International credit rating agency Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has announced that it has affirmed Australian mining company BHP Billiton’s long and short term corporate ‘A’ ratings and the outlook is negative. The negative outlook reflects S&P’s view that the further weakness in market conditions, combined with uncertainty regarding BHP Billiton's financial policy, may slow the recovery in its credit metrics over the coming 12 months. It also reflects the uncertainty around the environmental liability at Samarco.
S&P stated that the affirmation follows BHP Billiton's decision to change its dividend policy and its capital expenditure (capex) guidance to protect its balance sheet given current market conditions. In our view, the new dividend policy materially improves the company's financial flexibility. S&P forecasts BHP Billiton to have free discretionary cash flows, that is, free cash flow after capex and dividends, of about $4.2 billion-$4.5 billion in financial year 2017.