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Relative Intelligence · Metals & Mining

How Rio Tinto Group (RIO) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on RIO alone. It places RIO (Rio Tinto Group) against 19 popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where RIO stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: RIO's full trading record, from June 1990 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against RIO →Chart RIO vs. 19 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in RIO have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in RIO over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of RIO over the same span and RIO's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 231 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of RIO; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • SCCO$3M+26,680% total · +21.3% a year
  • CAT$615,591+6,056% total · +15.3% a year
  • STLD$598,980+5,890% total · +15.2% a year
  • BHP$430,670+4,207% total · +13.9% a year
  • NUE$361,333+3,513% total · +13.2% a year
  • RIO$271,382+2,614% total · +12.1% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • FCX$86,132+761% total · +7.7% a year
  • NEM$39,676+297% total · +4.9% a year
  • TGB$17,820+78.2% total · +2.0% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 853 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of RIO; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000202120222023202420252026
  • TGB$47,141+371% total · +36.4% a year
  • SCCO$47,048+370% total · +36.3% a year
  • CAT$46,130+361% total · +35.8% a year
  • HBM$43,240+332% total · +34.0% a year
  • STLD$40,782+308% total · +32.5% a year
  • NUE$25,527+155% total · +20.6% a year
  • NEM$24,375+144% total · +19.5% a year
  • FCX$23,053+131% total · +18.2% a year
  • RIO$19,377+93.8% total · +14.1% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
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RIO at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$143B
Industry
Industrial Materials
Price history from
June 1990

Returns

Past 1 year
+30.1%total return
Past 3 years
+69.2%+19.2% a year
Past 5 years
+77.9%+12.2% a year
Past 10 years
+464%+18.9% a year
Best calendar year
+195%2009
Worst calendar year
−78.5%2008
Losing years
10 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
29.0%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.54return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−89.0%May 2008 to Dec 2008
From its all-time high
−19.6%below the peak

RIO against the whole market

Where RIO ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does RIO rank among all stocks?

This section ranks RIO on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how RIO stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureRIORankStanding
1-year return+30.1%973 of 3,287top 30%
3-year return+69.2%1,272 of 3,017top 42%
5-year return+77.9%835 of 2,893top 29%
10-year return+464%334 of 2,202top 15%
Volatility, 5 years29.0%639 of 2,893top 22%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.54825 of 2,893top 29%
Worst decline, past 10 years−37.5%94 of 2,187top 4%

What has beaten RIO on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). RIO sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than RIO with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to RIO; faint dots are 93 more of the 227 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than RIOAMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%OEF: +14.3% a year, volatility 17.8%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%HEFA: +13.3% a year, volatility 13.8%ACT: +20.5% a year, volatility 24.3%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%GARP: +17.5% a year, volatility 22.5%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%EFIV: +13.3% a year, volatility 17.1%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%EWJV: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.2%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%SHEL: +21.0% a year, volatility 24.8%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%E: +23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%MFC: +22.6% a year, volatility 24.0%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%HLT: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%IX: +17.9% a year, volatility 25.4%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%KOF: +22.3% a year, volatility 24.7%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%IHG: +21.4% a year, volatility 26.6%PAA: +27.0% a year, volatility 25.6%PBA: +13.8% a year, volatility 21.5%PVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%PKG: +15.4% a year, volatility 25.8%RGA: +19.7% a year, volatility 27.3%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%EHC: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.8%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%AIZ: +13.3% a year, volatility 25.3%MSGS: +18.4% a year, volatility 25.6%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%PAGP: +26.8% a year, volatility 26.1%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%RSPT: +16.9% a year, volatility 25.1%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%GHC: +17.4% a year, volatility 26.3%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%FRDM: +17.3% a year, volatility 22.8%DTM: +24.5% a year, volatility 25.2%WTV: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.0%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%PWV: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.2%SRCE: +15.1% a year, volatility 27.0%BFC: +19.0% a year, volatility 27.3%VFMF: +14.3% a year, volatility 17.6%CTBI: +16.0% a year, volatility 26.0%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%ATMP: +21.2% a year, volatility 21.5%RIO: +12.2% a year, volatility 29.0%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%SCCO: +32.0% a year, volatility 40.7%STLD: +32.2% a year, volatility 38.0%NEM: +18.6% a year, volatility 39.1%NUE: +21.7% a year, volatility 37.4%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%ATI: +61.8% a year, volatility 42.9%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%GE: +36.0% a year, volatility 31.0%GD: +12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%IAUM: +18.1% a year, volatility 18.8%RIOSPY (S&P 500)CATSCCOSTLDNEMNUEBHPGLDRSATIRTXGEWMTLVHINVSDFIVJNJAAPLLLYCAHIAUM0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than RIOAMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%OEF: +14.3% a year, volatility 17.8%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%HEFA: +13.3% a year, volatility 13.8%ACT: +20.5% a year, volatility 24.3%TDIV: +16.2% a year, volatility 21.3%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%GARP: +17.5% a year, volatility 22.5%SPUS: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.5%CHCO: +15.9% a year, volatility 22.8%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%EFIV: +13.3% a year, volatility 17.1%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%EWJV: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.2%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%QQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%SHEL: +21.0% a year, volatility 24.8%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%BNY: +22.7% a year, volatility 24.4%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%E: +23.0% a year, volatility 25.6%BMO: +13.6% a year, volatility 21.4%MFC: +22.6% a year, volatility 24.0%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%HLT: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%IX: +17.9% a year, volatility 25.4%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%KOF: +22.3% a year, volatility 24.7%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%IHG: +21.4% a year, volatility 26.6%PAA: +27.0% a year, volatility 25.6%PBA: +13.8% a year, volatility 21.5%PVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%PKG: +15.4% a year, volatility 25.8%RGA: +19.7% a year, volatility 27.3%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%EHC: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.8%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%AIZ: +13.3% a year, volatility 25.3%MSGS: +18.4% a year, volatility 25.6%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%PAGP: +26.8% a year, volatility 26.1%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%RSPT: +16.9% a year, volatility 25.1%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%GHC: +17.4% a year, volatility 26.3%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%FRDM: +17.3% a year, volatility 22.8%DTM: +24.5% a year, volatility 25.2%WTV: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.0%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%PWV: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.2%SRCE: +15.1% a year, volatility 27.0%BFC: +19.0% a year, volatility 27.3%VFMF: +14.3% a year, volatility 17.6%CTBI: +16.0% a year, volatility 26.0%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%HLAL: +14.0% a year, volatility 18.0%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%ATMP: +21.2% a year, volatility 21.5%RIO: +12.2% a year, volatility 29.0%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%SCCO: +32.0% a year, volatility 40.7%STLD: +32.2% a year, volatility 38.0%NEM: +18.6% a year, volatility 39.1%NUE: +21.7% a year, volatility 37.4%BHP: +16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%ATI: +61.8% a year, volatility 42.9%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%GE: +36.0% a year, volatility 31.0%GD: +12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%IAUM: +18.1% a year, volatility 18.8%RIOSPY (S&P 500)CATSCCONEMNUEBHPGLDRSATIRTXGEWMTLVHIJNJLLYCAH
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than RIO?

Investments that beat RIO over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat RIO over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks RIO's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than RIO follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than RIO's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× RIO's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than RIO's.

Screen the whole market against RIO for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 21 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with RIO?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
RIORio Tinto Group · this page
+12.2%29.0%0.54−37.5%+464%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.340.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against RIO. 9 of 19 passed at least one test.
CATCaterpillar Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+31.1%31.9%1.01−43.4%+936%0.31—
SCCOSouthern Copper Corporation · Metals & Mining
Higher return in most periods+32.0%40.7%0.89−55.3%+1,017%0.75—
STLDSteel Dynamics, Inc. · Metals & Mining
Higher return in most periods+32.2%38.0%0.93−68.5%+1,018%0.39—
NEMNewmont Corporation · Gold Mining
Higher return in most periods+18.6%39.1%0.63−62.4%+304%0.63—
NUENucor Corporation · Metals & Mining
Higher return in most periods+21.7%37.4%0.72−57.2%+569%0.39—
BHPBHP Group Limited · Metals & Mining
Higher return, similar volatility+16.6%31.4%0.65−44.3%+398%0.92—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Metals & Mining and the categories next to it (Gold Mining, Aerospace & Defense, Silver, Gold), plus RIO's specific themes. 21 of 79 passed at least one test.
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.570.40%
RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+24.8%28.1%0.93−40.8%+626%0.25—
ATIATI Inc. · Metals & Mining
On the frontierHigher return in most periods+61.8%42.9%1.34−82.4%+929%0.37—
RTXRTX Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Higher return, lower volatility+18.6%24.3%0.83−52.0%+317%0.21—
GEGE Aerospace · Aerospace & Defense
Higher return, similar volatility+36.0%31.0%1.15−80.9%+139%0.31—
GDGeneral Dynamics Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Similar return, lower volatility+12.9%20.8%0.69−51.6%+184%0.27—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 640 of 3,535 passed at least one test.
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.09—
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.520.40%
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.18—
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.42—
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.640.27%
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.15—
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.16—
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%-0.08—
What these numbers mean for RIO
Annual return
RIO returned 12.2% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $17,800. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
RIO's volatility over the past 5 years was 29.0%, 1.7 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, RIO's return lands within 29.0% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
RIO's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.54, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so RIO earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
RIO's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 37.5%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 37.5% fall takes a 59.9% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, RIO's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.34 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against RIO instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a RIO holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 227 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than RIO with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with RIOExpense
1
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.09—
2
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.520.40%
3
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.18—
4
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.42—
5
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.28—
6
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.21—
7
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%0.01—
8
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.26—
9
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.18—
10
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.10—
11
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.640.27%
12
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.0%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.440.15%
13
OEFiShares S&P 100 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+14.3%17.8%0.84−31.4%+367%0.290.20%
14
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.42—
15
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.380.40%
16
HEFAiShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+13.3%13.8%0.97−32.4%+210%0.450.70%
17
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.06—
18
ACTEnact Holdings Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+20.5%24.3%0.89−20.2%—0.15—
19
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.2%21.3%0.81−32.0%+388%0.410.50%
20
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.23—
21
GARPiShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+17.5%22.5%0.83−31.4%—0.230.15%
22
SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · Technology
Whole market+15.0%19.5%0.82−30.8%—0.280.45%
23
CHCOCity Holding Company · Banks - Regional
Whole market+15.9%22.8%0.77−32.3%+286%0.07—
24
XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+27.1%26.5%1.04−61.0%+214%0.22—
25
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.11—
26
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.250.45%
27
EFIVState Street SPDR S&P 500 ESG ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.3%17.1%0.82−24.5%—0.340.10%
28
HSBCHSBC Holdings plc · Banks
Whole market+33.1%25.9%1.24−62.3%+319%0.49—
29
EWJViShares MSCI Japan Value ETF · International
Whole market+14.9%18.2%0.86−30.1%—0.600.15%
30
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.300.48%
31
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.28—
32
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.250.18%
33
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.26—
34
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%0.23—
35
SHELShell plc · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+21.0%24.8%0.90−67.2%+233%0.27—
36
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.02—
37
WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs
Whole market+26.0%23.8%1.09−63.3%+379%0.38—
38
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.22—
39
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.49—
40
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.220.09%
41
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.20—
42
BNYBank of New York Mellon Corp · Banks
Whole market+22.7%24.4%0.97−50.5%+341%0.34—
43
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.37—
44
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.12—
45
EEni S.p.A. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+23.0%25.6%0.94−61.4%+278%0.39—
46
BMOBank of Montreal · Banks
Whole market+13.6%21.4%0.71−51.0%+295%0.45—
47
MFCManulife Financial Corporation · Life Insurance
Whole market+22.6%24.0%0.97−57.5%+373%0.35—
48
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.07—
49
HLTHilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. · Hotels & Resorts
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−50.8%+694%0.22—
50
KMIKinder Morgan, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+18.7%22.5%0.88−55.1%+163%0.31—
51
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Whole market+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.19—
52
WABWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+25.6%26.2%1.00−64.1%+264%0.43—
53
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.23—
54
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.24—
55
ALLThe Allstate Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+17.0%26.2%0.73−41.4%+356%0.15—
56
AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments
Whole market+14.4%22.1%0.72−42.7%+481%0.25—
57
CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+21.5%25.1%0.91−43.2%+463%0.17—
58
IXORIX Corporation · Diversified Financials
Whole market+17.9%25.4%0.78−42.5%+284%0.40—
59
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
Whole market+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.300.80%
60
KOFCoca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. · Food & Beverages
Whole market+22.3%24.7%0.94−55.1%+119%0.48—
61
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+194%0.680.25%
62
IHGInterContinental Hotels Group PLC · Hotels & Resorts
Whole market+21.4%26.6%0.86−59.3%+383%0.27—
63
PAAPlains All American Pipeline, L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+27.0%25.6%1.06−87.9%+64.0%0.18—
64
PBAPembina Pipeline Corporation · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+13.8%21.5%0.71−70.9%+172%0.51—
65
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+16.1%15.1%1.07−41.3%—0.440.56%
66
RPRXRoyalty Pharma plc · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+13.3%23.8%0.65−49.7%—0.09—
67
AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.9%17.4%0.84−43.0%—0.670.36%
68
PKGPackaging Corporation of America · Packaging
Whole market+15.4%25.8%0.69−38.2%+294%0.34—
69
RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated · Insurance
Whole market+19.7%27.3%0.80−65.8%+199%0.10—
70
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+20.4%24.2%0.89−38.9%+468%0.490.59%
71
RWLInvesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.7%14.4%0.97−36.1%+287%0.420.39%
72
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Whole market+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%0.050.58%
73
EHCEncompass Health Corporation · Health Care Facilities
Whole market+18.4%26.8%0.77−39.5%+340%0.24—
74
FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.9%14.4%0.98−41.4%+199%0.470.43%
75
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.330.12%
76
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+15.9%18.4%0.90−39.5%+286%0.470.15%
77
AIZAssurant, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+13.3%25.3%0.62−44.6%+312%0.17—
78
MSGSMadison Square Garden Sports Corp. · Entertainment
Whole market+18.4%25.6%0.79−41.6%+432%0.23—
79
NEUNewMarket Corporation · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−40.7%+165%0.04—
80
PAGPPlains GP Holdings LP · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+26.8%26.1%1.05−88.0%+56.3%0.19—
81
THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+14.4%22.9%0.70−40.1%+291%0.02—
82
FLTWFranklin FTSE Taiwan ETF · Technology
Whole market+21.8%24.3%0.94−38.0%—0.490.19%
83
RSPTInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.9%25.1%0.75−33.7%+572%0.340.40%
84
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.130.13%
85
GHCGraham Holdings Company · Industrial Conglomerates
Whole market+17.4%26.3%0.74−62.5%+191%0.19—
86
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.1%20.3%0.80−30.9%+158%0.35—
87
FRDMFreedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF · International
Whole market+17.3%22.8%0.82−40.5%—0.620.49%
88
DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.5%25.2%1.00−23.6%—0.17—
89
WTVWisdomTree U.S. Value Fund · Broad Market
Whole market+13.4%17.0%0.83−42.2%+303%0.420.12%
90
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Same or nearby category+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.570.40%
91
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+13.9%15.4%0.93−36.9%—0.460.05%
92
PWVInvesco Large Cap Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.2%0.97−37.6%+223%0.370.55%
93
SRCE1st Source Corporation · Banks - Regional
Whole market+15.1%27.0%0.66−51.7%+210%0.02—
94
BFCBank First Corporation · Banks - Regional
Whole market+19.0%27.3%0.78−39.8%+496%0.02—
95
VFMFVanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.3%17.6%0.85−41.3%—0.360.18%
96
CTBICommunity Trust Bancorp, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+16.0%26.0%0.70−43.0%+192%0.09—
97
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.410.61%
98
HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.0%18.0%0.82−33.6%—0.340.50%
99
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.450.19%
100
ATMPBarclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN · Broad Market
Whole market+21.2%21.5%1.01−70.3%+172%0.260.95%

RIO against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against RIO, compared period by period and year by year.

How do RIO's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at RIO, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than RIO with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityRIO: 12.2% a year, volatility 29.0%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%ERO: 9.8% a year, volatility 56.0%AA: −3.9% a year, volatility 55.1%MP: 1.5% a year, volatility 70.3%CSTM: 7.2% a year, volatility 46.6%CLF: −8.8% a year, volatility 60.2%VALE: 7.4% a year, volatility 35.0%ALB: −15.4% a year, volatility 54.9%TGB: 28.4% a year, volatility 63.5%STLD: 32.2% a year, volatility 38.0%SCCO: 32.0% a year, volatility 40.7%FCX: 13.7% a year, volatility 44.9%NUE: 21.8% a year, volatility 37.4%HBM: 26.3% a year, volatility 55.8%CAT: 31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%NEM: 18.6% a year, volatility 39.1%UEC: 14.4% a year, volatility 73.5%CENX: 15.8% a year, volatility 70.6%BHP: 16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%TECK: 19.2% a year, volatility 45.3%RIOSPY (S&P 500)EROAAMPCSTMCLFVALEALBTGBSTLDFCXNUEHBMCATNEMUECCENXBHPTECK0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityRIO: 12.2% a year, volatility 29.0%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%ERO: 9.8% a year, volatility 56.0%AA: −3.9% a year, volatility 55.1%MP: 1.5% a year, volatility 70.3%CSTM: 7.2% a year, volatility 46.6%CLF: −8.8% a year, volatility 60.2%VALE: 7.4% a year, volatility 35.0%ALB: −15.4% a year, volatility 54.9%TGB: 28.4% a year, volatility 63.5%STLD: 32.2% a year, volatility 38.0%SCCO: 32.0% a year, volatility 40.7%FCX: 13.7% a year, volatility 44.9%NUE: 21.8% a year, volatility 37.4%HBM: 26.3% a year, volatility 55.8%CAT: 31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%NEM: 18.6% a year, volatility 39.1%UEC: 14.4% a year, volatility 73.5%CENX: 15.8% a year, volatility 70.6%BHP: 16.6% a year, volatility 31.4%TECK: 19.2% a year, volatility 45.3%RIOSPY (S&P 500)EROAAMPCSTMCLFVALEALBTGBSTLDSCCOFCXNUEHBMCATNEMUECBHPTECK
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.+32.2%38.0%
SCCO Southern Copper Corporation+32.0%40.7%
CAT Caterpillar Inc.+31.1%31.9%
TGB Trekor Metals Limited+28.4%63.5%
HBM Hudbay Minerals Inc.+26.3%55.8%
NUE Nucor Corporation+21.8%37.4%
TECK Teck Resources Limited+19.2%45.3%
NEM Newmont Corporation+18.6%39.1%
BHP BHP Group Limited+16.6%31.4%
CENX Century Aluminum Company+15.8%70.6%
UEC Uranium Energy Corp.+14.4%73.5%
FCX Freeport-McMoRan Inc.+13.7%44.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
RIO This pageRio Tinto Group+12.2%29.0%
ERO Ero Copper Corp.+9.8%56.0%
VALE Vale S.A.+7.4%35.0%
CSTM Constellium SE+7.2%46.6%
MP MP Materials Corp.+1.5%70.3%
AA Alcoa Corporation−3.9%55.1%
CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.−8.8%60.2%
ALB Albemarle Corporation−15.4%54.9%
Open these 21 in EasyCompare

Has RIO consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares RIO with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than RIO helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than RIO over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
RIO Rio Tinto Group (this page)—−9.2%+1.1%−9.7%+10.6%+30.1%+69.2%+77.9%+464%29.0%0.54−37.5%—$143B—
TGB QualifiedTrekor Metals Limited5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−8.3%+13.2%+3.1%+42.0%+100%+616%+249%+1,667%63.5%0.71−90.8%—$2.9B—
STLD QualifiedSteel Dynamics, Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+6.5%+6.3%+17.3%+39.9%+68.9%+157%+304%+1,018%38.0%0.93−68.5%—$35B—
SCCO QualifiedSouthern Copper Corporation5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+2.2%+17.6%+9.6%+39.9%+56.5%+233%+301%+1,017%40.7%0.89−55.3%—$171B—
FCX QualifiedFreeport-McMoRan Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−4.3%+17.4%−1.4%+33.9%+64.8%+111%+89.6%+650%44.9%0.51−72.6%—$99B—
NUE QualifiedNucor Corporation5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+8.1%+13.6%+29.9%+55.6%+93.7%+92.9%+167%+569%37.4%0.72−57.2%—$59B—
HBM QualifiedHudbay Minerals Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−11.2%+13.6%−7.8%+17.9%+44.2%+445%+221%+493%55.8%0.70−86.3%—$11B—
CAT QualifiedCaterpillar Inc.3/5 short3/3 long−11.2%−15.9%−8.8%+22.2%+37.7%+203%+288%+936%31.9%1.01−43.4%—$333B—
NEM QualifiedNewmont Corporation4/5 short2/3 long−5.1%+31.2%+2.2%+16.1%+24.3%+219%+135%+304%39.1%0.63−62.4%—$123B—
UEC UraniumUranium Energy Corp.0/5 short2/3 long−22.3%−16.7%−48.2%−40.3%−48.2%+47.2%+96.2%+746%73.5%0.55−80.8%—$3.9B—
CENX AluminumCentury Aluminum Company0/5 short2/3 long−14.3%−21.8%−45.4%−18.2%−2.2%+452%+109%+358%70.6%0.56−87.5%—$3.3B—
BHP Industrial MaterialsBHP Group Limited5/5 short1/3 long−4.9%+3.9%+5.1%+38.1%+50.2%+71.0%+115%+398%31.4%0.65−44.3%—$208B—
TECK CopperTeck Resources Limited5/5 short1/3 long−3.6%+18.2%+9.1%+34.5%+46.2%+68.6%+141%+259%45.3%0.61−79.6%—$31B—
ERO CopperEro Copper Corp.5/5 short1/3 long−5.2%+31.1%+15.9%+13.3%+45.0%+138%+59.8%—56.0%0.45−67.2%—$3.4B—
AA AluminumAlcoa Corporation1/5 short1/3 long−8.6%−6.0%−38.5%−27.5%+5.5%+75.8%−18.2%+115%55.1%0.20−90.9%—$11B—
MP Industrial MaterialsMP Materials Corp.0/5 short1/3 long−21.9%−14.6%−41.0%−29.0%−52.9%+127%+7.8%—70.3%0.36−82.0%—$7.0B—
CSTM AluminumConstellium SE3/5 short0/3 long+1.0%−7.3%−14.9%+30.3%+61.5%+61.7%+41.9%+340%46.6%0.39−72.3%—$3.5B—
CLF SteelCleveland-Cliffs Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+13.1%+52.0%+40.3%+0.4%−15.6%−6.4%−37.1%+137%60.2%0.14−82.4%—$7.8B—
VALE Industrial MaterialsVale S.A.1/5 short0/3 long−8.0%−5.5%−24.9%+1.0%+23.6%+37.8%+42.6%+334%35.0%0.38−57.6%—$55B—
ALB Chemicals - SpecialtyAlbemarle Corporation0/5 short0/3 long−15.2%−18.7%−50.6%−32.9%+0.8%−27.6%−56.7%+31.3%54.9%-0.03−83.9%—$11B—
Open these 20 in EasyCompare

How did RIO do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where RIO ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with RIO and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of RIO; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places RIO among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of RIO20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
RIO This pageRio Tinto Group—+44.5%−15.4%+11.1%+18.4%−0.4%+36.2%+37.5%−2.9%+44.9%+39.2%−33.4%−15.3%+0.6%+22.4%−30.5%+35.3%+195%−78.5%+102%+23.6%+57.1%+9.7%+45.6%+5.1%+12.6%−20.9%+115%−8.9%−16.4%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 5 of 2914 of 2013 of 2013 of 206 of 2017 of 2010 of 194 of 195 of 1911 of 1814 of 187 of 1810 of 188 of 172 of 178 of 179 of 176 of 1712 of 174 of 1610 of 165 of 1610 of 1613 of 157 of 136 of 136 of 132 of 135 of 138 of 13
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF12 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
TGB Trekor Metals Limited10 of 29+192%+38.6%−4.8%−28.3%+55.3%+175%+1.5%−79.7%+173%+151%−67.0%−51.4%−29.3%+9.9%−48.0%+24.4%+640%−89.0%+100%+112%−29.1%+3.0%+519%−6.9%−59.7%−49.0%−47.6%−4.3%−50.1%
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.14 of 29+50.7%−2.0%+22.8%+60.1%+71.4%+12.4%+16.8%−29.0%+23.3%+103%−6.8%+3.5%+46.2%+7.8%−26.1%+5.2%+62.4%−61.8%+86.0%+86.0%−5.2%+66.0%+90.5%+3.8%+5.8%−31.1%+35.7%−26.6%−16.3%
SCCO Southern Copper Corporation18 of 29+66.7%+10.7%+50.3%+4.5%−0.4%+59.0%+44.6%−33.0%+50.3%+23.1%−6.2%−0.3%−22.5%+41.2%−33.4%+56.3%+109%−50.2%+111%+79.5%+60.3%+7.2%+236%+23.5%−4.2%−14.2%+65.5%−26.5%−1.5%
FCX Freeport-McMoRan Inc.12 of 29+35.4%−9.4%+13.7%−7.3%+61.4%+99.1%+29.6%−45.1%+43.8%+94.9%−70.2%−35.8%+19.9%−4.0%−36.9%+52.7%+228%−75.5%+86.9%+11.6%+49.1%−6.6%+154%+25.5%+56.5%−59.5%+102%−32.9%−45.6%
NUE Nucor Corporation12 of 29+42.0%−31.9%+33.8%+17.4%+118%−1.8%+11.9%−16.4%+9.6%+52.2%−14.9%−5.4%+27.6%+13.1%−6.3%−2.8%+4.2%−19.4%+12.8%+70.5%+30.9%+89.1%+37.7%−20.6%+35.7%−26.6%+28.2%−9.4%−4.5%
HBM Hudbay Minerals Inc.11 of 22+145%+47.2%+9.1%−29.9%+3.9%+69.4%−11.5%−46.3%+54.9%+49.3%−55.8%+6.2%−17.8%+3.3%−44.7%+41.9%+407%−87.0%+4.7%+272%+179%−67.5%———————
CAT Caterpillar Inc.18 of 29+60.3%+24.7%+25.9%+18.6%+16.0%+27.0%+19.5%−17.6%+75.0%+42.1%−23.0%+3.5%+3.4%+1.6%−1.5%+68.5%+33.2%−36.8%+20.5%+7.8%+20.7%+19.7%+86.1%−9.8%+13.7%+4.1%+4.7%−3.0%+31.2%
NEM Newmont Corporation10 of 29+173%−7.8%−8.8%−20.8%+7.4%+40.3%+30.5%−6.2%+10.9%+90.1%−4.4%−17.2%−48.5%−20.4%−0.6%+31.0%+17.3%−15.9%+9.1%−14.8%+21.4%−8.1%+68.2%+52.6%+12.7%−29.9%+35.0%−37.7%−34.1%
UEC Uranium Energy Corp.9 of 18+74.6%+4.5%+65.0%+15.8%+90.3%+91.5%−26.5%−29.4%+58.0%+5.7%−39.4%−12.5%−21.9%−16.3%−49.3%+59.8%+1,119%−89.9%———————————
CENX Century Aluminum Company13 of 29+115%+50.1%+48.4%−50.6%+50.1%+46.7%+2.9%−62.8%+129%+93.7%−81.9%+133%+19.4%+2.9%−45.2%−4.1%+61.9%−81.5%+20.8%+70.3%−0.2%+38.1%+157%−43.8%+18.5%−22.8%+63.4%−28.9%−20.7%
BHP BHP Group Limited11 of 29+28.9%−24.6%+16.4%+29.4%+2.0%+25.3%+24.6%+10.5%+33.8%+41.9%−38.1%−27.9%−9.8%+14.9%−22.0%+24.5%+85.2%−37.4%+79.4%+21.2%+42.0%+34.3%+62.6%+50.4%+8.7%−16.6%+91.5%−18.9%−32.0%
TECK Teck Resources Limited11 of 23+19.2%−2.6%+14.0%+33.8%+59.8%+5.8%−18.7%−16.9%+33.4%+421%−71.1%−44.9%−25.8%+5.9%−42.1%+78.7%+611%−86.1%−2.8%+47.1%+81.7%+87.5%+148%——————
ERO Ero Copper Corp.5 of 8+110%−14.6%+14.8%−10.1%−5.7%−11.0%+152%+21.5%—————————————————————
AA Alcoa Corporation11 of 29+42.5%+12.5%−24.3%−23.1%+159%+7.1%−19.1%−50.7%+91.8%+28.3%−36.8%+49.9%+24.3%+1.7%−43.3%−3.6%+47.7%−68.2%+24.3%+4.2%−3.7%−15.7%+71.3%−34.5%+8.0%−17.9%+126%+7.7%+11.9%
MP MP Materials Corp.2 of 5+224%−21.4%−18.3%−46.5%+41.2%————————————————————————
CSTM Constellium SE5 of 12+83.5%−48.5%+68.7%−34.0%+28.0%+4.4%+91.7%−37.3%+89.0%−23.4%−53.1%−29.4%—————————————————
CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.14 of 29+41.3%−54.0%+26.8%−26.0%+49.5%+77.3%+12.8%+6.6%−14.2%+431%−77.8%−71.7%−30.4%−35.3%−19.2%+70.8%+81.5%−48.8%+110%+10.7%+71.9%+104%+157%+8.8%−13.3%−26.3%−19.3%−9.3%+4.3%
VALE Vale S.A.10 of 23+66.3%−38.8%+1.6%+32.5%−1.7%+32.0%+2.7%+12.3%+62.2%+134%−57.8%−44.1%−23.2%+3.3%−34.0%+21.2%+145%−61.8%+123%+47.5%+46.9%+50.6%+108%——————
ALB Albemarle Corporation17 of 29+67.7%−39.5%−32.8%−6.6%+59.8%+105%−3.3%−38.9%+49.7%+56.2%−4.7%−3.5%+3.5%+22.2%−6.5%+55.3%+66.2%−45.1%+16.1%+89.7%+0.9%+31.5%+7.7%+20.7%−0.8%+32.0%−17.7%+3.4%+33.5%
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Risk and diversification

How RIO has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were RIO's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents RIO's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1990, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means RIO fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringRIO fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−89.0%−39.6%May 2008Dec 20087 monthsNov 202011.9 years
No named crash−47.1%+8.6%Jun 1997Aug 199814 monthsApr 19998 months
Dot-com bust−39.6%−7.2%Jan 2000Oct 20009 monthsJul 20032.8 years
2022 bear market−35.5%−10.1%May 2021Sep 202216 monthsJan 20234 months
2008 financial crisis−30.7%−9.5%Nov 2007Jan 20082 monthsApr 20083 months

How did RIO do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far RIO, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than RIO.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
RIO This pageRio Tinto Group—−2.6%−35.3%−30.0%−13.2%−5.3%−43.9%−41.3%0.0%−89.0%−33.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF4 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
TGB Trekor Metals Limited0 of 10−6.3%−61.9%−50.2%−44.2%−5.4%−55.6%−48.6%−1.2%−91.2%−82.1%
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.4 of 10−11.7%−30.6%−47.8%−37.1%−3.6%−25.6%−43.0%−0.7%−87.1%−41.6%
SCCO Southern Copper Corporation3 of 10−3.4%−43.0%−38.7%−32.0%−5.3%−26.0%−32.9%−0.4%−78.5%−42.5%
FCX Freeport-McMoRan Inc.1 of 10−7.2%−51.3%−56.1%−32.8%−8.4%−72.2%−46.7%−2.1%−86.4%−51.4%
NUE Nucor Corporation3 of 10−10.3%−40.8%−41.5%−23.5%−6.0%−24.3%−23.9%0.0%−68.3%−44.8%
HBM Hudbay Minerals Inc.1 of 9−9.2%−63.3%−57.9%−30.1%−10.0%−74.5%−38.9%0.0%−91.9%—
CAT Caterpillar Inc.4 of 10−9.7%−30.1%−33.1%−28.5%−7.3%−26.0%−33.2%−2.2%−73.3%−42.5%
NEM Newmont Corporation6 of 10−1.0%−51.8%−24.5%−9.5%−6.0%−20.2%−12.0%−2.3%−61.5%−53.0%
UEC Uranium Energy Corp.1 of 9−4.8%−53.7%−56.3%−33.1%−10.8%−50.2%−35.9%0.0%−96.0%—
CENX Century Aluminum Company0 of 10−19.8%−82.1%−51.8%−48.6%−5.2%−59.6%−45.5%−4.3%−98.7%−72.6%
BHP BHP Group Limited4 of 10−2.2%−31.8%−38.1%−12.8%−6.4%−49.4%−30.7%0.0%−73.7%−32.6%
TECK Teck Resources Limited0 of 9−8.2%−43.6%−54.0%−26.9%−8.1%−65.4%−48.9%0.0%−94.8%—
ERO Ero Copper Corp.0 of 5−6.2%−49.1%−53.9%−29.2%−6.3%—————
AA Alcoa Corporation2 of 10−12.4%−64.5%−67.2%−42.6%−7.1%−38.6%−43.6%0.0%−87.8%−59.3%
MP MP Materials Corp.0 of 2−7.9%−53.6%————————
CSTM Constellium SE0 of 6−11.0%−52.1%−71.4%−47.9%−8.4%−58.2%————
CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.1 of 10−10.0%−60.5%−59.6%−41.3%−2.6%−71.3%−51.4%0.0%−89.8%−46.5%
VALE Vale S.A.2 of 9−3.1%−41.4%−45.5%−20.9%−5.3%−61.1%−33.4%−0.8%−79.5%—
ALB Albemarle Corporation5 of 10−11.9%−30.0%−45.7%−32.0%−2.2%−20.3%−43.0%−3.8%−66.3%−30.7%
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How closely does RIO move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares RIO with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than RIO's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
RIO This pageRio Tinto Group98%72%1.350.63
NEM Newmont Corporation68%45%1.520.39
SCCO Southern Copper Corporation139%103%1.351.13
CAT Caterpillar Inc.148%122%1.211.27
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.150%129%1.161.48
VALE Vale S.A.100%88%1.130.74
BHP BHP Group Limited106%97%1.100.87
UEC Uranium Energy Corp.159%153%1.041.80
TGB Trekor Metals Limited217%214%1.011.89
FCX Freeport-McMoRan Inc.164%181%0.901.74
TECK Teck Resources Limited115%128%0.901.10
NUE Nucor Corporation154%176%0.871.65
HBM Hudbay Minerals Inc.193%234%0.821.95
CENX Century Aluminum Company218%296%0.742.41
CSTM Constellium SE171%243%0.712.12
AA Alcoa Corporation187%303%0.622.17
CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.172%276%0.622.19
ALB Albemarle Corporation128%221%0.581.48
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What diversifies RIO?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with RIO's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing RIO with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which RIO lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% RIO and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202420212018201520142011200820001998199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
RIO Rio Tinto Group (this page)1.00+77.9%0.54−15.4%−0.4%−2.9%−33.4%−15.3%−30.5%−78.5%−20.9%−8.9%−16.4%26.8%+14.1%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.30+225%1.34+29.8%+18.0%−19.8%+7.7%+8.1%−16.1%−20.8%———22.3%+17.2%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.35+101%1.04+33.4%+23.1%−8.7%−25.3%+23.8%—————22.6%+15.0%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.42+83.3%1.00+14.1%+19.6%−3.0%−0.3%+12.6%—————22.8%+14.2%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.31+323%0.97+39.1%+42.1%−9.1%−0.3%+30.2%+6.8%−44.7%———24.5%+19.7%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.45+85.0%0.96+13.4%+19.6%−9.5%+4.1%+3.4%—————22.5%+14.6%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.13+136%0.93+45.8%+22.7%−0.9%———————22.3%+16.5%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.30+177%0.93+5.6%+53.3%−18.2%−21.5%−8.7%+2.8%−39.0%+24.4%——23.5%+16.7%
VTV Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Value ETF0.43+76.6%0.90+16.0%+26.5%−5.5%−1.0%+13.2%+1.1%−35.9%———22.8%+14.3%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202420212018201520142011200820001998199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
RIO Rio Tinto Group (this page)1.00+77.9%0.54−15.4%−0.4%−2.9%−33.4%−15.3%−30.5%−78.5%−20.9%−8.9%−16.4%26.8%+14.1%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.06+479%1.55+19.0%−0.4%−24.5%+12.6%+23.0%+8.1%−39.6%+108%+51.7%+29.1%22.4%+19.7%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.01+3,143%1.47+215%+37.9%−16.3%−6.0%+12.9%−24.4%−20.5%−2.3%——24.5%+32.9%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.01+1,636%1.46+107%+89.0%+0.8%+67.7%−10.4%−17.0%−15.2%−71.1%−9.5%—23.3%+28.8%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.02+413%1.44+23.7%+44.2%−28.4%−4.5%+29.3%+11.8%−40.4%+61.2%+46.9%+96.3%22.1%+19.1%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.23+690%1.41−4.0%+61.0%−8.2%+17.4%+0.4%—————23.8%+21.5%
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Common questions

What was RIO's worst drawdown?

RIO's deepest decline since it began trading in 1990 was 89.0%, from May to December 2008. It took about 12 years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were RIO's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, RIO's best year was 2009, when it returned 195%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -78.5%.

Is there a better investment than RIO?

Among RIO's popular alternatives, CAT and BHP earned more than RIO over the past 5 years with similar volatility: CAT returned 31.1% a year at 31.9% volatility, against 12.2% a year at 29.0%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, GLD (gold) and RTX (aerospace & defense) earned more than RIO with less volatility over the past 5 years. GLD returned 17.7% a year at 18.9% volatility, against 12.2% a year at 29.0%.

Is RIO more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. RIO's volatility over the past 5 years was 29.0%, 1.7 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, RIO's return lands within 29.0% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is RIO's Sharpe ratio?

RIO's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.54, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so RIO earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is RIO with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, RIO's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.34 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against RIO instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a RIO holding.

What are the best alternatives to RIO?

Of the 19 popular alternatives we compared, eight outperformed RIO in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: TGB, STLD and SCCO.

Did RIO outperform the S&P 500?

RIO finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 17 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +44.5%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did RIO do in stock market crashes?

RIO fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in six of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in four. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when RIO fell 33.9% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.

What diversifies RIO?

These had a low correlation with RIO over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.30), EMLP (correlation 0.35) and HDV (correlation 0.42); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.06), CLS (correlation 0.01) and FIX (correlation 0.01). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to RIO

Other stocks and ETFs