London (CNN Business) 1. Aramco's first look: Saudi Aramco said Monday that its profit dropped 12% in the first half of its financial year to $46.9 billion due to weaker global oil prices.

The rare financial disclosure coincides with renewed interest in a potential initial public offering by Saudi Arabia's state oil producer, and bolsters its status as the world's most profitable company.

Apple AAPL , for comparison, generated profit of $31.5 billion in the first six months of its financial year.

Aramco has been more public about its finances recently as Saudi officials consider whether to list shares in the company in order to fund projects that could wean the economy off its addiction to oil.

An IPO that was planned for 2018 never materialized. A lack of transparency over the size of the country's energy reserves had caused skepticism about the potential sale and the value of Aramco.