How are these ASX-listed metal & mining stocks performing?

Highlights:

• Benchmark S&P/ASX 200, after witnessing volatility, closed 0.25% lower on Friday (2 September 2022).
• BHP share price marked a significant drop today at it has gone ex-dividend today.
• Mineral Resources’ share price also dropped as it went ex-dividend.

Australian stock market index was quite volatile today (2 September 2022). The benchmark index ASX 200 dropped by 16.90 points or 0.25% to close at 6,828.70 and set a new 20-day low. The All Ordinaries index was down by 0.33%, and ASX 200 VIX was 1.09% down.

Sectors ended mixed as six out of eleven closed lower. Financial sector was the best performing out of eleven significant sectors were in red. The materials sector was the best performing sector, closing 0.58% up followed by Health Care that ended 0.49% higher. Materials was the worst performing as it ended 1.82% lower.

In this article, we at Kalkine Media® will discuss five stocks from ASX50 (INDEXASX:XFL) index and their share performance in past few days. The stocks discussed here are BHP Group Limited, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd, Rio Tinto Limited, Newcrest Mining Limited and Mineral Resources Limited.

BHP Group Limited (ASX:BHP)

Share price of BHP Group has been tending down lately. In the last five trading sessions, it has dropped 13.41%. One reason behind the fall can be the market volatility, but the fact that it has gone ex-dividend cannot be ignored. On 1 September 2022, it went ex-dividend.

Ex-dividend is an important date for the shareholders. Shares owned before the ex-dividend date are entitled to get the dividend declared by the company. Therefore, those who would buy BHP shares after the ex-date would not receive the dividend, and for them, the share value would be quite less.

Australian mineral explorer and producer announced a dividend of US$1.75 per share, equivalent to a 77% payout ratio.

In FY22, profit from operations increased by 34% on the previous year to US$34.1 billion, and underlying EBITDA reached US$40.6 billion. Underlying attributable profit grew by 39% from the previous year to US$23.8 billion.

At 4:10 PM AEST, BHP share price closed 2.05% lower at AU$36.74 per share.

Image source: © Mvcstock | Megapixl.com

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG)

Shares of Fortescue have been under selling pressure for past many days. One big update that came from the company's camp is the full-year results for FY22.

Although the company reported record shipments during the year, it also registered a fall of 40% in its underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) on the previous quarter. Underlying EBITDA declined by 36% to US$10,561 million.

Considering the fall in the yearly profit, the company slashed its final dividend from AU$2.110 per share in FY21 to AU$1.210 per share in FY22.

To take advantage of Fortescue's final dividend, investors need to get hold of the shares today only (2 September). The ex-dividend date is 5 September 2022 (coming Monday).

In addition to this, the dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) is also active; with this, the shareholders can add extra Fortescue shares to their bag. Worth mentioning here is that there is no DRP discount.

The stock closed 2.49% lower at AU$17.20 per share on 2 September 2022.

Rio Tinto Limited (ASX:RIO)

Shares of Rio have been under significant selling pressure. In last five trading sessions, Rio's share price dropped by nearly 7%. The reason behind the fall can be the broader market (ASX 200) movement, the recent financial performance update shared by the Group and a recent ASX announcement.

In six months, the net cash generated from the operating activities reduced by 23% on the prior period and free cash flow decreased by 30%. Underlying EBITDA fell by 26%, and the attributable profit after tax recorded a drop of 28%. During the half, the company announced an interim dividend of AU$3.837 per share or AU$4.3 billion. It represents a payout of 50%, in line with the company's policy. It is payable on 22 September 2022.

Recently, the company shared that it has reached to an agreement with Turquoise Hill to acquire 100% ownership of Turquoise Hill for canadian$43 per share.

The stock closed 2.52% lower to AU$90.19 per share.

Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX:NCM)

Shares of Newcrest Mining after having buzzed in red territory since morning managed to close in green. The tentative reason for the morning hours fall might be broader index movement and a fall in gold prices.

Gold prices declined below its key support level of US$1,700 per ounce yesterday. Now it is hovering around its six weeks slowest. The fall can be driven by the US Federal Reserves' commitment to handle inflation by tightening its policy.

At 2 September 2022 gold was trading at US$1698.90/t.oz.

During the year, the company announced a final dividend of 20 cents per share, which took the full year's dividend to 27.5 cents per share, exceeding the minimum payout target of the company's dividend policy. The tentative payment date is 29 September 2022.

Image source: © Zimmytws | Megapixl.com

Reportedly, the company has reduced its final dividend from AU$0.552 per share in FY21 to AU$0.291 in FY22.

In 12 months, revenue fell by 8%, and EBITDA declined by 16%. Underlying profit decreased by 25% and free cash flow tumbled by 179%.

NCM ended 0.12% higher at AU$17.03 per share.

Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN)

Mineral Resources' share price registered a significant fall on ASX today. The reason behind MIN's share price fall is similar to the reason behind BHP's share price fall.

Mineral Resources has gone ex-dividend today.

According to ASX announcement, all the eligible shareholders would receive a dividend payment of AU$1.00 per share on 23 September 2022. The dividend would be 100% franked.

In FY22, the company's revenue dropped by 8% to AU$3.4 billion. Underlying EBITDA fell to AU$1.0 billion, a fall of 46% on previous year, with a 79% fall in operating cash flow. Underlying NPAT decreased from AU$1,103 million to AU$400 million.

the stock ended 5% lower at AU$58.71 per share.