The heaviest of the heavyweights on the JSE, with a turnover of R206bn - R20bn more than Anglo American. Anglo has the highest market cap on the JSE (R571bn to BHP's R142bn), but this time produced R21bn in net profit to BHP's R56bn. BHP has a better spread of commodities - notably in oil, which Anglo cannot offer - and of all the resources companies it is best placed to ride out volatility in commodity cycles.

When all divisions are doing well, its returns are formidable and it has the clout to take opportunities as they arrive. CEO Chip Goodyear left on a high and is replaced by Marius Kloppers, who was in charge of nonferrous materials and has also held the positions of chief marketing officer and chief commercial officer.