BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) has booked a record first half net profit, boosted its dividend and announced it will return $10 billion to its shareholders.
In the six months to 31 December 2010, the global mining giant generated a net profit of $10.52 billion, up 71.5 per cent from the same time a year earlier.
Revenue rose 39 per cent to $34.17 billion on the back of booming iron ore, copper and oil prices.
BHP has lifted its interim dividend by 10 per cent, or $US0.04 cents, and declared a fully franked interim dividend of $US0.46.
The miner will also launch a $10 billion share buy-back, double the $5 billion buy-back announced by rival Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) last week.
Looking ahead, BHP says it is cautiously optimistic on the short term outlook for the global economy, given growth in emerging markets and signs of recovery in economies such as the US.
Longer term, BHP says it remains confident in the outlook for its core commodities, based on emerging markets being the principal drivers of growth.
BHP generated a net profit of $15.3 billion in the 2010 financial year.
