Rio Tinto H1 Pre-tax Profit Falls - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto Plc (RTNTF.PK, RIO, RIO.L, RTPPF.PK) reported that first-half of 2013 profit before taxation slip to $3.21 billion from $6.75 billion in the prior year period.

Profit attributable to owners of the company for the period fell to $1.72 billion from last year's $5.88 billion, with earnings per share declining to 92.6 cents from 315.7 cents in the previous year. The latest-quarter results included non-cash exchange losses of $1.9 billion and a $0.3 billion write-off of waste stripping costs and damaged equipment at Kennecott Utah Copper following the pit wall slide at Bingham Canyon in April.

Underlying earnings for the period declined about 18% to $4.23 billion from last year's 5.15 billion, reflecting lower average market prices and a higher effective tax rate, partly offset by record iron ore shipments and cost savings momentum.

Consolidated sales revenue from continuing operations for the period slip to $24.51 billion from $25.32 billion in the prior year period.

An interim dividend equivalent to 83.5 cents per share has been declared by Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited, a 15 per cent increase compared with the 2012 interim dividend of 72.5 cents per share.

Dividends will be paid on 12 September 2013 to Rio Tinto plc and ADR shareholders on the register at the close of business on 16 August 2013 and to Rio Tinto Limited shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 August 2013. The ex-dividend date for Rio Tinto plc, Rio Tinto Limited and Rio Tinto ADR shareholders will be 14 August 2013.