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Investing.com -- Equinor plans to repurchase up to $1.265 billion in shares after reporting second-quarter results supported by stronger U.S. onshore gas output and firmer prices.
The Norwegian energy company posted adjusted pre-tax earnings of $6.54 billion for the quarter, down from $7.48 billion a year earlier but in line with the $6.53 billion forecast in a company-compiled analyst poll.
However, Equinor’s adjusted earnings after tax of $1.7 billion missed the consensus by 4.8%, according to brokerage firm Jefferies.
Net profit declined to $1.32 billion from $2.63 billion in the previous quarter.
Equinor highlighted a strong performance from its U.S. onshore gas assets, with output rising 50% and prices nearly 80% higher than the same period last year.
The company also provided an update on its offshore wind business, saying construction of the Empire Wind 1 project had resumed following a temporary pause tied to a broader U.S. regulatory review. Equinor recorded a $955 million impairment related to delays and policy changes.
On Wednesday, the company launched the third tranche of its share buyback program and confirmed a regular dividend of $0.37 per share for the quarter. Unlike last year, it did not propose an additional payout. In the same quarter of 2024, it declared both a $0.35 regular and $0.35 extraordinary dividend.
Equinor reaffirmed its full-year production target, expecting oil and gas output to rise by 4% in 2025 compared to the previous year. It also kept its 2025 capital spending forecast at $13 billion.
“We are on track to deliver production growth in 2025 in line with our guidance,” CEO Anders Opedal said.
Equinor’s conference call is scheduled for 10:30 BST. Analysts at Jefferies expect the Q&A to be "focused on balance sheet, M&A appetite and Empire Wind."