Sinopec posts 30% decline in net profit

Massive losses at its refining arm offset upstream gains. China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, the country's second largest integrated oil company, posted a 30 per cent fall in fourth-quarter net profit, missing forecasts, as massive losses at its refining arm offset upstream gains. The fourth-quarter earnings of Asia's largest refiner, also known as Sinopec, totalled 10.3 billion yuan (Dh5.9 billion), compared with a forecast of 15.21 billion yuan, according to Reuters calculations. The company's full-year net profit rose 1.4 per cent to 71.7 billion yuan from 70.7 billion yuan in 2010. That lagged a consensus forecast of 76.6 billion yuan from 32 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Sinopec suffered heavy refining losses last year as increases in domestic prices for oil products failed to keep pace with stronger rises in international crude prices. Pricing formula China's fuel price hikes often come smaller and later than required under its pricing formula due to inflation concerns, leaving refiners saddled with mounting losses. Chinese oil firms make a profit on oil and gas production, fuel sales and chemical businesses. From: Gulfnews