Core Viewpoint - The article compares two metals companies, Rio Tinto and The Metals Company, highlighting their differences in size, market cap, and investment potential, with Rio Tinto being the more favorable option for investors interested in "buying the dip" [1][2]. Company Overview - Rio Tinto is a well-established mining company founded in 1873, with a market cap of $114 billion, primarily mining commodity metals such as iron ore, aluminum, copper, and lithium [3]. - The Metals Company, a newer entity founded in 2021, focuses on polymetallic nodules found in the Pacific Ocean, with a market cap of $2.5 billion [1][4]. Stock Performance - Both companies are trading significantly below their highs, with Rio Tinto down 25% from its pandemic-era high and The Metals Company down 30% from its recent high in October 2025 [2]. - Rio Tinto's stock price surged in 2021 due to high global demand for iron ore, with spot prices rising from approximately $90/metric ton to $214/metric ton, but later declined due to reduced demand from China [5]. - The Metals Company's stock spiked recently due to anticipated benefits from China's export controls on rare-earth metals, but has since declined as optimism about a deal to maintain the rare-earth supply chain emerged [6][9]. Financial Metrics - Rio Tinto's current stock price is $70.63, with a market cap of $89 billion, a gross margin of 24.28%, and a dividend yield of 0.05% [6]. - The Metals Company's current stock price is $5.08, with a market cap of $2 billion and a gross margin of 0.00% [8]. Investment Outlook - The Metals Company has seen a significant increase of over 425% in its stock price this year, but it does not expect to begin commercial operations until Q4 2027, with full scaling not anticipated until 2043 [9]. - Rio Tinto offers a more immediate return on investment through its dividend policy, which has historically provided generous yields, even during periods of low iron ore prices [10][11]. - Given Rio Tinto's established position in the industry and its shareholder-friendly policies, it is viewed as a better investment compared to the speculative nature of The Metals Company [12].