BP Announces Share Buyback Program
We increased our fair value estimate after news of the program that will cover scrip dilution.
In a positive development, in its third-quarter earnings release,
BP's operating results were strong in the third quarter of 2017. Underlying profits grew $1 billion to $1.9 billion compared with last year. On the upstream, 11% higher production volumes from major project ramp-ups and increased price realizations more than offset higher depreciation and amortization charges. Refining and marketing results doubled compared with last year, as higher refining margins outweighed smaller crude differentials in the U.S.
We updated our analysis with third-quarter results, slightly lower full-year capital expenditures, and improved up- and downstream earnings. As a result, we increase our fair value estimate to GBX 475/$38 from GBX 465/$36. Our moat rating remains unchanged at no-moat.
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