Saudi Aramco profits jump despite conflict in Middle East

Saudi Arabia’s state oil company reported a 26% jump in profits in its first quarter as its east-west pipeline allowed it to ship millions of barrels of oil out of the Gulf despite conflict in the Middle East . Profits at Saudi Aramco hit $33.6bn (£26.9bn) in the first three months of the year, while revenue rose nearly 7% compared with a year earlier to $115.5bn. The boost in profits came even as Aramco grappled with attacks on its infrastructure and a halt to exports through its Gulf ports. …