January Job Cuts Reach Highest Level Since 2009
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 05 2026
0mins
Should l Buy RIO?
Source: seekingalpha
- Surge in Job Cuts: According to a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, U.S. companies announced 108,435 job cuts in January 2026, marking a 205% increase from December 2025 and a 118% rise from January 2025, indicating a pessimistic economic outlook.
- Analysis of Layoff Trends: The report highlights that while high layoff numbers are typical in the first quarter, the unusually high total for January 2026 suggests that many of these plans were set at the end of 2025, reflecting employers' lack of confidence in the future.
- Fed Chair Nomination Insights: Trump stated that he would not have chosen Kevin Warsh as Fed chair if Warsh had indicated a desire to raise interest rates, showcasing his influence over monetary policy and confidence in his economic understanding.
- Rio Tinto and Glencore Merger Talks End: Rio Tinto announced it will no longer pursue an offer for Glencore after determining it could not reach a value-adding agreement, emphasizing the company's focus on long-term value, and under UK rules, it cannot approach Glencore again for at least six months.
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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.
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- Incident Confirmation: Rio Tinto has confirmed the death of a contracting company employee at the SimFer mine site in Nzérékoré, Guinea, on February 14, highlighting significant safety management issues in the mining sector.
- 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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- Executive Departure: Isabelle Deschamps, Chief Legal, Governance & Corporate Affairs Officer at Rio Tinto, plans to leave in 2026 after five years, seeking new opportunities outside the company, indicating a trend of increasing executive turnover.
- 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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Geopolitical Concerns Among Wealthy Families: A report from J.P. Morgan Private Bank reveals that 20% of wealthy single-family offices identify geopolitics as their primary concern.
International vs. U.S. Perspectives: The report highlights that 74% of non-U.S. families and 57% of U.S. families consider geopolitics to be among their top five concerns.
See More
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- Tungsten Discovery: GoldHaven Resources confirmed tungsten mineralization at its Magno Property in British Columbia, with assays showing up to 6,550 ppm tungsten, validating historical data and expanding the known footprint, indicating the potential for a large mineral system with significant economic implications.
- 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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- Tungsten Discovery: GoldHaven Resources confirmed a new tungsten mineralization zone at its Magno Property in British Columbia, with assays showing up to 6,550 ppm tungsten, validating historical data and expanding the known footprint, which is expected to enhance the company's competitiveness in the global tungsten market.
- Strategic Investment: The U.S. has launched $30 billion in strategic financing in collaboration with 54 nations to counter China's export restrictions on tungsten, a move that will promote domestic production and position GoldHaven and its peers as essential pillars of the new industrial architecture.
- 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
