Saudi Aramco first-quarter profit falls 25%, below analyst estimates; hurt by lower crude oil prices as coronavirus slashed demand

Dubai: Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco on Tuesday reported a 25 percent fall in first-quarter net profit, below analyst estimates, hurt by lower crude oil prices as the coronavirus slashed demand.

Net profit fell to 62.48 billion riyals ($16.64 billion) after zakat and tax for the quarter to 31 March from 83.29 billion a year earlier.

Analysts had expected a profit of $17.8 billion, according to the mean estimate from Egyptian investment bank EFG-Hermes, Saudi Arabia’s Al Rajhi Capital and Dubai-based Arqaam Capital.

Click here to follow LIVE updates on coronavirus outbreak

Aramco said the results reflected “lower crude oil prices, as well as declining refining and chemicals margins and inventory re-measurement losses.”

Click here to follow LIVE news and updates on stock markets

Brent crude prices fell 65 percent in the first quarter, before OPEC+ producers agreed to cut oil supply by a record 9.7 million barrel per day starting from May to help shore up prices and curb oversupply.