Exxon Mobil Announced Almost Record Profit

Oil giant Exxon Mobil has posted the second-largest quarterly profit registered by the company.

Exxon announced $10.4bn of profit in the second quarter of 2006, 36% up from the same period last year.

Exxon, which is the world's biggest oil company, said its quarterly revenues rose by 12% to $99bn.

Global oil prices remain near record highs due to ongoing concern about the security situation in the Middle East.