BHP interims miss forecasts as profits fall 8%

Mining giant BHP on Tuesday reported an 8% fall in first-half profits on the back of lower copper earnings and production disruption.

Underlying profit from continuing operations fell to $4.03bn from $4.40bn, missing estimates of $4.209bn. However the dividend was maintained at 55 cents a share, two cents higher than forecasts.

The world's largest miner said copper earnings fell 17.3% due to lower ore quality at its Escondida mine and unplanned stoppages at the Olympic Dam and Spence projects.

Revenue from continuing operations rose 1% to $20.74bn.

The company raised its 2019 copper production forecast to 1.6m -1.7m tonnes.