Rio Tinto plans expansion of metals trading business

Rio Tinto is planning to expand its metals trading business to include more derivatives and products from third-party producers. This strategic shift, led by chairman Dominic Barton and CEO Simon Trott, aims to increase the company's agility and maximize value from its global assets, which include iron ore, copper, and aluminum.

Historically, the world's second-largest miner has focused primarily on marketing its own products. The new direction, overseen by chief commercial officer Bold Baatar, marks a departure from this model by incorporating third-party trading. This move follows previous unsuccessful attempts to acquire Glencore, a competitor with extensive trading networks.

Rio Tinto's share price has seen an 11.5% increase since the start of 2025. The company maintains a diverse portfolio and a relatively low debt-to-equity ratio of 23.9% for CY24, with an average annual dividend yield of 6.8% over the last five years.