BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Buy” from Analysts

Shares of BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP) have earned an average rating of “Buy” from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, two have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $53.00.

A number of analysts have commented on BHP shares. Clarkson Capital raised BHP Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. StockNews.com lowered BHP Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on BHP Group from $57.00 to $53.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th.

BHP Group Stock Performance

Shares of BHP Group stock opened at $50.55 on Wednesday. BHP Group has a one year low of $48.06 and a one year high of $63.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $128.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.49 and a beta of 0.90. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $49.98 and a 200 day simple moving average of $52.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.25.

BHP Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be issued a $1.00 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th. BHP Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 44.77%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BHP Group

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in shares of BHP Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new position in shares of BHP Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA bought a new position in shares of BHP Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Allianz SE bought a new position in shares of BHP Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of BHP Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $53,000. 3.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About BHP Group

BHP Group Limited operates as a resources company in Australia, Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, the rest of Asia, North America, South America, and internationally. The company operates through Copper, Iron Ore, and Coal segments. It engages in the mining of copper, uranium, gold, zinc, lead, molybdenum, silver, iron ore, cobalt, and metallurgical and energy coal.