Exane BNP Paribas upgraded Norilsk Nickel (NILSY) to Outperform and also upgraded Rio Tinto (RIO) and Vale (VALE) to Market Perform as part of the broader research note, saying he prefers Norilsk Nickel to reflect the positive trends expected for base metals in the later part of the year. The analyst also attributes his rating change for Rio Tinto and Vale to valuation following the correction in their stock prices, even though he warns that the tightening of property developers' funding in China makes him cautious on the iron ore exposure. As part of the research note, BHP (BHP) was also downgraded to Underperform because of its "lowest free cash flow yield" in the analyst's coverage and its expected negative earnings growth until FY22.

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Anglo American (NGLOY) doesn't view BHP's (BHP) proposed $39B takeover bid as attractive, Reuters' Clara Denina, Amy-Jo Crowley and Anousha Sakoui report, citing two sources. According to one source, the offer does not address the complexities of demerging the Anglo American Platinum and Kumba Iron Ore businesses in South Africa. Anglo's board is expected to give a formal response in the coming days. Reference Link

BHP Group (BHP) is weighing a possible acquisition of Anglo American (NGLOY), Bloomberg's Crystal Tse, Dinesh Nair, and Thomas Biesheuvel report, citing people with knowledge of the matter. The company has recently been evaluating the possibility of an offer for Anglo American, the authors note. Reference Link