The Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) share price has continued to climb throughout the new year.
In the past couple of weeks, the company's shares have risen 6.25% in value. By contrast, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen 0.73% to 7,390.1 points over the same timeframe.
At Tuesday's closing bell, Rio Tinto shares finished the day up 0.36% to $106.37.
With the new year upon us, we take a look at what's ahead for the mining heavyweight.
The dates to watch for in 2022
Late last month, Rio Tinto provided investors with its key dates for the 2022 calendar year.
The most important date to circle in your diary is the company's announcement of its 2021 full-year results on 23 February. Rio Tinto will report how it performed for the last 12 months along with its final dividend.
Following the release, Rio Tinto shares will trade ex-dividend on 10 March. This is when investors must have purchased the company's shares to be eligible for the upcoming dividend payment.
In addition, eligible shareholders can elect to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) with the deadline being 29 March.
The payment date for the final dividend is scheduled for 21 April, when investors will collect a portion of the company's profits. Rio Tinto traditionally rewards its shareholders with 60% of its profits as dividends.
In FY20, the board declared a final dividend of $5.17 per share, its third-biggest payout to date.
Moving ahead, the company will hold its 2022 annual general meeting on 5 May. This will likely recap the events over the last 12 months, as well as the near-term outlook for the mining outfit.
Rio Tinto's half-year results for FY22 are set to be disclosed to the ASX on 27 July. This will also comprise an interim dividend for the six-month period.
Rio Tinto shares will again trade ex-dividend on 11 August. The final date for elections under the DRP will fall on 1 September.
Shareholders who are eligible to receive Rio Tinto's distribution of profits will collect payment on 22 September.
Rio Tinto share price summary
Despite travelling higher in 2022, it has been a disappointing 12 months for Rio Tinto shareholders. The company's shares have lost around 13% for the period.
Based on valuation grounds, Rio Tinto has a market capitalisation of $39.49 billion and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 13.56.
