BHP Billiton yr profit up 35 pct on metals demand

BHP Billiton Ltd/Plc (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile , Research) (BLT.L: Quote, Profile , Research), the world's biggest mining company, said on Wednesday its annual profit rose 35 percent on strong sales of industrial minerals such as copper, iron ore, coal and petroleum products. BHP said full-year net profit before one-offs for the year to June 30 was a record $13.7 billion, up from $10.15 billion a year earlier. Reported net profit including one-offs was $13.42 billion. Rival Rio Tinto Ltd/Plc (RIO.AX: Quote, Profile , Research) (RIO.L: Quote, Profile , Research) posted a 6 percent decline in its January-June profit earlier this month as increased costs undermined rising prices and strong demand. BHP's Australian-listed shares have risen about 40 percent this year, outpacing a 5.7 percent increase in the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index <.AXJO>.