BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are marching higher today.
Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant closed yesterday trading for $37.56. In morning trade on Wednesday, shares are changing hands for $37.94 apiece, up 1.0%.
For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.6% at this same time.
With today's intraday gains factored in, BHP shares remain down 14.3% since this time last year.
Though those losses will have been partly offset by the $1.90 a share in fully franked dividends the company paid out over the year. At the current share price, that sees BHP trading on a 5.1% fully franked trailing dividend yield.
Looking ahead, Bell Potter Securities' Christopher Watt forecasts a strong performance for the ASX 200 miner (courtesy of The Bull).
Here are four reasons you may want to buy some shares today.
Should I buy BHP shares today?
"BHP remains Australia's premier diversified miner," said Watt, who has a buy recommendation on BHP shares.
Citing the second reason to hit the buy button on the stock, Watt said, "The business generates robust operating cash flow, which supports its strong balance sheet."
Indeed, for the six months to 31 December, BHP reported net operating cash flow of $8.32 billion.
The third reason the miner is one to buy today is its growing production levels and industry leading margins.
"The company generated record iron ore and copper production for the nine months ending March 31, 2025. Copper volumes are growing via optimisation at the Escondida mine," Watt said.
He added, "The Jansen potash mine adds future-facing exposure from fiscal year 2027. Western Australia iron ore margins remain above 60%."
As for the fourth reason BHP shares are a buy, Watt said, "With stable pricing and scale advantages, BHP offers long term earnings resilience and inflation protection."
What's the latest from the ASX 200 miner?
As Watt mentioned above, BHP's copper and iron production levels hit new all-time highs over the nine-month run to 31 March.
Copper production for the three quarters came to 1.5 million tonnes, which BHP sold at an average realised price of US$4.19 per pound, up 13% from the prior corresponding period.
BHP also mined a whopping 193 million tonnes of iron ore over the nine months. The miner sold that for an average realised price of US$82.93 per wet metric tonne (wmt), which was down 21% from the prior corresponding period.
Commenting on the results, which saw BHP shares close up 1.1% on the day, CEO Mike Henry said:
BHP's performance in FY 2025 to date demonstrates the resilience of our business, with our copper and iron ore operations achieving record nine-month production amid challenging operating and market conditions.
Group copper production rose 10%, underpinned by a 20% increase in output at Escondida and strong performances at Spence and Copper SA. In our WA iron ore operations, we continue to demonstrate supply chain excellence from pit to port and delivered record tonnes from the Central Pilbara hub.
