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Retained earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Rio Tinto's retained earnings for the quarter that ended in Dec. 2025 was A$70,104 Mil.
Rio Tinto's quarterly retained earnings
declined
from Dec. 2024 (A$67,169 Mil) to Jun. 2025 (A$66,627 Mil) but then
increased
from Jun. 2025 (A$66,627 Mil) to Dec. 2025 (A$70,104 Mil).
Rio Tinto's annual retained earnings
increased
from Dec. 2023 (A$57,295 Mil) to Dec. 2024 (A$67,169 Mil) and
increased
from Dec. 2024 (A$67,169 Mil) to Dec. 2025 (A$70,104 Mil).
Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) Retained Earnings Explanation
Historically profitable companies sometimes have negative retained earnings. This is because they have cumulatively paid out more to shareholders than they reported in profits.
For example, in 2011, Microsoft had negative retained earnings. This does not mean the company lost more money than it made over the years. It just means it paid out more money than it earned.
If a company has negative retained earnings, investors should check the 10-year financial results. They should not assume that negative retained earnings prove a company has generally lost money in the past.
Of course, many companies with negative retained earnings have indeed lost money in the past.
Retained Earnings: Warren Buffett's Secret.
One of the most important indicators of durable competitive advantage. Net earnings can be paid out as dividends, used to buy back shares or retained for growth.
If the company loses more than it has accumulated, retained earnings is negative.
If a company isn't adding to its retained earnings, it isn't growing its net worth.
Rate of growth of retained earnings is good indicator whether it's benefiting from a competitive advantage.
Microsoft is negative because it chose to buyback stock and pay dividends.
The more earnings retained, the faster it grows and increases growth rate for future earnings.
Rio Tinto Retained Earnings Historical Data
* Premium members only.
The historical data trend for Rio Tinto's Retained Earnings can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Retained Earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Because the net income was not distributed to shareholders, shareholders' equity is increased by the same amount.
Of course, if a company loses, it is called retained losses, or accumulated losses.
What does a Retained Earnings of A$70,104 Mil mean?
Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) has a Retained Earnings of A$70,104 Mil as of Dec. 2025. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on Rio Tinto and its competitors.
Is Rio Tinto's Retained Earnings too high?
Rio Tinto's current Retained Earnings is A$70,104 Mil. Overall, Rio Tinto has a GF Score™ of 78/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Rio Tinto's Retained Earnings compare to competitors?
Rio Tinto's Retained Earnings of A$70,104 Mil can be compared against companies in the Metals & Mining industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Retained Earnings for a Metals & Mining company?
A good Retained Earnings depends on the Metals & Mining industry context. However, Retained Earnings should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Retained Earnings mean?
A high Retained Earnings can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on Rio Tinto and its competitors. Rio Tinto's current Retained Earnings is A$70,104 Mil. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Rio Tinto stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) is currently considered Modestly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is A$128.53, compared to a current price of A$165.47 — trading 28.7% above its estimated fair value. The current Retained Earnings is A$70,104 Mil. Rio Tinto's overall GF Score™ is 78/100 with 5 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Retained Earnings calculated?
Retained Earnings is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), the current Retained Earnings is A$70,104 Mil as of Dec. 2025. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Rio Tinto stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of A$165.47 is trading 28.7% above its estimated GF Value™ of A$128.53.
GuruFocus considers Rio Tinto to be Modestly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for ASX:RIO:
Retained Earnings: A$70,104 Mil
GF Value™: A$128.53 vs. price of A$165.47 (28.7% above fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the ASX:RIO stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Rio Tinto is a global diversified miner. Iron ore is its major commodity, with lesser contributions from copper and aluminum. Lithium, diamonds, gold, and industrial minerals are more minor contributors. The 1995 merger of RTZ and CRA, via a dual-listed structure, created the present-day company. The two operate as a single business entity, with shareholders in each company having equivalent economic and voting rights. Major assets included the Pilbara iron ore operations, a 30% stake in the Escondida copper mine, 66%-ownership of the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, the Weipa and Gove bauxite mines in Australia, and six hydro-powered aluminum smelters in Canada.
78GF Score
Get the complete analysis for ASX:RIO
Retained Earnings is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
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