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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Date of 19 May 2005
BHP Billiton Limited
ABN 49 004 028 077
180 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Australia
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
| Form 20-F | X | Form 40-F |
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 | No | X |
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
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Date |
19 May 2005 |
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Number |
21/05 |
TRANSITION TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS)
BHP BILLITON RESULTS FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2004
BHP Billiton advises that results for the half year ended 31 December 2004, and balance sheet as at 30 June 2004 have been prepared under IFRS.
Application of IFRS has no impact on BHP Billiton's strategy or cash flows. The majority of IFRS have little or no impact on either the Group's financial results as previously reported under UKGAAP, or existing accounting policies.
For the half year ended 31 December 2004, net profit under IFRS of US$2.827 billion was US$70 million higher than under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (UKGAAP).
At 31 December 2004, IFRS attributable shareholders equity was US$14.336 billion, US$10 million lower than under UKGAAP.
Details of the Group's IFRS results, and explanations of differences to those previously reported under UKGAAP are available at www.bhpbilliton.com.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia |
United Kingdom |
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Tracey Whitehead, Investor Relations Tania Price, Media Relations United States |
Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations Ariane Gentil, Media Relations South Africa |
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BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 |
BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 |
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The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia
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SIGNATURES
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
/s/ KAREN WOOD
_____________________
Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 19
May 2005