Original article by Amanda Saunders
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 8 : 3-Feb-16

Shares in BHP Billiton closed 2.2 per cent lower at $A14.92 on 2 February 2016, after Standard & Poor’s reduced its credit rating from "A+" to "A". The ratings agency warned of the potential for a further downgrade if BHP retains its progressive dividend policy amid a downturn in commodity prices. Aberdeen Asset Management’s John Manning expects BHP to adopt a dividend payout ratio, while some observers forecast that its 2015-16 interim dividend will be reduced by 50 per cent to $US0.31 per share.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, STANDARD AND POOR’S CORPORATION, ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED, ARGO INVESTMENTS LIMITED – ASX ARG, AUSTRALIAN FOUNDATION INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED – ASX AFI, BLACKROCK INCORPORATED, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO