BHP Ltd., Melbourne, on Feb. 15 reported a 77 percent increase in its fiscal first-half underlying attributable profit to US$10.69 billion for the six months to Dec. 31, 2021, with underlying attributable profit from continued operations of US$9.72 billion, up from US$6.20 billion in the prior corresponding period.
Net income came in at US$9.44 billion versus the year-ago US$3.88 billion, beating analysts’ average estimate of US$9.14 billion (Bloomberg Consensus).
Underlying basic earnings per ordinary share were up 77 percent, to 211.2 cents versus the year-ago 119.4 cents. Revenue from continuing operations increased 27 percent to US$30.53 billion.
The mining group cited higher sales prices across its major commodities, near-record production at Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) and higher copper concentrate sales from the Chilean Spence operation, and favorable exchange rate movements for the profits boost.
It said it would pay a record interim dividend of US$1.50 per share, up from last year’s US1.01.