RIO vs. RPM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 12, 2025

Here’s a clear look at RIO and RPM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

RIO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, RPM is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	RIO	RPM
Company Name	Rio Tinto Group	RPM International Inc.
Country	United Kingdom	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Metals & Mining	Chemicals
Market Capitalization	108.57 billion USD	14.50 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 28, 1990	March 17, 1980
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of RIO and RPM by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

RIO vs. RPM: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	RIO	RPM
5-Day Price Return	3.57%	-2.71%
13-Week Price Return	18.02%	-0.89%
26-Week Price Return	12.33%	0.47%
52-Week Price Return	-0.43%	-12.43%
Month-to-Date Return	3.26%	-4.04%
Year-to-Date Return	6.86%	-8.08%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.28M	1.15M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.77M	0.83M
3-Month Volatility	20.98%	26.24%
Beta	1.04	1.13

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

RIO

18.11%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 41.55%
Q3: 17.74%
Median: 9.00%
Q1: 1.65%
Min: -21.32%

In the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, RIO’s Return on Equity of 18.11% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

RPM

24.31%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 29.52%
Q3: 13.18%
Median: 6.53%
Q1: 1.35%
Min: -11.86%

In the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, RPM’s Return on Equity of 24.31% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

RIO

19.12%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 43.69%
Q3: 19.12%
Median: 6.48%
Q1: 1.50%
Min: -20.21%

RIO’s Net Profit Margin of 19.12% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

RPM

9.16%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 20.20%
Q3: 9.15%
Median: 3.94%
Q1: 0.60%
Min: -10.43%

A Net Profit Margin of 9.16% places RPM in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

RIO

26.74%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 71.84%
Q3: 32.31%
Median: 12.50%
Q1: 2.69%
Min: -23.81%

RIO’s Operating Profit Margin of 26.74% is around the midpoint for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

RPM

11.59%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 27.33%
Q3: 13.82%
Median: 7.98%
Q1: 3.60%
Min: -7.61%

RPM’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.59% is around the midpoint for the Chemicals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	RIO	RPM
Return on Equity (TTM)	18.11%	24.31%
Return on Assets (TTM)	9.19%	9.49%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	19.12%	9.16%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	26.74%	11.59%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	41.33%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

RIO

1.53

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 5.27
Q3: 3.04
Median: 1.96
Q1: 1.42
Min: 0.13

RIO’s Current Ratio of 1.53 aligns with the median group of the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

RPM

2.26

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.72
Q3: 2.38
Median: 1.69
Q1: 1.42
Min: 0.75

RPM’s Current Ratio of 2.26 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

RIO

0.41

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 1.10
Q3: 0.51
Median: 0.33
Q1: 0.09
Min: 0.00

RIO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.41 is typical for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

RPM

0.87

Chemicals Industry

Max: 1.53
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.69
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

RPM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.87 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

RIO

9.07

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 51.62
Q3: 22.73
Median: 5.76
Q1: 0.82
Min: -21.72

RIO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.07 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

RPM

11.94

Chemicals Industry

Max: 56.43
Q3: 26.33
Median: 8.84
Q1: 2.54
Min: -9.39

RPM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.94 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	RIO	RPM
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.53	2.26
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.03	1.32
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.41	0.87
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	9.07	11.94

Growth

Revenue Growth

RIO vs. RPM: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

RIO vs. RPM: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

RIO

5.86%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 8.17%
Q3: 3.57%
Median: 1.25%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 5.86%, RIO offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

RPM

1.80%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 6.59%
Q3: 3.67%
Median: 2.44%
Q1: 1.36%
Min: 0.00%

RPM’s Dividend Yield of 1.80% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

RIO

64.89%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 138.08%
Q3: 62.06%
Median: 33.17%
Q1: 10.41%
Min: 0.00%

RIO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 64.89% is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

RPM

37.93%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 192.00%
Q3: 108.95%
Median: 57.38%
Q1: 27.28%
Min: 0.00%

RPM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 37.93% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	RIO	RPM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	5.86%	1.80%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	64.89%	37.93%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

RIO

11.07

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 83.04
Q3: 41.69
Median: 20.30
Q1: 12.95
Min: 1.75

In the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, RIO’s P/E Ratio of 11.07 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

RPM

21.04

Chemicals Industry

Max: 49.43
Q3: 32.03
Median: 21.32
Q1: 14.93
Min: 8.66

RPM’s P/E Ratio of 21.04 is within the middle range for the Chemicals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

RIO

2.12

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 9.28
Q3: 4.28
Median: 2.37
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.16

RIO’s P/S Ratio of 2.12 aligns with the market consensus for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

RPM

1.93

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.90
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.00
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.15

RPM’s P/S Ratio of 1.93 aligns with the market consensus for the Chemicals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

RIO

1.66

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 4.68
Q3: 2.45
Median: 1.55
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.34

RIO’s P/B Ratio of 1.66 is within the conventional range for the Metals & Mining industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

RPM

5.26

Chemicals Industry

Max: 5.01
Q3: 2.59
Median: 1.50
Q1: 0.95
Min: 0.30

At 5.26, RPM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Chemicals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

RIO vs. RPM: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	RIO	RPM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	11.07	21.04
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.12	1.93
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.66	5.26
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	22.16	28.08