Business
As Hormuz dangers force the pipeline to maximum capacity, Aramco’s Q1 profit soars by 25%.
With the national oil giant’s East-West crude pipeline operating at full capacity to lessen the impact on supply, Saudi Aramco announced a 25% increase in first-quarter profit on Sunday, demonstrating its endurance as US-Iran war tensions restrict ships across the Strait of Hormuz.
In the three months ending March 31, the largest oil exporter in the world made a net profit of $32.5 billion, exceeding the $30.95 billion LSEG consensus projection.
Due to increased pricing and sales volumes of both crude oil and refined and chemical products, total income increased by about 7% to $115.49 billion over the previous year.
Aramco increased petroleum flows from its east coast to the Red Sea port of Yanbu in response to Iran’s blockade of shipping via the vital Hormuz strait amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict, which has reduced energy supply and caused prices to soar.
NASSER SAYS, “RELIABLE SUPPLY IS CRITICAL.”Amin Nasser, CEO of Aramco, stated that “reliable energy supply is critical” and that “our East-West Pipeline, which reached its maximum capacity of 7.0 million barrels of oil per day, has proven itself to be a critical supply artery, helping to mitigate the impact of a global energy shock.”
About 2 million barrels per day can be supplied by the pipeline to refineries on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, leaving 5 million barrels per day for export.
Following Iran’s blockade of Hormuz, a waterway that supplied one-fifth of the world’s oil supply before to the conflict, Saudi Arabia reduced its output by two million barrels per day. Heavy grades are limited on the line, which primarily carries Arab Light and some Arab Extra Light.
The company’s median analyst forecast of $31.16 billion was exceeded by Aramco’s adjusted quarterly net profit of $33.6 billion. $1.06 billion in non-operational accounting items are subtracted from the total.
Capital expenditures dropped dramatically from $13.4 billion in the fourth quarter to $12.1 billion in the quarter, down from $12.5 billion a year earlier. This year, Aramco planned to spend between $50 and $55 billion on major projects.
Q1 HIGHER DIVIDEND ANNOUNCED
In keeping with the projected total payouts of $87.6 billion for 2026, Aramco announced a base dividend of $21.9 billion for the first quarter, up 3.5% year over year and payable in the second quarter.
In 2023, it also implemented a free cash flow-based performance-linked dividend.
Aramco’s dividends are a major source of funding for the Saudi government’s domestic expenditures and budget deficits. The Public Investment Fund controls 16% of the corporation, while the government directly owns over 81.5%.
Due to a $15.8 billion increase in working capital, free cash flow decreased to $18.6 billion from $19.2 billion in the previous year. Aramco’s gearing – measuring its debt compared to equity – rose to 4.8% at March 31 from 3.8% at the end of 2025.
For a three-day period starting on August 1, the government has announced a slight decrease in the cost of petroleum products, including gasoline and high-speed diesel (HSD).
The Petroleum Division said that the price of high-speed diesel has been lowered by Rs0.66 per litre, resulting in a new retail price of Rs392.38 per litre.
Additionally, the price of gasoline has been lowered by Rs0.12 per litre, to Rs336.03 per litre.
According to the letter, the updated pricing will go into effect between August 1 and August 3.
According to the administration, the little cut was taken after accounting for both domestic economic and budgetary factors as well as global oil costs.
In light of persistent economic pressures and swings in the world’s crude oil markets, the most recent adjustment provides customers with little respite.
The most recent update comes after the government regularly reviews fuel costs, which are decided by the currency rate, domestic tax laws, and global market trends.
In July 2026, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs820 billion in net revenue, exceeding the monthly target by Rs40 billion.
The July tax collection target was set at Rs780 billion, but net receipts came in at Rs820 billion, according to FBR documents.
According to the papers, gross tax collections for the month totaled Rs918 billion. Net receipts were Rs820 billion after Rs98 billion of this sum was reimbursed to taxpayers under different refund categories.
Gross collections under the income tax head was Rs343 billion. Net income tax revenues fell short of the objective of Rs323 billion, coming in at Rs308 billion after the payment of Rs35 billion in refunds.
In July, sales tax collections came to Rs413 billion, while sales tax refunds were Rs53 billion.
The Federal Excise Duty (FED) collected Rs48 billion, compared to the objective of Rs47 billion, according to the FBR.
In July 2026, customs duty receipts totaled Rs115 billion, surpassing the designated objective of Rs105 billion by Rs10 billion.
Foreign investors became net purchasers at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for the first time in almost two years, indicating restored confidence in the country’s capital market at the beginning of the current fiscal year.
According to official data, foreign investors invested $34.4 million in the PSX in July 2026, a significant reversal from June 2026 when they sold $180 million worth of shares and pulled money out of the market.
The data showed that foreign investors were net buyers for the first time in nearly 23 months, with banking and exploration companies receiving the greatest investment in the month.
Foreign investors made investments in the banking sector to the tune of $13.8 million during July, while investments in exploration businesses amounted to $6.7 million.
However, the data also revealed that international investors preferred to dispose of cement stocks over the same period.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 occurs close to Naples, Italy, resulting in damage and disruptions.
For three days, Pakistan lowers the price of petrol and diesel.
FBR surpasses its July revenue goal by Rs40 billion.
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