Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 & 20 : 27-Jul-16

Matthew Moore of credit ratings agency Moody’s says BHP Billiton should give priority to reducing its debt rather than pursuing acquisitions. May Zhong of Standard & Poor’s agrees, arguing that BHP should allocate a significant proportion of its free discretionary cashflow over the next year to reducing debt. Zhong adds that any acquisitions should comprise commodities that it already produces. BHP is among the bidders for Anglo American’s coking coal assets in Queensland.

CORPORATES
BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE INCORPORATED, STANDARD AND POOR’S CORPORATION, ANGLO AMERICAN PLC, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, MITSUBISHI CORPORATION