Why did the BHP share price go backwards in June?

BHP shares came under selling pressure in June. But why?

| More on:
2 people at mining site, bhp share price, mining shares

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 is in the red on this last trading day of June.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant closed yesterday at $43.15. In morning trade on Friday, shares are swapping hands for $42.86, down 0.7%.

As for the month almost past, shares in the ASX 200 miner closed out May trading for $44.51.

With less than one full day of trade left in the month, the BHP share price is down 3.7% in June.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 1.3% over this same period.

Here's what's been happening.

What pressured the BHP share price in June?

With no price-sensitive announcements released over the month, the underperformance of the BHP share price is largely due to the retrace in iron ore and copper prices.

Iron ore, BHP's number one revenue earner, ended May trading for US$117 per tonne. Today that same tonne is trading for US$106 per tonne, down 9% in June.

The steel-making metal came under renewed selling pressure over the month amid ongoing weakness in China's economy. China's struggling, steel-hungry property market remains a core of that concern, with the government's stimulus measures to date failing to reignite the sector.

With iron ore inventories rising in the Middle Kingdom, prices fell, and investors responded by bidding down the BHP share price.

Copper, BHP's number two revenue earner, wasn't spared either.

The copper price ended May at US$10,135 per tonne and dropped 6% in June to currently be trading for US$9,516 per tonne.

On the copper front, BHP will need to look for new avenues to become the largest copper miner on Earth. Investors learned at the end of May that the ASX 200 miner's $74 billion takeover bid for global miner Anglo American (LSE: AAL) would not proceed.

On 30 May, following Anglo's rejection of BHP's third sweetened bid, BHP CEO Mike Henry closed the door on further negotiations.

What else happened in June?

On 12 June, investors were alerted to legal action being taken by the Mining and Energy Union (MEU).

The MEU filed applications with the Fair Work Commission regarding BHP's Peak Downs, Saraji, and Goonyella Riverside coal mines. The union is seeking pay rises for 1,700 labour-hire workers at the coal mines based on the "same job, same pay" orders.

The BHP share price closed down 0.6% on the day.

The race for the biggest ASX company

When the iron ore price topped US$200 per tonne in November 2021, the BHP share price joined in the rally.

This saw the ASX 200 miner overtake Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) as the biggest company listed on the ASX.

But June saw BHP's lead shrink to the point where analysts began speculating that CBA could once more take the crown.

With the CBA share price up 28% over 12 months, Australia's biggest bank has a current market cap of $213.3 billion.

And with the BHP share price down 6% over 12 months, the ASX 200 miner has a current market cap of $217.3 billion.

The race is on.

Should you invest $1,000 in Meeka Metals Ltd right now?

Before you buy Meeka Metals Ltd shares, consider this:

Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Meeka Metals Ltd wasn't one of them.

The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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

Three miners wearing hard hats and high vis vests take a break on site at a mine as the Fortescue share price drops in FY22
Resources Shares

Did you catch what happened with the big 3 ASX 200 mining stocks in April?

BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue all reported their latest mining results in April.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

After its earnings result, what's Macquarie's price target on Fortescue shares?

Let’s dig into what Macquarie thinks of Fortescue after its quarterly update.

Read more »

Two mining workers on a laptop at a mine site.
Resources Shares

The Mineral Resources share price is down 72% in a year. Time to pounce?

Two top experts ran their slide rules over Mineral Resources shares. Here’s what they found.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

Mineral Resources share price shoots 15% higher on third-quarter report

The ASX 200 iron ore and lithium giant has released its 3Q FY25 activities report.

Read more »

Image from either construction, mining or the oil industry of a friendly worker.
Resources Shares

Why Macquarie says this ASX 200 mining stock could rocket 67% in a year

Macquarie forecasts a big potential rebound for this diversified ASX 200 miner.

Read more »

Female miner smiling at a mine site.
Resources Shares

3 reasons why the Fortescue share price could still be a buy

Here’s why I view Fortescue as an opportunity.

Read more »

A man wearing a hard hat and high visibility vest looks out over a vast plain where heavy mining equipment can be seen in the background.
Resources Shares

Here's the latest earnings forecast out to 2029 for Rio Tinto shares

Let’s unearth what this mining giant is predicted to achieve.

Read more »

Female miner smiling in front of a mining vehicle.
Resources Shares

Is the BHP share price a buy? Here's UBS' view

Let’s dig into what an expert thinks of this mining giant.

Read more »