Johannesburg - Standard & Poor's has lowered the credit ratings of BHP Billiton Limited [JSE:BIL] and BHP Billiton Plc from A+ to A on February 1 2016.
The rating on BHP Billiton's senior secured notes has been lowered from A+ to A and subordinated notes from A- to BBB+. BHP Billiton has also been placed on "CreditWatch with negative implications" and Standard & Poor's has advised it aims to resolve the CreditWatch after the release of BHP Billiton's results for the half year ended December 31 2015.
BHP Billiton said on Tuesday it has the strongest credit rating in the sector and remains committed to maintaining its strong balance sheet through the cycle.