AU vs. BHP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AU and BHP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
AU is a standard domestic listing, while BHP trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | AU | BHP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AngloGold Ashanti plc | BHP Group Limited |
| Country | United States | Australia |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Metals & Mining | Metals & Mining |
| Market Capitalization | 39.11 billion USD | 142.34 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 5, 1998 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AU and BHP by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AU | BHP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 6.94% | -0.12% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 66.54% | 9.37% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 109.60% | 13.77% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 198.73% | -4.58% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 10.18% | -1.50% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 235.75% | 5.92% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.97M | 8.68M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.37M | 8.61M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 41.00% | 19.92% |
| Beta | 0.62 | 0.91 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AU
32.52%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 41.55%
- Q3
- 17.74%
- Median
- 9.00%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -21.32%
In the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, AU’s Return on Equity of 32.52% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
BHP
19.36%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 41.55%
- Q3
- 17.74%
- Median
- 9.00%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -21.32%
In the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, BHP’s Return on Equity of 19.36% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AU
22.19%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 43.69%
- Q3
- 19.12%
- Median
- 6.48%
- Q1
- 1.50%
- Min
- -20.21%
A Net Profit Margin of 22.19% places AU in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
BHP
17.59%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 43.69%
- Q3
- 19.12%
- Median
- 6.48%
- Q1
- 1.50%
- Min
- -20.21%
BHP’s Net Profit Margin of 17.59% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AU
35.74%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 71.84%
- Q3
- 32.31%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 2.69%
- Min
- -23.81%
An Operating Profit Margin of 35.74% places AU in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
BHP
37.97%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 71.84%
- Q3
- 32.31%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 2.69%
- Min
- -23.81%
An Operating Profit Margin of 37.97% places BHP in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AU | BHP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.52% | 19.36% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 16.40% | 8.61% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.19% | 17.59% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.74% | 37.97% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 42.65% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AU
2.99
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.04
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.13
AU’s Current Ratio of 2.99 aligns with the median group of the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
BHP
1.46
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.04
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.13
BHP’s Current Ratio of 1.46 aligns with the median group of the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AU
0.31
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.51
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
AU’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.31 is typical for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
BHP
0.51
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.51
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
BHP’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Metals & Mining industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.51. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AU
--
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 51.62
- Q3
- 22.73
- Median
- 5.76
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- -21.72
Interest Coverage Ratio data for AU is currently unavailable.
BHP
6.06
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 51.62
- Q3
- 22.73
- Median
- 5.76
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- -21.72
BHP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.06 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AU | BHP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.99 | 1.46 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.22 | 1.11 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.31 | 0.51 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 6.06 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AU
2.14%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 8.17%
- Q3
- 3.57%
- Median
- 1.25%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AU’s Dividend Yield of 2.14% is consistent with its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
BHP
4.57%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 8.17%
- Q3
- 3.57%
- Median
- 1.25%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 4.57%, BHP offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AU
39.60%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 62.06%
- Median
- 33.17%
- Q1
- 10.41%
- Min
- 0.00%
AU’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.60% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
BHP
70.99%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 62.06%
- Median
- 33.17%
- Q1
- 10.41%
- Min
- 0.00%
BHP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 70.99% is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AU | BHP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.14% | 4.57% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 39.60% | 70.99% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AU
18.50
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 83.04
- Q3
- 41.69
- Median
- 20.30
- Q1
- 12.95
- Min
- 1.75
AU’s P/E Ratio of 18.50 is within the middle range for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
BHP
15.52
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 83.04
- Q3
- 41.69
- Median
- 20.30
- Q1
- 12.95
- Min
- 1.75
BHP’s P/E Ratio of 15.52 is within the middle range for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AU
4.11
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.28
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.37
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.16
AU’s P/S Ratio of 4.11 aligns with the market consensus for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
BHP
2.73
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.28
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.37
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.16
BHP’s P/S Ratio of 2.73 aligns with the market consensus for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AU
3.10
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.68
- Q3
- 2.45
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.34
AU’s P/B Ratio of 3.10 is in the upper tier for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
BHP
2.55
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.68
- Q3
- 2.45
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.34
BHP’s P/B Ratio of 2.55 is in the upper tier for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AU | BHP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 18.50 | 15.52 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.11 | 2.73 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.10 | 2.55 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 21.25 | 15.73 |