SQM vs. RIO
SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.) and RIO (Rio Tinto Group) are both stocks. Both are in the Basic Materials sector — SQM in Chemicals, RIO in Other Industrial Metals & Mining. Over the past 10 years, SQM returned 15.01%/yr vs 19.32%/yr for RIO. Their 0.37 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
SQM vs. RIO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SQM achieves a -1.42% return, which is significantly lower than RIO's 24.40% return. Over the past 10 years, SQM has underperformed RIO with an annualized return of 15.01%, while RIO has yielded a comparatively higher 19.32% annualized return.
SQM
- 1D
- -2.00%
- 1M
- -7.76%
- 6M
- -11.74%
- YTD
- -1.42%
- 1Y
- 89.78%
- 3Y*
- -1.04%
- 5Y*
- 11.73%
- 10Y*
- 15.01%
- ALL TIME*
- 16.71%
RIO
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 2.57%
- 6M
- 9.37%
- YTD
- 24.40%
- 1Y
- 70.95%
- 3Y*
- 21.12%
- 5Y*
- 10.17%
- 10Y*
- 19.32%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.96%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $267.36M | $271.65M | $273.47M | |
| $66.47M | $68.86M | $87.99M |
SQM vs. RIO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. | -1.42% | 89.55% | -39.35% | -18.47% | 71.62% | 6.82% | 89.19% | -27.30% | -32.71% | 115.00% |
RIO Rio Tinto Group | 24.40% | 44.47% | -15.36% | 11.06% | 18.48% | -3.67% | 36.22% | 33.18% | -2.93% | 44.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between SQM and RIO is 0.48, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.48 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.49 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.46 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.45 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 1993 | 0.37 |
The correlation between SQM and RIO shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (all time) to 0.49 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
SQM:
$19.15B
RIO:
$157.38B
SQM:
$2.86
RIO:
$13.62
SQM:
23.43
RIO:
7.11
SQM:
3.60
RIO:
1.37
SQM:
3.26
RIO:
2.43
SQM:
$5.31B
RIO:
$115.63B
SQM:
$1.83B
RIO:
$30.71B
SQM:
$1.75B
RIO:
$41.85B
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Return for Risk
SQM vs. RIO — Risk / Return Rank
SQM
RIO
SQM vs. RIO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) and Rio Tinto Group (RIO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| SQM | RIO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.72 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.63 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.38 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.85 | 3.42 | -0.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.32 | 10.06 | -2.74 |
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Drawdowns
SQM vs. RIO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SQM drawdown since its inception was -78.34%, smaller than the maximum RIO drawdown of -88.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SQM and RIO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SQM | RIO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -78.34% | -88.97% | +10.63% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -29.91% | -20.74% | -9.17% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -56.55% | -24.19% | -32.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -69.76% | -35.25% | -34.51% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -72.98% | -37.47% | -35.51% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -31.59% | -13.56% | -18.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -30.30% | -23.73% | -6.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 11.63% | 7.04% | +4.59% |
Volatility
SQM vs. RIO - Volatility Comparison
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) has a higher volatility of 11.42% compared to Rio Tinto Group (RIO) at 8.60%. This indicates that SQM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RIO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SQM | RIO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.42% | 8.60% | +2.82% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 36.74% | 24.65% | +12.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 50.16% | 29.29% | +20.87% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 49.84% | 29.17% | +20.67% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 46.25% | 30.42% | +15.83% |
Dividends
SQM vs. RIO - Dividend Comparison
SQM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.72%, less than RIO's 4.15% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RIO Rio Tinto Group | 4.15% | 4.66% | 7.40% | 5.40% | 10.48% | 10.23% | 5.13% | 7.68% | 6.32% | 4.47% | 3.93% | 7.58% |
SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. | 1.72% | 0.18% | 0.59% | 8.34% | 9.66% | 3.92% | 1.64% | 4.55% | 5.37% | 2.73% | 4.77% | 2.00% |
Financials
SQM vs. RIO - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. and Rio Tinto Group. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
SQM vs. RIO - Profitability Comparison
SQM - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. reported a gross profit of 778.60M and revenue of 1.76B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 44.2%.
RIO - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Rio Tinto Group reported a gross profit of 8.70B and revenue of 31.02B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 28.0%.
SQM - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. reported an operating income of 729.70M and revenue of 1.76B, resulting in an operating margin of 41.5%.
RIO - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Rio Tinto Group reported an operating income of 8.70B and revenue of 31.02B, resulting in an operating margin of 28.0%.
SQM - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. reported a net income of 364.70M and revenue of 1.76B, resulting in a net margin of 20.7%.
RIO - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Rio Tinto Group reported a net income of 6.66B and revenue of 31.02B, resulting in a net margin of 21.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions
SQM and RIO have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SQM has higher volatility (11.42%) compared to RIO (8.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SQM dropped -78.34% vs RIO's -88.97%.
RIO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.70), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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