Analysts expect Rio Tinto to post a quarterly EPS of approximately $4.05, while the current stock price of $99.71 trades significantly above the average analyst price target of $86.33. Investors are primarily focused on Pilbara iron ore shipment volumes, especially following recent weather-related disruptions from Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
Supporting this focus is the company's reaffirmed 2026 shipment guidance of 323 to 338 million tonnes, despite these operational headwinds in Western Australia. Additionally, the market is closely monitoring progress at the Simandou project and the Oyu Tolgoi underground copper ramp-up, which are critical for the firm's long-term portfolio diversification into energy-transition metals.