<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-14-007347.txt : 20140218
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-14-007347.hdr.sgml : 20140217
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20140218153750
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-14-007347
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20140218
FILED AS OF DATE:		20140218
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20140218

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BHP BILLITON LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000811809
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	METAL MINING [1000]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			C3
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		6-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09526
		FILM NUMBER:		14622095

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LEVEL 27, 180 LONSDALE STREET
		STREET 2:		MELBOURNE
		CITY:			VICTORIA AUSTRALIA
		STATE:			C3
		ZIP:			3000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		011611300554757

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GPO BOX 86
		STREET 2:		MELBOURNE
		CITY:			VICTORIA AUSTRALIA
		STATE:			C3
		ZIP:			3001

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BHP LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20010129

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BROKEN HILL PROPRIETARY CO LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960116

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BHP BILLITON PLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001171264
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE MINING [1220]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			X0
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		6-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31714
		FILM NUMBER:		14622096

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8TH FLOOR - NEATHOUSE PLACE
		CITY:			LONDON
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			SW1V 1BH
		BUSINESS PHONE:		011442078024054

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8TH FLOOR - NEATHOUSE PLACE
		CITY:			LONDON
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			SW1V 1BH

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BHP BILLITON PLC/ADR
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20020416
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>6-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd402671.htm
<DESCRIPTION>BHP BILLITON - REPORTS STRONG FINANCIAL RESULTS
<TEXT>

<html>
<head>
<title>Prepared By R.R. Donnelley - Form 6-K</title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="WHITE">


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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="5"><b>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</b></font>
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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><b>Washington, DC 20549 </b></font>
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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="5"><b>FORM 6-K</b></font>
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	<font size="1"></font>
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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><b>REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER </b></font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><b>Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of</b></font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><b>the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </b></font>
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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><b>February 18, 2014</b></font>
</p>

	<div><font Size="2">&nbsp;</font></div>
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	<table Cellspacing="6" Cellpadding="0" Width="90%" Border="0">
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	<div><font Face="times New Roman" Size="2" Color="#000000"><b>Commission File Number<BR></b></font>
	<HR>
	</div>
	</td>
	<td Valign="bottom" Width="60%"><div><font Face="times New Roman" Size="2" Color="#000000"><b>Translation of registrant's name into English; Address of principal executive offices<BR></b></font>
	<HR></div>
	</td>
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	<td Valign="top" Width="25%">
	<div><font Face="times New Roman" Size="2" Color="#000000">
	<b></b></font>
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	</td>
	<td Valign="top" Width="60%"><div><font Face="times New Roman" Size="2" Color="#000000">BHP Billiton Limited (ABN 49 004 028 077)<BR>
	171 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA<br>3000 AUSTRALIA<br><BR><BR>
	</font>
	</div>
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				<div><font Face="times New Roman" Size="2" Color="#000000">
				<b>-</b></font>
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				</td>
				<td Valign="top" Width="60%"><div><font Face="times New Roman" Size="2" Color="#000000">BHP Billiton Plc (REG. NO. 3196209)<BR>
				NEATHOUSE PLACE, LONDON,<br>UNITED KINGDOM<br><BR>
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</p>

<hr color="#000000" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="90%">

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<font size="1"> </font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will </font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">file annual reports under
cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. </font>
</p>

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	<font size="1"> </font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">
		Form 20-F <u><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></u> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Form 40-F <u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>
	</font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<font size="1">&nbsp;</font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
		<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>
	</font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<font size="1"> </font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule
101(b)(7):
		<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>
	</font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<font size="1">&nbsp;</font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the </font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">information contained
in this form is also thereby furnishing the </font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the </font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</font>
</p>

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	<font size="1"> </font>
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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">
		Yes
		<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>
		&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
		No
		<u><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;X&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></u>
	</font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<font size="1">&nbsp;</font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the </font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): <u>82-</u>.
</font>
</p>

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	<font size="1"> </font>
</p>

<hr align="left" color="#000000" noshade="noshade" size="3">

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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: -6px;">
 	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">
 		NEWS RELEASE<p>Release Time:<br>IMMEDIATE<p>Date:<br>18 February 2014<p>Number:<br>05/14<p>BHP BILLITON REPORTS STRONG FINANCIAL RESULTS<p>BHP Billiton today announced its financial results for the December 2013 half year, with Underlying EBIT increasing by 15 per cent to US$12.4 billion and Underlying attributable profit increasing by 31 per cent to US$7.8 billion.<p>BHP Billiton CEO Andrew Mackenzie said the strong performance was driven by a substantial improvement in productivity and additional volume from the Company&#8217;s low-risk,largely brownfield investment program.<p>&#8220;The commitment we made 18 months ago to deliver more tonnes and more barrels from our existing infrastructure at a lower unit cost is delivering tangible results,&#8221; he said.<p>&#8220;Annualised productivity led volume and cost efficiencies totalling US$4.9 billion are now embedded and this is expected to increase to US$5.5 billion by the end of the 2014 financial year.<p>&#8220;This sustainable increase in productivity supported a 9 per cent increase in the Group&#8217;s Underlying EBIT margin to 38 per cent and a strong improvement in the Group&#8217;s Underlying return on capital to 22 per cent.&#8221;<p>A 65 per cent increase in net operating cash flow and a 25 per cent reduction in cash outflows from investing activities have driven a US$7.8 billion increase in free cash flow during the period.<p>&#8220;The Group&#8217;s opportunity rich portfolio remains a key point of differentiation. By maintaining strict financial discipline and increasing internal competition for capital we intend to further differentiate ourselves by creating a more capital efficient organisation.<p>&#8220;On this basis, we believe an average rate of return of greater than 20 per cent is achievable for our portfolio of major development options,&#8221; he said.<p>The Group&#8217;s interim dividend of 59 US cents per share was unchanged from last year&#8217;s final dividend, consistent with recent practice. The resultant 3.5 per cent increase in the interim distribution highlights the power of the Company&#8217;s progressive dividend policy.<p>With strong free cash flow projected, net debt of US$27.1 billion is expected to approach US$25 billion by the end of the 2014 financial year.<p>&#8220;With strong free cash flow, selective investment and continued simplification, we are well placed to extend our strong track record of capital management,&#8221; Mr Mackenzie said.<p>&#8220;I want to acknowledge the hard work of BHP Billiton employees and their contribution to these strong results. Together we are improving the productivity and competitiveness of the Company and the countries in which we operate.<p>&#8220;I also want to thank our people for their unwavering commitment to health and safety.<p>&#8220;We are pleased to report improved safety performance in the first half, reducing our Total Recordable Injury Frequency to a record low of 4.4 per million hours worked.&#8221;<p>BHP Billiton&#8217;s financial results for the December 2013 half year, and further information on the Company, can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com.<p>Media Relations<br>Australia<p>Emily Perry<br>Tel: +61 3 9609 2800 Mobile: +61 477 325 803<br>email: Emily.Perry@bhpbilliton.com<p>Fiona Hadley<br>Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile: +61 427 777 908<br>email: Fiona.Hadley@bhpbilliton.com<p>Eleanor Nichols<br>Tel: +61 3 9609 2360 Mobile: +61 407 064 748<br>email: Eleanor.Nichols@bhpbilliton.com<p>United Kingdom<p>Ruban Yogarajah<br>Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022<br>email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com<p>Jennifer White<br>Tel: +44 20 7802 7462 Mobile: +44 7827 253 764<br>email: Jennifer.White@bhpbilliton.com<p>Americas<p>Ruban Yogarajah<br>Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022<br>email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.co<p>Investor Relations<br>Australia<p>Tara Dines<br>Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 499 249 005<br>email: Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com<p>Jodie Phillips<br>Tel: +61 3 9609 2069 Mobile: +61 418 710 516<br>email: Jodie.Phillips@bhpbilliton.com<p>United Kingdom and South Africa<p>Jonathan Price<br>Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7990 527 726<br>email: Jonathan.H.Price@bhpbilliton.com<p>Dean Simon<br>Tel: +44 20 7802 7461 Mobile: +44 7717 511 193<br>email: Dean.Simon@bhpbilliton.com<p>Americas<p>James Agar<br>Tel: +1 212 310 1421 Mobile: +1 347 882 3011<br>email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com<p>Joseph Suarez<br>Tel: +1 212 310 1422 Mobile: +1 646 400 3803<br>email: Joseph.Suarez@bhpbilliton.com<p>BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077<br>Registered in Australia<br>Registered Office: Level 16, 171 Collins Street<br>Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia<br>Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015<p>BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209<br>Registered in England and Wales<br>Registered Office: Neathouse Place<br>London SW1V 1LH United Kingdom<br>Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111<p>Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia<br>
	</font>
</p>

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<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" align="center">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">SIGNATURES </font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<font size="1">&nbsp;</font>
</p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: 4%;">
	<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Pursuant
	to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
	registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
	the
	undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. </font>
</p>

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	<font size="1">&nbsp;</font>
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							BHP Billiton Limited (ABN 49 004 028 077) BHP Billiton Plc (REG. NO. 3196209)
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							Date : February 18, 2014
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							By:
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							<u>/s/ Jane McAloon&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>
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							Name:
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							Jane McAloon
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							&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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							Group Company Secretary
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