Energy

Does Another Spending Cut Improve Outlook for Petrobras?

PBR-logo
Wikimedia Commons
Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (NYSE: PBR) announced Tuesday morning that it is cutting its spending plan for the current fiscal year from $28 billion to $25 billion and its 2016 spending from $27 billion to $19 billion. In June the company cut its five-year capital spending plan from around $221 billion to $130 billion.

The company also said it plans to cut operating expenses (excluding raw materials purchases) from a prior 2015 estimate of $30 billion to a new level of $29 billion and from a prior 2016 estimate of $27 billion to a new level of $21 billion. For the two-year period, Petrobras expects to divest a total of $15.1 billion in assets, a total that has not changed since the June announcement.

In its announcement Petrobras said that previous plans were subject to “risk factors that may adversely impact its projections, including changes in market variables such as oil prices and exchange rate.” Oil prices have collapsed and the Brazilian real has lost 30% of its value against the dollar. The combined impact is that revenue has tanked and debt has spiraled nearly out of control.

The company wrote down $17 billion in April as a result of unmet production goals and the corruption scandal that has enveloped the company.

Petrobras said that production will remain as planned at 2.125 million barrels a day in 2015 and 2.185 million barrels a day in 2016. A reasonable question is how the company can maintain these output levels if they are chopping next year’s operating spending by nearly a fourth. It is unlikely that higher production from fewer wells will meet the requirement, but that is likely to be the company’s answer. What else can they say?

Shares traded up about 6.5% at noon on Tuesday, at $5.21 in a 52-week range of $3.72 to $17.64.

ALSO READ: 3 Deutsche Bank Oil Services Stock Picks With Over 100% Upside Potential

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.