financial report, page-15

As A retiree, I too would appreciate a dividend, that reflects more, the enormous increase in profits.

Notwithstanding the announced buyback ( that is considerable), I still would have preferred that BHP management looked more closely at the return their shareholders were to be given. In fact because of the dollar parity, this new dividend will in all probability be less than the previous one.

I am beginning to liken BHP's philosphy with that of the now defunct Lihir Gold. They just kept spending millions and millions on capex to increase their gold production, without any real meaningful return to the shareholders. How big do you need to get, before some meaningful return is shown to long term holders ?

I intend exiting my position with BHP in the not too distant future, so at least my dividend stream will be far more secure. Having said that, I am also taking a chance with the growth factor, but I think I will be able to live with that !