Original article by Peter Ker, Perry Williams
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 29 : 25-Nov-15

Standard & Poor’s has left BHP Billiton’s credit rating of "A+" with a negative outlook unchanged. Analyst May Zhong says the tailings dam disaster at the Samarco iron ore joint venture will not have any near-term effect on BHP’s credit rating. However, Zhong adds that factors such as BHP’s progressive dividend policy and the downturn in commodity prices are likely to adversely affect the group’s financial risk profile in 2016.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, STANDARD AND POOR’S CORPORATION, SAMARCO MINERACAO SA, VALE SA, MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE INCORPORATED, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA