Australian sharemarket down but resources stocks up Jan 4, 2009
BHP Billiton firmed 0. 5 per cent to $30. (The Australian)
The biggest losers (and a few winners, too) Jan 3, 2009
BHP BILLITON BHP Billiton's chief, Marius Kloppers, may have blown $US450 million ($640 million) on his planned takeover for Rio Tinto, but no one was complaining when he aborted the deal in November. BHP now has more financial power than any other miner in the world to pick over the wreckage of the sudden and sharp slump in commodity prices at the end of the year. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Stocks Advance, Led by Rio Tinto; FTSE 100 Posts Best-Ever Start to Year Jan 3, 2009
BHP Billiton Ltd., the biggest, advanced more than 8 percent. added 3. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Poor start to 2009 for Australian stock market Jan 3, 2009
Mining giant BHP Billiton was up 14c at $30. 58 and rival Rio Tinto gained 96c, or 2. (The Australian)
Stocks close in the red Jan 2, 2009
Mining giant BHP Billiton was up 14 cents to $30. 58 and rival Rio Tinto gained 96 cents, or 2. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Jury is out on ONGCs latest buy Jan 2, 2009
Remember how BHP Billiton dropped its 18-month pursuit of a deal with Rio Tinto that would have left it pole position when commodity prices crashed. Should ONGC have done something similar. (India Times)
Australia shares fall as BHP Billiton, banks slip Jan 2, 2009
Market latest: Australia Australia market news. Market indices 2 January,2009 02/01/2009 19:50 Sydney, Australia. (Ninemsn)
Atlas Iron, Murchison Metals Surge on Signs China Is Buying More Iron Ore Jan 2, 2009
China may ask BHP Billiton Ltd., Rio Tinto Group and other suppliers to accept an 82 percent price cut after steel prices fell to 1994 levels, the China Iron and Steel Association said last month. Chinese mills are buying more from India because they want suppliers such as BHP to cut prices, said R.K. Sharma, secretary general of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries on Dec. 26. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Asia-Pacific Bond Default Risk is Little Changed, Credit Swap Prices Show Jan 2, 2009
The Markit iTraxx Australia index, linked to the debt of 25 companies including and BHP Billiton Ltd., was quoted at 340 basis points at 11:45 a.m. in Sydney, down 10 basis points from Dec. 31, according to ABN Amro Holding NV.. The Markit iTraxx Asia index of 50 investment-grade borrowers outside Japan was quoted at 340 basis points as of 9:20 a.m. in Singapore, up 10 basis points from Dec. 31, Barclays Plc prices show. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
European Stocks Rise, Trimming Biggest Annual Drop; BHP, Vodafone Advance Jan 1, 2009
BHP Billiton climbed 1. 3 percent to 1,294 pence today, trimming its 2008 decline to 16 percent. (Bloomberg -- Germany)
Shares stronger following US gains Jan 1, 2009
Mining giant BHP Billiton, Australia's largest oil producer, advanced 82 cents, or 2. 77%, to $30. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Alcoa: No effect from Guinea's coup Jan 1, 2009
In addition to Alcoa, other companies with operations in Guinea include the aluminum giant United Company Rusal, mining businesses Rio Tinto Alcan and BHP Billiton Ltd., and gold producer AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.. Reader Comments. (Pittsburgh Business Times, PA)
Sydney Stocks Rise On Miners In Shortened Trading ... Dec 31, 2008
HONG KONG -- Australian shares advanced for a fourth straight session Wednesday in thin trading, with mining majors BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto climbing in the wake of overnight Wall Street gains. The S200 Index added 0. (Fox News)
Dow fighting to complete Rohm & Haas deal Dec 31, 2008
If the acquisition does fall through, it would join a long list of deals withdrawn in 2008 amid a lack of available credit and plunging stock markets, including BHP Billiton Ltds $66 billion offer for Rio Tinto Plc and Hexions $6. 5 billion bid for chemicals firm Huntsman Corp.. (MSNBC -- Business)
Demand for commodities to fall: analysts Dec 31, 2008
As for iron ore, the benchmark price is expected to drop between 10 and 50 per cent in 2009 as Chinese steel mills play hardball to mitigate the almost 100 per cent price hike negotiated this year by mining giants BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Ltd.. Even the most bullish iron ore miners and explorers believe the large price rises of recent years cannot continue. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Resource sector to consolidate in '09 Dec 31, 2008
Alcoa of Australia managing director Alan Cransberg says the economic challenges facing the sector are unprecedented".Alcoa has already suspended a multi-billion-dollar expansion of the Wagerup refinery in Western Australia, in an example of common theme being played out across the industry.The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) said in November that total capital expenditure on advanced domestic projects had fallen four per cent from April 2008, and warned that... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Australia shares tumble 41% in worst year ever Dec 31, 2008
Rival mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd walked away from its $66 billion offer for the group late in the year amid concern over Rio Tinto's debt load of nearly $40 billion. The best performers of the year included energy retailers Origin Energy Ltd and AGL Energy Ltd, Iluka Resources and rubber gloves maker Ansell Ltd.. (India Times)
World markets gain, led by higher energy stocks Dec 31, 2008
In Australia, BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company, rose 2. 6 per cent, and rival Rio Tinto advanced 1. (India Times)
Stocks post worst ever year Dec 31, 2008
In the resources sector, global miner BHP Billiton was 79 cents higher at $30. 44, and Rio Tinto was 95 cents richer at $38. (Sydney Morning Herald)
New mining law has its pitfalls Dec 31, 2008
Someone recently wrote that Indonesia is the last country miners come to during a mining boom and the first they leave when it ends -- and we have already seen evidence of that in BHP Billiton walking away from its US$5 billion Gag Island nickel project. The new mining law will further hasten exits, and major mining companies will go to countries that foster a vigorous mining industry which -- implicit in the new mining law -- Indonesia clearly doesn't. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Editorial)
Oz Minerals Gets Bank Lifeline as Assets Go on Block Dec 30, 2008
BHP Billiton, the world biggest miner, which withdrew a $66 billion share offer for fellow industry titan Rio Tinto in November, has said it's still looking for smaller acquisitions that may surface from the sector's malaise. Rio itself is trying to sell more than $15 billion worth of assets to pay off debt. (ABC News -- Wire)
Market closes higher, led by resources Dec 30, 2008
" Mr Taylor said that with the tension overseas, investors were looking for a safe, easy place in which to put their money and gold was one of them. Energy stocks gained after the price of oil for February delivery rose $US2.31, or 6.15%, to $US40.02 a barrel in New York on Monday. Woodside Petroleum rose $1.16, or 3.34%, to $35.93, Santos improved 10 cents to $14.20, and Oil Search found 19 cents at $4.59. Coal seam gas explorer Eastern Star Gas was off 5.5 cents at 63.5 cents as it said it had... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Australian shares drop 0.6 pc, banks fall Dec 30, 2008
6 percent on Tuesday, as banks retreated after Monday's strong gains, but miners BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Ltd climbed on higher copper prices. The benchmark S200 index was down 21. (India Times)
OZ Minerals thrown lifeline Dec 30, 2008
Analysts speculate mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd is one of the few companies with enough cash to buy OZ Minerals' assets. Prominent Hill is estimated to be worth about $700 million. (Sky News Australia)
And the award goes to... Dec 30, 2008
The Be Careful What You Wish For Award goes to Rio Tinto CEO Tom Albanese, whose months of fending off the hostile moves of rival BHP Billiton finally paid off, in a way. BHP abandoned the pursuit in late November, citing the $40-billion in debt Rio has (most of it taken on to buy Alcan in 2007), which now resembles a concrete anchor. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Oz Minerals gets refinancing extension Dec 30, 2008
BHP Billiton, the world biggest mining company, which withdrew a $66 billion offer for its rival, Rio Tinto, in November, has said it is still looking for smaller acquisitions made available in the sector's malaise. Rio is trying to sell more than $15 billion worth of assets to pay off debt. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Australia shares rise 0.9% as worst year ever looms Dec 30, 2008
copper prices boosted commodity firms such as BHP Billiton Ltd , but remain on course for the worst ever annual drop. Like many other global markets, Australian shares are set to. (Forbes)
OZ Minerals Wins Refinancing Deadline Extension as Cash Balance Dwindles Dec 30, 2008
BHP Billiton Ltd. may be interested in buying Prominent Hill, Goldman Sachs JBWere Pty said Dec. 10. OZ Minerals said Dec. 19 it may sell the Martabe gold project in Indonesia. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
SA's stocks end lower Dec 28, 2008
Heavily-weighted diversified miner BHP Billiton fell 2. 26 percent to 171. (Business Report, South Africa)
Need to know: 2008 Dec 27, 2008
Bids: BHP Billiton scrapped its 66 billion bid for Rio Tinto claiming that it no longer made sense because of falling commodity prices. Xstrata scrapped a 5 billion bid for Lonmin after the deal was rejected by Lonmin s board. (New York Post -- Business)
Need To Know | Hyundai Motor India to cut output from Monday Dec 26, 2008
Chinese mills are buying more from India because they want suppliers such as BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Plc. to cut prices, said R.K. Sharma, secretary general of the association. (Livemint)
Size and strength best share tips for 2009, with blue chips the ... Dec 26, 2008
A survey by The Advertiser of tips from 11 Adelaide stockbroking firms found BHP Billiton - the world's biggest miner - and Woolworths, Australia's biggest retail company, were the top two picks. Both were chosen by five brokers while the biggest bank, Westpac, and the biggest energy company, Woodside, were picked by four. (NEWS.com.au)
BHP Will Expand Olympic Dam as Open Cut Mine, Australian Says, Cites Rann Dec 26, 2008
Falling demand for Australian minerals led to speculation BHP Billiton may scale back expansion and simply enlarge the mines existing underground operations, according to the report. BHP is completing an environmental impact statement on Olympic Dam with a presentation to the board scheduled for late 2009, the Australian reported. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Losing Rio Tinto No Comfort for BHP Battered by Philippines Nickel Debacle Dec 25, 2008
By that time, QNI Philippines had become a unit of BHP Billiton. BHP Welcomed. (Bloomberg)
BG Fires Executive Probed for Australia Stock Trades Dec 25, 2008
Fyshs on BG Groups Web site says he joined the company in 1998 and previously spent 17 years with BHP Billiton Ltd.. To contact the reporter on this story: in Perth at in London at. (Bloomberg)
Cyclone Billy Keeps Oil and Gas Wells Shut Off Australia's Northwest Coast Dec 25, 2008
BHP Billiton Ltd. spokeswoman said petroleum operations in the North West Shelf are unaffected by the cyclone. Iron-ore loading at Port Hedland is also continuing, she said. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Asian Markets Drop On Oil Producers, Auto Companies Dec 23, 2008
Australian shares were weighed down by energy producers such as BHP Billiton after crude-oil futures dropped overnight. In Seoul trading, automakers Hyundai Motor Co. and affiliate Kia Motors Corp. slumped a day after they cut their combined sales target. (Fox News)
Record Deal Cancellations Slammed Banks in 2008 Dec 23, 2008
Some of the notable ones included BHP Billiton Ltd's $188 billion offer for Rio Tinto Plc ; the proposed buyout of Canadian telecommunications giant BCE Inc by a group of private equity firms; and Microsoft Corp's unsolicited bid for Yahoo Inc. And who were the biggest losers from all the nixed transactions. (ABC News -- Wire)
Asia stocks fall 3 percent Dec 23, 2008
Resource-related stocks such as BHP Billiton also fell on worries that a deep global downturn will hit demand for commodities. Shares in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and India fell between 2-3 percent. (International Herald Tribune)
Australian share market down as resources slip Dec 23, 2008
"There was a fall off the cliff around 1.00pm - a lot of people went out to lunch - and then we zig-zagged and finished up off the lows,'' Austock Securities senior client adviser Michael Heffernan said. "But it was BHP Billiton and Rio that came in for a belting of the major stocks,'' he said. Rio Tinto said it had suspended its iron ore production at one of their mines in Western Australia. (NEWS.com.au)
Asian stocks slump Dec 23, 2008
4 percent in Hong Kong trade, and Australia mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd, down 5. 4 percent. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Canada Stocks Fall, Led by Suncor, Potash, EnCana; National Bank Advances Dec 23, 2008
The owner of the Elk Valley Partnership, the second-largest exporter of seaborne coking coal, fell after rivals BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group had their earnings forecasts cut at UBS AG, on reduced estimates for the fuel used in steelmaking. Retreat. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
BHP, Rio and HFA drag shares lower Dec 23, 2008
It was BHP Billiton and Rio that came in for a belting of the major stocks,'' Austock Securities senior client adviser Michael Heffernan said. Rio Tinto said it had suspended its iron ore production at one of its mines in Western Australia on Monday. (The Australian)
West Australia Selects James Price Point as Preferred Site for Its LNG Hub Dec 23, 2008
BHP Billiton Ltd., BP Plc, Chevron and Shell have stakes in Woodside's Browse venture. Shell said in April it may favor a floating LNG project for its Prelude field in the Browse Basin to avoid having to build a pipeline or construct a plant in an undeveloped and environmentally sensitive region. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Woodside's Australian Oil Rig Remains Suspended by Tropical Cyclone Billy Dec 23, 2008
BHP Billiton Ltd. is continuing to load iron ore at Port Hedland, spokeswoman Kelly Quirke said. We are securing any non-essential equipment at the port and we continue to monitor the cyclone path, she said. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Most Asian Stock Markets Decline on Profit Concern; Rio, Hon Hai, DBS Fall Dec 22, 2008
BHP Billiton Ltd., the worlds largest mining company, fell 0. 9 percent to A$29. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Fortescue defends position as 'strong' as shares tumble Dec 22, 2008
December 22, 2008 04:28pm AEDT. Fortescue defends finances as 'strong' as shares tumble. (The Australian)
U.K.'s FTSE 100 Declines; BP, Vodafone and BHP Billiton Shares lead Drop Dec 22, 2008
Declines in the FTSE 100 were led by Bp Plc (Bp/ Ln), Vodafone Group Plc (Vod Ln) and Bhp Billiton Plc (Blt Ln). About 15. (Bloomberg -- UK)
FTSE down 0.9 percent at midday Dec 22, 2008
Antofagasta , BHP Billiton , Vedanta Resources and Xstrata were down 1. 4-4. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Share meltdown wipes $90b off superannuation Dec 22, 2008
That is equivalent to the value of the country's two biggest banks, Westpac and Commonwealth, combined, and would come close to buying the world's largest miner, BHP Billiton. The managing director of SuperRatings, Jeff Bresnahan, said there was a reasonable divergence in the performance of different types of funds. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Stocks weaker as financials slump Dec 22, 2008
BHP Billiton fell 28 cents to $29. 64 while Rio Tinto was down $1. (NEWS.com.au)
Heavy Rains, Strong Winds Head Toward Northwest Australian Mining Region Dec 22, 2008
Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton Ltd., the worlds second and third-largest iron ore exporters, halted operations last year because of cyclones. At 12 p.m. local time the weather system was 36 kilometers west southwest of Kuri Bay and 335 kilometers northeast of Broome, the bureau said. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Chinese baulk at Forrest's 'premium goodwill' Dec 21, 2008
ANDREW Forrest has built a mountain of goodwill in China with his promise of breaking Australia's iron ore duopoly of Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. He has carefully cultivated most of China's top steel mills and the two most relevant government agencies, the National Development Reform Commission and the state-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
* Asian stocks rise for second straight week Dec 21, 2008
Mining giant BHP Billiton lost 3. 5 percent to A$29. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
With Michelmore at the helm it's now OZi, OZi, OZi Dec 21, 2008
There has been speculation for some time that BHP Billiton is interested in OZ Minerals' shining light, the Prominent Hills project in South Australia ... At a projected output of 110,000 tonnes of copper with silver and gold credits, Prominent Hills might not look tier-one by BHP Billiton standards ... But the deposit is open in every direction, is shallow by any standards, and therefore comparatively cheap to mine, and it sits on the fringe of BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam project. (The Australian)
Rio Tinto accelerates debt reduction plans Dec 21, 2008
This is part of a strategy to boost the company's share price, which has plunged in the wake of the end of BHP Billiton's $150 billion bid and falling world commodity prices as investors focused on Rio's high debt levels ... " Mr Albanese, who has been under heavy pressure to boost his company's share price in the wake of the failed $150 billion BHP Billiton bid, said he saw some "encouraging" signs of hope for the iron ore market with recent news that some of the smaller Chinese steel mills... (NEWS.com.au)
Mining stocks offer gains despite gloom Dec 21, 2008
London - The crash in metal markets shows scant sign of bottoming, but investors betting that stimulus packages will kick in next year could see stronger returns from leveraged groups such as Rio Tinto and Xstrata than a safer play like BHP Billiton ... Investors worried about the prospects for global recovery and commodities demand could gain exposure to metals through BHP Billiton, which has very low debt and a portfolio of low-cost operations that would continue to generate cash throughout... (Business Report, South Africa)
From boom to bust in six weeks for Macmahon Dec 20, 2008
Macmahon's biggest customers are BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, which take up about 38 per cent of its order book. It said it expected its full-year net profit to be "similar" its 2007-08 $48 million result. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Rio close 11 iron mines for 2 weeks Dec 20, 2008
Another Pilbara miner, BHP Billiton Ltd/Plc has vowed to maintain production, saying sales for now were holding up during the downturn. Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs JBWere and other brokerages are predicting next year's iron prices will be down by as much as 50 percent given the downsizing in steelmaking. (India Times)
JSE ends weaker on metals Dec 20, 2008
51 percent to 215 rand and BHP Billiton gave up 2. 44 percent to 179. (iAfrica.com)
BHP curbs growth plans Dec 20, 2008
BHP Billiton has confessed that the more ambitious growth projects it trundled out during its stalking of Rio Tinto are, for the time being, on the backburner. But chairman Don Argus told shareholders yesterday the mining giant was better placed than its peers to weather the economic slowdown. (Melbourne Herald Sun)
Steel mills defer BHP shipments Dec 19, 2008
BHP BILLITON has admitted its iron ore shipments could fall by as much as 28 per cent during the final two months of the year because difficulties in obtaining credit has forced some steel mills to postpone deliveries. The admission - yet to be announced to the market - lays to rest BHP's insistence last week that its iron ore division was operating as normal even though rivals like Vale, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals have announced reductions in their ore production. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Asian shares drop as oil, metals drop Dec 19, 2008
BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining company, sank 3. 5% in Sydney, and Inpex Corp., Japan's largest oil explorer, lost 2. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Unleashing the beast within Dec 19, 2008
He started to lose the plot when she described Yogi's BHP Billiton chart as "a neo-cubist flourish of the pre-Warholian pop genre". 1. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
JSE ends lower Dec 19, 2008
82 percent to 235 rand and BHP Billiton gave up 5 ... BHP Billiton's chairman, Don Argus, said earlier that BHP Billiton, as a standalone company, is in a strong financial and operating position ... Referring to the decision not to proceed with the acquisition of Rio Tinto, Argus said it was a difficult decision, but one he believes is right for BHP Billiton shareholders. (iAfrica.com)
