The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is down after the ASX mining share announced a weakened FY23 result.
BHP produces a number of commodities for the world including iron ore, copper and nickel.
BHP share price
FY23 result
Here are some of the highlights from the 12 months to June 2023:
- Revenue fell 17% to US$53.8 billion
- Underlying EBITDA (EBITDA explained) dropped 31% to US$28 billion
- Profit from operations down 33% to US$22.9 billion
- Underlying ‘attributable profit’ declined 37% to US$13.4 billion
- Attributable profit down 58% to US$12.9 billion
- Operating cash flow down 36% to US$18.7 billion
- Free cashflow down 77% to US$5.6 billion
- Full year dividend of US$1.70 per share, down 48%.
BHP explained that revenue fell noticeably because of “significantly lower” prices across iron ore, metallurgical coal and copper.
The company’s profit fell harder partly because of the reverse of operating leverage effect that miners see when commodity prices fall, and the impacts of inflation on its underlying cost base, including labour, diesel and electricity prices. Unit costs were around 9% higher across its major assets.
During the year, BHP also recognised an impairment charge of US$423 million after tax in relation to deferred tax assets.
BHP also reported that there were two fatalities during the financial year.
BHP share price outlook
The business said that commodity demand has remained “relatively robust in China and India, even as developed world economies have slowed substantially.”
BHP noted that in the near-term, China’s growth trajectory is “contingent on the effectiveness of recent policy measures.” But, the company is expecting “buoyant” growth in India, with strong construction activity underpinning an expansion in steelmaking capacity.
It continues to make progress on its potash project in Canada called Jansen, with first production on track for the second half of 2026.
In the shorter-term, the performance of the BHP share price and dividend will be largely dictated by the performance of commodity prices. Expansion into potash, and growth of copper production are good moves by the company to diversify away from iron ore.
I don’t think BHP shares are great value yet, but are getting there as pessimism about China’s growth outlook intensifies – that’s usually when the iron ore price drops and the BHP share price declines, making it possibly a more opportunistic time to invest.
