Natixis Advisors LLC Increases Stock Position in Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO)

Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO - Free Report) by 8.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 695,731 shares of the mining company's stock after acquiring an additional 55,967 shares during the quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Rio Tinto Group worth $45,870,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC bought a new stake in Rio Tinto Group in the first quarter valued at about $26,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 55.4% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 415 shares of the mining company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Rio Tinto Group in the first quarter valued at about $29,000. LifeSteps Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Rio Tinto Group in the first quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Centerpoint Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 110.0% in the second quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 525 shares of the mining company's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 19.33% of the company's stock.

Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance

Shares of RIO traded down $0.05 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $63.27. 2,238,200 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,703,911. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.16. Rio Tinto Group has a 52 week low of $59.80 and a 52 week high of $75.09. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $64.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $66.09.

Rio Tinto Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 26th. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th will be given a $1.77 dividend. This represents a yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 16th.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

RIO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Citigroup downgraded Rio Tinto Group from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, May 20th. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Rio Tinto Group to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Hsbc Global Res upgraded Rio Tinto Group to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. HSBC upgraded Rio Tinto Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com cut Rio Tinto Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

Rio Tinto Group Company Profile

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. The Iron Ore segment engages in the iron ore mining, and salt and gypsum production in Western Australia. The Aluminum segment is involved in bauxite mining; alumina refining; and aluminium smelting.