0334 GMT - Rio Tinto's 2Q production result is "encouraging" given the miner's mixed record over the past five years, UBS analysts say in a note. "We see this as a solid base for incoming CEO Simon Trott to pursue his mandate to lift operational efficiency, streamline functions and simplify the business," they say. That said, they reckon "it won't be easy." The miner faces challenges in Mongolia, where it runs a giant copper mine, and in ramping up the huge Simandou iron-ore project in Guinea, which risks impacting the global iron-ore market. Rio Tinto also faces questions on its lithium strategy and overall portfolio mix, the analysts say. UBS trims its 2025 EPS estimate by 5%, citing the impact of tariffs. It keeps a neutral rating and A$115/share target. Rio Tinto is up 1.3% at A$111.92. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 16, 2025 23:34 ET (03:34 GMT)

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