BHP Billiton Limited
(ASX:BHP) has posted a net profit of $US9.941 billion ($A9.3 billion) for the six months to December 2011, a 5.5 per cent fall on the previous corresponding period.
Total revenue lifted 9.7 per cent to $US37.48 billion.
The miner says the first half of 2012 has been challenging, with global economic growth reflecting continued difficulties in Europe and slowing levels of activity in China and India. It also says it remains positive on the outlook for the global economy in the longer term.
BHP will pay an interim dividend of 55 cents per share, payable on March 22, greater than the 44 cents paid last year.
BHP reported a record net profit of $22.3 billion in the 2011 financial year.
