BHP should without any hesitation stop paying out dividends and cancel the share buyback. Instead they should invest this capital (and borrow more) in building a proper, modern, futuristic, self-sufficient and environment friendly city in WA with all the infrastructure that would set an advanced standard for 21st and 22nd centuries.
This way, they would not need to fly around their staff. They would not need to pay 200K per annum to a dump truck driver, and a truck driver would be in a position to buy modern and affordable accommodation that would be 50% cheaper that anywhere in Australia. Think about all the concessions BHP would be able to get form the government, and other benefits they (BHP) and Australians would enjoy.
There is a business model that could be developed from this which would offer diversity, investments, profitability and also very important altruistic value/perception that the BHP team would emit throughout the community.
Instead, we have a number of shareholders saying; "$10 bil. not 'nuf" while the Gillard government is talking tax again and BHP management is buying back some shares.
Step aside and do something big and novel.
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BHP Price at posting:
$46.73 Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held
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