Petrobras Swings to $2.96 Billion Q4 Profit, Announces Major Shareholder Payouts

Brazilian state-controlled oil giant Petrobras reported a significant financial turnaround in the fourth quarter, posting a net profit of 15.6 billion reais ($2.96 billion). This performance marks a sharp recovery from the 17 billion-real net loss recorded during the same period in the previous year. Following the positive earnings, the board of directors approved a payout of 8.1 billion reais ($1.54 billion) in interest on equity to its shareholders. The approved distribution amounts to approximately 0.63 real per share, signaling strong returns for investors. Analysts view the swing to profitability as a result of improved operational efficiency and favorable market conditions. These results are expected to bolster investor confidence and provide a bullish catalyst for the company's stock price in both local and international markets.