Aramco profits soar 158% on higher oil prices

Aramco profits soar 158% on higher oil prices

RIYADH: Saudi Aramco’s earnings rose 158 percent year-on-year in the third quarter on higher oil prices and volumes sold as the global economy recovered, it said yesterday. Aramco’s profits surge comes as world leaders prepare for the UN’s COP26 climate summit starting in Glasgow later on Sunday, a key meeting in the battle against global warming.

Aramco’s net income was $30.4 billion in the third quarter, up from $11.8 billion in Q3 last year, with free cash flow more than doubling to $28.7 billion. Shareholders will receive $18.8 billion in dividends. The profits are the biggest since Aramco listed on the Saudi stock exchange in December 2019, before suffering a 44.4 percent slump in 2020.

“The increase in net income was primarily the result of higher crude oil prices and volumes sold,” the Saudi oil giant said in its earnings statement. It also cited “stronger refining and chemicals margins in Q3, which were underpinned by rebounding global energy demand and increased economic activity in key markets”.

The latest rise comes after profits nearly quadrupled in Q2 as the world economy bounced back from the COVID crisis, lifting demand and pushing oil prices back above $80 a barrel. “Some headwinds still exist for the