Rio Tinto sells Winu stake for USD 399 million. RBC rates Rio Tinto stock Sector Perform

Published on 10/13/2026 at 10:03 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

RBC cut its target from GBp 6,600 to GBp 6,500 on October 6, 2026. Rio Tinto stock costs EUR 83.70 on October 13, 2026.

Rio Tinto agreed to sell 30 percent of its Winu copper-gold project for USD 399.00 million on October 13, 2026.
RBC Capital upgraded Rio Tinto to Sector Perform and cut its target from GBp 6,600 to GBp 6,500 on October 6, 2026.
Rio Tinto stock was trading at EUR 83.70 at Lang & Schwarz on October 13, 2026, at 10:01 a.m. CEST.
The company entered the third-quarter production reporting window after strong first-half operating figures.

Isometrische 3D-Grafik der Bergbau-Wertschöpfungskette von Tagebau bis Frachtschiff — Rio Tinto plc (ISIN GB0007188757) durchläuft eine Wertschöpfungskette von Abbau bis Verschiffung, isometrisch dargestellt, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Rio Tinto (ISIN GB0007188757) agreed on October 13, 2026, to sell 30 percent of its Winu copper-gold project to Sumitomo Metal Mining for USD 399.00 million, while Rio Tinto stock was trading at EUR 83.70 at Lang & Schwarz. AKM reported that the consideration includes USD 195.00 million upfront and USD 204.00 million deferred.

Winu adds copper funding

The transaction gives Rio Tinto a partner for a project that remains in development, while preserving Rio Tinto's role in advancing and operating the proposed mine. The company said the agreement supports broader strategic partnerships with Sumitomo in copper, lithium and other non-ferrous metals, according to AKM on October 13, 2026.

The financing structure matters because the upfront payment is less than half of the USD 399.00 million headline value. The deferred component ties part of the consideration to future performance, leaving the project exposed to development milestones rather than treating the transaction as a fully settled asset disposal.

RBC turns less cautious

On October 6, 2026, RBC Capital upgraded Rio Tinto from Underperform to Sector Perform but reduced its price target from GBp 6,600 to GBp 6,500. Markets Insider said the broker saw less downside risk in iron ore and expected Rio Tinto to maintain key guidance ahead of its third-quarter update.

The rating change is cautious rather than bullish: the recommendation improved, but the target fell by GBp 100. That combination points to reduced downside risk as the main argument, not a higher valuation ceiling.

What does the update test?

Rio Tinto entered the third-quarter reporting window after a strong first half. IG reported that underlying EBITDA rose 28 percent to USD 14.80 billion in the first half of 2026, while free cash flow increased 75 percent to USD 3.80 billion. Copper-equivalent production grew 3 percent, and Oyu Tolgoi copper production increased 31 percent year over year.

Three dated milestones

On July 29, 2026, Rio Tinto's first-half results showed underlying EBITDA of USD 14.80 billion, up 28 percent, and free cash flow of USD 3.80 billion, up 75 percent, according to IG. On October 1, 2026, Rio Tinto secured Bell Bay Aluminium operations through 2031. On October 13, 2026, it agreed the USD 399.00 million Winu stake sale.

Reporting date and market level

Rio Tinto's third-quarter production update was scheduled for October 13, 2026, according to IG. The combination of a funded copper project, stronger first-half cash generation and a more neutral RBC stance gives the update three measurable areas to assess: project execution, production and capital discipline.

Rio Tinto stock at EUR 83.70

Rio Tinto was trading at EUR 83.70 at Lang & Schwarz on October 13, 2026, at 10:01 a.m. CEST. The quotation provides the German-market reference as the company moved into its third-quarter reporting window. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Rio Tinto stock.