u238z1 steals another 100000 bhp, page-8

BHP could retrace back to mid $30s. This takeover idea could prove its undoing by buying at the top of a cycle and having large borrowings. Its a real high risk strategy. If China has a hiccup BHP would be finished as an independent company.

Billiton gave its merger operation with BHP the code name Bardot (blonde and dumb BHP, I suppose). The deal was bad for BHP shreholders. One shareholder in Billiton I knew said its was a very sweet deal for him. They had crappy mines in South Africa which the natives want back for next to nothing, while other mines were in high risk countries.

I think Don Argus is a poor Chairman and he is putting on the board a range of like minded members. A RIO takeover of BHP would be better, as they have a long history of much better management.

The takeover of WMC was just a stroke of luck, and seems to have been done with some reluctance by BHP.