BP, the world's third-largest oil group, reported a 42 per cent rise in second-quarter profits today that was at the top end of forecasts and said it might pursue further share buybacks.
Net profit, adjusted for special items, rose to $3.115 billion from $2.199 billion a year ago, helped by rising oil and natural gas prices.
Analysts had forecast profits between $2.66-$3.20 billion, with a consensus at $2.94 billion.
