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FINWIRES

BofA: Saudi Aramco Poised to See Robust Q1 Results Amid Higher Oil Prices

-- BofA Global Research expects Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (SASE:2222), d/b/a Saudi Aramco, to report robust first-quarter 2026 results, potentially logging its highest profits since the third quarter of 2023.

"We forecast Aramco's 1Q26 net income (including minority interests) at US$29.7bn, up 19% q/q. The increase is supported by: 1) strong Brent pricing atUS$78/bbl in 1Q26, up 24% q/q offsetting lower crude volumes q/q, which are down 7%, 2) robust downstream with refining margins up 10-20% q/q(based on IOC peers) and the chemical basket price up 10% q/q," analysts wrote Thursday.

In terms of revenue, the state-owned oil and gas giant is projected to see a 2% quarterly increase to $113.1 billion. The research firm also noted that Aramco is well placed to ramp up its production once the conflict in the Middle East is resolved.

As such, the 2026 and 2027 EPS forecasts were nudged up to 2.07 Saudi riyals and 2.11 riyals, respectively, from 2.06 riyals and 2.10 riyals.

The buy rating on the stock was reaffirmed, with a price objective of 34.50 riyals.

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