BP’s oil‑trading unit delivered strong results as the Middle East conflict continued to roil energy markets. The division housing its trading business posted quarterly earnings of $5.1 billion, up from $2.5 billion in the prior quarter. The British oil major reported an underlying replacement‑cost profit of 5.73 billion for the second quarter, beating the $3.2 billion recorded in Q1 and the $5.11 billion analysts had forecast.

This performance was driven by the unit’s trading activity, which the company described as slightly higher than the prior "exceptional" period. The surge in profits gave BP a cash boost that it is using to strengthen its balance sheet, aligning with its commitment to cut net debt and tighten spending while returning focus to its core fossil‑fuel business.