ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) Trading 1.1% Higher – Here’s What Happened

ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) shot up 1.1% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $168.64 and last traded at $166.56. 13,438,344 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 30% from the average session volume of 19,135,150 shares. The stock had previously closed at $164.77.

Trending Headlines about ExxonMobil

Here are the key news stories impacting ExxonMobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Brent crude approached $95 per barrel, while WTI remained above $80, as the expired U.S.-Iran ceasefire, Strait of Hormuz disruptions and lower Russian exports tightened supply. Higher oil prices are a direct tailwind for ExxonMobil’s upstream business, particularly its low-cost Permian and Guyana production. Are High Oil Prices a Tailwind for ExxonMobil’s Energy Business?
• Positive Sentiment: ExxonMobil’s Nigeria unit is deploying a deepwater rig intended to increase Usan field output by approximately 40,000 barrels per day. The project could support near-term production growth and leverage higher oil prices. ExxonMobil’s Nigeria unit sends deepwater rig to boost Usan field output
• Positive Sentiment: The company and its partners awarded more than $1.1 billion in contracts for Mozambique’s Rovuma LNG Phase 1, including pipeline work. The awards advance a major future LNG growth project, although they also represent significant capital spending. ExxonMobil Awards $1.1B Contracts for Mozambique LNG Project
• Positive Sentiment: New agreements with Targa Resources are expected to support ExxonMobil’s Permian production expansion through additional midstream capacity and infrastructure. The deal reinforces the company’s strategy of growing volumes while maintaining access to transportation and processing. Targa Resources: Reloading The Chamber For Growth With ExxonMobil Deal
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts continue to compare ExxonMobil with Chevron as both navigate a tight oil market. ExxonMobil’s scale, production growth and integrated operations are viewed favorably, but valuation and the sustainability of elevated oil prices remain important considerations. Chevron vs. Exxon Mobil: The Better Energy Stock for the Next 5 Years
• Negative Sentiment: ExxonMobil reportedly expects Kazakhstan’s giant Tengiz field to reach peak production within several years. A future production plateau could limit long-term volume growth, although it does not appear to be an immediate earnings issue. Exxon warns Kazakhstan’s top oilfield to hit peak production within years
• Negative Sentiment: With oil near multiyear highs, investors face greater downside risk if Middle East tensions ease or supply conditions normalize. Elevated crude prices could also prolong inflation and encourage tighter monetary policy, creating a broader risk for equities. Trump Threatens Iran with Economic D-Day

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on XOM. Piper Sandler started coverage on shares of ExxonMobil in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $158.00 price target on the stock. Bank of America cut shares of ExxonMobil from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and boosted their price target for the company from $154.00 to $158.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Freedom Capital upgraded ExxonMobil from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on ExxonMobil from $168.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price target on shares of ExxonMobil from $195.00 to $182.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 11th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $166.10.

ExxonMobil Stock Up 1.1%

The company’s 50 day moving average price is $147.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $151.10. The stock has a market cap of $690.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.44, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 0.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 31st. The oil and gas company reported $3.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.56 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $114.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $109.94 billion. ExxonMobil had a net margin of 8.88% and a return on equity of 13.14%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.64 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that ExxonMobil Corporation will post 11.86 earnings per share for the current year.

ExxonMobil Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 17th will be given a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 17th. ExxonMobil’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 53.02%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in ExxonMobil by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 75,152,366 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $9,043,836,000 after buying an additional 1,457,560 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in ExxonMobil during the 4th quarter valued at about $7,625,063,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil by 1.2% in the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 46,605,353 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $5,608,488,000 after buying an additional 531,362 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil by 1.0% in the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 44,026,019 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $4,963,934,000 after purchasing an additional 445,283 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of ExxonMobil by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 34,090,589 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $4,102,708,000 after acquiring an additional 293,446 shares during the period. 61.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.