BP pauses stock buybacks, signaling new pressure on oil prices

　　BP (British Petroleum) announced on Tuesday that its fourth-quarter earnings were in line with expectations and that it would suspend its stock buyback program, aiming to adjust its finances to cope with the impact of falling oil prices.

　　The London-listed energy giant reported underlying replacement cost profit (used as an alternative indicator to net profit) of $1.54 billion for the last three months of 2025. This figure matches the average analyst estimate of $1.54 billion in an LSEG survey.

　　BP's net profit for 2025 was $7.49 billion, slightly below analyst expectations of $7.58 billion. This figure also fell short of the nearly $9 billion profit in fiscal year 2024.

　　BP said its board decided to suspend the stock buyback program and use all surplus cash to “accelerate the strengthening” of its balance sheet.

　　“2025 was a year of strong financial performance, excellent operational execution, and significant strategic progress,” BP interim CEO Carol Howle said in a statement.

　　“We have made progress on our four key objectives—improving cash flow and returns, reducing costs, and strengthening the balance sheet—but we also know there is more work to do, and we are acutely aware of the urgency to achieve our goals,” she added.

Editor: Yu Jian SF069