BHP Billiton (BHP) expected that its annual iron ore output might reach the upper end of its forecast, although the third-quarter output dropped by nearly 2% due to bad weather and the scheduled maintenance at operations in Western Australia.

BHP predicted that the overall output of steelmaking ingredients will be 245 million tons to 255 million tons.

The demand for iron ore in China remained strong. Due to China's stimulus measures to boost economic recovery, the price of iron ore has been pushed to multi-year highs.