Saudi Aramco has announced the launch of its first-ever share buyback program, valued at $3 billion to be executed over the next 18 months, alongside a 3.5% dividend hike. These shareholder-focused initiatives come despite a 20.5% drop in fourth-quarter net profit to approximately $17.8 billion, driven by rising operating costs. For the full year 2025, the company reported a net income of $93.4 billion, down from $106.2 billion in the previous year. This marks the 12th consecutive quarter of year-on-year profit declines for the energy giant, primarily due to realized crude prices averaging $69.2 per barrel. Despite the persistent downward pressure on earnings, analysts view the historic buyback and dividend increase as a strategic move to maintain investor confidence and demonstrate robust cash flow management.
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