Rio Tinto Group (RIO) vs Vale S.A. (VALE)
RIO leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Rio Tinto Group and Vale S.A. 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).
Total return — RIO vs VALE
growth of $100 · last 24yRIO +361.1%VALE +569.8%VALE compounded faster
RIO VALE
RIO vs VALE: by the numbers
- •RIO is the larger company ($152.24B vs $64.27B market cap).
- •RIO trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.12 vs 22.83 P/E).
- •RIO converts more revenue to profit (19.28% vs 7.06% net margin).
- •RIO grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.92% vs -2.82% CAGR).
- •RIO pays the higher dividend yield (5.42% vs 4.44%).
Which is better, RIO or VALE?
Metric tally: RIO 12 · VALE 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueRIO(lower P/E)
GrowthRIO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRIO(higher dividend yield)
QualityRIO(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | RIO | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 7.12● | 22.83 |
| Forward P/E | 10.76 | 7.78● |
| P/S ratio | 1.38● | 1.63 |
| P/B ratio | 2.47 | 1.76● |
| PEG ratio | 19.77 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 4.06● | 5.49 |
| FCF yield | 7.01%● | 5.20% |
Profitability
| Metric | RIO | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.57% | 34.52%● |
| Operating margin | 27.10% | 27.84%● |
| Net margin | 19.28%● | 7.06% |
| ROE | 34.53%● | 7.62% |
| ROIC | 9.18%● | 6.85% |
Dividends
| Metric | RIO | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 5.42%● | 4.44% |
| Payout ratio | 82.60% | 115.24% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | RIO | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.92%● | -2.82% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 0.36%● | -10.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -11.74%● | -26.26% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.24%● | -2.41% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, RIO or VALE?
- It depends on your goal. value: RIO (lower P/E); growth: RIO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RIO (higher dividend yield); quality: RIO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RIO leads 12 to 4.
- Is RIO or VALE cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, RIO is cheaper: RIO trades at a 7.12 P/E and VALE at 22.83.
- Which has grown faster, RIO or VALE?
- Over the past five years, RIO grew revenue faster — RIO at a 4.92% CAGR versus VALE at -2.82%.
- Does RIO or VALE pay a bigger dividend?
- RIO yields 5.42% and VALE yields 4.44% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is RIO or VALE more profitable?
- RIO runs the higher net margin — RIO at 19.28% versus VALE at 7.06%.
- Which has been the better investment, RIO or VALE?
- Over the past 10-year, RIO delivered the higher annualized total return — RIO at 21.31% versus VALE at 18.28%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Rio Tinto P/E ratioVale P/E ratioRio Tinto dividend yieldVale dividend yieldRio Tinto ROEVale ROERio Tinto operating marginVale operating marginRio Tinto revenue growthVale revenue growthRio Tinto free cash flowVale free cash flow
Rio Tinto & Vale appear in these rankings
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.