Saudi Aramco Posts 39% Jump in Third-quarter Profits

Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at the oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at the oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
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Saudi Aramco Posts 39% Jump in Third-quarter Profits

Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at the oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at the oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Saudi Aramco on Tuesday posted a 39-percent jump in third-quarter profits year on year, the latest financial results boosted by higher oil prices and volumes sold.

The energy giant's net income totaled $42.4 billion -- up from $30.4 billion during the same period last year -- and was "primarily driven by higher crude oil prices and volumes sold", it said in a filing with the Saudi stock exchange.

CEO Amin Nasser touted the firm's "strong earnings and record free cash flow" of $45 billion, up from $28.7 billion at this time last year.

"While global crude oil prices during this period were affected by continued economic uncertainty, our long-term view is that oil demand will continue to grow for the rest of the decade given the world's need for more affordable and reliable energy," he said in a statement.

Aramco is Saudi Arabia's "crown jewel" and primary source of revenue.

Its strong performance has led to a banner economic year for Saudi Arabia, driving surpluses that could help finance plans to open up the kingdom and diversify its oil-reliant economy.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia reported a preliminary estimate of 8.6 percent economic growth in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the same period last year, "mainly due to the increase in oil activities".



Saudi and Qatari Finance Ministers Sign Cooperation MoU

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan and Qatari Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari signed an MoU to cooperate in the finance sector. SPA
Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan and Qatari Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari signed an MoU to cooperate in the finance sector. SPA
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Saudi and Qatari Finance Ministers Sign Cooperation MoU

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan and Qatari Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari signed an MoU to cooperate in the finance sector. SPA
Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan and Qatari Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari signed an MoU to cooperate in the finance sector. SPA

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan and Qatari Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari have signed an MoU to cooperate in the finance sector.

The MoU was signed Thursday on the sidelines of the 122nd meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee in Doha, Qatar.
‏Aljadaan said that the MoU is part of efforts to strengthen relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the finance sector, including microeconomic policy, public sector laws, and legislation to enhance economic growth in the region.
‏Al Kuwari noted the importance of the MoU and its potential impact in exchanging expertise and information in the finance sector to enhance and strengthen relations between the two nations.