BP profits soar to nearly €8.7bn

BP unveiled record first-half profits of $10.47bn (€8.7bn) today, as the UK energy giant continued to benefit from rising oil prices.

The figure, which is 29% higher than a year earlier, includes a surplus of $4.98bn (€4.1bn) for the second quarter – lower than the $5.49bn (€4.6bn) achieved in the first three months of the year.