BHP Billiton's Production Up 10% Y/Y - Analyst Blog

Mining giant BHP Billiton Limited BHP reported impressive production details for the nine months ended Mar 2014. In the reported nine months, the company registered record production not only for four commodities but also at ten operations. While the production of petroleum, iron ore, metallurgical coal, energy coal, alumina and manganese alloys increased, that of copper, aluminium, nickel and manganese ores declined.

BHP Billiton registered record production at Western Australia Iron Ore operations, due primarily to the continued ramp-up of Jimblebar. In view of the increased production, the company expects its production and sales volume to be 217 million tonnes in fiscal 2014.

In the reported nine months, Metallurgical coal production increased 24% year over year to 33.2 million tonnes. The company expects to produce roughly 43.5 million tonnes of coal in fiscal 2014. During the quarter, the fourth pellet-plant at Samarco achieved its first production and the commissioning at Caval Ridge consummated before time.

Additionally, even after the temporary suspension of operations at TEMCO, production of manganese alloys increased 9% year over year to 465,000 tonnes, in the reported nine months. Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids increased 16% year over year to 77.3 million barrels of oil equivalent.

However, in the reported nine months, production of nickel and manganese ores declined 1% and 4% year over year, respectively.

The company intends to further simplify its asset portfolio in the coming quarters. Over the last two years, BHP Billiton has divested assets in copper, coal, petroleum, diamonds, uranium and mineral sands in regions including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States.

BHP Billiton is one of the world's largest diversified resource companies with operations spanning several continents. It is involved in mineral exploration, production and processing, oil and gas exploration and development, and steel production and merchandising.

Other Stocks to Consider

With a market capitalization of $186.4 billion, BHP Billiton has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the industry include General Moly, Inc. GMO, Golden Minerals Company AUMN and Platinum Group Metals Ltd. PLG. While General Moly sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Golden Minerals and Platinum Group Metals carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).