-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:
We raise our target price to USD112 from USD110, implying an EV/EBITDA of 7.43x our 2026 estimate. This premium valuation is supported by growth from key projects and Rio Tinto's (RIO) strategic focus on copper and aluminum, aligning it with long-term decarbonization trends. RIO's solid Q1 2026 results reinforce our long-term view. RIO demonstrated portfolio resilience by increasing copper equivalent production by 9% Y/Y despite weather disruptions. Key growth projects are advancing as planned; the Oyu Tolgoi ramp-up is boosting copper output, and the Simandou iron ore project realized its first sales in April. This progress, along with achieving its USD650 million productivity target, confirms strong execution. A robust price environment for copper and aluminum provides a significant tailwind, offsetting a more stable iron ore market and validating RIO's diversification strategy. We forecast 2026 EPS of USD7.74 and 2027 EPS at USD8.17, supported by a strong metals outlook.