bhp opinion, page-4

2315 GMT [Dow Jones] S&P/ASX 200 offshore leads bearish, with SPI 200 futures down
50 points or 1.3% at 3690.0 after moderate falls on Wall Street. DJIA down 2.3% at
7789.56, S&P 500 down 2.4% at 815.55, Nasdaq down 2.8% amid profit taking before 1Q
earnings. After the close, Alcoa reported 59 cents/share loss vs 56 cents consensus.
Alcoa down 3.2% afterhours, down 1.5% in regular trading. GM fell 12%, biggest decliner
in Dow after Southeastern Asset Management sold much of its GM debt. Caterpillar fell
5.9% after Moody's said weak construction environment threatened AAA rating of some
bonds backed by Caterpillar's equipment loans and leases. Corning fell 8.1% after
one of its biggest customers, AU Optronics, reported fall in shipments. International
Paper fell 7.7% as JPM cut its rating. KBW bank index fell 3.5% after Treasury delayed
program to help banks unload bad loans. BHP (BHP.AU) ADRs at A$32.20 vs A$32.70 locally
(based on AUD/USD at 0.7106). Spot gold at SU$882.60 vs US$868.15. Nymex crude down
US$1.90 or 3.7% at US$49.15. LME copper up 2.4%, zinc flat, aluminum up 0.7%, nickel up
1.4%. Index last 3706.3. (DWR)