
Saudi Aramco second-quarter net profit drops 22% on lower revenue
The world's top oil exporter reported a net profit of $22.7 billion in the three months ended June 30, missing a company-provided median estimate from 17 analysts of $23.7 billion.
Aramco's average realised crude oil price was $66.7 a barrel in the quarter, down from $85.7 in the second quarter of 2024 and $76.3 in the first quarter of this year.
The company, long a cash cow for the Saudi state, confirmed a previously outlined $21.3 billion in total dividends for the second quarter, roughly $200 million of which is performance-linked dividends, a mechanism introduced after a windfall from oil prices in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Aramco in March outlined total dividends of $85.4 billion for 2025 - a 37% drop from its payout of over $124 billion the previous year.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Dubai and Abu Dhabi lead the Gulf AI race
Sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are fast-tracking investments into artificial intelligence, clean technology and next-gen infrastructure, further accelerating the shift away from hydrocarbons toward future-focused industries. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are emerging as front-runners, using their vast sovereign assets to stake strategic claims in the global tech arena. Collectively, the region's largest funds - including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Abu Dhabi's Mubadala and Qatar's QIA - have deployed over $100 billion into tech and AI-related sectors since 2023. But it is the UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, that are positioning themselves as operational AI and fintech hubs, not just capital allocators. 'Dubai's strategy is to be the sandbox, the capital, and the accelerator for applied AI,' Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence stated at the 2024 Digital Economy Forum. 'No other city in the region is moving as fast from vision to execution,' he added. Dubai's tech push gains momentum In Dubai, authorities are doubling down on AI, blockchain and digital economy development through the Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai AI Campus and Dubai Digital Economy Strategy, aiming to increase the digital economy's contribution to GDP to 20% by 2031. Launched in late 2024, the Dubai AI Campus is now home to over 150 AI startups, backed by regional VCs and global tech players. The campus provides regulatory sandboxes and access to high-performance computing, making it one of the most ambitious state-led AI incubators globally. Major international tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Cisco, Google, Meta, and Microsoft have an established presence in Dubai. 'The UAE is not only investing in AI - it's building the infrastructure, institutions, and regulations to lead in its deployment. That gives it a serious edge in the region,' Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Chief Scientist, UAE Office of AI stated to Financial Times. In fact, Dubai's rapid transformation into a global tech hub has exceedingly drawn comparisons with Silicon Valley. Abu Dhabi bets big through MGX and Mubadala Meanwhile in Abu Dhabi, the federal government launched MGX in 2024 - a sovereign AI investment and infrastructure arm that has already committed billions to chip manufacturing partnerships, quantum computing, and foundational model development. Mubadala and ADQ have ramped up stakes in global tech unicorns, while also nurturing local AI and robotics startups through Hub71 and the AI71 initiative, respectively. The UAE's Office of AI, created in 2017, now coordinates federal AI policy, working closely with regulators on ethics, data governance and AI adoption across government services. Dubai named among top 5 fintech destinations globally Saudi's PIF maintains global aggression Across the border, Saudi Arabia's PIF is leading high-profile investments in Western and Eastern AI ecosystems - with equity in US, Chinese, and European firms. 'Humain is a strategic effort to position the Kingdom at the heart of AI development, particularly for Arabic-speaking markets,' the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, launching (PIF-owned) Humain. Its latest $2.5 billion commitment to a European quantum computing alliance and growing interest in chip manufacturing point to an ambition to own IP and infrastructure, not just buy into platforms. While Riyadh's Neom project is often seen as a flagship for futuristic living, insiders say the PIF's actual AI portfolio is 'deep tech-heavy,' focused on foundational technologies that will power smart cities and autonomous industries. How Dubai intends to become the 'capital of crypto' Future outlook The MENA region's AI push is not without hurdles. Regulatory clarity is still developing, local talent pipelines are under strain and startup ecosystems, while growing, lag behind global leaders. But with governments backing AI adoption in healthcare, energy, logistics and finance, the region is gaining momentum. 'The Gulf has capital, conviction and alignment - all critical ingredients to influence the future of global AI,' Arjun Mathur, Partner at McKinsey Middle East was quoted as telling CNBC. By 2030, analysts forecast that GCC sovereign wealth funds could control up to 15% of global AI infrastructure investment, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi emerging as core deployment zones - while Riyadh builds influence through upstream control of technology and capital.


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Saudi Aramco second-quarter net profit drops 22% on lower revenue
DUBAI: Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco reported a 22% drop in second-quarter profit on Tuesday, mainly due to lower revenue. The world's top oil exporter reported a net profit of $22.7 billion in the three months ended June 30, missing a company-provided median estimate from 17 analysts of $23.7 billion. Aramco's average realised crude oil price was $66.7 a barrel in the quarter, down from $85.7 in the second quarter of 2024 and $76.3 in the first quarter of this year. The company, long a cash cow for the Saudi state, confirmed a previously outlined $21.3 billion in total dividends for the second quarter, roughly $200 million of which is performance-linked dividends, a mechanism introduced after a windfall from oil prices in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Aramco in March outlined total dividends of $85.4 billion for 2025 - a 37% drop from its payout of over $124 billion the previous year.


Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
G2G agreement: Pakistan govt plans to offer solar projects to Saudi firm
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan government has reportedly included two large-scale solar power projects, totalling 2,800 MW, in the Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2025-35, which may be offered to Saudi energy company M/s ACWA Power under a proposed Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement. According to sources, the National Grid Company of Pakistan Limited (NGC), in a letter titled 'Land Acquisition for Solar Power Projects at Layyah, Jhang and Muzaffargarh', informed the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) about the inclusion of these projects in the IGCEP. Shah Jahan Mirza, Managing Director of PPIB, has conveyed to the Power Division that the draft IGCEP—currently under finalization—includes various scenario analyses by the System Operator (ISMO). Among them are two specific solar PV development scenarios proposing 1,000 MW and 1,800 MW capacity additions, earmarked for potential development by ACWA Power. Saudi firm keen to invest in renewable energy sector However, he emphasized that the offer to the Saudi side would depend on the approval of these scenarios by NEPRA. Mirza also advised the Power Division not to de-notify the land identified for these solar PV projects until the IGCEP is formally approved. The project's future had earlier appeared uncertain. In November 2023, Pakistan's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia reported that ACWA Power had declined to sign any agreement with Islamabad, citing security concerns. However, a shift in momentum was seen after a delegation of Saudi investors—including ACWA representatives—visited Pakistan and held talks with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). Since then, Pakistan's embassy in Riyadh has remained in contact with the company. Despite renewed interest, hurdles remain. Saudi authorities have expressed concerns over the treatment of M/s Al-Jomaih, a Saudi investor involved with K-Electric. These concerns, officials said, have made Saudi investors cautious about engaging in new ventures in Pakistan. The Al-Jomaih issue is now being handled by Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar. The inclusion of these solar projects in the IGCEP signals the government's ongoing efforts to diversify its energy mix and attract foreign investment in renewable energy—though political and regulatory assurances remain critical to securing such high-value deals, the sources said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025