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Refining & Petrochemicals
Sabic Reports Higher Profits As It Prepares For Aramco Buy-In
01 Feb 2019
Saudi petchems giant Sabic is pushing to expand even as Aramco prepares to buy the bulk of its equity. Sabic management credits its “transformation initiative” for improved profits but in reality higher oil prices are the key factor.
Saudi state-led petchems giant Sabic boosted its net profits by 16.8% to SR21.54bn ($5.74bn) for 2018 thanks to a 6% rise in production and sales volumes coupled with increased selling prices “in line with the higher oil price environment.” Average prices for Saudi Arab Light crude rose 33.5% to $70.34/B for 2018.
Conversely, Q4 earnings for both Sabic and other Saudi petchems firms were hit by a fall in selling prices in line with lower crude prices. Sabic’s SR3.24bn ($864mn) Q4 net profit was down 47% on Q3’s $1.63bn and the lowest figure since 1Q 2016 (see charts).
This comes as state petroleum firm Aramco is preparing...
Sabic Net Profits Are Closely Correlated With Oil Prices