CAPITAL MARKETS

BHP shares crack record $50 mark

Analysts upgrade price targets

This article is 2 years old. Images might not display.

The stock had several record closes earlier this week before easing mid-week.

Shares rose as high as $50.09 and closed 0.5% higher at $49.95, giving it a market capitalisation of $253 billion.

The stock has been buoyed by a positive start to the year for the key commodities it produces - iron ore and copper - due to China's reopening after the abandonment its strict COVID zero policy.

BHP also reported a strong December half of production.

BHP CEO Mike Henry said it was BHP's belief that China would be a stabilising force for commodity demand in 2023, offsetting headwinds in OECD countries.

"China's pro-growth policies, including in the property sector, and an easing of COVID-19 restrictions are expected to support progressive improvement from the difficult economic conditions of the first half," he said.

"China is expected to achieve its fifth straight year of over 1 billion tonnes of steel production."

The strong quarter resulted in price target upgrades from analysts.

"BHP remains in robust shape, but compared to mid-2022 its earnings profile, operating conditions and global macro conditions have all reduced," Morgans analyst Adrian Prendergast said.

"Despite this BHP continues to push to fresh record highs in terms of share price.

"As a result, we are left believing BHP is trading moderately ahead of fundamentals and maintain our hold rating with an upgraded $47 per share target [up $2]."

Macquarie maintained its outperform rating and increased its price target by 4% to $52.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

MiningNews.net Research Report 2025

The MNN Research Report 2025 provides insights into critical mining themes in Australia/Oceania, including top projects, C-suite priorities, risk, ESG performance and investor sentiment.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence: Investor Sentiment Report 2025

Exclusive insights into the plans, priorities and preferences of 130+ mining investors and top factors influencing investment decisions in 2025.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2024 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 117 jurisdictions globally, assessed across six risk categories and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Company ESG Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The Mining Company ESG Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.