Rio Tinto and Glencore Extend Merger Negotiations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 30 2026
0mins
Should l Buy RIO?
Source: seekingalpha
- Merger Negotiations Continue: Rio Tinto (RIO) and Glencore (GLCNF) have been in merger discussions since the beginning of this month, and while both parties remain committed to reaching an agreement, more time is likely needed to finalize the premium Rio would need to pay, potentially requiring the U.K. Takeover Panel to extend the deadline for talks.
- Shareholder Concerns: Rio Tinto's shareholders are cautious about the merger, insisting that the company maintain discipline in M&A activities, while Glencore seeks a premium that reflects its acquisition by a larger peer, which could complicate the finalization of the deal.
- Valuation Challenges: A significant concern for Rio Tinto is how to value Glencore's underperforming copper business, which has seen production decline for four consecutive years amid missed targets and operational setbacks, placing Rio at a disadvantage in negotiations.
- Market Outlook Uncertain: Although Rio Tinto's stock has risen recently, the ongoing merger discussions with Glencore may cloud its standalone valuation, leading to uncertainty in the market regarding Rio's future prospects and resulting in a downgrade in ratings.
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Analyst Views on RIO
Wall Street analysts forecast RIO stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 97.910
Low
68.00
Averages
83.70
High
129.50
Current: 97.910
Low
68.00
Averages
83.70
High
129.50
About RIO
Rio Tinto plc is a United Kingdom-based mining and materials company. It operates in over 35 countries, and its portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminum and a range of other minerals and materials. Its segments include Iron Ore, Aluminum, Copper, and Minerals. The Iron Ore segment includes iron ore mining and salt and gypsum production in Western Australia. Its iron ore operations in Pilbara comprise an integrated network of over 18 iron ore mines and four independent port terminals. The Aluminum segment includes bauxite mining, alumina refining, and aluminum smelting and recycling. The Copper segment includes mining and refining of copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, other by-products and licensing of extraction technologies. The Minerals segment includes mining and processing of borates, diamonds, iron concentrate and pellets from the Iron Ore Company of Canada, lithium and titanium dioxide feedstock.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Leadership Concern: CEO Simon Trott expressed deep condolences to the victim's family and committed to supporting the investigation, emphasizing that safety is the company's top priority, reflecting the company's strong focus on employee safety.
- Site Activity Suspension: Following the incident, all work and activities at the SimFer mine site have been suspended, with impacted team members receiving counseling support, demonstrating the company's concern for employee mental health.
- Investigation Commitment: Rio Tinto pledges to collaborate with relevant authorities and contractors to conduct a thorough investigation to understand the causes of the incident and prevent future occurrences, showcasing the company's sense of responsibility and commitment to safety improvements.
See More
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- Price Fluctuation Range: FENI's 52-week low is $26.2144 per share, with a high of $40.47, and the last trade at $40.31 indicates the stock is fluctuating near its high, potentially influencing investor buying decisions.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the latest share price to the 200-day moving average can provide valuable insights for investors, helping to assess market trends and identify potential buy or sell opportunities.
- ETF Unit Trading Mechanism: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) trade like stocks, where investors are buying and selling 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on investor demand, impacting the liquidity and market performance of the ETF.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in shares outstanding for ETFs helps identify those experiencing notable inflows (new units created) or outflows (old units destroyed), allowing assessment of their impact on underlying assets and market trends.
See More
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- Succession Planning: Deschamps will remain in her role until at least mid-2026 to ensure continuity while Rio Tinto undertakes a rigorous succession process, which helps mitigate potential impacts on operations during the leadership transition.
- Strategic Contributions: Since joining in 2021, Deschamps has laid the groundwork for a stronger Rio Tinto, supporting future growth and reinforcing the company's commitment to responsible mining, highlighting ongoing efforts in governance and business development.
- Personal Reflection: Deschamps expressed that serving Rio Tinto has been a privilege and she is proud of the progress made in governance and key partnerships, reflecting her positive impact on the company's strategic execution.
See More
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See More
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- Strategic Timing: China's export restrictions on tungsten have elevated its status as a critical mineral in North America and Europe, and GoldHaven's discovery in this context will enhance resource security for Western economies and promote domestic production capabilities.
- Multimetal Potential: The discovery of silver, lead, and zinc mineralization at Vines Lake, with silver grades reaching up to 2,370 g/t, further confirms the area's multimetal deposit potential, which could provide crucial support for future resource development.
- Drilling Program Progress: GoldHaven completed its inaugural drilling program at the Copeçal Gold Project in Brazil, discovering copper mineralization, suggesting the project could develop into a significant gold-copper system, thereby strengthening the company's resource base.
See More
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- Multi-Metal Potential: The tungsten discovery at Vines Lake is accompanied by silver grades up to 2,370 grams per tonne and lead values exceeding 20%, indicating significant multi-metal potential in the area, which could lead to large-scale mineral discoveries and further enhance company value.
- Drilling Program Progress: GoldHaven completed its inaugural drilling program at the Copeçal Gold Project in Brazil, discovering copper mineralization that suggests the potential for a substantial gold-copper system, further solidifying the company's strategic positioning across multiple projects.
See More
