BHP Billiton reported an underlying profit of $6.20 billion for the first half of the year, marking a 22% increase compared to the same period last year. The figure was in line with the estimated $6.22 billion.

First-half performance: - Underlying profit: $6.20 billion, up 22% year-on-year; estimated $6.22 billion. - Interim dividend per share: $0.73, compared to $0.50 in the prior year; estimated $0.65. - Net profit: $5.64 billion, up 28% year-on-year; estimated $6.25 billion. - Revenue: $27.90 billion, up 11% year-on-year. - Net debt at period end: $14.69 billion, up 25% year-on-year.

Full-year outlook: - Maintained forecast for total iron ore production in Western Australia at 280–300 million tons. - Maintained forecast for attributable ore output at 260–270 million tons. - Maintained forecast for copper production at 1.9–2.0 million tons. - Maintained forecast for metallurgical coal production at 18–20 million tons. - Maintained forecast for thermal coal production at the upper end of 14–16 million tons.