BP Reinstates Dividend but Problems Linger
BP has benefited from high oil prices and announced it would reinstate its dividend. However, while its fourth-quarter profit was up from a year earlier, the oil giant reported a full-year loss.
BP has benefited from high oil prices and announced it would reinstate its dividend. However, while its fourth-quarter profit was up from a year earlier, the oil giant reported a full-year loss.
BP's stock plunged 9.7%, or $3.29, to close at $30.68 Monday on the New York Stock Exchange amid pressure to suspend its dividend in wake of the growing Gulf oil spill.
BP stock plunged more than 8% at one point in mid-morning trading, making it among the biggest losers listed on the New York Stock Exchange Monday. The drop in BP's stock erased another $8 billion in market capitalization.
BP stock plunged 4.3%, or $1.45, to $32.52 at Monday's market open. U.S. listed shares in BP have fallen 46% since April because of the Gulf oil spill.
A BP bankruptcy looks unlikely despite the beating the energy giant's stock and bonds have taken over the Gulf oil spill, as the cash the company generates is more than adequate to cover costs related to the disaster.
