Bp leadership change puts climate in focus

摘要

BP surprised shareholders with its frst dividend hike in two years on Bob Dudley's last day as chief executive. But new boss Bernard Looney's frst day in the role was marked by a climate protest outside the frm's London headquarters. BP is increasing its quarterly dividend to 10.50c/share from 10.25c/share, despite swinging to a loss in October-December, mainly as a result of a $1.9bn impairment charge linked to the sale of US gas assets. Excluding inventory valuation efects, the company made a loss of $4mn in the quarter, compared with proft of $2.7bn a year earlier. Chief fnancial ofcer Brian Gilvary told investors three months ago that a dividend increase was unlikely to happen any time soon. But he now says that there have been sufcient reasons “to justify the dividend move”.