Rio Tinto Group (RIO) vs Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO)

SCCO leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics, though RIO is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Rio Tinto Group and Southern Copper Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 28, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — RIO vs SCCO

growth of $100 · last 30y
RIO +522.4%SCCO +7006.2%SCCO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$622$7,106
RIO SCCO

RIO vs SCCO: by the numbers

  • RIO is the larger company ($152.24B vs $142.89B market cap).
  • RIO trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.12 vs 28.50 P/E).
  • SCCO converts more revenue to profit (34.16% vs 19.28% net margin).
  • SCCO grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.59% vs 4.92% CAGR).
  • RIO pays the higher dividend yield (5.42% vs 2.34%).

Which is better, RIO or SCCO?

Metric tally: RIO 7 · SCCO 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueRIO(lower P/E)
GrowthSCCO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRIO(higher dividend yield)
QualitySCCO(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricRIOSCCO
P/E ratio7.1228.50
Forward P/E10.7624.77
P/S ratio1.389.67
P/B ratio2.4711.94
PEG ratio19.771.12
EV / EBITDA4.0616.24
FCF yield7.01%3.04%

Profitability

MetricRIOSCCO
Gross margin27.57%60.42%
Operating margin27.10%54.62%
Net margin19.28%34.16%
ROE34.53%42.17%
ROIC9.18%23.14%

Dividends

MetricRIOSCCO
Dividend yield5.42%2.34%
Payout ratio82.60%76.34%

Growth (annualized)

MetricRIOSCCO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.92%10.59%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.36%20.89%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-11.74%12.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)10.24%28.11%

Frequently asked

Which is better, RIO or SCCO?
It depends on your goal. value: RIO (lower P/E); growth: SCCO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RIO (higher dividend yield); quality: SCCO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SCCO leads 10 to 7.
Is RIO or SCCO cheaper?
On trailing earnings, RIO is cheaper: RIO trades at a 7.12 P/E and SCCO at 28.50.
Which has grown faster, RIO or SCCO?
Over the past five years, SCCO grew revenue faster — RIO at a 4.92% CAGR versus SCCO at 10.59%.
Does RIO or SCCO pay a bigger dividend?
RIO yields 5.42% and SCCO yields 2.34% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is RIO or SCCO more profitable?
SCCO runs the higher net margin — RIO at 19.28% versus SCCO at 34.16%.
Which has been the better investment, RIO or SCCO?
Over the past 10-year, SCCO delivered the higher annualized total return — RIO at 21.31% versus SCCO at 26.08%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 28, 2026.