Chevron says 'can do it all', after record profit and buyback lift

By Sabrina Valle

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Chevron Corp posted its biggest quarterly earnings ever on Friday, built on strong fuel margins and high prices for natural gas and oil, and boosted its share buyback target.

The oil major posted second-quarter net profit of $11.6 billion, or $5.95 per diluted share, more than triple the $3.1 billion, or $1.60 per share, in the same period last year.

Chevron's ramped-up share buyback plan follows those of other oil majors, including European giants TotalEnergies and Shell, which this week increased buybacks to satisfy investors looking for bigger returns.

"We think we can do it all," Chevron's Chief Financial Officer Pierre Breber told Reuters. "Grow the dividend to investors, grow traditional and new energy, pay down debt, and buy back shares."

Energy demand rebounded sharply in the last 12 months, but high prices for both fuel and natural gas are hitting consumers worldwide. Global economic figures show several economies are starting to slow, with potential for demand destruction.

Chevron's average U.S. sales price for a barrel of crude oil and natural gas liquids was $89 in the quarter, up from $54 a year earlier. The international sales price for crude was $102 per barrel, up from $62 a year earlier. Still, consumers are paying the price after two years of pandemic, Chevron said.

"I think demand will be much more recession resilient going forward," Breber told analysts during a webcast. "I think people are wanting to get out and see people in places".

The results from Chevron and U.S. rivals are likely to draw fire from the White House and other politicians who say oil companies are gouging consumers with high fuel prices as they rake in record profits.

Fuel prices have risen sharply due to a combination of pandemic closures, sanctions on Russia and export quotas in China that have reduced refining capacity.

Chevron increased the top end of its annual share repurchase guidance range to $15 billion from $10 billion, matching the levels set by its U.S. rival Exxon.

Analysts from large financial firms were not expecting an expansion of the buyback program this soon after Chevron raised its guidance in May to the top end of its $5 billion-$10 billion range.

"The increased buyback pace to $15 billion from $10 billion is a positive surprise, while the balance sheet continues to strengthen," said Phillip Jungwirth, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets.

The company has also been using its earnings to cut its debt ratio, which currently stands under 15%, below the company's guidance. The company is not done deleveraging, though. "Over time, if we got to zero net debt, for example, that's okay. Because over time it will rebalance," Breber said.

Shares rose more than 8% in afternoon trading to $162.

Chevron has been increasing investments and expanding production in the United States, while its global output falls following expiration of concessions in Thailand and in Indonesia.

"We more than doubled investment compared to last year to grow both traditional and new energy business lines," Chief Executive Michael Wirth said in a statement.

(Reporting by Sabrina Valle; editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Jason Neely and Marguerita Choy)