UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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BHP BILLITON LIMITED (ABN 49 004 028 077) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA (Address of principal executive offices) |
BHP BILLITON PLC (REG. NO. 3196209) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
ENGLAND AND WALES (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (Address of principal executive offices) |
| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: [x] Form 20-F [ ] Form 40-F |
| Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ] |
| Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [ ] |
| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: [ ] Yes [x] No |
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29 June 2007
Number 19/07
PURCHASES OF SHARES IN CLOSE PERIOD
BHP Billiton announced today that BHP Billiton Limited ("BHP Billiton" or the "Company") would continue the current on-market buyback of BHP Billiton Plc shares during the close period, from 1 July 2007 to 22 August 2007.
The Company has entered into an irrevocable arrangement with an independent third party which makes its trading decisions in relation to the securities of the Company and BHP Billiton Plc independently of, and uninfluenced by, the Company or BHP Billiton Plc, to purchase on the Company's behalf and within certain pre-set parameters, ordinary shares in BHP Billiton Plc during the period commencing on 1 July 2007 and ending upon the announcement of the Company's final results for the full year ended 30 June 2007. These share purchases will be made on the Company's behalf and in accordance with the irrevocable arrangement during a so-called "Close Period", a period in which the Company and its directors, officers and employees would normally otherwise refrain from transacting in BHP Billiton shares.
Any share purchases effected pursuant to the irrevocable arrangement will be effected in a manner consistent with both the general authority vested in BHP Billiton Plc to repurchase shares and Chapter 12 of the Listing Rules, which require that the maximum price paid be limited to no more than 105 per cent of the average middle market closing price of BHP Billiton Plc's Ordinary Shares for the five dealing days preceding the date of purchase.
Further information on BHP
Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia Samantha Evans, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com Jane Belcher, Investor Relations |
United Kingdom Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942 email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com Illtud Harri, Media Relations |
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United States Tracey Whitehead, Investor Relations Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com |
South Africa Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations Tel SA: +27 11 376 2121 or UK: +44 20 7802 4183 email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com |
| BHP Billiton Limited ABN
49 004 028 077 Registered in Australia Registered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 |
BHP Billiton Plc
Registration number 3196209 Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 |
The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia
| Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. |
| BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc | ||
| Date: 29 June 2007 | By: |
Karen Wood |
| Name: | Karen Wood | |
| Title: | Group Company Secretary |