Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a> / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22114:1" rel="noopener">(RIO LN)</a> / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-plc-057cb83c-c6f0-460f-976f-c58c789ef28c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28506:1" rel="noopener">(RIO US)</a> is scheduled to report its 2025 half year results on Wednesday, 30 July 2025 at 16:15 AEST.
</li>
<li>
Actionable Option Strategy: Options imply a move noticeably larger than the historical average, opening up a potential short-term yield opportunity. Trade setup discussed in detail.</li>
<li>
Why Read: The Insight outlines yield-focused short-vol strategies, the expected volatility crush, and a forecast for Rio’s interim dividend based on payout policy and timing.</li>
</ul>



Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) / (RIO LN) / (RIO US) is scheduled to report its 2025 half year results on Wednesday, 30 July 2025 at 16:15 AEST.


Actionable Option Strategy: Options imply a move noticeably larger than the historical average, opening up a potential short-term yield opportunity. Trade setup discussed in detail.

Why Read: The Insight outlines yield-focused short-vol strategies, the expected volatility crush, and a forecast for Rio’s interim dividend based on payout policy and timing.


Rio Tinto (RIO AU) 1H25 Results on 30 July: Earning Yield from Volatility Premium

Global Materials | Industrials | Commodities

Rahul Jain

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Copper strength continues, driven by the Oyu Tolgoi ramp-up and Arcadium integration, with volumes trending toward the higher end of guidance.</li>
<li>Rio Tinto is gradually shifting its portfolio toward copper and lithium to reduce reliance on iron ore and align with energy transition demand.</li>
<li>FY25 guidance remains intact across key commodities, with improved operating momentum and diversified growth positioning the company for a resilient second half.</li>
</ul>


Copper strength continues, driven by the Oyu Tolgoi ramp-up and Arcadium integration, with volumes trending toward the higher end of guidance.
Rio Tinto is gradually shifting its portfolio toward copper and lithium to reduce reliance on iron ore and align with energy transition demand.
FY25 guidance remains intact across key commodities, with improved operating momentum and diversified growth positioning the company for a resilient second half.


Rio Tinto Q2 2025 Production Update: Copper Leads, Iron Ore Rebounds

Commodities

<ul>
<li>U.S. Copper Market Gap: 1.3 Mt refined copper supply gap due to limited 0.4 Mt refining capacity against 1.7 Mt demand, despite 1.1 Mt mined ore.</li>
<li>Impact on Market and Users: 50% tariff may raise prices 15–25%, adding $200–400/vehicle and 3–5% construction costs, while boosting refining investment.</li>
<li>Way Forward: Expand refining capacity, streamline permitting, and ensure policy stability to process exported ore and cut import reliance by 2030.</li>
</ul>


U.S. Copper Market Gap: 1.3 Mt refined copper supply gap due to limited 0.4 Mt refining capacity against 1.7 Mt demand, despite 1.1 Mt mined ore.
Impact on Market and Users: 50% tariff may raise prices 15–25%, adding $200–400/vehicle and 3–5% construction costs, while boosting refining investment.
Way Forward: Expand refining capacity, streamline permitting, and ensure policy stability to process exported ore and cut import reliance by 2030.


U.S. Copper: Tariff Impact & Refining Expansion Opportunities

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Rio Tinto has been confirmed as the preferred partner for Chile’s Salares Altoandinos project, marking a major step in scaling its lithium ambitions.</li>
<li>Lithium demand is expected to grow over 5x by 2040, driven by electric vehicles and energy storage, though rising supply and tech shifts may cap long-term pricing.</li>
<li>Zijin Mining is a preferred play given its diversified  -copper and gold and expanding lithium footprint &amp; lower valuation. Albemarle could  face pressure from intensifying competition, rising low-cost supply etc.</li>
</ul>


Rio Tinto has been confirmed as the preferred partner for Chile’s Salares Altoandinos project, marking a major step in scaling its lithium ambitions.
Lithium demand is expected to grow over 5x by 2040, driven by electric vehicles and energy storage, though rising supply and tech shifts may cap long-term pricing.
Zijin Mining is a preferred play given its diversified  -copper and gold and expanding lithium footprint &amp; lower valuation. Albemarle could  face pressure from intensifying competition, rising low-cost supply etc.


Rio Tinto Doubles Down on Lithium: A Late Entrant with Long-Term Intent

European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Unification could unlock $27-32B in value, driven by cost synergies, franking credit release, and index upweighting, enhancing Rio Tinto’s market positioning and shareholder returns.</li>
<li>$2.88B in franking credits are lost annually due to the DLC structure; unification enables full utilization via higher franked dividends and strategic off-market buybacks.</li>
<li>Increased ASX200 and FTSE100 weighting post-unification could drive $5-7B in passive fund inflows, improving liquidity, stock valuation, and institutional investor appeal.</li>
</ul>


Unification could unlock $27-32B in value, driven by cost synergies, franking credit release, and index upweighting, enhancing Rio Tinto’s market positioning and shareholder returns.
$2.88B in franking credits are lost annually due to the DLC structure; unification enables full utilization via higher franked dividends and strategic off-market buybacks.
Increased ASX200 and FTSE100 weighting post-unification could drive $5-7B in passive fund inflows, improving liquidity, stock valuation, and institutional investor appeal.


Rio Tinto Dual-Listed Company (DLC) Unification Analysis

Australia

Rio Tinto PLC operates as a mining company. The Company focuses on mining for aluminum, borates, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, tin, uranium, zinc, titanium dioxide feedstock, diamonds, salt, and zircon. Rio Tinto serves clients worldwide.

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Rio Tinto (RIO US)

Rio Tinto (RIO AU) 1H25 Results on 30 July: Earning Yield from Volatility Premium

Reminder: Rio Tinto (RIO AU) reports today at 16:15 AEST (Sydney) / 07:15 BST (London) / 02:15 EDT (New York). Since yesterday’s publication, the...

Gaudenz Schneider

Rio Tinto Q2 2025 Production Update: Copper Leads, Iron Ore Rebounds

Rio Tinto's copper strength and diversification strategy position the company for resilient growth in the second half of FY25.

Rahul Jain

U.S. Copper: Tariff Impact & Refining Expansion Opportunities

Limited refining capacity in the U.S. leads to a copper supply gap, impacting market prices and users, with a call to expand capacity and reduce...

Rahul Jain

Rio Tinto Doubles Down on Lithium: A Late Entrant with Long-Term Intent

Rio Tinto expands lithium ambitions - EVs & energy storage demand growth. Zijin Mining favored for diversified portfolio, Albemarle may face...

Rahul Jain

Rio Tinto Dual-Listed Company (DLC) Unification Analysis

Rio Tinto's unification could unlock $27-32B in value through cost synergies, franking credit release, and index upweighting, boosting market...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Rio Tinto (RIO AU) 1H25 Results on 30 July: Earning Yield from Volatility Premium

Reminder: Rio Tinto (RIO AU) reports today at 16:15 AEST (Sydney) / 07:15 BST (London) / 02:15 EDT (New York). Since yesterday’s publication, the...

Gaudenz Schneider

Rio Tinto Q2 2025 Production Update: Copper Leads, Iron Ore Rebounds

​Rio Tinto's copper strength and diversification strategy position the company for resilient growth in the second half of FY25.

Rahul Jain

U.S. Copper: Tariff Impact & Refining Expansion Opportunities

​Limited refining capacity in the U.S. leads to a copper supply gap, impacting market prices and users, with a call to expand capacity and reduce...

Rahul Jain

Rio Tinto Doubles Down on Lithium: A Late Entrant with Long-Term Intent

​Rio Tinto expands lithium ambitions - EVs & energy storage demand growth. Zijin Mining favored for diversified portfolio, Albemarle may face...

Rahul Jain

Rio Tinto Dual-Listed Company (DLC) Unification Analysis

​Rio Tinto's unification could unlock $27-32B in value through cost synergies, franking credit release, and index upweighting, boosting market...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Rio Tinto's copper strength and diversification strategy position the company for resilient growth in the second half of FY25.

Limited refining capacity in the U.S. leads to a copper supply gap, impacting market prices and users, with a call to expand capacity and reduce...

Rio Tinto expands lithium ambitions - EVs & energy storage demand growth. Zijin Mining favored for diversified portfolio, Albemarle may face...

Rio Tinto's unification could unlock $27-32B in value through cost synergies, franking credit release, and index upweighting, boosting market...