10th Apr 2008 07:00
BHP Billiton PLC10 April 2008 10 April 2008 To: London Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange Re: ASX Price Query The following reply was sent to the ASX re their query on BHP Billiton's shareprice. For your information we have also attached ASX's original query. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10 April 2008 Mr James GerratyManager IssuersMelbourneASX LimitedLevel 45, South TowerStock Exchange Centre525 Collins StreetMELBOURNE VIC 3000 Dear Mr Gerraty Price Query I refer to your letter of 9 April 2008. In response to your specific questions,we reply as follows: 1. No. BHP Billiton is not aware of a proposed acquisition by Chinese authorities of a substantial stake in BHP Billiton. 2. Not applicable in view of our answer to question 1. 3. No, aside from the announcements issued during the relevant period, including BHP Billiton's announcement of 9 April 2008 concerning metallurgical coal price negotiations. 4. The Company is in compliance with the Listing Rules and, in particular, Listing Rule 3.1. Yours sincerely Jane McAloonGroup Company Secretary ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9 April 2008 Jane McAloonCompany SecretaryBHP Billiton LimitedMELBOURNE By email only Dear Jane BHP Billiton Limited (the "Company") RE: PRICE QUERY We have noted an increase in the price of the Company's securities from $36.75at the close of trading on 2 April 2008 to $41.98 at the time of writing. TheCompany's securities have traded at a high of $42.46 this morning. In light of the price change, please respond to each of the following questions. 1. Is the Company aware of any information concerning it that has not beenannounced which, if known, could be an explanation for recent trading in thesecurities of the Company? In answering this question please address today's article in the Australiannewspaper and news wires reports speculating about an acquisition by Chineseauthorities of a substantial stake in the Company. 2. If the answer to question 1 is yes, can an announcement be madeimmediately? If not, why not and when is it expected that an announcement willbe made? Please note, if the answer to question 1 is yes and an announcement cannot bemade immediately, you need to contact us to discuss this and you need toconsider a trading halt (see below). 3. Is there any other explanation that the Company may have for the pricechange in the securities of the Company? 4. Please confirm that the Company is in compliance with the listing rulesand, in particular, listing rule 3.1. Your response should be sent to me by return e-mail. Unless the information is required immediately under listing rule 3.1, aresponse is requested as soon as possible and, in any event, not later than9.30am tomorrow, 10 April 2008. Under listing rule 18.7A, a copy of this query and your response will bereleased to the market, so your response should be in a suitable form andseparately address each of the questions asked. If you have any queries orconcerns, please contact me immediately. Listing rule 3.1 Listing rule 3.1 requires an entity to give ASX immediately any informationconcerning it that a reasonable person would expect to have a material effect onthe price or value of the entity's securities. The exceptions to thisrequirement are set out in listing rule 3.1A. In responding to this letter you should consult listing rule 3.1 and GuidanceNote 8 - Continuous Disclosure: listing rule 3.1. If the information requested by this letter is information required to be givento ASX under listing rule 3.1 your obligation is to disclose the informationimmediately. Your responsibility under listing rule 3.1 is not confined to, or necessarilysatisfied by, answering the questions set out in this letter. Trading halt If you are unable to respond by the time requested, or if the answer to question1 is yes and an announcement cannot be made immediately, you should consider arequest for a trading halt in the 's securities. As set out in listing rule 17.1and Guidance Note 16 - Trading Halts we may grant a trading halt at yourrequest. We may require the request to be in writing. We are not required to acton your request. You must tell us each of the following. • The reasons for the trading halt. • How long you want the trading halt to last. • The event you expect to happen that will end the trading halt. • That you are not aware of any reason why the trading halt should not be granted • Any other information necessary to inform the market about the trading halt, or that we ask for. The trading halt cannot extend past the commencement of normal trading on thesecond day after the day on which it is granted. If a trading halt is requestedand granted and you are still unable to reply to this letter before thecommencement of trading, suspension from quotation would normally be imposed byus from the commencement of trading if not previously requested by you. The sameapplies if you have requested a trading halt because you are unable to releaseinformation to the market, and are still unable to do so before the commencementof trading. If you have any queries regarding any of the above, please let me know. Yours sincerely, Sent electronically without signature James GerratyManager Issuers, Melbourne This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
BHP Group