Talking of unbundling, the talk that BHP Billiton could let go of their "weaker" performing businesses and focus on the core sent the price in London up 0.35 percent. Oh dear, that is nothing. The two ADR's (BHP and BBL) performed a whole lot better, BBL was up 1.85 percent, whilst BHP was up 2.05 percent in a rising market in New York. This morning the stock in Sydney is up 0.86 percent. Locally the stock added 1.76 percent. As in the old days when the sun never set on the British Empire (all their "territories" on a world map were in pinkish), the sun never really sets on the BHP Billiton share price.
I suspect that a slimmer and more profitable business would be appealing for the majority of shareholders. Bigger is not necessarily better. Talking of bigger, another announcement from BHP Billiton this morning, this time from their coal division: BHP BILLITON DISCUSSES THE GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR COAL AT CEDA. Interesting, still very committed to their coal businesses. I have seen several broker reports upgrading the outlook for the company, and suggesting that this is a positive.