BHP Billiton releases its financial results for the half-year ended 31 December 2009

BHP Billiton delivered a sound financial result, despite significant volatility and continued uncertainty in the global economy. Strong sales volume growth on the back of demand recovery, particularly in the steelmaking raw materials (Iron Ore, Metallurgical Coal and Manganese) and good cost control across the business helped to partially offset the negative impacts of lower prices and stronger producers’ currencies.

Commodity prices recovered during the December 2009 half-year, however realised prices for most of our products were lower than the prices achieved during the December 2008 half-year. The strength of operating currencies against a weak US dollar also negatively impacted costs. In comparison to the prior period, Underlying EBIT and attributable profit excluding exceptional items decreased by 28.5 per cent and 7.0 per cent respectively, mainly due to these two factors. However, Underlying EBIT margin remained at a healthy 37.9 per cent and Underlying return on capital was 24.0 per cent, despite new not yet productive capital from continued investment.

Attributable profit increased by 134.4 per cent to US$6.1 billion due to the reversal of impairment charge for Ravensthorpe as well as a number of exceptional items reported in the prior period. Exceptional items reported in the prior period include costs associated with portfolio rationalisation, impairment of assets and increased rehabilitation provisions for Newcastle steelworks (Australia). We undertook further portfolio rationalisation during the period, with the announced sales of both the Ravensthorpe and Yabulu nickel operations (both Australia) and the divestment of Suriname alumina operations. The restructuring of the nickel portfolio is now complete, leaving us with a stronger and simpler nickel business.

The ongoing investment program continued to deliver volume growth, which contributed to half-year production records in Iron Ore and Petroleum. We delivered first production in three major projects during the period (iron ore, alumina and energy coal) and announced the approval of the Hunter Valley Energy Coal (Australia) MAC20 project. Subsequent to the period end we also announced the approval of US$2.2 billion pre-commitment capital expenditure for projects in iron ore, metallurgical coal and potash and the approval of the Antamina expansion in Peru. On 5 December 2009, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto announced they had concluded definitive agreements to establish the Western Australia Iron Ore Production Joint Venture. These agreements are another milestone in delivering significant additional value to both sets of shareholders and our joint venture partners in the Pilbara.

Current period net operating cash flow was impacted by increased working capital on the back of recovering demand and prices, and together with the large capital expenditure program, resulted in net gearing climbing slightly to 15.1 per cent. Our strong balance sheet continues to give us significant flexibility to progressively grow production capacity, return to shareholders and opportunistically consider acquisitions.

Aluminium

Underlying EBIT was US$154 million, a decrease of US$135 million or 46.7 per cent from the corresponding period. Lower prices and premiums for aluminium had an unfavourable impact of US$302 million. This was partially offset by a US$19 million positive impact of price-linked costs. The average LME aluminium price decreased to US$1,907 per tonne (compared with US$2,304 per tonne). The average realised alumina prices were US$260 per tonne (compared with US$354 per tonne).

Overall, operating costs were lower mainly due to reduced raw materials and energy costs. However, this was partially offset by a weaker US dollar against the Australian dollar and South African rand, and inflationary pressures in Australia and South Africa.

Underlying EBIT was favourably impacted by US$37 million as a result of the divestment of Suriname on 31 July 2009.