BHP Group Limited Sponsored ADR (NYSE:BHP) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

BHP Group Limited Sponsored ADR (NYSE:BHP) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 15,089,550 shares, a drop of 16.3% from the February 12th total of 18,023,857 shares. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 4,322,246 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 4,322,246 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.5 days. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have weighed in on BHP. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of BHP Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Zacks Research upgraded shares of BHP Group from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of BHP Group in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Argus raised shares of BHP Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $68.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of BHP Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, BHP Group has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $53.33.

BHP Group Trading Down 3.1%

Shares of NYSE BHP traded down $2.18 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $68.30. 3,486,430 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,445,824. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $71.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $61.75. BHP Group has a 52 week low of $39.73 and a 52 week high of $83.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.65 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

BHP Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be paid a $1.46 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 399.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BHP Group

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BHP. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in shares of BHP Group by 22.8% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 13,800,183 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $833,117,000 after buying an additional 2,562,747 shares in the last quarter. SIH Partners LLLP boosted its stake in BHP Group by 937.5% during the third quarter. SIH Partners LLLP now owns 1,856,704 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $103,511,000 after buying an additional 1,677,739 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in BHP Group by 264.4% during the fourth quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 1,358,585 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $82,018,000 after buying an additional 985,794 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in BHP Group by 25.2% during the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,465,421 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $193,197,000 after acquiring an additional 697,316 shares during the period. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership bought a new stake in BHP Group in the third quarter worth about $27,234,000. 3.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key BHP Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting BHP Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded BHP to a Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and added the stock to its momentum, income and value lists — a catalyst that can attract buy-side flows and momentum traders. BHP Moves to Strong Buy
• Positive Sentiment: BHP officially named Brandon Craig as CEO (effective July 1). The internal succession reduces CEO uncertainty and signals continuity while the company pivots toward copper and the Americas. BHP Names Americas Chief Brandon Craig as CEO
• Positive Sentiment: Regulatory/legal overhang eased after a UK court dismissal in a contempt fight tied to a Brazil dam collapse, removing downside legal risk that had weighed on sentiment. Market Chatter: BHP Secures UK Court Win
• Positive Sentiment: Reported significant decrease in BHP short interest — less short exposure can reduce volatility from squeezes and is a constructive sign for near-term price stability. Short Interest Decrease
• Neutral Sentiment: Resolution Copper (Rio Tinto 55% / BHP 45%) completed a U.S. Forest Service land exchange, advancing a major long‑term copper project — positive for long‑term copper exposure but not an immediate cashflow driver. Resolution Copper Land Exchange
• Neutral Sentiment: BHP redirected a rare Jimblebar shipment to India amid a diplomatic dispute with China — demonstrates operational flexibility but also highlights geopolitical trade risk. Jimblebar Cargo to India
• Neutral Sentiment: South32 emerged as a leading bidder for BHP’s West Musgrave project, testing valuation for a non‑core battery‑metal asset; potential sale could fund core copper growth but outcome/timing is uncertain. South32 Bid for West Musgrave
• Neutral Sentiment: Brandon Craig has signaled a disciplined approach to deals in his new role — underscores balance between growth appetite and capital discipline; impact depends on future M&A choices. Craig Flags Discipline Over Deals
• Negative Sentiment: BHP’s chairman warned of a potential talent exodus tied to leadership change, which could raise execution risk during a major strategic pivot to copper and the Americas. Chairman Braces for Talent Exodus

About BHP Group

BHP Group is an Anglo-Australian natural resources company engaged principally in the exploration, development, production and marketing of commodities. Its core businesses include the extraction and processing of iron ore, copper, metallurgical and thermal coal, nickel and other minerals. BHP operates large-scale mining and processing assets and supplies raw materials used across steelmaking, energy and industrial supply chains.

The company has a global operating footprint with significant assets and projects in Australia and the Americas, and commercial activities that serve customers worldwide.