Malaysia’s state energy firm Petronas said profits plunged 85 percent in the second quarter due to low oil prices, adding to concerns about the country’s slowing economy.
Petronas, Malaysia’s only Fortune 500 company and the largest source of government revenue and national export earnings, reported a net profit of 1.62 billion ringgit ($402 million) for the period, down from 11.07 billion last year.
Revenue was 48.44 billion ringgit, 21 percent lower than the same period in 2015.
The firm said it expects to be impacted by “volatility in oil prices” for the rest of the year.
“Despite a modest recovery in crude oil prices, uncertainties remain due to persistent oversupply and sluggish demand outlook,” it said in a statement.
Energy-exporting Malaysia has the third-largest economy in Southeast Asia, but has been grappling with falling oil prices and weak overseas demand — denting revenues and putting severe pressure on the ringgit.
The country has also been rocked by a massive financial scandal amid allegations that billions of dollars were stolen from a state investment fund founded and overseen by the prime minister.

Figures earlier this month showed the economy grew 4.0 percent year-on-year in the April to June period — its slowest rate of expansion since a 1.1 percent contraction in the third quarter of 2009 during the global financial crisis.
In July, Malaysia unexpectedly cut interest rates for the first time in seven years.
Oil prices entered a “bear” market at the start of the month on oversupply concerns, falling more than 20 percent and closing below $40 a barrel for the first time since April.
The commodity rebounded last week on hopes producers might decide to freeze output at a meeting next month, but analysts have voiced doubts that a deal will be reached.

Source: Arab News