FTSE big-hitter Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO) has had a tough time of it lately, together with different commodities companies.

The important thing purpose has been the uneven financial restoration of China from its Covid years. From the mid-Nineties to that time it had been the world’s greatest commodities purchaser. Commodities powered its stellar financial development.

Nevertheless, indicators of a extra sustained restoration are rising. Final yr it recorded development of 5.2% — in opposition to an official goal of “around 5%”. The identical goal stays in place for this yr.

To that impact, 24 September noticed the most important stimulus measures introduced for the reason that finish of the pandemic. These embody rate of interest cuts and reductions in financial institution reserve necessities – each aimed toward rising cash flowing within the economic system.

In addition they featured direct assist for the ailing property sector, which alone accounts for round 30% of China’s economic system.

Passive revenue potential

In 2023, Rio Tinto paid a complete dividend of $4.35, fastened at a sterling equal of £3.4144. On the present share price of £52.96, this offers a yield of 6.4%.

By comparability, the current common FTSE 100 yield is 3.5% and for the FTSE 250 it’s 3.3%.

£9,000 – the identical quantity I began investing with 30 years in the past – would purchase 170 shares within the agency.

Over a yr, these would generate £576 in passive revenue (cash constituted of minimal effort, most notably for my part from investing in shares that pay dividends).

Over 10 years on the identical 6.4% yield, this may rise to £5,760, and over 30 years to £17,280.

The facility of dividend compounding

That mentioned, if the dividends have been used to purchase extra Rio Tinto shares, the returns could possibly be a lot greater. That is ‘dividend compounding’ in monetary lingo.

Doing this on the identical 6.4% common yield would give whole dividend payouts after 10 years of £8,039, not £5,760. And over 30 years on the identical foundation, these could be £52,076 moderately than £17,280!

By that point, the entire Rio Tinto funding would generate £3,909 a yr in passive revenue, or £326 every month.

My funding view

I purchased the inventory lately for 3 key causes.

First, it has a excessive yield, which is more and more vital to me as I’m now over 50. Such dividend funds ought to allow me to scale back my working commitments with out my way of life being unduly affected.

Second, the relative undervaluation of the shares is vital. This reduces the possibilities of these dividend features being worn out by share price losses, in my expertise.

On the important thing price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) measure of inventory valuation, Rio Tinto presently trades at simply 10.7. That is very low cost in comparison with the common 28.1 P/E of its competitor group.

And third, China’s a lot improved financial development prospects are an element. A failure to understand these stays the chief danger for Rio Tinto shares, I feel.

Nevertheless, even when China partly undershoots its enlargement goal, absolutely the acquire in financial buying and selling phrases may nonetheless be big.

Particularly, even when China manages ‘just’ 4.5% annual development, it will be equal to including an economic system the dimensions of India’s to its personal each 4 years.