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Australia's Ampol drops to 9-month short on lacklustre first-half outlook

Shares of Ampol slipped to a ninemonth short on Thursday as the Australian fuel retailer projection lower revenues for the first half of fiscal 2024, showing a fall in overall secondquarter production at its Lytton refinery in Queensland.

Ampol recorded second-quarter Lytton output of 1,420 million litres, compared with 1,484 million litres reported a year previously.

The business expects its revenues before interest and tax on a replacement expense basis (RCOP EBIT) to be in between A$ 500 million ($ 329 million) and A$ 510 million for the first half of 2024, lower than in 2015's A$ 576.3 million.

Ampol's shares dropped as much as 4.2%, their lowest levels because last November. Stock on track to tape-record its worst day considering that May 1, if losses hold.

Internationally, oil prices were volatile in the second quarter ended June 30, as a cost boost following OPEC+ supply cut was countered by weak Chinese need.

Ampol, the largest fuel supplier in Australia, forecast its replacement cost basis earnings before interest, tax, devaluation, and amortization (RCOP EBITDA) to be in between A$ 735. million and A$ 745 million for the very first half, compared with. A$ 798 million last year.

Overall sales volume for the business also fell during the half. year to 13,252 million litres from 14,081 million litres a year. previously.

The company taped second-quarter Lytton refinery margin. of $8.81 per barrel, lower than the first quarter this year, due. to lower product fractures and a time difference between the crude. being priced and being taken in during production.

Considering that 2022, the fuel seller has actually consistently gone beyond. market expectations, publishing successive record efficiencies in. their previous two financial years.

The Sydney-based business in February had actually announced strategies to. update its Lytton refinery to produce gas that fulfilled brand-new. requirements for both regular and exceptional grades.

Ampol will report its half-year results on Aug. 19.

(source: Reuters)