BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP.AU) said Wednesday its full year net profit fell 61.8% to US$5.88 billion from US$15.39 billion last year, breaking a run of six consecutive record annual results for the world's biggest miner as a slump in commodity prices took its toll.

The miner posted attributable profit excluding exceptional items for the 12 months ended June 30 of US$10.72 billion, down from US$15.37 billion in fiscal 2008 but ahead of average analyst forecasts for US$10.2 billion.

The miner said the stimulus policies of the Chinese Government had provided strong support to short-term economic growth but there remains uncertainty about global economic growth.

"Structural economic problems will take time to correct and may hold back growth over the medium term," the miner said in a statement.

BHP's revenue for the year fell 15.6% to US$50.21billion from US$59.47 billion in 2008 and BHP posted a final dividend of 41 U.S. cents a share, in line with last year and with analyst expectations.

-By Alex Wilson, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-3-9292-2094; alex.wilson@dowjones.com

Order free Annual Report for BHP Billiton plc

Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=GB0000566504 or call +44 (0)208 391 6028