BP ‘a cash machine’ at these sort of oil prices, says CEO ... Pity the cash won’t go to reducing emissions

More share buybacks are on the agenda with a higher dividend also possible, but some big investors are starting to wake up to the fact there will be a high price to be paid if BP doesn’t clean up its act, writes James Moore

BP reported underlying profit of $3.3bn for its third quarter (AP)

Looking at BP’s results, I do find myself wondering if anyone in the investor relations department thought to raise the question of whether it was really politic for the oil mega-major to be issuing its results smack in the middle of the UN’s Cop26 climate conference.

Yes, yes, there are rules on when you have to report, and there are deadlines, and there are the endemic complexities of putting together a compliant and accurate statement concerning the financial performance of a global company that turns over as much as a small country. All these things have an impact on the reporting calendars of big businesses.

But if there was ever a time to hold a discussion about tweaking the BP calendar... This was before boss Bernard Looney opened his mouth and put his foot right in the middle of it.