Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) vs Rio Tinto Plc (RIO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) has outperformed Rio Tinto Plc (RIO) over the past year, gaining 76.6% versus a gain of 40.6%. Over five years, FCX leads with a +86.0% price change compared with +32.3% for RIO. Rio Tinto Plc is the larger company by market cap ($151.51 billion vs $103.19 billion), about 1.5 times the size.
On valuation, Rio Tinto Plc trades at a lower forward P/E (10.9x vs 16.7x for Freeport-McMoRan). Rio Tinto Plc offers the higher dividend yield (4.99% vs 0.83%). Rio Tinto Plc converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.3% versus 16.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | FCX | RIO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $71.86 | $93.16 |
| Market cap | $103.19B | $151.51B |
| 1-day change | -0.96% | -2.85% |
| YTD return | +41.48% | +16.41% |
| 1-year return | +76.60% | +40.62% |
| 5-year return | +85.97% | +32.27% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 35.75 | 12.99 |
| Forward P/E | 16.74 | 10.88 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.01 | $7.17 |
| Dividend yield | 0.83% | 4.99% |
| Annual dividend | $0.60 | $4.65 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $25.91B | $57.64B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.81% | +7.42% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.15B | $9.97B |
| Gross margin | 28.16% | — |
| Operating margin | 25.15% | 25.91% |
| Net margin | 16.02% | 17.29% |
| 52-week high | $80.24 | $112.58 |
| 52-week low | $38.54 | $65.35 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.44% | -17.25% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +6.65% | +10.72% |
| Average volume | 13.40M | 2.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.44B | 1.25B |
| Employees | 29,000 | 56,890 |
| Sector | Basic Materials | Basic Materials |
| Industry | Metal Mining | Metal Mining |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- FCX has outperformed RIO by 36.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Freeport-McMoRan trades at a higher earnings multiple (35.8x vs 13.0x trailing P/E).
- Rio Tinto Plc offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.99% vs 0.83%).
- Rio Tinto Plc grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+7.42% vs +1.81%).
About Freeport-McMoRan
FCX stock →Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia.
Basic Materials · Metal Mining · 29,000 employees
About Rio Tinto Plc
RIO stock →Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore; Aluminium and lithium; and Copper segments.
Basic Materials · Metal Mining · 56,890 employees
FCX vs RIO FAQ
Which is bigger, Freeport-McMoRan or Rio Tinto Plc?
Rio Tinto Plc (RIO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $151.51B compared with $103.19B for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FCX or RIO?
FCX returned +76.60% over the past 12 months, compared with +40.62% for RIO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FCX or RIO?
RIO has the lower trailing P/E at 13.0, versus 35.8 for FCX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Freeport-McMoRan or Rio Tinto Plc?
Rio Tinto Plc has the higher yield at 4.99%, compared with 0.83% for Freeport-McMoRan.
Are Freeport-McMoRan and Rio Tinto Plc in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Metal Mining industry within the Basic Materials sector.