10 Best Copper Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street Analysts

7. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39

Upside potential: 30.07%

Operating from its headquarters in London, United Kingdom, a global mining and metals company, Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) is engaged in exploring and processing essential minerals. Along with copper, the range of minerals the company handles includes iron ore, aluminum, and lithium. Rio Tinto Group operates across six continents, and its client base covers the construction, automotive, and energy industries. Despite the large-scale business operation, the company maintains its competitive strength with the help of its diversified assets and its high-performance efficiency.

Strong performances in copper and aluminum, as reported in the fourth quarter results, contributed to a 3% increase in net operating cash flow. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) has also garnered the support of its stakeholders by maintaining a 60% payout for the ninth consecutive year. With copper production expected to increase between 780,000-850,000 tons, the company anticipates a rise in capital expenditure to $11 billion. The Rincon project in Argentina and the Simandou project in Africa are expected to generate returns and increase shareholder value in 2025.

As one of the best copper stocks to invest in, Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) has attracted 39 hedge fund holders from the Insider Monkey database as of Q4 2024. Hedge funds reflect a steady institutional engagement. An upside potential of 30.07% positions the stock as a potentially undervalued large-cap copper stock for investors to buy.