Rio Tinto (RIO) Enters Lithium Venture with Codelco

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May 19, 2025
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Key Highlights:

  • Rio Tinto partners with Codelco for a $900 million investment in a new lithium project.
  • Analysts forecast a potential 28.62% upside for Rio Tinto shares.
  • Consensus recommendation rates Rio Tinto stock as a "Buy" with a 1.4 score.

Rio Tinto PLC (RIO, Financial) has successfully solidified a strategic partnership with Chilean mining giant Codelco to develop a promising lithium project at Salar de Maricunga. This venture sees Rio Tinto committing a substantial investment of up to $900 million to secure a 49.99% stake. Investors can anticipate initial lithium production by the close of the decade in 2030, signaling a significant step forward in tapping into the burgeoning lithium market.

Analyst Forecasts and Stock Performance

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Five market analysts have offered one-year price targets for Rio Tinto PLC (RIO, Financial), with an average target price set at $80.03. The forecasts range from a high of $94.00 to a low of $72.13. This suggests a potential upside of 28.62% from the current trading price of $62.22. For a deeper dive into these estimates, explore the Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) Forecast page.

Brokerage Recommendations

Rio Tinto PLC (RIO, Financial) maintains a favorable position among brokerage firms with an aggregate recommendation score of 1.4, categorizing the stock as a "Buy." This score ranges from 1, representing a Strong Buy, to 5, indicating a Sell. Such a positive outlook underscores confidence in Rio Tinto's strategic ambitions and market positioning.

GF Value and Market Assessment

According to GuruFocus estimates, the projected GF Value for Rio Tinto PLC (RIO, Financial) over the next year is assessed at $61.55. This calculation indicates a slight downside of 1.08% compared to the current price of $62.22. The GF Value represents GuruFocus' estimation of the stock's fair market value, derived from historical trading multiples, past growth metrics, and prospective business performance. Additional insights can be accessed via the Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) Summary page.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.