** Citi expects Rio Tinto's RIO.AX, RIO.L focus to be on cost discipline around key assets under newly appointed CEO Simon Trott

** Trott, who heads the company's most profitable iron ore unit, was named Rio's CEO on Tuesday

** Brokerage doesn't expect Trott to introduce any fundamental changes and reduce focus on merger and acquisition deals

** Eight out of 15 analysts rate the Australia-listed stock "buy" or higher, 7 rate it "hold"; their median price target is A$118 - data compiled by LSEG

** YTD, the stock is down 6.1%, as of last close

(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)

((JasmeenAraIslam.Shaikh@thomsonreuters.com;))