Speculation that BHP Billiton (BLT) is considering selling its global thermal-coal business has preceded the resource giant’s interim figures, which will provide more detail on how successful new chief executive Andrew Mackenzie has been in his rationalisation programme. The group delivered annual savings of $2.7bn (£1.66bn) in 2012-13, but has declined to issue a forecast in the run-up to the interims.
IC TIP:
Hold
at
1849p
The performance of the group’s iron-ore segment will invariably come under the spotlight, particularly as prices averaged in excess of $130/tonne through much of the period. However, with prices softening in the early part of 2014, analysts will also be scrutinising the trajectory of unit-cash costs.
