Anglo American Share Price (AAL) - Buy AAL Shares

Anglo American is one of the world's largest mining companies, although it has diversified into other markets since its inception. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 share price index. The company has operations in a diverse portfolio of mining interests. It currently operates in precious materials (platinum and diamonds); base metals (copper, nickel, zinc and phosphates), ferrous metals (manganese, iron ore and steel), coal, and industrial minerals.

In 2007, the company had a total operating profit of over $10 billion (US) with earnings of almost $6 billion (US). Base metals is the most significant part of the company and accounts for 45% of the group's operating profit, followed by platinum which accounts for 28% of the group's operating profit. The company's diamond division is operated through De Beers in which it holds a 45% shareholding. The company is a leader in platinum production and accounts for more than a third of the world's new platinum production. The company's industrial minerals division comprises Tarmac, the UK based highway and construction materials contractor, which itself had divested its construction arm prior to joining Anglo American. In 2005 the company sought to rationalise and streamline its business portfolio and followed this by disposing of Boart Longyear, Samancor Chrome, Highveld Steel and Vanadium shortly afterwards. As well as this, Anglo American reduced its stake in Anglo American Ashanti, Exxaro, and the demerger of Mondi, the group's paper and packing interest.