BHP Ltd., Melbourne, on Feb. 16 reported a 16 percent rise in its fiscal first-half profit, with underlying attributable profit of US$6 billion in the six months to Dec. 31, 2020, up from $5.2 billion in the prior corresponding period. The result compared with a median analyst estimate of US$6.4 billion, according to Bloomberg
The mining group cited higher prices, particularly for iron ore and for copper, and strong operational performance for the profits’ boost. It said it would pay a record interim dividend of US$1.01, up from last year’s US$0.65.