BHP Billiton PLC Global Debt Investor Marketing Announcement (7674Z)

TIDMBLT

RNS Number : 7674Z

BHP Billiton PLC

22 September 2015

 
 
 NEWS RELEASE 
Release Time   IMMEDIATE 
Date           22 September 2015 
Number         19/15 
 

GLOBAL DEBT INVESTOR MARKETING ANNOUNCEMENT

BHP Billiton has today announced that it will undertake a global debt investor marketing effort across Europe, Asia and the United States commencing 28 September 2015. Subject to market conditions, it may then consider the issuance of multi-currency hybrid capital instruments to institutional debt investors.

BHP Billiton is contemplating additional funding for general corporate purposes, including refinancing existing near-term debt maturities. The increasing interest in hybrid capital by global debt investors combined with the relatively low interest rate environment make this an opportune time for BHP Billiton to consider hybrid capital instruments.

The additional advantages of hybrid capital instruments for BHP Billiton include:

   --     further diversification of BHP Billiton's debt investor base; 

-- an expected 50 per cent equity : 50 per cent debt treatment by the rating agencies, consistent with recent corporate issuances; and

   --     valuable flexibility to support growth and a solid A credit rating through the cycle. 

BHP Billiton is not considering a hybrid that contains any rights to convert the security into BHP Billiton shares.

BHP Billiton is rated A1 (outlook stable) by Moody's and A+ (outlook negative) by Standard & Poors.

The securities described in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent an effective registration statement covering such securities or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This announcement is being issued in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

 
 Media Relations                           Investor Relations 
  Australia                                 Australia 
  Emily Perry 
  Tel: [phone] Mobile:              Tara Dines 
  [phone]                           Tel: [phone] Mobile: 
  email: [e-mail]        [phone] 
                                            email: [e-mail] 
  Paul Hitchins 
  Tel: + 61 3 9609 2592 Mobile:             Andrew Gunn 
  + 61 419 315 001                          Tel: [phone] Mobile: 
  email: [e-mail]      [phone] email: [e-mail] 
 
  Eleanor Nichols                           United Kingdom and South Africa 
  Tel: [phone] Mobile: 
  [phone]                           Jonathan Price 
  email: [e-mail]    Tel: [phone] Mobile: 
  United Kingdom and Americas               [phone] 
  Ruban Yogarajah                           email: [e-mail] 
  Tel: [phone] Mobile: 
  [phone]                          Dean Simon 
  email: [e-mail]    Tel: [phone] Mobile: 
                                            [phone] 
  Jennifer White                            email: [e-mail] 
  Tel: [phone] Mobile: 
  [phone]                          Americas 
  email: [e-mail] 
                                            James Agar 
                                            Tel: [phone] Mobile: 
                                            [phone] 
                                            email: [e-mail] 
 
                                            Joseph Suarez 
                                            Tel: [phone] Mobile: 
                                            [phone] 
                                            email: [e-mail] 
 
 
 
   BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49               BHP Billiton Plc Registration 
   004 028 077                               number 3196209 
   Registered in Australia                   Registered in England and Wales 
   Registered Office: Level 16,              Registered Office: Neathouse 
   171 Collins Street                        Place 
   Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia         London SW1V 1LH United Kingdom 
   Tel [phone] Fax +61              Tel [phone] Fax +44 
   3 9609 3015                               20 7802 4111 
 
 
                   Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in 
                                            Australia 
 

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September 22, 2015 02:42 ET (06:42 GMT)