Dividend 2023, page-2

We won't find out for a while (results for the half will be announced 21 February 2023) - So plenty of time to speculate!!! - that is good news for HotCopper addicts!

For H1FY22 we were paid AUD$2.08055925 (USD$1.50) fully franked, with books close date 25/02/22 and payment date 28/03/22.
So, to get the maximum points (from predicting the dividend parameters) in this contest I am going to predict the following:
1. div will be Fully Franked
2. Books Close date will be 24/02/2023
3. Pay Date will be 27/03/2023
4. div will be declared in US dollars
.....and now for the big one......
5. div will be USD$1.50
Reasoning - I'm guessing - No, seriously, I have reasons.
a. BHP is 10%ish smaller after divestment/merge of BHPP to WDS (so less profit)
b. IO and Cu prices have been lower this half (Cu particularly so) (so less profit)
c. coal prices have stayed v good (unexpectedly so esp. for Thermal)
d. QLD Royalty increase (so less net profit)
e. BHP had AUD$7B (USD$5B) franking credit balance after payment of Final Div for 2022 (and will want to be able to pay this to Aust shareholders over time, and divs are the way to go for this)
f. BHP will want to be seen to be "sustaining" its divs if this is financially responsible
g. BHP balance sheet is good, so no compelling need to hold back divs

Let's see how I go - I reckon i have nailed 4 and one half out of 5 ! (at least)

PS anyone waiting until after the 19 January 2023 Operational Review to make a prediction is a wimp ....or maybe just prudent