BHP Billiton expects steel output in China to continue at current rates, below historical highs, for some time.

Mr Marius Kloppers CEO of BHPB said that "When we talk to our Chinese customers there is not a sentiment that the operating rate in the steel industry will improve or change dramatically over the next little while.”

Mr Kloppers also said that the company has no exposure to the euro, with all of the company's transactions settled in US dollars and its loans and bonds in US dollars.

(Sourced from Thomson Reuters)