Why is the BHP share price sinking 6% today?

BHP's shares are deep in the red today…

| More on:
a man in high visibility shirt and hard hat with full beard looks downcast with eyes lowered as though he is disappointed or sad.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price has come under significant pressure on Tuesday.

In morning trade, the mining giant's shares are down over 6% to $43.16.

Why is the BHP share price sinking?

Investors have been selling down the BHP share price following a horror start to the week for the local share market. In early trade, the benchmark ASX 200 index was down over 5% amid broad market weakness.

The catalyst for this has been a selloff on Wall Street on Friday and Monday, which saw BHP's NYSE listed shares lose almost 7% of their value over the two trading session.

This has been driven by higher than expected US inflation data, which has sparked fears that the US Federal Reserve will be forced to increase interest rates at a quicker than anticipated rate to tame inflation. If this is the case, there's a real possibility of it causing a recession in the United States.

Combined with similar central bank action across the globe, there are concerns that the global economy could also fall into a recession. This could impact demand for commodities, which led to a range of base metals taking a tumble overnight and has not helped the BHP share price today.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Resources Shares

Two workers working with a large copper coil in a factory.
Resources Shares

Record copper price shines a light on BHP shares and these two other ASX 200 mining stocks

Big year for the red metal.

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer
Resources Shares

ASX gold share sinks 10% on Xmas Eve update

This ASX gold stock slid 10% on Christmas Eve after the company revealed lower final production numbers.

Read more »

Miner standing in a mine site with his arms crossed.
Resources Shares

Are BHP shares a buy, sell or hold for 2026?

The mining and metals giant's shares are trading higher on Tuesday.

Read more »

Business people standing at a mine site smiling.
Resources Shares

Up 178% in a year, why is this ASX All Ords silver share sinking today?

Investors are bidding down this high-performing ASX silver stock today. But why?

Read more »

Green stock market graph with a rising arrow symbolising a rising share price.
Resources Shares

Is it too late to buy surging ASX lithium shares like Mineral Resources and Liontown?

Investors are piling into ASX lithium shares. Will the bull run continue in 2026?

Read more »

Female miner standing next to a haul truck in a large mining operation.
Resources Shares

Fortescue shares jumped 50% in 6 months. Is there any upside left?

The miner's shares closed lower on Friday.

Read more »

Iron ore price Vale dam collapse ASX shares iron ore, iron ore australia, iron ore price, commodity price,
Resources Shares

Buying Rio Tinto, Fortescue and BHP shares? Here's Westpac's sobering 2026 iron ore price forecast

What every investor in Rio Tinto, Fortescue, and BHP shares should know.

Read more »

A white EV car and an electric vehicle pump with green highlighted swirls representing ASX lithium shares
Resources Shares

3 reasons to buy this ASX 300 lithium share today

A leading investment analyst forecasts a big turnround for this well-funded ASX 300 lithium share.

Read more »