On February 10, Australian mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd announced its financial results for the half year ended on December 31, 2009.
Accordingly, during the period in question, BHP Billiton's total revenue decreased by 17.5 percent to US$24.58 billion, its profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) dropped 22.2 percent to US$10.83 billion, while its attributable profit increased by 134.4 percent up to US$6.13 billion, all compared with the same period of 2008.
BHP Billiton's profit from operations during the half year ended December 31, 2009 increased by 26.2 percent to US$9.12 billion, compared to the same period of the previous year.
Commenting on its half-year financial results, the company said, "Strong sales volume growth on the back of demand recovery, particularly in the steelmaking raw materials (iron ore, metallurgical coal and manganese) and good cost control across the business helped to partially offset the negative impacts of lower prices and stronger producers' currencies."
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