates substantial revenue of over $53 billion annually.
- The company maintains a healthy dividend yield of approximately 5.36%, attractive for income-focused investors.
- Rio Tinto benefits from a diversified portfolio spanning iron ore, aluminium, copper, and other minerals, reducing dependency on a single commodity.
Considerations
- Despite strong fundamentals, Rio Tinto's stock price shows moderate volatility at around 7.16%, which may pose risks in turbulent markets.
- The company carries significant debt, with total debt over $23 billion, which could impact financial flexibility.
- Rio Tinto's recent stock performance has underperformed peers like Southern Copper, with lower returns and mixed analyst sentiment.
Southern Copper
SCCO
Pros
- Southern Copper exhibits higher revenue growth and better stock returns than Rio Tinto, with a 22% return over the last 12 months.
- The company operates with diversified copper assets and is a major player in the copper mining sector, positioned to benefit from rising copper demand.
- SCCO's revenue growth and operating performance outpace many peers, supported by strong demand in electrification and infrastructure.
Considerations
- Southern Copper's stock shows greater price volatility at over 10%, indicating higher risk compared to Rio Tinto.
- The company is highly exposed to copper commodity price fluctuations, increasing earnings cyclicality and market sensitivity.
- Southern Copper operates primarily in Peru and Mexico, which exposes it to geopolitical and regulatory risks specific to those regions.
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