The world's biggest mining company BHP Billiton has reported a record US$15.4 billion net profit for the year to the end of June, setting an Australian corporate record.
The Anglo-Australian resources giant beat last year's figure by almost 15%, but the result was slightly lower than analysts had expected.
BHP said it expected demand for commodities to remain strong in the longer term but that the global economy would slow in the near term.
In February, the firm embarked on a hostile takeover bid for rival Rio Tinto.
