Zacks Investment Research lowered shares of BHP Billiton plc (NYSE:BBL) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report published on Friday, April 14th.

According to Zacks, “BHP Billiton Plc is engaged in production of minerals which includes iron ore, metallurgical coal, copper and uranium as well as oil, gas and energy coal. BHP Billiton Plc is based in Collins Street, Melbourne Victoria.

“Several other analysts also recently commented on BBL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a sell rating on shares of BHP Billiton plc in a report on Friday, January 6th. Jefferies Group LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $40.00 target price on shares of BHP Billiton plc in a report on Sunday, January 8th. Finally, Citigroup Inc reiterated a buy rating on shares of BHP Billiton plc in a report on Thursday, January 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. The stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $37.50.

Shares of BHP Billiton plc (NYSE:BBL) traded up 0.52% during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $30.89. 958,336 shares of the company were exchanged. BHP Billiton plc has a 12-month low of $22.37 and a 12-month high of $37.44. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $31.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $32.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.14 and a beta of 1.20.

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC raised its stake in shares of BHP Billiton plc by 36.5% in the first quarter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC now owns 4,292 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $134,000 after buying an additional 1,147 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of BHP Billiton plc by 538.6% in the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,700 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $142,000 after buying an additional 3,964 shares during the last quarter. Cypress Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of BHP Billiton plc by 4.2% in the fourth quarter. Cypress Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,100 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $218,000 after buying an additional 246 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of BHP Billiton plc during the fourth quarter valued at about $218,000. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership bought a new stake in shares of BHP Billiton plc during the fourth quarter valued at about $244,000. Institutional investors own 3.89% of the company’s stock.

BHP Billiton plc Company Profile
BHP Billiton Plc is a global resources company. The Company is a producer of various commodities, including iron ore, metallurgical coal, copper and uranium. Its segments include Petroleum, Copper, Iron Ore and Coal. The Petroleum segment is engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas.