Rio Tinto (RIO) Upgraded to Buy by Erste Group on Copper Growth Outlook

Group 1 - Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) is considered one of the best undervalued European stocks to buy, with an upgrade from Hold to Buy by Erste Group due to its superior return on equity compared to competitors [1] - Analyst Hans Engel predicts that Rio Tinto's sales will grow more strongly in 2026, with significant contributions from copper production in Mongolia [1] - The firm anticipates that silver production will increase alongside copper production, enhancing the company's growth prospects [2] Group 2 - Rio Tinto has met its 2025 production targets for all commodities, achieving copper output of 883,000 tonnes, which exceeds the upper end of its projection range of 875,000 tonnes [2] - The company reported record quarterly iron ore output in Western Australia's Pilbara region during the fourth quarter, with a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [2] - Rio Tinto's operations are segmented into Copper, Iron Ore, Aluminium, and Minerals [3]