BHP Group shares surge 70% in a year as dividend yield steadies

BHP Group Ltd shares have risen roughly 71% over the past 12 months, trading around $60.70 after peaking at $65.59 last week and slipping about 7% since then. The stock is up about 33% year‑to‑date and outperforms the broader S&P/ASX 200, which is up only 0.1% today and about 1% for the year.

Analysts rate the shares mainly as “hold”, with 13 of 18 covering the stock, while four recommend a “strong buy”. The consensus target price sits near $61.70, implying modest upside, though some forecasts range from $40.30 to $93.00. BHP, the largest company on the Australian exchange with a market capitalisation of roughly $309 billion, continues to pay solid dividends – an interim payout of $1.0385 per share was made in March, and an annual dividend of $1.91 per share is projected for FY26. The current dividend yield of about 3.5% is below the five‑year average of 6.9%, reflecting a higher share price.

The miner’s diversified commodity base—iron ore, copper, coal and expanding fertilizer operations—underpins its earnings and makes it a staple in many Australian portfolios and ASX‑200 material‑sector ETFs.