ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) Shares Down 3.1% on Analyst Downgrade

ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)’s share price dropped 3.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday after Zacks Research downgraded the stock from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating. The company traded as low as $149.47 and last traded at $150.18. Approximately 13,008,466 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 38% from the average daily volume of 21,082,689 shares. The stock had previously closed at $154.92.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $155.00 price objective on shares of ExxonMobil in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of ExxonMobil from $172.00 to $171.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 17th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of ExxonMobil from $150.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, April 2nd. Barclays increased their price target on shares of ExxonMobil from $163.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane set a $165.00 price target on shares of ExxonMobil and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, ExxonMobil presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $165.55.

Insider Activity

In other ExxonMobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 1,080 shares of ExxonMobil stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.50, for a total transaction of $167,940.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 17,124 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,662,782. The trade was a 5.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.03% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Key Stories Impacting ExxonMobil

Here are the key news stories impacting ExxonMobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Exxon’s own executive said global oil inventories could fall to “really, really low levels” within weeks because of Middle East conflict, a setup that could push oil prices higher and improve cash flow for integrated producers like ExxonMobil. Exxon warns oil inventories will hit dangerously low levels in weeks, forcing prices to shoot higher
• Positive Sentiment: Mizuho raised its 2026 and 2027 oil price outlooks and increased its price target on ExxonMobil, reflecting expectations that stronger crude prices could support XOM’s earnings and valuation. Mizuho Increases 2026 and 2027 Oil Price Outlooks, Lifts Exxon Mobil (XOM) Target
• Positive Sentiment: Several recent pieces argue ExxonMobil could outperform the S&P 500 in 2026, citing resilient energy pricing and the stock’s strong run this year, which may help keep investor sentiment constructive. Prediction: ExxonMobil Will Outperform the S&P 500 in 2026
• Positive Sentiment: ExxonMobil won shareholder approval to move its corporate domicile to Texas, a governance win that could reduce legal risk and improve flexibility versus its previous New Jersey base. Exxon wins shareholder backing for legal move to Texas
• Positive Sentiment: Exxon is advancing the Haimara project in Guyana, its ninth major development in the Stabroek block, reinforcing long-term production growth prospects. Exxon Mobil’s Haimara Project In Guyana And What It Means For XOM
• Neutral Sentiment: Exxon is also exploring a return to Venezuela and considering safeguards around that move; this could expand output over time, but regulatory and political hurdles remain. Inside Exxon’s Dilemma Over Returning to Venezuela
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research downgraded ExxonMobil from “strong-buy” to “hold,” which may have pressured sentiment despite the broader bullish oil backdrop. ExxonMobil was downgraded by Zacks Research from strong-buy to hold
• Negative Sentiment: Reuters also reported that tensions around possible Iran-U.S. peace progress have already weighed on crude prices at times, showing how quickly the war premium supporting oil stocks can fade if geopolitics improve. Seadrill, Kosmos Energy, and Tidewater Stocks Trade Down, What You Need To Know

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ExxonMobil

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Eagle Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil by 15.3% during the first quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC now owns 2,836 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $337,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new stake in ExxonMobil in the first quarter worth about $305,000. Sivia Capital Partners LLC raised its position in ExxonMobil by 1.9% in the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 11,237 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $1,211,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. United Bank raised its position in ExxonMobil by 2.8% in the second quarter. United Bank now owns 21,821 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $2,352,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Schnieders Capital Management LLC. raised its position in ExxonMobil by 17.4% in the second quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 36,710 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $3,957,000 after acquiring an additional 5,443 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.80% of the company’s stock.

ExxonMobil Trading Down 0.4%

The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $155.28 and its 200 day simple moving average is $140.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $610.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.85, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 0.19.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 1st. The oil and gas company reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $83.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $81.13 billion. ExxonMobil had a return on equity of 10.24% and a net margin of 7.57%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.76 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that ExxonMobil Corporation will post 11.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ExxonMobil Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be given a dividend of $1.03 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. ExxonMobil’s dividend payout ratio is presently 69.48%.

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) is an integrated oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, production, refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products and the manufacture and sale of petrochemicals. Its operations span the full energy value chain, including upstream exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas; midstream transportation and storage; and downstream refining, product distribution and retail. The company also produces a broad range of chemical products for industrial and consumer applications.

ExxonMobil markets fuels and lubricants under well-known brands such as Exxon, Mobil and Esso, and its Mobil 1 motor oil is a prominent consumer product.