Rio Tinto Could Offload Assets to Generate up to $10 Billion, Macquarie Says

Rio Tinto (RIO) - Get Report could sell some of its assets that would yield the mining and metals company up to $10 billion, according to investment firm Macquarie.

The firm contends that the London-based company could generate between $3.3 to $4.3 billion should it opt to sell its outstanding coal operations. Rio recently completed the sale of its Coal & Allied thermal coal assets to China's Yancoal for $2.69 billion.

Rio could also receive up to $2.8 billion should it choose to sell its aluminum and smelting operations, Macquarie noted. In total, the investment firm sees 2018 shareholder returns, should these transactions pan out, at roughly $9.9 billion.

Shares of Rio Tinto were sinking in pre-market trading on Friday.

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