3rd Quarter Results

BHP Billiton Limited 1 May 2002 BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange. The text of this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc earlier. 1 May 2002 Number: 24/02 BHP BILLITON ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER GROUP TURNOVER OF US$4.3 BILLION, EBIT OF US$761 MILLION AND PROFIT OF US$406 MILLION The BHP Billiton Group today announced financial results for the quarter ended 31 March 2002. Group turnover totalled US$4.3 billion compared to Group turnover of $US4.7 billion for the corresponding period, a decrease of approximately US$400 million or 8 per cent. Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) was US$761 million for the third quarter, a decrease of US$209 million or 22 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. Attributable profit was US$406 million for the quarter, a decrease of US$198 million or 33 per cent compared to the quarter ended March 2001. The quarter ended March 2001 included an exceptional item, which decreased profit for the period to US$194 million. As a result, after exceptional items, the March 2002 profit rose US$212 million or 109 per cent compared to the corresponding quarter last year. BHP Billiton CEO and Managing Director Paul Anderson said: 'This is a sound result in the face of difficult market conditions. Earnings in the Base Metals business were impacted by our voluntary decision to reduce production, which was precipitated by our desire to maximise the long-term value of that business. Although petroleum prices have recently recovered, the March quarter realisations were significantly below the corresponding period. The Steel business continued to be impacted by difficult international market conditions. Despite the tough environment the Aluminium, Carbon Steel, Energy Coal and Diamonds businesses generated EBIT results that equalled or exceed the corresponding period.' EBIT for the March 2002 quarter rose US$31 million or 4 per cent compared to the quarter ended 31 December 2001. Mr Anderson said: 'The result again demonstrates the significant benefits of the commodity, market and geographic diversity that is a distinguishing feature of the BHP Billiton Group.' Compared with the corresponding quarter last year, lower commodity prices for base metals, crude oil, aluminium, steel and stainless steel materials impacted turnover by approximately US$260 million. Stronger prices for metallurgical coal and energy coal partially offset the downward price movements and positively impacted turnover by US$80 million for the quarter period. After adjustment for price-linked costs, the net impact on EBIT of price changes was approximately US$125 million negative. Favourable foreign currency movements of US$75 million in part offset this overall net decline in prices. Basic earnings per share were US6.7 cents for the quarter ended 31 March 2002, compared with the corresponding period of US10.1 cents before exceptional items and US3.2 cents after exceptional items. Growth During the quarter, BHP Billiton approved the development of the Zamzama gas field in Pakistan (US$40m) and committed to its first ultra-deepwater development in the Gulf of Mexico, United States, with the sanctioning of the Mad Dog oil and gas field (US$335m). An additional investment in two pipeline systems that will transport hydrocarbons from the Mad Dog and Atlantis fields (US$100m) was sanctioned to maximise the potential of the Group's holdings in the Atwater Foldbelt. In addition, BHP Billiton approved the expansion of the Hillside (South Africa) aluminium smelter (US$450m) to increase production capacity by 25 per cent and further lower the unit costs of this world-class asset. The Group also increased its interest in the Cerrejon Zona Norte (CZN) energy coal mine in Colombia by acquiring International Colombia Resources Corporation (Intercor), in conjunction with its partners. More recently, BHP Billiton announced a joint venture with major customer POSCO and approved the development of a new iron ore mine at Mining Area C and an expansion of its Pt Hedland port and rail facilities (US$514m), both in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. BHP Billiton Deputy CEO Brian Gilbertson said: 'Since January this year, we have committed over US$1.4 billion to new growth projects. Our project 'pipeline' remains a significant value driver for the Group.' Portfolio Management During the quarter, BHP Billiton announced the planned closure of the Tower metallurgical coal colliery in New South Wales (Australia). The withdrawal from the Ok Tedi copper mining operations in Papua New Guinea was completed with the transfer of its 52 per cent equity holding to a sustainable development fund that will operate for the benefit of the Papua New Guinean people. The demerger of BHP Steel remains on schedule. The scheme document and prospectus for the demerger is due for release in May with Extraordinary Shareholders Meetings planned for late June to seek approval for the transaction from BHP Billiton Limited and Plc shareholders. BoodarieTM Iron Force majeure on sales contracts and some supply contracts at the BoodarieTM Iron plant in north Western Australia remains in place pending finalisation of plant rectification works underway. Outlook Mr Gilbertson said: 'Although there have been some signs of a modest improvement in the global economic environment, concerns remain about the strength and sustainability of the recovery. Industry stock levels for a number of our major commodities remain high and we see little evidence of an increase in demand by the ultimate customers of many of our products. This situation will limit price increases for those commodities, at least in the short term, and combined with the weakening of the US dollar, will continue to impact on our earnings. 'In these challenging conditions, our cash generation remains strong thanks to the quality of our assets and our well-diversified portfolio. EBITDA for the quarter was US$1.2 billion (compared to US$1.4 billion in the corresponding period last year) and US$3.7 billion for the year to date (compared to US$4.1 billion). Dividend The BHP Billiton Directors announced a final dividend of 6.5 US cents per fully paid ordinary share to be paid on 3 July 2002 by BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc. The BHP Billiton Limited dividend is fully franked for Australian taxation purposes. The record date for both BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc shareholders will be 7 June 2002. As the BHP Billiton Group generates cash flows primarily in US dollars, dividends are determined and declared in US dollars. The rates of exchange applicable two business days before the declaration date are used for conversion. For the July 2002 dividend, conversion from US currency was at exchange rates applicable on 29 April 2002. Further details are available in the full BHP Billiton Third Quarter Results Release. The financial information included in this release is prepared in accordance with UK generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The third quarter results are discussed in more detail in the attachment, the BHP Billiton Third Quarter Report 31 March 2002. The attachment is also prepared in accordance with UK GAAP, except for information set out on page 32, which contains financial results prepared in accordance with Australian GAAP and presented in Australian dollars. Further news and information can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United Kingdom/South Africa Dr Robert Porter, Investor Relations Ariane Gentil, Manager Communications Tel: + 61 3 9609 3540 Mobile: +61 419 587 456 Tel: +44 20 7747 3977 Mobile: + 44 7881 518 715 email: Robert.Porter@bhpbilliton.com email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com Mandy Frostick, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 4157 Mobile: +61 419 546 245 email: Mandy.J.Frostick@bhpbilliton.com United States Francis McAllister, Investor Relations Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com BHP BILLITON RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2002 HIGHLIGHTS • Sound quarterly result in the face of difficult market conditions with strong cash generation as evidenced by EBITDA of US$1.2 billion. • Turnover US$4.3 billion, EBITDA US$1.2 billion and attributable profit US$406 million. • Financial year to date turnover US$13.2 billion, EBITDA US$3.7 billion and attributable profit US$1.6 billion. • Final dividend of 6.5 US cents to be paid on 3 July 2002. • Commitment to growth - US$2.4 billion in new growth projects sanctioned since the merger. • Little evidence of increases in demand by the ultimate customers of many of our products. • BHP Steel demerger on track for completion about the middle of this year. Quarter ended 31 March Nine months ended 31 March 2002 2001 2002 2001 US$M US$M US$M US$M Group turnover (1) 4 282 4 674 13 176 14 070 EBITDA (1)(2) - excluding exceptional 1 184 1 397 3 698 4 077 items - including exceptional 1 184 877 3 698 3 557 items EBIT (1)(3) - excluding exceptional 761 970 2 412 2 840 items - including exceptional 761 450 2 412 2 320 items Attributable profit - excluding exceptional 406 604 1 604 1 762 items - including exceptional 406 194 1 604 1 352 items Basic earnings per share (US cents) - excluding exceptional 6.7 10.1 26.6 29.7 items - including exceptional 6.7 3.2 26.6 22.8 items EBITDA interest coverage (times)(4) - excluding exceptional 15.6 8.6 10.8 8.9 items - including exceptional 15.6 5.4 10.8 7.7 items (1) Including the group's share of joint ventures and associates. (2) EBITDA is profit before net interest, taxation, and depreciation and amortisation. (3) EBIT is profit before net interest and taxation. (4) For this purpose, net interest includes capitalised interest and excludes the effect of discounting on provisions and exchange differences arising from net debt. The above financial results are prepared in accordance with UK generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Financial results prepared under Australian GAAP are provided on page 32. Financial Review Basis of Preparation of Financial Information The quarterly financial information presented in this release is provided voluntarily by the BHP Billiton Group consistent with international best practice to ensure an informed market. The results are unaudited. The financial results included in this release are prepared in accordance with UK generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). On 29 June 2001, BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc entered into a Dual Listed Companies (DLC) merger. Under UK GAAP the DLC merger is accounted for using the merger method of accounting. The results of the BHP Billiton Limited Group and the BHP Billiton Plc Group for the period have been combined and the prior period results have been prepared as if the companies have always been combined. The reporting currency is US dollars which is the dominant currency in which the BHP Billiton Group operates. The combined results for the quarter ended 31 March 2002, prepared in accordance with UK GAAP, are generally consistent with the combined results under Australian GAAP as required by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in respect of dual listed companies. However, in contrast to UK GAAP, Australian regulatory requirements do not allow the combination of the results of the BHP Billiton Limited Group with those of the BHP Billiton Plc Group for periods prior to consummation of the DLC merger on 29 June 2001. Financial results prepared in accordance with Australian GAAP are provided on page 32. With effect from 1 July 2001, the majority of the BHP Billiton Limited Group's businesses changed their reporting currencies to US dollars, the functional currency of the combined BHP Billiton Group. This is consistent with the BHP Billiton Plc Group and is the basis on which the combined BHP Billiton Group manages its businesses. Most BHP Billiton commodities are sold in US dollars and are predominantly destined for export markets. Except for the effect of the functional currency change, the financial information has been prepared on the same basis and using the same accounting policies as were used in preparing the results for the BHP Billiton Group as presented in the BHP Billiton Plc Group financial statements (but not the BHP Billiton Limited financial statements) for the year ended 30 June 2001. The financial information included in this release provides an analysis of the results for the quarter ended 31 March 2002 compared with the quarter ended 31 March 2001. All references to the corresponding period are to either quarter ended 31 March 2001 or the nine months ended 31 March 2001 as applicable. Turnover Turnover for the quarter, including the group's share of joint ventures and associates, decreased by 8.4% to US$4,282 million mainly due to the generally weaker economy compared with the corresponding period. Prices were lower for crude oil, aluminium, diamonds, nickel, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and ferrochrome. Turnover was also impacted by lower sales volumes from Base Metals, Titanium Minerals, Petroleum and Energy Coal businesses. These factors were partly offset by higher prices for metallurgical coal and energy coal. Turnover, including the group's share of joint ventures and associates was US$13,176 million, for the nine months ended 31 March 2002, down by US$894 million or 6.4% compared with the corresponding period. EBIT Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) before exceptional items for the quarter ended 31 March 2002 was US$761 million, down by US$209 million or 21.5%. EBIT for the nine months ended 31 March 2002 was US$2,412 million, down by US$428 million or 15.1%. The following table details the approximate impact of major factors affecting EBIT for the quarter ended 31 March 2002. US$M EBIT for the quarter ended 31 March 2001 970 Change in sales prices ( 180 ) Change in volumes ( 30 ) Price linked costs 55 Inflation on costs ( 40 ) Costs ( 10 ) New and acquired operations 20 Ceased, sold and discontinuing operations ( 60 ) Exchange rates 70 Asset sales ( 30 ) Exploration 15 Other items ( 19 ) EBIT for the quarter ended 31 March 2002 761 Prices Lower prices for crude oil, aluminium, diamonds, nickel and ferrochrome caused turnover to fall by approximately US$260 million. Higher metallurgical coal and energy coal prices offset this by approximately US$80 million. Volumes Lower sales volumes resulted in a reduction of EBIT by approximately US$30 million. Volumes were down in the Base Metals, Titanium Minerals, Petroleum, and Energy Coal businesses, but volumes increased in the Aluminium, Stainless Steel Materials, EkatiTM and Carbon Steel Materials businesses. Costs Net cost reductions (before inflation) increased EBIT by approximately US$45 million compared to the corresponding period. Lower price linked costs for London Metals Exchange (LME) listed commodities, together with lower royalties and taxes for petroleum products, resulted in cost reductions totalling approximately US$55 million. Costs increased during the period due to higher business development costs and maintenance costs at Petroleum, and operational issues at Energy Coal operations (South Africa), Metallurgical Coal operations (Australia) and Chrome operations (South Africa). These factors were partly offset by lower maintenance expenditure at Hillside (South Africa), lower transportation and distribution costs at Iron Ore operations (Western Australia) and at Hunter Valley coal (Australia). Inflation increased costs by approximately US$40 million. New and acquired operations New and acquired operations contributed approximately US$20 million to EBIT mainly due to increased ownership interest in the Worsley alumina refinery and the acquisition of an additional 29% interest in the EkatiTM diamond business. Ceased, sold and discontinuing operations Ceased, sold and discontinuing operations caused EBIT to reduce by approximately US$60 million. Lower Steel profits reduced EBIT by approximately US$35 million. The corresponding period included contribution to EBIT of approximately US$25 million from a higher ownership interest in metallurgical coal (Queensland) and an EBIT contribution from Indonesian energy coal operations. Foreign exchange Foreign currency fluctuations had a favourable effect of approximately US$70 million mainly due to the impact of lower Rand/US$ and A$/US$ exchange rates on related operating costs, partially offset by the translation effect on provision balances. Asset sales Profits from asset sales were approximately US$30 million lower, mainly due to the profit on sale of the Buffalo (Australia) oilfield and the Ohanet (Algeria) farmout in the corresponding period. Exploration Exploration charged to profit was approximately US$15 million lower reflecting mainly higher capitalisation of Petroleum activities in the current period. Net Interest The benefits of the re-rating of the Group and lower interest rates, together with an interest receipt of US$15 million on the successful outcome of the Utah tax case, reduced net interest from US$160 million to US$75 million in the quarter. For the quarter, exchange losses arising from net debt were US$22 million compared with an exchange gain of US$59 million in the corresponding period, primarily arising on the quarter end translation of Rand denominated debt of companies which account in US dollars as their functional currency. Approximately 1.1 billion of Rand denominated debt was repaid during the quarter. For the nine months ended 31 March 2002 net interest payable, including capitalised interest, before discounting on provisions and exchange differences arising from net debt, reduced from US$459 million to US$344 million. Exchange gains arising from net debt were US$220 million compared with US$154 million in the corresponding period. EBITDA interest coverage (excluding exceptional items, exchange differences arising on net debt and discounting on provisions) was 15.6 times for the quarter and 10.8 times for the nine months, increased from 8.6 times and 8.9 times respectively in the corresponding periods. Taxation The tax charge for the quarter ended 31 March 2002 before exceptional items of US$245 million (2001 - US$264 million) represents an effective tax rate of 37% (2001 - 31%). This is higher than the nominal tax rate of 30% primarily due to non tax-effected foreign exchange losses on foreign currency denominated debt and other functional currency translation adjustments, non tax-effected losses, non deductible accounting depreciation and amortisation together with secondary taxes on dividends paid or payable by South African entities. These factors were partly offset by recognition of prior year tax losses. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange losses on foreign currency denominated debt and other functional currency translation adjustments, the effective tax rate for the quarter ended 31 March 2002 was 32%. The tax charge for the nine months ended 31 March 2002 (before exceptional items) of US$647 million (2001 - US$744 million) represents an effective tax rate of 28% (2001 - 29%). Excluding the impact of exchange differences arising on net debt and other functional currency translation adjustments, the effective tax rate for the nine months ended 31 March 2002 was 33%. Earnings For the quarter, attributable profit (excluding exceptional items) of US$406 million was US$198 million or 32.8% below the corresponding period. On an earnings per share basis this equates to 6.7 US cents compared to US 10.1 cents. There were no exceptional items in the quarter ended 31 March 2002. The corresponding period included an exceptional item of US$410 million associated with the write-off of the equity investment in HBI Venezuela and the establishment of provisions for related financial obligations to banks. Attributable profit (including exceptional items) rose by US$212 million or 109.3% to US$406 million compared with US$194 million for the corresponding period, giving an earnings per share of 6.7 US cents compared to 3.2 US cents respectively. For the year to date, attributable profit (including exceptional items) rose by US$252 million or 18.6% to US$1,604 million compared with US$1,352 million for the corresponding period. This equates to 26.6 US cents compared to US 22.8 cents on an earnings per share basis. There have been no exceptional items for nine months ended 31 March 2002. The corresponding period included the exceptional item as mentioned above. Attributable profit (excluding exceptional items) for the nine months ended 31 March 2002 of US$1,604 million was US$158 million or 8.9% below the corresponding period. Earnings per share was 26.6 US cents compared to 29.7 US cents in the corresponding period. Growth Since 1 January 2002, BHP Billiton has committed approximately US$1.4 billion to new growth projects, taking the total since the completion of the merger, to US$2.4 billion. The table below highlights projects approved since 1 January 2002. All references to production volumes and capital expenditure are BHP Billiton's share, unless otherwise stated. Customer Sector Project Capital Production Completion Group Expenditure US$M Aluminium Hillside 3 expansion 450 132,000 tonnes per Initial production annum South Africa of aluminium metal mid 2004 BHP Billiton 100% Carbon Steel Mining Area C 186 15 million tonnes per Initial production Materials Australia annum of iron ore by late 2003 BHP Billiton 85% 2011 (100%) Port & capacity 328 Increase in port Late 2004 expansion capacity Australia to 81 millions of tonnes per BHP Billiton 85% annum by 2004 (100%) Yandi Lump 14 4 million tonnes per Initial production annum Australia of iron ore (100%) mid 2002 BHP Billiton 85% Petroleum Mag Dog oil and gas 335 20,000 boe/day Initial production field development late 2004 US BHP Billiton 23.9% Gulf of Mexico 100 Pipeline capacities Commissioning (100%) transportation system Oil - 450,000 bbls per late 2004 day US Gas - 500,000 million BHP Billiton 22-25% standard cubic feet per day Zamzama gas field 40 300 million cubic feet Initial production of Pakistan gas per day mid 2003 BHP Billiton 47.5% During the March 2002 quarter, BHP Billiton announced successful exploration drilling results from the Kairi-2 well in Block 2(c) in Trinidad. The results from Kairi-2 provided further evidence of offshore Trinidad's major hydrocarbon development potential. BHP Billiton has made four commercial hydrocarbon discoveries in the greater Angostura (Trinidad) area (Kairi, Angostura, Canteen and Aripo) in the past three years and expects to sanction a project for development of the Block 2(c) resources during this calendar year. Portfolio Management Since 1 January 2002, BHP Billiton has announced a number of operational and portfolio management initiatives. These included: • BHP Billiton, in conjunction with Anglo American plc and Glencore International AG, signed an agreement to acquire all of the ownership interests in International Colombia Resources Corporation from Exxon Mobil Corporation. The transaction, completed in February 2002, increases BHP Billiton's interest in the Cerrejon Zona Norte energy coal mining operation in Colombia to 33.33% from 16.67%. • BHP Billiton was the successful bidder for 27 hydrocarbon exploration blocks in the central Gulf of Mexico (US) lease sale in March 2002. Several blocks provide near-field prospects in the Green Canyon play fairway, where BHP Billiton has established infrastructure at the Typhoon production facility. Other leases will replenish the exploration portfolio with opportunities in the Central Gulf region, which is an area that BHP Billiton has extensive experience and proprietary knowledge. • The closure of the Tower metallurgical colliery in Australia by December 2002. Tower produces approximately 1.4 million tonnes of coal per annum. Following closure, this production will be sourced from BHP Billiton's other mines in the Illawarra region. • BHP Billiton completed its withdrawal from the Ok Tedi copper mine in Papua New Guinea during the quarter. BHP Billiton transferred its 52% interest to an independent Program Company that will operate for the benefit of the people of Papua New Guinea. A series of legal releases, indemnities and warranties have been established which will protect BHP Billiton from certain legal liabilities for the period after its exit. The demerger of BHP Steel from BHP Billiton Limited to BHP Billiton Limited shareholders is on schedule. The scheme document and prospectus for the demerger is to be released in May 2002 and Extraordinary Shareholders Meetings for BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc will seek approval for the transaction. Given shareholder approvals, the public listing of BHP Steel is scheduled for about the middle of the calendar year. BHP Billiton Plc shareholders will be compensated for the distribution to the shareholders of BHP Billiton Limited by way of a bonus issue. Business Outlook Although there have been some signs of a modest improvement in the global economic environment, concerns remain about the strength and sustainability of the recovery. Industry stock levels for a number of our major commodities remain high and we see little evidence of an increase in demand by the ultimate customers of many of our products. This situation will limit price increases for those commodities, at least in the short term, and combined with the weakening of the US dollar, will continue to impact our earnings. In these challenging conditions, our cash generation remains strong thanks to the quality of our assets and our well-diversified portfolio. EBITDA for the quarter was US$1.2 billion (compared to US$1.4 in the corresponding period last year) and US$3.7 billion for the year to date (compared to US$4.1 billion). Dividends A final dividend of 6.5 US cents per fully paid ordinary share will be paid on 3 July 2002 by BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc, bringing the total dividend for the year to 13.0 US cents. In the corresponding period BHP Billiton Limited shareholders received at dividend of 24.7 Australian cents (adjusted for bonus issue) per fully paid ordinary share, and BHP Billiton Plc shareholders received a dividend of 12 US cents per fully paid ordinary share. The BHP Billiton Limited dividend is fully franked for Australian taxation purposes. The timetable in respect of this dividend will be : Currency conversion 29 April 2002 Last day to trade Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) 31 May 2002 Ex-dividend Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) 3 June 2002 Ex-dividend Paris Bourse Stock Exchange 3 June 2002 Ex-dividend London Stock Exchange (LSE) 5 June 2002 Ex- dividend Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) 5 June 2002 Record 7 June 2002 BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc American Depositary Shares (ADSs) each represent two fully paid ordinary shares and receive dividends accordingly. The record date for BHP Billiton Limited ADSs is 6 June 2002 and the record date for BHP Billiton Plc ADSs is 7 June 2002. BHP Billiton Plc shareholders registered on the South African section of the register, will not be able to dematerialise or rematerialise their share holdings, nor will they be able to effect transfers between the United Kingdom (UK) register and the South African register between the dates of Monday, 27 May 2002 and Friday, 7 June 2002. As the BHP Billiton Group generates cashflows primarily in US dollars, dividends are determined and declared in US dollars. BHP Billiton Limited dividends are mainly paid in Australian dollars and BHP Billiton Plc dividends are mainly paid in pounds sterling to shareholders on the UK section of the register and South African Rand to shareholders on the South African section of the register. The rates of exchange applicable two business days before the declaration date are used for conversion. For the July 2002 dividend, conversion from US currency was at exchange rates applicable on 29 April 2002. The following table details the exchange rates applicable for conversion of the final dividend payable on 3 July 2002: Dividend 6.5 US cents Exchange Rate Dividend per ordinary share in local currency Australian cents 0.5436 11.9573 British pence 1.4604 4.4508 South African cents 10.6114 68.9741 New Zealand cents 0.4511 14.4092 Canadian cents 1.5554 10.1101 PORTFOLIO RISK MANAGEMENT This table summarises the next four quarters as at 31 March 2002 with respect to the BHP Billiton Group's significant derivative financial instruments used to hedge Australian dollar costs that are sensitive to changes in exchange rates for the forthcoming twelve months. Weighted average A$/US$ exchange rate Contract amounts Forwards Call options Put options A$ Million US$ Million US dollars Q4 2002 - forwards 1.4697 - - 441 300 - collar options - 1.4609 1.5300 73 50 - purchased options - 1.8182 - 18 10 - sold options - - - - - Q1 2003 - forwards 1.4482 - - 362 250 - collar options - 1.4273 1.4912 43 30 - purchased options - 1.8182 - 55 30 - sold options - - - - - Q2 2003 - forwards 1.4797 - - 355 240 - collar options - 1.4611 1.5279 15 10 - purchased options - 1.8182 - 55 30 - sold options - - - - - Q3 2003 - forwards 1.5489 - - 325 210 - collar options - 1.4686 1.5363 29 20 - purchased options - - - - - - sold options - - - - - Commodity price risk management As at 31 March 2002 there were no significant commodity price derivative financial instruments outstanding. Strategic financial transactions As at 31 March 2002 there were no strategic financial derivative transactions outstanding. EXCHANGE RATES The following exchange rates have been utilised in this report: Quarter ended Quarter ended 31 March 2002 31 March 2001 As at Versus US dollar average average 31 March 2002 31 March 2001 South African rand 11.52 7.82 11.43 7.99 Australian dollar 1.93 1.88 1.89 2.04 Brazilian real 2.38 2.02 2.32 2.16 Chilean peso 669.7 573.8 664.3 592.9 Colombian peso 2,280 2,256 2,270 2,311 Canadian dollar 1.59 1.53 1.59 1.57 SHARE REGISTARY INFORMATION Transfer documents will be accepted for registration at each Company's share registers (and in the case of the ADSs the US Depositary) at the following addresses: BHP Billiton Limited BHP Billiton Plc Australia United Kingdom 5th Floor Lloyds TSB Registrars BHP Tower The Causeway 600 Bourke Street Worthing Melbourne Victoria 3000 West Sussex BN99 6DA UK United Kingdom South Africa Computershare Services plc Mercantile Registrars Limited The Pavilions 8th Floor Bridgewater Road 11 Diagonal Street Bedminster Down Johannesburg 2000 Bristol BS13 8AR United States United States JP Morgan Chase Bank JP Morgan Chase Bank Shareholder Services Shareholder Services MS 45 - 02 - 54 MS 45 - 02 - 54 150 Royall Street 150 Royall Street Canton MA 02021 Canton MA 02021 This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors. Karen J Wood Company Secretary BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 Registered in Australia Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria Registered Office: 1-3 Strand London WC2N 5HA United Kingdom 3000 Telephone +44 20 7747 3800 Facsimile +44 20 7747 3900 Telephone +61 3 9609 3333 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia BHP Billiton Results for the Quarter Ended 31 March 2002 Financial Information Consolidated Financial Results 2002 2001 (1) excluding exceptional including exceptional exceptional Quarter ended items items items 31 March (US$ Millions) Turnover 4 282 4 674 - 4 674 (including share of joint ventures and associates) Less: share (517) (343) - (343) of joint ventures and associates' turnover Group 3 765 4 331 - 4 331 turnover Net operating (2 684) (3 062) - (3 062) costs (excluding depreciation and amortisation) Depreciation (423) (427) - (427) and amortisation (b) Group 658 842 - 842 operating profit Share of 71 79 (520) (441) operating profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates Operating 729 921 (520) 401 profit (including share of profit of joint ventures and associates) Income from 10 11 - 11 other fixed asset investments Profit on 22 38 - 38 sale of fixed assets Profit before 761 970 (520) 450 net interest and similar items payable, and taxation (EBIT) (a) Net interest and similar items payable - Group (79) (87) - (87) - Joint (20) (19) - (19) ventures and associates Profit before 662 864 (520) 344 taxation Taxation (245) (264) 110 (154) Profit after 417 600 (410) 190 taxation Equity (11) 4 - 4 minority interests Attributable 406 604 (410) 194 profit EBITDA ((a) + 1 184 1 397 877 (b)) Earnings per 6.7 10.1 3.2 ordinary share (basic) (US cents) (1) Earnings per 6.7 10.0 3.2 ordinary share (diluted) (US cents) (2) (1) There were no exceptional in the quarter ended 31 March 2002. (2) Based on attributable profit divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares (ranking for dividend). The weighted average number of ordinary shares for the quarter ended 31 March 2002 was 6,020,037,750 (2001 : 6,000,712,157). The weighted average number of shares used for the purposes of calculating basic earnings per ordinary share is calculated after deduction of the shares held by the share repurchase scheme, the Billiton Employee Share Ownership Trust, adjusted for the BHP Billiton Limited bonus issue (3) Based on attributable profit divided by the weighted average diluted number of ordinary shares. The weighted average diluted number of ordinary shares is calculated by adjusting the weighted average basic number of ordinary shares for the effect of options, partly paid shares and the executive share awards which are dilutive at 31 March 2002. Performance Rights are excluded; these would only be included where an issue of new shares is expected to occur. The weighted average diluted number of ordinary shares for the quarter ended 31 March 2002 was 6,043,689,658 (2001 : 6,018,476,662). BHP Billiton Results for the Nine Months Ended 31 March 2002 Financial Information Consolidated Financial Results 2001 2002(1) excluding exceptional exceptional including exceptional Nine months ended 31 March items items items (US$ Millions) Turnover (including share 13 176 14 070 - 14 070 of joint ventures and associates) Less: share of joint (1 332) ( 942) - ( 942) ventures and associates' turnover Group turnover 11 844 13 128 - 13 128 Net operating costs (8 500) (9 328) - (9 328) (excluding depreciation and amortisation) Depreciation and (1 286) (1 237) - (1 237) amortisation (b) Group operating profit 2 058 2 563 - 2 563 Share of operating profit/ 240 200 (520) (320) (loss) of joint ventures and associates Operating profit 2 298 2 763 (520) 2 243 (including share of profit of joint ventures and associates) Income from other fixed 28 24 - 24 asset investments Profit on sale of fixed 17 50 - 50 assets Profit/(loss) on sale of 69 3 - 3 subsidiaries Profit before net interest 2 412 2 840 (520) 2 320 and similar items payable, and taxation (EBIT) (a) Net interest and similar items payable - Group (117) (267) - (267) - Joint ventures and (11) (42) - (42) associates Profit before taxation 2 284 2 531 (520) 2 011 Taxation (647) (744) 110 (634) Profit after taxation 1 637 1 787 (410) 1 377 Equity minority interests (33) (25) - (25) Attributable profit 1 604 1 762 (410) 1 352 EBITDA ((a) + (b)) 3 698 4 077 3 557 Earnings per ordinary 26.6 29.7 22.8 share (basic) (US cents) (1) Earnings per ordinary 26.5 29.7 22.9 share (diluted) (US cents) (2) (1) There have been no exceptional items for the nine months ended 31 March 2002. (2) Based on attributable profit divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares (ranking for dividend). The weighted average number of ordinary shares for the nine months ended 31 March 2002 was 6,025,720,488 (2001 : 5,922,946,762). The weighted average number of ordinary shares used for the purposes of calculating basic earnings per share is calculated after deduction of the shares held by the share repurchase scheme, the Billiton Employee Share Ownership Trust, adjusted for the BHP Billiton Limited bonus issue. (3) Based on attributable profit divided by the weighted average diluted number of ordinary shares. The weighted average diluted number of shares is calculated by adjusting the weighted average basic number of ordinary shares for the effect of options, partly paid shares and the executive share awards which are dilutive at 31 March 2002. PerformanceRights are excluded; these would only be included where an issue of new shares is expected to occur. The weighted average diluted number of ordinary shares for the nine months ended 31 March 2002 was 6,042,472,848 (2001 : 5,938,419,928). Customer Sector Group Results The following table provides a summary of the Customer Sector Group results for the quarter ended 31 March 2002 and the nine months ended 31 March 2002 together with the respective corresponding periods. (US$ Million) Quarter ended 31 March Nine months ended 31 March Turnover (1) EBIT (2) Turnover (1) EBIT (2) 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 Aluminium 693 773 133 135 2 064 2 067 324 353 Base metals 491 446 52 117 1 317 1 306 120 370 Carbon steel materials 832 834 266 241 2 492 2 437 831 663 Stainless steel 204 229 12 - 449 529 ( 24) 61 materials Energy coal 388 495 112 109 1 433 1 400 462 266 Exploration, technology 110 67 43 12 277 183 85 38 and new business Other activities 218 454 13 47 671 675 116 152 Petroleum 687 818 251 419 2 121 2 586 827 1 125 Steel 611 797 10 43 2 091 2 893 79 255 Group and unallocated 125 ( 87) ( 131) ( 153) 173 ( 246) ( 408) ( 443) items BHP Billiton Group 4 282 4 674 761 970 13 176 14 070 2 412 2 840 (1) Turnover does not add to the BHP Billiton Group figure due to inter-segment transactions. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation (excluding exceptional items). A detailed explanation of the factors influencing the performance for the quarter ended 31 March 2002 compared to the corresponding period, of the Customer Sector Groups is included below on pages 14 to 21. All references to production volumes are BHP Billiton's share of production unless otherwise indicated. Aluminium (US$ Million) 2002 2001 Change% ('000 tonnes) 2002 2001 Change% Turnover 693 773 -10.3 Alumina production 996 868 14.7 EBIT 133 135 -1.5 Aluminium production 250 250 0.0 LME aluminium price 1,381 1,574 -12.3 (cash, US$/t, ave) Aluminium contributed EBIT of US$133 million, a decrease of US$2 million or 1.5% compared with the corresponding period. Major factors which affected the comparison of results were: • a 12% or US$193 per tonne decrease in the average LME price; partially offset by: • higher profits from Worsley (Australia) following the acquisition of an additional 56% interest in January 2001; • lower LME price linked production costs; • lower costs at Hillside (South Africa) due to acceptance by underwriters of insurance claim for losses incurred during the September 2001 power outage; and • favourable effect of lower A$/US$ (Australia), Rand/US$ (South Africa) and Real/US$ (Brazil) exchange rates on related operating costs. Average aluminium unit cash costs decreased 24% compared to the corresponding period, mainly due to a decrease in LME linked production costs, reduced operational costs at Mozal (Mozambique) and Hillside, together with currency devaluations in South Africa and Brazil. Alumina unit cash costs decreased by 2% compared to the corresponding period mainly due to lower operating costs in Suriname and currency devaluations in Australia and Brazil. Base Metals (US$ Million) 2002 2001 Change% 2002 2001 Change% Turnover 491 446 10.1 Copper production 188 205 -8.3 EBIT 52 117 -55.6 ('000 tonnes) Realised copper price 0.73 0.77 -5.2 (cash, US$/lb, ave) Base Metals contributed EBIT of US$52 million, a decrease of US$65 million or 55.6% compared with the corresponding period. The major factors which affected the comparison of results were: • a decline in the average realised copper price to US$0.73/lb compared to US$0.77/lb in the corresponding period; • lower volumes at Escondida (Chile) and Tintaya (Peru), reflecting the decision to temporarily reduce production in reaction to the global deterioration of base metals markets; and • higher costs due to the write-off of obsolete inventory and assets at Tintaya (Peru); partially offset by: • higher silver volumes at Cannington (Australia), reflecting a change in production strategy, which resulted in increased mill throughput, substantially higher silver production and higher average silver head grade; • lower LME linked treatment and refining costs; and • inclusion of profits from Antamina (Peru) which commenced commercial operations in October 2001. Production of payable copper contained in concentrate decreased by 11% compared with the corresponding period mainly due to the decision to scale back production at Escondida due to weak market conditions and to reduce copper inventory levels. This was partially offset by the commencement of commercial production at Antamina. Copper cathode production decreased marginally compared with the corresponding period. Zinc production was 46,000 tonnes, an increase of 56% compared with the corresponding period, mainly due to the commencement of commercial production at Antamina. Silver and lead production increased by 62% and 38% respectively, mainly reflecting strong operational performance at Cannington, together with the commencement of commercial production from Antamina. Carbon Steel Materials (US$ Million) 2002 2001 Change% (Million tonnes) 2002 2001 Change% Turnover 832 834 -0.2 Iron ore production 16.5 15.3 7.8 EBIT 266 241 10.4 Metallurgical coal 9.0 9.5 -5.3 production Manganese alloy 0.166 0.16 3.8 production Manganese ore production 0.891 0.917 -2.8 Carbon Steel Materials contributed EBIT of US$266 million, an increase of US$25 million or 10.4% compared with the corresponding period. Major factors which affected the comparison of results were: • higher metallurgical coal prices; • higher coal sales following the Blackwater (Australia) integration and the impact of industrial action in Queensland in the corresponding period; • lower port demurrage, rail and stripping costs at Iron Ore (Australia); and partially offset by: • higher costs at metallurgical coal operations in Queensland mainly due to increased strip ratios, higher royalties following the change in the royalty regime and a major dragline shutdown at Riverside; • longwall changeouts, poor roof conditions and provisions associated with the Tower colliery closure at Illawarra (Australia); • the impact of the sell down of BHP Billiton's interests in the Central Queensland Coal Associates (CQCA) and Gregory joint ventures in Queensland in June 2001; and • lower sales volumes at Iron Ore due to lower demand from Japanese Steel mill customers. West Australian iron ore operations sold 16.9 million wet tonnes (100% terms), a decrease of 5% compared with the corresponding period mainly due to a reduction in lump requirements by the Japanese Steel mills. Samarco (Brazil) iron ore production was 1.6 million tonnes which was 13% lower than the corresponding period mainly due to lower market demand for pellets. Queensland coal shipments were 7.2 million tonnes (including 100% interest in BHP Mitsui Coal, gross of the 20% interest held by equity minority interests, and 50% interest in the South Blackwater mine), 11% below the corresponding period. This decrease reflects the impact of the sell down of BHP Billiton's interest in the CQCA and Gregory joint ventures in June 2001. Excluding this impact, Queensland coal shipments increased due to the benefits of the Blackwater integration and the impact of industrial disputes in the corresponding period. Illawarra coal despatches were 1.6 million tonnes, an increase of 9% compared with the corresponding period mainly due to increased spot sales. On 26 March BHP Billiton announced that it had declared 'force majeure' on sales contracts and some supply contracts at the Boodarie Iron Plant in north Western Australia. The declaration followed suspension of work at the plant following a tube failure in a gas re-heating furnace. The investigation into the cause of the tube failure is now complete. Rectification works are underway. The plant will be brought progressively back on-line commencing in July 2002. Stainless Steel Materials (US$ Million) 2002 2001 Change% ('000 tonnes) 2002 2001 Change% Turnover 204 229 -10.9 Nickel production 17.8 16.8 6.0 EBIT 12 - Ferrochrome production 201 192 4.7 LME nickel price 2.82 2.97 -5.1 (cash, US$/lb, ave) Stainless Steel Materials contributed EBIT of US$12 million, compared with a breakeven EBIT for the corresponding period. Major factors that affected the comparison of results were: • increased ferrochrome production in anticipation of improved market conditions; • favourable effect of the lower Rand/US$ exchange rate on related operating costs; and • favourable impact from nickel due to increases in production, mainly from the continued ramp-up of Cerro Matoso Line 2, which commenced production on 1 January 2001; partially offset by: • lower realised prices for nickel and cobalt by-product, down 5% and 38% respectively; and • lower prices for chrome. Nickel production was 17,800 tonnes, an increase of 6% compared with the corresponding period mainly reflecting the continued ramp-up of Cerro Matoso Line 2, which commenced production on 1 January 2001. Ferrochrome production was 201,000 tonnes, an increase of 5% compared with the corresponding period. Approximately 20% of ferrochrome production capacity remains idle in response to weaker market conditions. Energy Coal (US$ Million) 2002 2001 Change% (Million tonnes) 2002 2001 Change% Turnover 388 495 -21.6 Energy coal production 19.2 23.0 -16.5 EBIT 112 109 2.8 Energy Coal contributed EBIT of US$112 million, an increase of US$3 million or 2.8% compared with the corresponding period. Major factors which affected the comparison of results were: • a significant increase in export market prices, the benefit of higher priced longer term contracts offsetting weakness in spot prices increasingly evident during the current period; • favourable effect of lower Rand/US$ exchange rates on related operating costs; and • inclusion of profits from Cerrejon Zona Norte operations (Colombia); partially offset by: • lower export volumes with the weakening of European markets after an unseasonably warm winter and an influx from non traditional European supply sources together with lower US domestic sales volumes due to reduced customer demand; • higher unit production costs mainly due to lower production volumes predominantly in South Africa, due to market demand. Energy coal production was 19.2 million tonnes, a decrease of 16% compared with the corresponding period. South African production was 13.6 million tonnes, a decrease of 5% compared with the corresponding period reflecting the divestment of Matla and Glisa, in the corresponding period, the scaling down of Rietspruit and lower export production in response to reduced market demand and reduced demand from Eskom. US production was 3.3 million tonnes, a decrease of 18% compared with the corresponding period mainly reflecting reduced production at San Juan Coal Company in response to reduced customer demand. Exploration, Technology and New Business (US$ Million) 2002 2001 Change% ('000 carats) 2002 2001 Change% Turnover 110 67 64.2 EkatiTM diamonds 932 375 148.5 production EBIT 43 12 258.3 Exploration, Technology and New Business contributed EBIT of US$43 million, an increase of US$31 million or 258.3% compared with the corresponding period. Major factors which affected the comparison of results were: • higher profits from EkatiTM following the acquisition of an additional 29% interest in June 2001; and • significantly increased production at EkatiTM reflecting higher ore grade from the Panda Pit and the commencement of production from the Misery Pit; partially offset by: • lower diamond prices mainly due to a general downturn in the global economy. EkatiTM diamond production was 932,000 carats, an increase of 557,000 carats or 148.5%, compared to the corresponding period, mainly reflecting the acquisition of an additional 29% interest, higher carat grade on core production and higher recoveries of lower quality diamonds. Other Activities Other Activities contributed EBIT of US$13 million, a decrease of US$34 million compared with the corresponding period. Major factors which affected the comparison of results were: • lower volumes at titanium minerals operations reflecting softening markets; partially offset by: • favourable effect of lower Rand/US$ exchange rates on related operating costs; • operating losses in the corresponding period from HBI Venezuela. Petroleum (US$ Million) 2002 2001 Change% 2002 2001 Change% Turnover 687 818 -16.0 Crude oil and condensate 19.6 19.9 -1.5 EBIT 251 419 -40.1 (Millions bbls) Natural gas (bcf) 51.1 53.4 -4.3 Average realised oil 20.92 26.81 -22.0 price (US$/barrel) Petroleum contributed EBIT of US$251 million, a decrease of US$168 million or 40.1% compared with the corresponding period. Major factors affecting the comparison of results were: • lower average realised oil price of US$20.92 per barrel compared to US$26.81 per barrel in the corresponding period; • lower average realised LPG price of US$208.16 per tonne compared to US$296.88 per tonne in the corresponding period; • reduced crude oil volumes primarily due to natural field decline in the Laminaria (Australia), Bass Strait (Australia) and Griffin (Australia) oil fields, partially offset by infill programs in Bass Strait and Griffin; • lower LPG and natural gas volumes from Bass Strait; and • sale of the Buffalo oil field in March 2001; partly offset by: • inclusion of profits from the Typhoon (US) oilfield and the Zamzama (Pakistan) field which commenced operations in July 2001 and March 2001 respectively; Exploration expenditure for the quarter was US$44 million (2001 - US$47 million). Exploration charged to profit was US$28 million (2001 - US$40 million). Oil and condensate production was 1% lower than the corresponding period due to natural field declines at Laminaria, Bass Strait and Griffin. Natural field decline at Griffin was partially offset by an increase in production due to completion of repairs to Scindian 3 flowline and the Griffin infill program. Natural field decline at Bass Strait was partially offset by the West Tuna infill. Production volumes were also lower than the corresponding period as a result of the sale of Buffalo oil field, offset by Typhoon's start up in July 2001. Natural gas production was 4.3% lower than the corresponding period due to lower volumes from Bass Strait as a result of cooler weather in the summer months of the March 2002 quarter. Lower volumes from Bruce due to lower nominations from Centrica were partially offset by higher volumes in Pakistan. Steel (US$ Million) 2002 2001 Change% ('000 tonnes) 2002 2001 Change% Turnover 611 797 -23.3 Raw steel 1,251 1,277 -2.0 EBIT 10 43 -76.7 Marketable steel 1,396 1,345 3.8 products (inc Transport & Logistics) (excluding discontinuing businesses) Steel contributed EBIT of US$10 million, a decrease of US$33 million or 76.7% compared with the corresponding period. Major factors which affected the comparison of results were: • lower international prices for steel products; • reduced profits recorded from restructured Transport & Logistics businesses; and • higher costs due to melter reline in New Zealand; partly offset by: • improved unit costs at Port Kembla steelworks (New South Wales) due to increased production and cost efficiencies. Steel despatches from flat and coated operations were 1.4 million tonnes for the quarter, 8% above the corresponding period: Group and Unallocated Items The net costs of Group and Unallocated Items, excluding losses from legacy A$/ US$ currency hedging was US$49 million, a reduction of US$19 million compared to the corresponding period. Group and Unallocated Items includes losses on legacy A$/US$ currency hedging of approximately US$82 million compared with losses of approximately US$85 million in the corresponding period. These losses mainly reflect the lower value of hedge settlement rates compared with hedge contract rates for currency hedging contracts settled during the quarter. Supplementary Information Customer Sector Group Results Quarterly Comparison 31 March 2002 vs 31 March 2001 BHP BILLITON GROUP Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million EBIT (2) EBIT (2) excluding including exceptional Exceptional exceptional Exploration Exploration Turnover (1) items items items Capex (3) gross (5) to profit (6) (4) Aluminium 693 133 - 133 68 - - Base metals 491 52 - 52 92 1 1 Carbon steel 832 266 - 266 74 - - materials Stainless steel 204 12 - 12 16 - - materials Energy coal 388 112 - 112 252 1 - Exploration, 110 43 - 43 22 8 8 technology and new business Other activities 218 13 - 13 - - - Petroleum 687 251 - 251 174 44 28 Steel 611 10 - 10 17 - - Group and 125 ( 131) - ( 131) 9 - - unallocated items (6) BHP Billiton 4 282 761 - 761 724 54 37 Group Quarter ended 31 March 2001 US$ Million EBIT (2) EBIT (2) (7) excluding including exceptional Exceptional exceptional Exploration Exploration Turnover (1) items items items Capex (4) gross (5) to profit Aluminium 773 135 - 135 1 501 - - Base metals 446 117 - 117 79 4 4 Carbon steel 834 241 - 241 32 3 3 materials Stainless steel 229 - - - 28 - - materials Energy coal 495 109 - 109 15 - - Exploration, 67 12 - 12 9 14 14 technology and new business Other activities 454 47 ( 180) ( 133) 20 - - Petroleum 818 419 - 419 80 47 40 Steel 797 43 - 43 9 - - Group and ( 87) ( 153) ( 340) ( 493) 100 - - unallocated items (6) BHP Billiton 4 674 970 ( 520) 450 1 873 68 61 Group (1) Turnover does not add to the BHP Billiton Group figure due to inter-segment transactions. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation. (3) Capex in aggregate comprises US$565 million growth and US$159 million sustaining. (4) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. (5) Includes US$17 million (2001:US$7 million) capitalised exploration. (6) Includes consolidation adjustments and unallocated items. (7) Certain items have been restated between customer sector groups. Customer Sector Group Results Quarterly Comparison 31 March 2002 vs 31 December 2001 BHP BILLITON GROUP Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million EBIT (2) EBIT (2) excluding including exceptional Exceptional exceptional Exploration Exploration Turnover (1) items items items Capex (3) gross (5) to profit(6) (4) Aluminium 693 133 - 133 68 - - Base metals 491 52 - 52 92 1 1 Carbon steel 832 266 - 266 74 - - materials Stainless steel 204 12 - 12 16 - - materials Energy coal 388 112 - 112 252 1 - Exploration, 110 43 - 43 22 8 8 technology and new business Other activities 218 13 - 13 - - - Petroleum 687 251 - 251 174 44 28 Steel 611 10 - 10 17 - - Group and 125 ( 131) - ( 131) 9 - - unallocated items (7) BHP Billiton Group 4 282 761 - 761 724 54 37 Quarter ended 31 December 2001 US$ Million EBIT (2) EBIT (2) excluding including exceptional Exceptional exceptional Exploration Exploration Turnover (1) items items items Capex (4) gross (5) to profit(6) Aluminium 673 77 - 77 41 - - Base metals 467 17 - 17 195 13 48 Carbon steel 830 273 - 273 55 1 1 materials Stainless steel 199 ( 24) - ( 24) 17 2 12 materials Energy coal 507 201 - 201 83 2 - Exploration, 88 19 - 19 7 22 22 technology and new business Other activities 406 59 - 59 4 - - Petroleum 647 251 - 251 164 69 40 Steel 700 9 - 9 17 - - Group and 131 ( 152) - ( 152) 15 - - unallocated items (7) BHP Billiton Group 4 533 730 - 730 598 109 123 (1) Turnover does not add to the BHP Billiton Group figure due to inter-segment transactions. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation. (3) Capex in aggregate comprises US$565 million growth and US$159 million sustaining. (4) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. (5) Includes US$17 million (Dec 2001:US$30 million)capitalised exploration. (6) Includes US$nil million (Dec 2001:US$44 million) exploration expenditure previously capitalised, now written off. (7) Includes consolidation adjustments and unallocated items. Customer Sector Group Results - Quarterly Comparison ALUMINIUM Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (3) gross to profit (4) Alumina 165 82 27 55 11 Aluminium 366 112 32 80 57 Intra-divisional ( 35) - - - - adjustment Third party products 197 ( 2) - ( 2) - Total 693 192 59 133 68 - - Quarter ended 31 March 2001 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (4) gross to profit Alumina 140 79 23 56 1 486 Aluminium 395 108 35 73 15 Intra-divisional ( 34) - - - - adjustment Third party products 272 6 - 6 - Total 773 193 58 135 1 501 - - (1) EBITDA is earnings before net interest, taxation, and depreciation and amortisation. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation (excluding exceptional items). (3) Capex in aggregate comprises US$57 million growth and US$11 million sustaining. (4) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. Customer Sector Group Results - Quarterly Comparison BASE METALS Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (3) gross (6) to profit (4) Escondida 172 64 25 39 48 Tintaya 17 ( 12) 7 ( 19) 21 Cerro Colorado 55 22 17 5 6 Antamina (7) 68 6 - 6 13 Alumbrera (7) 42 12 - 12 - Cannington 89 37 6 31 4 Highland Valley 20 ( 3) - ( 3) - (7) Other businesses 24 ( 19) - ( 19) - (8) Third party 4 - - - - products Total 491 107 55 52 92 1 1 Quarter ended 31 March 2001 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (4) gross (6) to profit (5) Escondida 223 103 25 78 64 Tintaya 21 7 7 - 11 Cerro Colorado 56 29 16 13 - Antamina (7) - - - - - Alumbrera (5) (7) 4 6 - 6 - Cannington 85 30 6 24 4 Highland Valley 21 3 - 3 - (7) Other businesses 35 ( 6) 1 ( 7) - (8) Third party 1 - - - - products Total 446 172 55 117 79 4 4 (1) EBITDA is earnings before net interest, taxation, and depreciation and amortisation. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation (excluding exceptional items). (3) Capex in aggregate comprises US$80 million growth and US$12 million sustaining. (4) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. (5) Turnover was net of treatment and refining costs of US$20 million. (6) Includes US$nil (2001:nil) capitalised exploration. (7) Equity accounted investments. (8) Includes Selbaie, Pering and the North America copper mining and smelting operations (which ceased operations during the September 1999 quarter) Customer Sector Group Results - Quarterly Comparison CARBON STEEL MATERIALS Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (3) gross to profit (4) WA Iron Ore 252 136 15 121 15 Samarco (5) 44 23 - 23 - Total Iron Ore 296 159 15 144 15 Queensland 320 141 14 127 41 Illawarra 71 13 5 8 5 Total Metallurgical 391 154 19 135 46 Coal Manganese 109 28 6 22 4 BoodarieTM Iron 44 ( 32) - ( 32) 9 Divisional ( 11) ( 3) - ( 3) - adjustment (6) Third party products 3 - - - - Total 832 306 40 266 74 - - Quarter ended 31 March 2001 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (4) gross to profit WA Iron Ore 270 132 22 110 6 Samarco (5) 75 24 - 24 - Total Iron Ore 345 156 22 134 6 Queensland 299 121 16 105 11 Illawarra 60 17 5 12 3 Total Metallurgical 359 138 21 117 14 Coal Manganese 99 26 7 19 6 BoodarieTM Iron 29 ( 29) - ( 29) 6 Divisional ( 9) - - - - adjustment (6) Third party products 11 - - - - Total 834 291 50 241 32 3 3 (1) EBITDA is earnings before net interest, taxation, and depreciation and amortisation. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation (excluding exceptional items). (3) Capex in aggregate comprises US$34 million growth and US$40 million sustaining. (4) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. (5) Equity accounted investment. (6) Includes intra-divisional activities Customer Sector Group Results - Quarterly Comparison STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (3) gross to profit (4) Nickel 112 27 19 8 10 Chrome 92 11 7 4 6 Other (5) - - - - - Third party - - - - - products Total 204 38 26 12 16 - - Quarter ended 31 March 2001 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (4) gross to profit Nickel 112 30 18 12 19 Chrome 78 ( 2) 7 ( 9) 9 Columbus Stainless 37 ( 1) 2 ( 3) - Steel Third party 2 - - - - products Total 229 27 27 - 28 - - (1) EBITDA is earnings before net interest, taxation, and depreciation and amortisation. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation (excluding exceptional items). (3) Capex in aggregate comprises US$6 million growth and US$10 million sustaining. (4) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. (5) The Group's remaining interest in Columbus Stainless Steel and the investment in Acerinox SA. are accounted for as a fixed asset investments. Customer Sector Group Results - Quarterly Comparison Customer Sector Group Results - Quarterly Comparison ENERGY COAL Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (3) gross (5) to profit (4) Ingwe 212 102 31 71 10 New Mexico 95 27 7 20 12 Hunter Valley 33 18 3 15 31 Indonesia 8 1 - 1 - Colombia (6) 32 9 - 9 199 Divisional - ( 5) - ( 5) - activities Third party 8 1 - 1 - products Total 388 153 41 112 252 1 - Quarter ended 31 March 2001 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (4) gross (5) to profit Ingwe 264 88 22 66 1 New Mexico 99 32 9 23 10 Hunter Valley 35 8 4 4 4 Indonesia 49 13 7 6 - Colombia (6) 35 9 - 9 - Divisional - - - - - activities Third party 13 1 - 1 - products Total 495 151 42 109 15 - - (1) EBITDA is earnings before net interest, taxation, and depreciation and amortisation. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation (excluding exceptional items). (3) Capex in aggregate comprises US$240 million growth and US$12 million sustaining. (4) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. (5) Includes US$1 million (2001:US$nil)capitalised exploration. (6) Equity accounted investment. Customer Sector Group Results - Quarterly Comparison EXPLORATION, TECHNOLOGY AND NEW BUSINESS Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (3) gross (5) to profit (4) Ekati 108 71 18 53 21 Exploration and 2 ( 10) - ( 10) 1 Technology Total 110 61 18 43 22 8 8 Quarter ended 31 March 2001 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (4) gross (5) to profit Ekati 66 41 6 35 8 Exploration and 1 ( 22) 1 ( 23) 1 Technology Total 67 19 7 12 9 14 14 (1) EBITDA is earnings before net interest, taxation, and depreciation and amortisation. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation (excluding exceptional items). (3) Capex in aggregate comprises US$22 million sustaining and nil growth. (4) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. (5) Includes US$nil (2001:US$nil) capitalised exploration. OTHER ACTIVITIES Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (3) gross to profit HBI Venezuela (4) - - - - - Ok Tedi (7) - 3 - 3 - Other businesses (6) 218 11 1 10 - Total 218 14 1 13 - - - Quarter ended 31 March 2001 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (3) gross to profit HBI Venezuela (4) 5 ( 10) - ( 10) 4 (5) Ok Tedi 119 23 17 6 14 Other businesses (6) 330 53 2 51 2 Total 454 66 19 47 20 - - (1) EBITDA is earnings before net interest, taxation, and depreciation and amortisation. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation (excluding exceptional items). (3) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. (4) BHP Billiton ceased investment in HBI Venezuela in March 2001. (5) Equity accounted investment. (6) Includes Titanium Minerals operations, Integris Metals Inc., the Hartley Platinum mine which was sold in January 2001 and the Beenup Mineral sands operations which was closed in April 1999. (7) BHP Billiton ceased investment in Ok Tedi in December 2001, the current period EBIT reflects the final dividend received. Customer Sector Group Results - Quarterly Comparison PETROLEUM Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover (1) EBITDA (2) amortisation EBIT (3) Capex (4) gross (6) to profit (5) Bass Strait 203 114 22 92 17 North West Shelf 161 120 13 106 12 Liverpool Bay 89 79 36 42 1 Other businesses 217 89 72 19 144 Marketing 17 - - - - activities Intra-divisional - - - - - adjustment Divisional - ( 8) - ( 8) - activities Total 687 394 143 251 174 44 28 Quarter ended 31 March 2001 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover (1) EBITDA (2) amortisation EBIT (3) Capex (5) gross (6) to profit Bass Strait 264 148 22 126 13 North West Shelf 194 153 14 139 9 Liverpool Bay 100 83 30 53 8 Other businesses 256 180 63 117 50 Marketing 15 - - - - activities Intra-divisional - - - - - adjustment Divisional ( 11) ( 16) - ( 16) - activities Total 818 548 129 419 80 47 40 (1) Petroleum turnover includes: Crude oil US$419 million (2001:US$537 million), Natural gas US$101 million (2001:US$114 million), LNG US$71 million (2001:US$83 million), LPG US$34 million (2001:US$53 million) and Other US$62 million (2001:US$31 million). (2) EBITDA is earnings before net interest, taxation, and depreciation and amortisation. (3) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation (excluding exceptional items). (4) Capex in aggregate comprises US$142 million growth and US$32 million sustaining. (5) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. (6) Includes US$16 million (2001:US$7 million)capitalised exploration. Customer Sector Group Results - Quarterly Comparison STEEL Quarter ended 31 March 2002 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (3) gross to profit (4) Flat Products (5) 347 20 17 3 10 Coated Products 374 29 15 14 7 Discontinued - - - - - operations (6) Intra-divisional ( 149) 1 - 1 - adjust Divisional activities 39 ( 7) 1 ( 8) - Transport & Logistics - - - - - Total 611 43 33 10 17 - - Quarter ended 31 March 2001 US$ Million Depn & Exploration Exploration Turnover EBITDA (1) amortisation EBIT (2) Capex (4) gross to profit Flat Products (5) 343 16 19 ( 3) 5 Coated Products 411 51 14 37 4 Discontinuing 1 - - - - operations (6) Intra-divisional ( 176) 5 - 5 - adjust Divisional activities 4 ( 4) - ( 4) - Transport & Logistics 214 11 3 8 - Total 797 79 36 43 9 - - (1) EBITDA is earnings before net interest, taxation, and depreciation and amortisation. (2) EBIT is earnings before net interest and taxation (excluding exceptional items). (3) Capex in aggregate comprises US$nil growth and US$17 million sustaining. (4) Capex includes capital and investment expenditure and excludes capitalised interest and capitalised exploration. (5) Includes North Star BHP Steel. (6) Includes the Long Products business (OneSteel Limited) which ceased to report results from November 2000 following spin-out. BHP Billiton Group Financial Results under Australian GAAP Quarter ended 31 March 2002 A$ Million US$ Million Revenue from ordinary activities Sales 7 238 3 750 Other revenue 296 153 7 534 3 903 Profit from ordinary activitites before depreciation, amortisation and borrowing costs 2 211 1 146 Deduct: Depreciation and amortisation 835 433 Borrowing costs 194 101 Profit from ordinary activities before tax 1 182 612 Deduct: Tax expense attributable to ordinary activities 396 205 Net profit 786 407 Outside equity interests in net profit ( 22) ( 11) Net profit attributable to members of combined BHP Billiton Group 764 396 Basic earnings per ordinary share (cents) 12.7 6.5 Basis of Preparation The results of the BHP Billiton Group, comprising the BHP Billiton Limited Group and the BHP Billiton Plc Group, for the quarter ended 31 March 2002 have been prepared in accordance with Australian GAAP and Practice Note 71 'Financial reporting by Australian entities in dual listed company arrangements' issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).Australian regulatory requirements do not allow the combination of the results of the BHP Billiton Limited Group with those of the BHP Billiton Plc Group for periods prior to consummation of the DLC merger on 29 June 2001. With effect from 1 July 2001, the majority of the BHP Billiton Limited Group's businesses changed to US dollars, the functional currency of the combined BHP Billiton Group.This is consistent with the BHP Billiton Plc Group and is the basis on which the combined BHP Billiton Group manages its businesses.Most BHP Billiton commodities are sold in US dollars and are predominantly destined for export markets. Except for the effect of the functional currency change, the financial information has been prepared using the same accounting policies as were used in preparing the results for the BHP Billiton Limited Group as presented in the BHP Billiton Limited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2001. The results are unaudited. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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