Компания Rio Tinto Plc демонстрирует неоднозначные результаты по фундаментальным метрикам. С одной стороны, её net profit margin и operating margin значительно выше медианы отрасли, что свидетельствует о хорошей операционной эффективности. Однако, компания сталкивается с серьезными проблемами, так как такие ключевые показатели, как ROE, ROA, EPS и выручка, находятся на нулевом уровне, что указывает на отсутствие прибыли и роста. Долговая нагрузка (debt-equity ratio) находится на приемлемом уровне, но снижение текущих коэффициентов ликвидности говорит о возможных проблемах с краткосрочными обязательствами. Дивидендная доходность также падает, что может негативно сказаться на привлекательности акций для инвесторов. В целом, отсутствие значительных финансовых показателей и рост долговой нагрузки может ограничить возможности компании в будущем, что негативно сказывается на её оценке на рынке.

Rio Tinto Plc

(RTTNews) - Rio Tinto Group (RIO), a mining company, Thursday announced that it is partnering with Prysmian, a cable manufacturer, on an industrial trial to produce low-carbon aluminum cables for the data center market.
The trial saw Rio Tinto manufacture aluminum rod using a blend of low-carbon aluminum from Rio Tinto's hydro powered Alma smelter in Quebec and produced aluminum using the ELYSIS technology.
By combining low-carbon aluminum production with advanced cable manufacturing, utilizing the ELYSIS technology, which eliminates all direct greenhouse gas emissions from the aluminum smelting process and produces oxygen instead, Rio Tinto and Prysmian hope to support the data center industry's growth.
Previously, both the companies had signed a five-year supply agreement in 2023, bringing together their respective technologies and research and development capabilities, introducing lower-carbon aluminum solutions across a range of applications including energy transmission and data centers.
Currently, RIO shares are trading at $91.52, down 0.61% on the New York Stock Exchange.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Rio Tinto, Prysmian Partner To Produce Low-carbon Aluminum Cables For Data Centers

(RTTNews) - Rio Tinto (RTNTF, RIO, RIO.L, RTPPF, RIO1.DE, RIO.AX) Tuesday said it has secured a $1.175 billion financing package from four international lenders to support development of its Rincon lithium project in Salta Province, Argentina.
The financing includes loans from the International Finance Corporation, IDB Invest, Export Finance Australia and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
The funding will support development of the $2.5 billion Rincon lithium project, which aims to produce about 60,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually.
Construction of the facility began last year and includes expansion of worker camps and development of site infrastructure. First production is expected in 2028, followed by a three-year ramp-up to full capacity.
Rio Tinto said the project is expected to have a mine life of about 40 years and will form part of the company's strategy to expand its lithium portfolio amid growing demand driven by the global energy transition.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Rio Tinto Secures $1.175 Bln Financing For Rincon Lithium Project In Argentina

Albemarle Corporation’s ALB shares have popped 121.3% in the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Chemical - Diversified industry’s rise of 2.7% and the S&P 500’s increase of 4%. The rally has been fueled by the company’s forecast-topping earnings performance, supported by volume growth in the Energy Storage segment, ongoing cost-reduction initiatives and a rebound in lithium prices amid strengthening demand and tighter supply conditions.
ALB’s peers, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. SQM and Rio Tinto Group RIO, have rallied 68.1% and 45.2%, respectively, over the same period.
ALB’s 6-month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ALB stock slipped below its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) on March 5, 2026. It is currently trading above its 200-day SMA, suggesting a long-term uptrend. Following a golden crossover on Sept. 3, 2025, the 50-day SMA is reading higher than the 200-day SMA, indicating a bullish trend.
Albemarle Trades Below 50-Day SMA
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let’s take a look at ALB’s fundamentals to analyze the stock better.
Growing Lithium Demand, Productivity & Higher Prices Aid ALB
Albemarle is well-placed to gain from long-term growth in the battery-grade lithium market. The market for lithium batteries and energy storage remains strong, especially for electric vehicles (EVs), offering significant opportunities for the company to develop innovative products and expand capacity. Lithium demand is expected to grow on the back of significant global EV penetration. ALB expects lithium demand to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10-20% from 2025 to 2030 and sees stationary storage as a significant driver for lithium demand along with EVs. Lithium demand increased more than 30% year over year, and the company expects demand to grow roughly 15-40% this year.
The company is strategically executing its projects aimed at boosting its global lithium conversion capacity. It remains focused on investing in high-return projects to drive productivity. Healthy customer demand, capacity expansion and plant productivity improvements are supporting its volumes. ALB saw higher sales volumes in its Energy Storage unit in the fourth quarter of 2025 on strong production from its integrated conversion facilities. The Salar yield improvement project in Chile has achieved a 50% operating rate, and ramp-up continues to deliver encouraging outcomes. The ramp-up at the Meishan lithium conversion facility in China is also progressing ahead of schedule.
Albemarle is taking aggressive cost-saving and productivity actions. The company delivered roughly $450 million in cost and productivity improvements for full-year 2025, having surpassed its initial target of $300-$400 million. It expects additional cost and productivity improvements of $100-$150 million in 2026. ALB is taking actions to maintain its competitive position, including the initiation of a comprehensive review of cost and operating structure, optimization of the conversion network and reduction of capital expenditure. Its capital expenditures of $590 million for 2025 decreased 65% year over year.
ALB recently announced that it will idle Train 1, the remaining operating train at its Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant in Western Australia, and place it into care and maintenance effective immediately. This move follows earlier actions in 2024 to idle Train 2 for care and maintenance and stop expansion plans for Trains 3 and 4. The Kemerton facility processes spodumene from the Greenbushes mine, one of the world’s best deposits. The move is a result of ongoing efforts over the past two and a half years to reduce operating costs. The company expects higher flexibility and optionality to benefit adjusted EBITDA starting in the second quarter of 2026.
Higher lithium prices, driven by strong demand from EVs and energy storage systems, along with supply disruptions due to recent supply reductions in China, should also aid ALB’s performance. Lithium prices have rebounded lately from trough levels, supported by tightening supply and strong demand in China and globally.
ALB’s Capital Allocation Backed by Strong Financial Health
Albemarle remains committed to driving shareholder value by leveraging healthy cash flows and strong liquidity. At the end of 2025, ALB had liquidity of around $3.2 billion, including cash and cash equivalents of around $1.6 billion. Its operating cash flow was around $1.3 billion in 2025, up roughly 86% from a year ago. ALB generated free cash flow of $692 million for full-year 2025, driven by strong cash conversion, lower capital spending and productivity measures. It expects to generate meaningful free cash flow in 2026.
ALB recently completed the divestment of a controlling stake in its Ketjen Corporation’s refining catalyst solutions business to affiliates of KPS Capital Partners, LP. The transaction was followed by Albemarle’s divestment of its 50% interest in the Eurecat joint venture to Axens SA, completed in January 2026. The two deals combined generated $670 million in pre-tax proceeds, which are expected to be used for debt reduction and other general corporate purposes, enhancing its financial flexibility.
The company remains focused on maintaining its dividend payout. It has raised its quarterly dividend for 30 consecutive years. ALB offers a dividend yield of 1% at the current stock price. Backed by healthy cash flows and sound financial health, the company's dividend is perceived to be safe and reliable.
ALB’s Estimates Reflect Positive Sentiment
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 for ALB has been revised upward over the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for 2027 has been going up over the same time frame.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is currently pegged at $7.87, suggesting a year-over-year rise of 1,096.2%. Earnings are expected to increase roughly 21.5% in 2027.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
A Look at ALB’s Valuation
ALB is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 3.35, well above the industry. It is trading at a premium to Sociedad Quimica and Rio Tinto. Albemarle and Sociedad Quimica currently have a Value Score of C, while Rio Tinto has a Value Score of A.
ALB’s P/S F12M Vs. Industry, SQM and RIO
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Final Thoughts: Buy ALB Shares
Albemarle is benefiting from higher lithium volumes driven by project ramp-ups, as well as initiatives to expand global lithium conversion capacity and enhance productivity. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the substantial growth opportunity in the battery-grade lithium market, supported by the global transition toward EVs. Higher lithium prices amid robust demand and tight supply conditions also provide a tailwind.
Rising earnings estimates and a strong growth outlook further strengthen Albemarle’s investment case. Although the stock trades at a premium valuation, it appears justified given the company’s solid fundamentals and earnings potential. With robust growth prospects ahead, investors may consider betting on this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Albemarle Surges 121% in 6 Months: Here's How to Play the Stock

Looking at the universe of stocks we cover at Dividend Channel, on 3/6/26, Rio Tinto plc (Symbol: RIO) will trade ex-dividend, for its semi-annual dividend of $2.54, payable on 4/16/26. As a percentage of RIO's recent stock price of $95.31, this dividend works out to approximately 2.66%, so look for shares of Rio Tinto plc to trade 2.66% lower — all else being equal — when RIO shares open for trading on 3/6/26.
In general, dividends are not always predictable; but looking at the history above can help in judging whether the most recent dividend from RIO is likely to continue, and whether the current estimated yield of 5.33% on annualized basis is a reasonable expectation of annual yield going forward. The chart below shows the one year performance of RIO shares, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, RIO's low point in its 52 week range is $51.67 per share, with $101.53 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $96.14.
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In Wednesday trading, Rio Tinto plc shares are currently down about 4.3% on the day.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Rio Tinto About To Put More Money In Your Pocket (RIO)

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 4, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: The Hershey Co. HSY, BHP Group Ltd. BHP, Rio Tinto Group RIO, Atmos Energy Corp. ATO and Entergy Corp. ETR.
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
Buy 5 Low-Beta, High-Yielding Stocks Amid Global Economic Uncertainty
Wall Street saw an impressive bull run in the last three years. However, 2026 has turned out mixed so far for the U.S. stock markets. Volatility gripped Wall Street in February primarily due to three factors discussed later.
At this juncture, investment in low-beta (beta >0<1) stocks with high dividend yields (>2%) and a favorable Zacks Rank will be the best option. If markets regain momentum, the favorable Zacks Rank of these stocks will capture the upside potential. However, if the downtrend continues, low-beta stocks will minimize portfolio losses and dividend payments will act as a regular income stream.
Five such stocks are: The Hershey Co., BHP Group Ltd., Rio Tinto Group, Atmos Energy Corp. and Entergy Corp. Each of our picks currently carries either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Volatility Reappears on Wall Street
The primary source of recent volatility is the concern about the continuity of the AI trade. Investors are worried about the sustainability of the ongoing massive AI capital expenditure by hyperscalers given the uncertainty of the timing of monetization. Moreover, investors are also skeptical that AI tools will eventually cannibalize the enterprise software market.
The second source of volatility is the uncertainty about President Donald Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs, their legal validity of imposition and impacts. A sticky inflation rate further complicated the situation. Moreover, market participants have no clue about the Fed’s future course of interest rate trajectory.
Finally, geopolitical conflicts, especially in the Middle East, are causes of concern. The recent war in that region with Iran is likely to inflate global crude oil prices. This will severely impact the inflationary situation across the world.
The Hershey Co.
Zacks Rank #1 Hershey is focused on strengthening innovation, supply-chain agility and commercial execution as it expands its presence across the snacking category. HSY is supported by strong pricing discipline, a successful innovation pipeline and solid growth in salty snacks.
Hershey is progressing through a multi-year transformation that modernizes and integrates its supply chain, strengthens commercial capabilities, and enhances demand forecasting and execution. HSY highlighted upgrades across procurement, production, distribution and commercial planning, supported by investments in data, analytics and digital tools.
HSY’s retail takeaway improved across core categories, reflecting better shelf execution and effective brand investment. Management expressed confidence in returning to its long-term growth algorithm in the following year.
Hershey has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 4.8% and 29.3%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 16.7% over the last 30 days. HSY has a beta of 0.14 and a current dividend yield of 2.46%.
BHP Group Ltd.
Zacks Rank #1 BHP Group witnessed a 1% dip in iron ore output, while copper production was up 4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. BHP projects iron ore production at 258-269 Mt for fiscal 2026. The midpoint indicates in-line results with fiscal 2025. Western Australia Iron Ore continues to perform well and maintains its position as the lowest-cost iron ore producer.
BHP’s copper guidance of 1,900-2,000 kt indicates a 3% decline at the midpoint, reflecting planned lower grades in Chile. Iron ore and copper prices have gained lately, which will boost its results in the upcoming quarters.
BHP’s portfolio shift toward commodities like copper and potash will help it ride on growing global trends such as decarbonization and electrification. Aided by its strong cash flow, BHP has lowered its debt over the past few years, which is commendable.
BHP Group has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of -1.5% and 32.7%, respectively, for the current year (ending June 2026). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 0.8% over the last seven days. BHP has a beta of 0.64 and a current dividend yield of 2.91%.
Rio Tinto Group
Acks Rank #1 Rio Tinto is an international mining company. RIO has interests in mining for aluminum, borax, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, tin, uranium, zinc, titanium, dioxide feedstock, diamonds, talc and zircon. RIO’s various mining operations are located in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Europe and Canada.
Rio Tinto has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 10.7% and 21.8%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 1.4% over the last seven days. RIO has a beta of 0.53 and a current dividend yield of 2.97%.
Atmos Energy Corp.
Zacks Rank #2 Atmos Energy benefits from rising natural gas demand and the implementation of new rates in its service territories. ATO's long-term capital investment is directed to replace and upgrade aging transmission and distribution infrastructure, which will increase the reliability of its services.
Atmos Energy benefits from strategic acquisitions, the addition of industrial customers and constructive rate outcomes, which contribute to overall revenue and profitability growth. As of Dec. 31, 2025, ATO had added nearly 54,000 new customers.
Stable performance has allowed ATO to enhance shareholder value through dividend hikes. ATO has enough liquidity to meet its debt obligations. The steady performance of ATO has enabled it to reward shareholders through consistent increases in annual dividend rates.
Atmos Energy has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 18.8% and 9%, respectively, for the current year (ending September 2026). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 0.6% over the last 30 days. ATO has a beta of 0.74 and a current dividend yield of 2.14%.
Entergy Corp.
Zacks Rank #2 Entergy plans to invest $41 billion during 2026-2029 to upgrade its infrastructure and support renewable expansion. ETR is also investing significantly in grid hardening to make its transmission and distribution systems more resilient.
Entergy Mississippi plans to construct, own and operate the 80-MW Delta Solar facility, which is expected to be in service by the end of 2027, as well as the 190-MW Penton Solar facility, which is expected to be in service by early 2028.
ETR plans to add 275 MW of nuclear power through upgrades in its existing nuclear plants, to expand its nuclear capacity further. ETR has also secured an early site permit for a new nuclear reactor at its Grand Gulf site in Mississipi.
Entergy has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 6.5% and 12.5%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 0.2% over the last 30 days. ETR has a beta of 0.64 and a current dividend yield of 2.39%.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Hershey, BHP, Rio Tinto, Atmos Energy and Entergy

(RTTNews) - Rio Tinto (RIO, RIO.L, RIO1.DE, RIO.AX) and the Western Australian Government have entered into a 50:50 joint venture to complete both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant. Once fully operational, the plant will deliver 8GL of desalinated water per year to the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme.
The company said construction of Stage 1 of the desalination plant is underway and is expected to begin delivering 4GL of annual desalination capacity later in the current year. Stage 2 construction, which will add a further 4GL of annual capacity, has commenced, with first water expected in 2027.
At last close on ASX, Rio Tinto shares were trading at A$162.70, down 1.61%.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Rio Tinto Enters JV To Expand Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant

Wall Street saw an impressive bull run in the last three years. However, 2026 has turned out mixed so far for the U.S. stock markets. Volatility gripped Wall Street in February primarily due to three factors discussed later.
At this juncture, investment in low-beta (beta >0<1) stocks with high dividend yields (>2%) and a favorable Zacks Rank will be the best option. If markets regain momentum, the favorable Zacks Rank of these stocks will capture the upside potential. However, if the downtrend continues, low-beta stocks will minimize portfolio losses and dividend payments will act as a regular income stream.
Five such stocks are: The Hershey Co. HSY, BHP Group Ltd. BHP, Rio Tinto Group RIO, Atmos Energy Corp. ATO and Entergy Corp. ETR. Each of our picks currently carries either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Volatility Reappears on Wall Street
The primary source of recent volatility is the concern about the continuity of the AI trade. Investors are worried about the sustainability of the ongoing massive AI capital expenditure by hyperscalers given the uncertainty of the timing of monetization. Moreover, investors are also skeptical that AI tools will eventually cannibalize the enterprise software market.
The second source of volatility is the uncertainty about President Donald Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs, their legal validity of imposition and impacts. A sticky inflation rate further complicated the situation. Moreover, market participants have no clue about the Fed’s future course of interest rate trajectory.
Finally, geopolitical conflicts, especially in the Middle East, are causes of concern. The recent war in that region with Iran is likely to inflate global crude oil prices. This will severely impact the inflationary situation across the world.
The chart below shows the price performance of our five picks year to date.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Hershey Co.
Zacks Rank #1 Hershey is focused on strengthening innovation, supply-chain agility and commercial execution as it expands its presence across the snacking category. HSY is supported by strong pricing discipline, a successful innovation pipeline and solid growth in salty snacks.
Hershey is progressing through a multi-year transformation that modernizes and integrates its supply chain, strengthens commercial capabilities, and enhances demand forecasting and execution. HSY highlighted upgrades across procurement, production, distribution and commercial planning, supported by investments in data, analytics and digital tools.
HSY’s retail takeaway improved across core categories, reflecting better shelf execution and effective brand investment. Management expressed confidence in returning to its long-term growth algorithm in the following year.
Hershey has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 4.8% and 29.3%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 16.7% over the last 30 days. HSY has a beta of 0.14 and a current dividend yield of 2.46%.
BHP Group Ltd.
Zacks Rank #1 BHP Group witnessed a 1% dip in iron ore output, while copper production was up 4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. BHP projects iron ore production at 258-269 Mt for fiscal 2026. The midpoint indicates in-line results with fiscal 2025. Western Australia Iron Ore continues to perform well and maintains its position as the lowest-cost iron ore producer.
BHP’s copper guidance of 1,900-2,000 kt indicates a 3% decline at the midpoint, reflecting planned lower grades in Chile. Iron ore and copper prices have gained lately, which will boost its results in the upcoming quarters.
BHP’s portfolio shift toward commodities like copper and potash will help it ride on growing global trends such as decarbonization and electrification. Aided by its strong cash flow, BHP has lowered its debt over the past few years, which is commendable.
BHP Group has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of -1.5% and 32.7%, respectively, for the current year (ending June 2026). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 0.8% over the last seven days. BHP has a beta of 0.64 and a current dividend yield of 2.91%.
Rio Tinto Group
Acks Rank #1 Rio Tinto is an international mining company. RIO has interests in mining for aluminum, borax, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, tin, uranium, zinc, titanium, dioxide feedstock, diamonds, talc and zircon. RIO’s various mining operations are located in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Europe and Canada.
Rio Tinto has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 10.7% and 21.8%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 1.4% over the last seven days. RIO has a beta of 0.53 and a current dividend yield of 2.97%.
Atmos Energy Corp.
Zacks Rank #2 Atmos Energy benefits from rising natural gas demand and the implementation of new rates in its service territories. ATO's long-term capital investment is directed to replace and upgrade aging transmission and distribution infrastructure, which will increase the reliability of its services.
Atmos Energy benefits from strategic acquisitions, the addition of industrial customers and constructive rate outcomes, which contribute to overall revenue and profitability growth. As of Dec. 31, 2025, ATO had added nearly 54,000 new customers.
Stable performance has allowed ATO to enhance shareholder value through dividend hikes. ATO has enough liquidity to meet its debt obligations. The steady performance of ATO has enabled it to reward shareholders through consistent increases in annual dividend rates.
Atmos Energy has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 18.8% and 9%, respectively, for the current year (ending September 2026). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 0.6% over the last 30 days. ATO has a beta of 0.74 and a current dividend yield of 2.14%.
Entergy Corp.
Zacks Rank #2 Entergy plans to invest $41 billion during 2026-2029 to upgrade its infrastructure and support renewable expansion. ETR is also investing significantly in grid hardening to make its transmission and distribution systems more resilient.
Entergy Mississippi plans to construct, own and operate the 80-MW Delta Solar facility, which is expected to be in service by the end of 2027, as well as the 190-MW Penton Solar facility, which is expected to be in service by early 2028.
ETR plans to add 275 MW of nuclear power through upgrades in its existing nuclear plants, to expand its nuclear capacity further. ETR has also secured an early site permit for a new nuclear reactor at its Grand Gulf site in Mississipi.
Entergy has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 6.5% and 12.5%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 0.2% over the last 30 days. ETR has a beta of 0.64 and a current dividend yield of 2.39%.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Buy 5 Low-Beta High-Yielding Stocks Amid Global Economic Uncertainty

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 3, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: NVIDIA Corp. NVDA, Comfort Systems USA Inc. FIX, Onto Innovation Inc. ONTO, Rio Tinto Group RIO and Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. BAM.
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
5 Momentum Stocks to Buy for March After a Volatile February
U.S. stocks suffered a blow, and the bull run halted in February, with Wall Street concluding a Volatile month. Market participants remained concerned about the continuity of the AI (artificial intelligence) trade.
Investors are highly concerned about the sustainability of lofty AI-related capital spending by hyperscalers, the timing of its monetization, and AI-related disturbances in industries like enterprise software, financials and industrials. Moreover, sticky inflation also dented investors’ sentiment.
In February, the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 fell 3% and 1%, respectively. The Nasdaq posted its worst month since March 2025. The Dow rose a mere 0.2%. Despite these headwinds, a few stocks are expected to maintain their momentum in March, too.
Five such stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank are: NVIDIA Corp., Comfort Systems USA Inc., Onto Innovation Inc., Rio Tinto Group and Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. Each of the stocks sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present and has a Zacks Momentum Score of A or B. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
NVIDIA Corp.
NVIDIA — the undisputed global leader of generative AI-powered graphical processing units (GPUs) — has been benefiting from higher shipments of the Blackwell GPU computing platforms.
In January, NVDA unveiled its new AI superchip — Vera Rubin — during the annual CES technology conference in Las Vegas. This innovative rack-scale system will deliver 10 times more performance per watt than its predecessor, Grace Blackwell.
NVIDIA will start the shipment of Vera Rubin in the second half of 2026. It has decided to announce its roadmap for Rubin Ultra, likely to be introduced in late 2027, and Feynman AI chips to be launched in 2028.
NVDA is supported by an extremely bullish demand scenario. The company expects between $3 trillion and $4 trillion in AI infrastructure spending by the end of the decade. NVDA has been benefiting from enormous spending by AI hyperscalers.
NVDA has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 46.8% and 59.8%, respectively, for the current year (ending January 2027). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 3.7% over the last seven days.
Comfort Systems USA Inc.
Comfort Systems USA operates primarily in the commercial and industrial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) markets, and performs most of its services within manufacturing plants, office buildings, retail centers, apartment complexes, and healthcare, education and government facilities.
The data center boom, driven by AI, cloud computing, and high-performance computing, is fueling demand for the specialized HVAC solutions of FIX. Cooling systems for these facilities should deliver precise and reliable performance, prompting investments in advanced technologies such as liquid cooling and modular units.
This segment is becoming a significant growth driver for FIX, offering high-margin opportunities and attracting M&A activity. HVAC firms with capabilities in precision cooling and energy-efficient infrastructure are well-positioned to capture share in this fast-expanding niche.
Comfort Systems USA has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 20.3% and 28.2%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 20.9% in the last seven days.
Onto Innovation Inc.
Onto Innovation is gaining from a diversified portfolio and growing foothold in AI-driven advanced packaging against a softer semiconductor backdrop. Successful 3Di and Dragonfly qualifications, product uptake and offshore manufacturing ramp-up position it for solid sequential and long-term growth.
In 2026, market growth is expected to be driven by increased investments in advanced packaging to meet rising AI compute demand. ONTO’s 3Di technology completed full qualification at two high-bandwidth memory customers during the third quarter of 2025.
Following these qualifications, ONTO began discussions for volume orders integrating 3Di and subsurface defect inspection for next-generation HBM devices. Also, the company secured an order from a leading OSAT for 2.5D AI packaging applications.
Onto Innovation has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 19.5% and 29%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 2.7% in the last seven days.
Rio Tinto Group
Rio Tinto is an international mining company. RIO has interests in mining for aluminum, borax, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, tin, uranium, zinc, titanium, dioxide feedstock, diamonds, talc and zircon. RIO’s various mining operations are located in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Europe and Canada.
Rio Tinto has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 10.7% and 21.8%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 1.4% over the last seven days.
Brookfield Asset Management Ltd.
Brookfield Asset Management is an alternative asset manager with assets under management across real estate, infrastructure, renewable power and transition, private equity and credit.
BAM typically invests in renewable power and transition, and infrastructure sectors. Within the infrastructure sector, BAM seeks to invest across the transport, data, utilities and midstream sectors.
BAM offers a range of alternative investment products to investors including public and private pension plans, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, insurance companies and private wealth investors.
Brookfield Asset Management has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 12.5% and 15.2%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 3.8% over the last 30 days.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. Little-known AI firms tackling the world's biggest problems may be more lucrative in the coming months and years.
See
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Onto Innovation Inc. (ONTO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights NVIDIA, Comfort Systems, Onto Innovation, Rio Tinto Group and Brookfield Asset Management

U.S. stocks suffered a blow, and the bull run halted in February, with Wall Street concluding a Volatile month. Market participants remained concerned about the continuity of the AI (artificial intelligence) trade.
Investors are highly concerned about the sustainability of lofty AI-related capital spending by hyperscalers, the timing of its monetization, and AI-related disturbances in industries like enterprise software, financials and industrials. Moreover, sticky inflation also dented investors’ sentiment.
In February, the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 fell 3% and 1%, respectively. The Nasdaq posted its worst month since March 2025. The Dow rose a mere 0.2%. Despite these headwinds, a few stocks are expected to maintain their momentum in March, too.
Five such stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank are: NVIDIA Corp. NVDA, Comfort Systems USA Inc. FIX, Onto Innovation Inc. ONTO, Rio Tinto Group RIO and Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. BAM. Each of the stocks sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present and has a Zacks Momentum Score of A or B. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The chart below shows the price performance of our five picks in the past month.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
NVIDIA Corp.
NVIDIA — the undisputed global leader of generative AI-powered graphical processing units (GPUs) — has been benefiting from higher shipments of the Blackwell GPU computing platforms.
In January, NVDA unveiled its new AI superchip — Vera Rubin — during the annual CES technology conference in Las Vegas. This innovative rack-scale system will deliver 10 times more performance per watt than its predecessor, Grace Blackwell.
NVIDIA will start the shipment of Vera Rubin in the second half of 2026. It has decided to announce its roadmap for Rubin Ultra, likely to be introduced in late 2027, and Feynman AI chips to be launched in 2028.
NVDA is supported by an extremely bullish demand scenario. The company expects between $3 trillion and $4 trillion in AI infrastructure spending by the end of the decade. NVDA has been benefiting from enormous spending by AI hyperscalers.
NVDA has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 46.8% and 59.8%, respectively, for the current year (ending January 2027). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 3.7% over the last seven days.
Comfort Systems USA Inc.
Comfort Systems USA operates primarily in the commercial and industrial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) markets, and performs most of its services within manufacturing plants, office buildings, retail centers, apartment complexes, and healthcare, education and government facilities.
The data center boom, driven by AI, cloud computing, and high-performance computing, is fueling demand for the specialized HVAC solutions of FIX. Cooling systems for these facilities should deliver precise and reliable performance, prompting investments in advanced technologies such as liquid cooling and modular units.
This segment is becoming a significant growth driver for FIX, offering high-margin opportunities and attracting M&A activity. HVAC firms with capabilities in precision cooling and energy-efficient infrastructure are well-positioned to capture share in this fast-expanding niche.
Comfort Systems USA has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 20.3% and 28.2%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 20.9% in the last seven days.
Onto Innovation Inc.
Onto Innovation is gaining from a diversified portfolio and growing foothold in AI-driven advanced packaging against a softer semiconductor backdrop. Successful 3Di and Dragonfly qualifications, product uptake and offshore manufacturing ramp-up position it for solid sequential and long-term growth.
In 2026, market growth is expected to be driven by increased investments in advanced packaging to meet rising AI compute demand. ONTO’s 3Di technology completed full qualification at two high-bandwidth memory customers during the third quarter of 2025.
Following these qualifications, ONTO began discussions for volume orders integrating 3Di and subsurface defect inspection for next-generation HBM devices. Also, the company secured an order from a leading OSAT for 2.5D AI packaging applications.
Onto Innovation has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 19.5% and 29%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 2.7% in the last seven days.
Rio Tinto Group
Rio Tinto is an international mining company. RIO has interests in mining for aluminum, borax, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, tin, uranium, zinc, titanium, dioxide feedstock, diamonds, talc and zircon. RIO’s various mining operations are located in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Europe and Canada.
Rio Tinto has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 10.7% and 21.8%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 1.4% over the last seven days.
Brookfield Asset Management Ltd.
Brookfield Asset Management is an alternative asset manager with assets under management across real estate, infrastructure, renewable power and transition, private equity and credit.
BAM typically invests in renewable power and transition, and infrastructure sectors. Within the infrastructure sector, BAM seeks to invest across the transport, data, utilities and midstream sectors.
BAM offers a range of alternative investment products to investors including public and private pension plans, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, insurance companies and private wealth investors.
Brookfield Asset Management has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 12.5% and 15.2%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 3.8% over the last 30 days.
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5 Momentum Stocks to Buy for March After a Volatile February

Wall Street started 2026 on a positive note after witnessing a massive bull run in the last three years. However, U.S. stock markets have seen fluctuations in February due to concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) trade.
Investors have been rotating out of tech stocks on growing worries about the downsides of AI stocks. The selloff continued as fears grew over the potential of AI stocks compared to the billions of dollars pumped into the sector.
At this stage, it should be prudent to invest in stocks of high dividend-paying corporate bigwigs. These firms generally have a strong financial position, robust business model and globally acclaimed brand value. Further, their regular dividend payment will act as an income stream during market fluctuations.
Five such stocks with a top Zacks Rank are: AngloGold Ashanti plc AU, Ford Motor Co. F, The Hershey Co. HSY, Rio Tinto Group RIO and BHP Group Ltd. BHP. Each of our picks currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The chart below shows the price performance of our five picks year to date.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AngloGold Ashanti plc
AngloGold Ashanti operates as a gold mining company in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. AU primarily explores for gold, as well as produces silver and sulphuric acid as by-products. AU’s flagship property is the fully owned Geita mine located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania.
AngloGold Ashanti has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 22.5% and 52.9%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 10% over the last 30 days. AU has a current dividend yield of 3.36%.
Ford Motor Co.
Ford Motor generated $187 billion in revenues in 2025, marking its fifth straight year of top-line growth. Ford Pro unit remains a key growth engine, supported by high demand for Super Duty trucks, and expanding software and service offerings.
Ford’s hybrid strategy adds resilience as EV adoption evolves. While the Model e segment faces near-term losses, Ford is positioning for long-term success with its Universal EV Platform, targeting lower-priced models. Ford Energy is another strategic lever, resulting in diversification. Strong liquidity profile and a high dividend yield are also encouraging.
Ford Motor has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 0.3% and 39.5%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 3.4% over the last 30 days. F has a current dividend yield of 4.33%.
The Hershey Co.
Hershey is focused on strengthening innovation, supply-chain agility and commercial execution as it expands its presence across the snacking category. HSY is supported by strong pricing discipline, a successful innovation pipeline and solid growth in salty snacks.
Hershey is progressing through a multi-year transformation that modernizes and integrates its supply chain, strengthens commercial capabilities, and enhances demand forecasting and execution. HSY highlighted upgrades across procurement, production, distribution and commercial planning, supported by investments in data, analytics and digital tools.
HSY’s retail takeaway improved across core categories, reflecting better shelf execution and effective brand investment. Management expressed confidence in returning to its long-term growth algorithm in the following year.
Hershey has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 4.4% and 27.1%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 15.9% over the last 30 days. HSY has a current dividend yield of 2.62%.
Rio Tinto Group
Rio Tinto is an international mining company. RIO has interests in mining for aluminum, borax, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, tin, uranium, zinc, titanium, dioxide feedstock, diamonds, talc and zircon. RIO’s various mining operations are located in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Europe and Canada.
Rio Tinto has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 10% and 19%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 9% over the last 30 days. RIO has a current dividend yield of 2.98%.
BHP Group Ltd.
BHP Group witnessed a 1% dip in iron ore output, while copper production was up 4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. BHP projects iron ore production at 258-269 Mt for fiscal 2026. The midpoint indicates in-line results with fiscal 2025. Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) continues to perform well and maintains its position as the lowest-cost iron ore producer.
BHP’s copper guidance of 1,900-2,000 kt indicates a 3% decline at the midpoint, reflecting planned lower grades in Chile. Iron ore and copper prices have gained lately, which will boost its results in the upcoming quarters.
BHP’s portfolio shift toward commodities like copper and potash will help it ride on growing global trends such as decarbonization and electrification. Aided by its strong cash flow, BHP has lowered its debt over the past few years, which is commendable.
BHP Group has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of -4.1% and 29.1%, respectively, for the current year (ending June 2026). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 0.4% over the last seven days. BHP has a current dividend yield of 3.18%.
#1 Semiconductor Stock to Buy (Not NVDA)
The incredible demand for data is fueling the market's next digital gold rush. As data centers continue to be built and constantly upgraded, the companies that provide the hardware for these behemoths will become the NVIDIAs of tomorrow.
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Periodand min./max. price, $	Price change, %		Volatility, %		Volume, $
Periodand min./max. price, $	RIO	Industry	RIO	Industry	Volume, $
Yesterday 90.8 - 92.5	6.71	5.72	5.92	1.91	173.67M
Week 87.3 - 96.9	0.92	12.25	3.59	3.31	1.17B
Month 87.3 - 101.5	-2.25	15.39	9.66	12.81	4.29B
3 Months 74.7 - 101.5	29.00	37.51	14.18	16.47	13.21B
6 Months 61.7 - 101.5	57.24	63.10	19.08	25.16	22.75B
Year 51.7 - 101.5	56.89	90.73	26.99	42.87	39.64B
3 years 51.7 - 101.5	42.13	81.51	44.05	71.02	108.10B
5 years 50.9 - 101.5	19.03	100.77	65.55	95.49	198.63B
All time 35.4 - 96.0	73.96	484.29	—	—	179.22B

Rio Tinto Plc

Price and volatility history

Risk ratios