Rio Tinto PLC Half Year 2025 Earnings Call Transcript: CEO and CFO Present Financial Results

Rio Tinto PLC released its half year 2025 earnings results, with CEO Jakob Stausholm and CFO Peter Cunningham presenting the results. The company reported strong financial performance, with results that CEO Stausholm described as the best in his time with Rio Tinto. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session.

July 2, 2025 — Rio Tinto PLC has released its half-year 2025 earnings results, with CEO Jakob Stausholm and CFO Peter Cunningham presenting the figures. Despite a 13% decline in iron ore prices and the impact of cyclones in the first quarter, the company reported strong financial performance, with results described by CEO Stausholm as the best in his tenure at Rio Tinto.

The company's underlying EBITDA for the first half of 2025 was $11.5 billion, representing a 5% decrease compared to the same period last year [1]. Profit after tax attributable to owners of Rio Tinto fell by 16% to $4.5 billion year on year, as iron ore prices slipped by 16% [2]. The company also declared an interim ordinary dividend of $2.4 billion, a 50% payout, in line with its practice.

The company's net cash generated from operating activities was $6.9 billion, a 2% decrease compared to the same period last year. Purchases of property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets amounted to $4.7 billion, an 18% increase from the same period last year. Free cash flow was $1.96 billion, a 31% decrease from the same period last year [1].

CEO Stausholm highlighted the company's improving operational performance and the growing contribution from its Aluminium and Copper businesses, as well as the strong recovery of its Pilbara operations from the cyclones in the first quarter. He also noted the company's disciplined investment in profitable growth while retaining a strong balance sheet.

The company's net debt at 30 June 2025 was $14.6 billion, 166% greater than at 31 December 2024 [1]. The company's underlying earnings per share were $296.0 cents, a 16% decrease from the same period last year [1].

Following the presentation, there was a Q&A session where investors and financial professionals could ask questions. The session provided an opportunity for the company to address any concerns and provide further clarification on its financial performance and future prospects.

References:
[1] Rio Tinto. (2025). Rio Tinto very resilient financial results as we grow and diversify our portfolio. Retrieved from https://www.riotinto.com/en/news/releases/2025/rio-tinto-very-resilient-financial-results-as-we-grow-and-diversify-our-portfolio
[2] Capital Brief. (2025). Rio Tinto reports lowest half-year earnings since 2020. Retrieved from https://www.capitalbrief.com/briefing/rio-tinto-reports-lowest-half-year-earnings-since-2020-2a33025a-dead-42da-ab75-a6c482bbe83c/