(Photo courtesy of Anadolu)
ANKARA – Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco reported a 9 percent year-on-year increase in adjusted net income to $31.2 billion in the third quarter of 2026, driven by stronger refining margins and operational flexibility amid global energy market uncertainties.
In a statement Tuesday, the state-owned energy company said cash flow from operating activities reached $38.7 billion during the July-to-September period.
Free cash flow climbed to $28.2 billion from $23.6 billion in the same quarter last year, reflecting improved financial performance.
Aramco’s board also approved a third-quarter base dividend of $21.9 billion, representing a 3.5 percent increase from a year earlier. The dividend is scheduled for payment in the fourth quarter.
The company’s downstream adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) surged 234 percent year-on-year, primarily supported by stronger refining margins.
Aramco President and CEO Amin Nasser said geopolitical tensions and attacks on critical energy infrastructure during the quarter heightened concerns over global energy supply security.
To address potential disruptions, the company is evaluating alternative export routes, additional overseas storage facilities, and a possible expansion of its East-West Pipeline capacity.
“We continue to explore additional overseas storage capacity and alternative export routes to further strengthen our global supply network, and our robust operational and financial performance during this volatile period demonstrates the value of our resilience,” Nasser said.
He added that Aramco’s major upstream development projects remain on schedule, supported by the company’s strong financial position.
Beyond its traditional oil and gas operations, Aramco is expanding investments into emerging industries, including artificial intelligence and mineral exploration.
The company acquired a 49 percent stake in artificial intelligence firm HUMAIN through a transaction involving asset transfers and approximately $2.6 billion in cash contributions.
Aramco also entered into a joint venture agreement focused on hard-rock mineral exploration as part of efforts to diversify its business portfolio.
The latest financial results highlight the energy giant’s efforts to strengthen its global supply network, maintain shareholder returns, and expand into new sectors amid continuing volatility in international energy markets.
