Stockchase Opinions

Greg A. Taylor, CFA, BBABHP BillitonBHPCOMMENTJul 05, 2010

Good play on global recovery with its iron ore, base metals, oil, etc. Has been under a lot of pressure lately with slowdown in China, global economy and Australian mining tax. Australia is talking about lowering the tax from 40% to 30% next year and the opposition parties are against it. Thinks this tax is priced into the stock. 2.68% dividend.
$62.71

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$88.78

As of Jun 04, 2026. Market Open.

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PARTIAL BUY

Likes it long term. His team didn't trim this one, only because their clients had capital gains from so many other winning positions. Great name, best of breed. Buy only a 1/2 position at these levels.

TOP PICK

He likes cash-generating resource producers -- great as inflation protection. Largest producer of iron ore on the planet, with ~45% of revenues coming from that. Adding copper production (up 28% over last 3 years), which is now 44% of revenue. 

Fully integrated from production to rail shipments, which diversifies its business. Yield is 3.20%.

(Analysts’ price target is $76.34)
TOP PICK

It is one of the world's largest diversified mining companies. Iron ore, copper and metallurgical coal are its main products. Global demand for copper is expected to increase 70% by 2050. Revenue is about $55 billion US. Iron ore adds more scale, resilience and cash flow stability. Also in China there is stabilization in the markets. It has broken above its key long term resistance levels so there is technical strength, Pays a 4% dividend.
Buy 2 Hold 5 Sell 1

(Analysts’ price target is $71.00)
WATCH

Best asset in Australia.

TOP PICK

Australian-based, one of the largest global mining companies in the world. A play on copper and iron ore for steel -- essential for infrastructure buildout, electrification, and energy transition. Long-term secular themes. 

We've gone from the AI build up, to the build out. We need data centres and grid stability. China wants to improve infrastructure and electricity grid, and is one of the largest sources of revenue for BHP. Stock's now broken above multi-year highs. Yield is 3.22%.

(Analysts’ price target is $61.72)
HOLD

Great, diversified commodities producer. Great dividend grower over time. In base metals, he owns HBM (the leader) and FOM and RIO. Keep in mind that BHP has a very large iron ore business, which is probably a bit of a drag. In the short run, lagging a bit. He'd prefer RIO.

TRADE

Best of breed. He adds more below $50 and trims over $70. Commodities demand looks weak. There's a disconnect between precious metals and industrial metals. The chart is spiky, so you can make good money.

TRADE

Best of breed. He adds more below $50 and trims over $70. Commodities demand looks weak. There's a disconnect between precious metals and industrial metals. The chart is spiky, so you can make good money.

RISKY

The largest miner today, in iron ore and copper. Mining is risky; it takes a long time to see if whatever you dig out of the ground will sell. He likes BHP's diversification. Iron ore is in safer countries, copper not, so BHP is attractive in this way. There remains good demand for copper. Trades at 12-13x PE and nice balance sheet. but a little risky.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Feb 09/24, Down 15%)

The commodity price and tariffs happened. He sold half his position at $70 a few years ago. He will double his position at $40. Wouldn't sell it here.

PARTIAL BUY

Likes metals and mining longer term, if we have the broader 4-year cycle reset. With inflation expectations and supply chains breaking down, likes commodities. Looks like a pretty good longer-term entry point, and you can pick away some more during a bigger correction (perhaps later this year).

DON'T BUY

Is down 6% the past month due to China. Until China's stimulus plan has an effect on their economy, mining stocks like this will stay under pressure.

SELL

In basic materials, iron ore's had a hard time partly due to slowdown in China. And that's a big part of its business. Longer term, we're in early stages of a long-term bull market in commodity prices. Big cashflow generators will pay a lot of dividends along the way. Mixed economic data before an easing cycle impacts this company.

He prefers copper. Owns TECK.B, a bit frustrating, but he can see the runway.

WEAK BUY

Mining shares have been on a tear recently; copper and gold have performed exceedingly well. Outlook for mining materials is still probably OK. Especially if Trump is re-elected, there's the belief that there's going to be more growth going forward, and this is what typically drives the mining sector.

He doesn't have a lot of this type of exposure. He tends to gravitate away from any company whose earnings and revenue depend on a tradeable commodity; makes it very difficult to predict cashflow 5-10 years out. It doesn't mean that the shares can't be accretive, but the path to cashflow is less visible.

COMMENT

The caller wanted a comparison of the two companies, BHP and FCX. BHP is in a tight trading range with a lot of trading. He doesn't see much upside and there are others to buy. FCX has more copper, and copper is a good story It could be a good buying opportunity but sell if it goes below $44.