BHP (ASX: BHP) has reported its first-half results for FY20. We take a look at the company's headline figures, key commentary and guidance outlook, plus review the share market's reaction across the trading day.

Headline result

BHP has reported a 7% increase in revenue from continuing operations, with HY20 recording a total of US$22.3bn.In addition, the company has seen its net profit after tax rise by 29% to US$4.87bn for the half.An interim dividend of US$0.65 per share has been declared. The ex-dividend date will be 5th March, 2020, followed by the record date on the 6th March, 2020.Although BHP's underlying profit fell a touch short of what some broker analysts had forecast, the company's record interim dividend helped support its share price throughout the trading day. On the back of the news, BHP shares ended the day 0.8% higher at $38.78 per share.

Key commentary

One of the key highlights emphasised by the company was its ability to maximise cash flow across the half on the back of higher iron ore prices and "solid operating performance". BHP saw its profit from operations reach US$8.3bn, while underlying EBITDA jumped 15% to US$12.1bn with a margin of 56%. This flowed through to the miner's net operating cash flow, which was US$7.4bn, and its free cash flow, which was US$3.7bn.Elsewhere, the company has been able to deliver net debt at the bottom-end of its target range, notwithstanding an increase that arose due to derivatives and accounting changes.BHP is advancing exploration programs on a number of fronts, including its petroleum and copper divisions, and the company invested US$3.8bn in capex during HY20.Management has drawn attention to the company's underlying return on capital employed, which increased by 19%, in addition to its second-highest interim dividend on record of US$0.65 per share. No fatalities were recorded at any of BHP's operated sites over the last 12 months.

Guidance outlook

The company has made reference to "near term uncertainty", specifically mentioning the Coronavirus, trade policy and geopolitics. The company expects to revise its "expectations for economic and commodity demand growth downwards" if the Coronavirus outbreak is not contained within the (current) March quarter.BHP has also stated that "global steel production growth moderated" in HY20, with demand from regions outside China tapering notably. The copper and nickel markets have been influenced by "trade uncertainty", however, BHP are somewhat upbeat about the fundamentals of the copper market.The long-term outlook for the oil market is also positive in the eyes of BHP, however, a net demand loss is expected in the near-term due to the Coronavirus.Capital and exploration guidance for FY20 and FY21 remain unchanged, while production and unit costs at all major assets are understood to be in line with expectations for the financial year.