Shares of global mining giant BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) have fallen another 2.8% today to just $16.67, after hitting a low of $16.53 earlier. The fall comes after a very volatile night for the miner's London-listed shares, which plunged as much as 7% before ending the session 4.9% lower.
Fellow iron ore miners Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) have also fallen 2% and 2.5% respectively, compared to a 0.5% decline for the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO).
So What: Although BHP Billiton's shares were showing some signs of a potential rebound late in December, they have since fallen every day this week and are once again hovering near their lowest price in a decade.
BHP Billiton's shares have come under renewed pressure as a result of crumbling commodity prices and concerns regarding Chinese growth following weaker-than-expected manufacturing data earlier this week.
Overnight, the iron ore price retreated 0.5% to US$42.91 a tonne, according to The Metal Bulletin, while Brent Crude oil was slammed 5.5% to trade at US$34.38 a barrel. According to The Australian Financial Review, it's the first time the resource has traded below US$35 since 2004.
Now What: BHP Billiton is one of the most-widely held shares within Australian portfolios, largely due to its sheer size, its diversification and its fully franked dividend yield. While many would argue that now is the time to buy its shares considering they are trading near their lowest price since 2005, further falls are entirely possible.
Indeed, some analysts expect oil prices to fall to around US$20 a barrel – implying a drop of more than a third from its current prices – while iron ore is also tipped to give up some of its more recent gains to trade below US$40 a tonne.
The outlook is by no means 'bright' in the resources sector and, although BHP Billiton has the capacity to weather the storm, it certainly doesn't look set to thrive in it either. When it comes to buying BHP shares, I'm remaining on the sidelines for now and focusing my attention elsewhere in the market.
