UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
September 22, 2015
| BHP BILLITON LIMITED (ABN 49 004 028 077) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
171 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA (Address of principal executive offices) |
BHP BILLITON PLC (REG. NO. 3196209) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
ENGLAND AND WALES (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
NEATHOUSE PLACE, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (Address of principal executive offices) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: x Form 20-F ¨ Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: ¨ Yes x No
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): n/a
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
Australia
Emily Perry Tel: +61 3 9609 2800 Mobile: +61 477 325 803 email: Emily.Perry@bhpbilliton.com
Paul Hitchins Tel: + 61 3 9609 2592 Mobile: + 61 419 315 001 email: Paul.Hitchins@bhpbilliton.com
Eleanor Nichols Tel: +61 3 9609 2360 Mobile: +61 407 064 748 email: Eleanor.Nichols@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom and Americas
Ruban Yogarajah Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022 email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com
Jennifer White Tel: +44 20 7802 7462 Mobile: +44 7827 253 764 email: Jennifer.White@bhpbilliton.com |
Investor Relations
Australia
Tara Dines Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 499 249 005 email: Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com
Andrew Gunn Tel: +61 3 9609 3575 Mobile: +61 402 087 354 email: Andrew.Gunn@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom and South Africa
Jonathan Price Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7990 527 726 email: Jonathan.H.Price@bhpbilliton.com
Dean Simon Tel: +44 20 7802 7461 Mobile: +44 7717 511 193 email: Dean.Simon@bhpbilliton.com
Americas
James Agar Tel: +1 212 310 1421 Mobile: +1 347 882 3011 email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com
Joseph Suarez Tel: +1 212 310 1422 Mobile: +1 646 400 3803 email: Joseph.Suarez@bhpbilliton.com | |
| BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 Registered in Australia Registered Office: Level 16, 171 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015 |
BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1LH United Kingdom Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111 | |
Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc | ||||||
| Date: September 22, 2015 | By: | /s/ Rachel Agnew | ||||
| Name: | Rachel Agnew | |||||
| Title: | Company Secretary | |||||