By Rhiannon Hoyle

BHP Group, the world's biggest miner by market value, is scheduled to report first-half earnings before the Australian market opens on Tuesday. Here is what you need to know.

PROFIT: BHP is expected to report an underlying profit of $5.04 billion for the six months ended Dec. 31, according to data compiled by Visible Alpha. The company made an underlying profit of $6.57 billion in the year-prior period.

DIVIDEND: Directors are expected to declare an interim dividend of roughly 51 cents a share, according to Visible Alpha. BHP paid an interim dividend of 72 cents a share a year earlier.

BHP's stock has fallen by roughly 11% over the past year amid concerns about global growth and, consequently, commodities demand.

WHAT TO WATCH:

-- BHP's payout is in focus as the miner seeks to balance shareholder returns with spending on growth and the Samarco dam failure. The miner's policy is to pay a minimum of 50% of underlying profit at each reporting period. Last year, its interim dividend represented a payout ratio of 56%.

-- The market will also be listening for any further remarks on mergers and acquisitions and how management intends to prioritize spending. Last year, BHP unsuccessfully sought to buy rival Anglo American to boost its copper-mining business. The $50 billion proposal would have been the largest-ever mining deal.

-- Iron-ore miners in Australia's Pilbara region have had a difficult start to 2025 because of several tropical cyclones that have lashed the country's northwest coast. Analysts will be keen to hear any updates the miner provides on iron-ore exports and costs, as well as any impact the weather may have on full-year guidance.

Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 16, 2025 22:29 ET (03:29 GMT)

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