Core Viewpoint - Rio Tinto's stock performance has been modest in 2025, influenced by concerns over iron ore demand from China, despite solid commodity fundamentals [2][6] Revenue & Earnings Potential - In 2024, Rio Tinto reported nearly $54 billion in revenue, a slight decrease from the previous year due to declining iron ore prices, while maintaining strong EBITDA margins of around 45% [3] - The net income was approximately $12 billion, translating to earnings per share in the range of $6.50–7.00 [3] Valuation Metrics - With a share price around $63, Rio Tinto trades at just below 10x earnings, which is a discount compared to global mining peers averaging 12–13x [4] - The stock has a price-to-book ratio of approximately 1.6x and an appealing dividend yield of nearly 6%, supported by strong free cash flow generation [4] Financial Stability - Rio Tinto has relatively low net debt of around $10 billion, allowing flexibility to maintain shareholder returns even in weaker commodity environments [5] - The company is focusing capital expenditures on iron ore, copper, and battery metals to capitalize on long-term electrification and infrastructure needs [5] Conclusion - The current valuation suggests investor hesitance regarding China's demand and iron ore prices, yet with a forward P/E ratio below 10 and a strong balance sheet, the stock appears attractively priced for long-term investors [6] - If commodity prices stabilize and copper growth accelerates, Rio Tinto could see earnings growth and multiple expansion, potentially offering a 20–30% upside from current levels [6] Additional Insights - Rio Tinto represents a classic value proposition, with the market potentially underestimating the strength of its cash flows and portfolio robustness [7]

Asia Pacific Equity Research 15 April 2025 This material is neither intended to be distributed to Mainland China investors nor to provide securities investment consultancy services within the territory of Mainland China. This material or any portion hereof may not be reprinted, sold or redistributed without the written consent of J.P. Morgan. CATL Overweight 1Q25 a solid result; management sees strong demand despite US tariffs ▲ 1Q25 results were at the high end of JPMe. Management reaffirmed that order dem ...