NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped in quiet trading on Wall Street Monday to kick off another holiday-shortened week. The losses have little impact on the broader annual gains for major indexes as they close out their final days of the year. There are two trading days left before the year ends. Markets in the U.S. will be closed Thursday for New Year’s Day. The S&P 500 fell 24.20 points, or 0.3%, to 6,905.74. The benchmark index is still up more than 17% for the year and it remains on track for its eighth m ...

Oil is closing 2025 as one of the negative-performing assets. Despite starting the year with a rally, oil's movement soon became typical bear-market dynamics. Consistent price decline interrupted by volatile, sharp double-digit rallies.Still, even in that environment, oil majors saw significant performance discrepancies. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) lost 8.3% year-to-date, while Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) squeezed a double-digit gain of over 11%.Going into 2026, oil has become one of the most consensus-bearish ass ...

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Core Viewpoint - Exxon Mobil has consistently raised its dividend for 43 consecutive years, indicating a strong commitment to returning value to shareholders. The dividend payout appears secure even if crude oil prices decline to $40 per barrel [1] Group 1 - Exxon Mobil's dividend history reflects a robust financial strategy, showcasing resilience in varying market conditions [1] - The company's ability to maintain dividend payments at lower crude prices suggests strong cash flow management and operational efficiency [1] - Investors may view Exxon Mobil as a stable investment option due to its long-standing dividend track record [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the emergence of Guangdong as a global launchpad for innovative technologies and products, driven by the "premiere economy" that transforms exhibition traffic into tangible orders, thereby enhancing the region's influence in the global market [1][2]. Group 1: Premiere Economy - The premiere economy is characterized by the rapid launch of new technologies and products at global exhibitions, such as the AIE, which has led to significant sales in markets like the US, Canada, and the UK [1]. - Guangdong's "14th Five-Year Plan" emphasizes the development of the premiere economy, focusing on cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen to enhance product visibility and brand reputation [1]. - The premiere platforms in Guangdong are not limited to offline sales but aim to create comprehensive environments for technology display, interactive experiences, and feedback collection [1]. Group 2: Technological Innovation - Guangdong is transitioning from a "manufacturing base" to a "premiere highland" for global technological innovation, showcasing numerous world-first technologies, including the first operational certificate for unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced robotics [4]. - The region has seen significant technological breakthroughs, such as the world's first humanoid robot capable of performing complex movements and the introduction of innovative products like the MAXHUB X7 quadruped robot [4][10]. - The dynamic cycle of "technological breakthroughs—premiere validation—innovation feedback" is effectively shortening the distance between technology and market [7]. Group 3: Global Market Positioning - Guangdong's strategic location, backed by Hong Kong and Macau, positions it as a gateway for international brands entering China and for Chinese manufacturing to reach global markets [2][9]. - The region's robust manufacturing ecosystem and flexible supply chain facilitate rapid transformation of technological achievements into market-ready products [2][10]. - The premiere economy allows Guangdong to redefine its ecological position in the global industrial landscape, attracting quality buyers and overseas investment [9][12]. Group 4: Industry Development - The integration of various industries in Guangdong, supported by favorable policies and a strong innovation ecosystem, is driving the transformation of traditional manufacturing into high-tech production [11]. - Companies like ExxonMobil and TCL are establishing new production lines in Guangdong, contributing to the region's economic dynamism and enhancing the product structure for a "second wave" of globalization [11]. - The collaboration between Macau and the Greater Bay Area is fostering a unique environment for cross-border technological trials and innovation, enhancing the region's attractiveness to international tech firms [11].

Group 1 - Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is raising its earnings growth forecast to $25 billion and cash flow growth to $35 billion for the 2024-2030 period, reflecting a $5 billion increase from its previous plan [2] - The company aims to increase total upstream production to 5.5 million oil-equivalent barrels per day (boepd) by 2030, up from a previous forecast of 5.4 million boepd, expecting earnings from the upstream business to grow by over $14 billion through the end of the decade [3] - Exxon Mobil has increased its cumulative structural cost savings plan by $2 billion, targeting $20 billion in reductions by 2030 compared to 2019, and anticipates generating approximately $145 billion in cumulative surplus cash flow over the next five years at $65 real Brent [4] Group 2 - The company plans to repurchase $20 billion of its shares this year and intends to maintain this pace through 2026, reinforcing its position as the second-largest dividend payer in the S&P 500 [4]

Core Insights - The comparison between Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) and Par Pacific Holdings Inc (PARR) highlights their differing business models, with Par Pacific potentially outperforming ExxonMobil in a low oil price environment expected in 2026 [1][8]. Oil Price Outlook - The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that the average spot price of West Texas Intermediate crude will decline from $76.60 per barrel last year to $65.32 per barrel this year, and further down to $51.42 per barrel in 2026 [4]. - Low oil prices are advantageous for the refining industry, as they allow companies to process cheaper raw crude into final products like gasoline and diesel, which is expected to benefit refining operations in 2026 [5]. Company Performance - Over the past year, Par Pacific's stock price increased by 119.3%, significantly outperforming ExxonMobil's 16.1% gain [2][8]. - Par Pacific's diverse crude sourcing, including cheaper Canadian heavy oil, enhances its cost flexibility and competitive edge in refining [8][15]. ExxonMobil's Strengths - ExxonMobil maintains a strong presence in the Permian Basin and offshore Guyana, utilizing advanced technologies to improve well recoveries by up to 20% [9]. - The company has a solid production outlook due to significant discoveries in Guyana, with low breakeven costs aiding its operations even in a low crude price environment [10][11]. Valuation and Investment Considerations - Currently, ExxonMobil trades at a higher valuation multiple (7.74x EV/EBITDA) compared to the industry average (4.46x), reflecting investor preference for its diversified business model [16]. - Investors willing to take on more risk may find Par Pacific appealing due to its different risk-reward profile, despite being smaller than ExxonMobil [18].

Core Viewpoint - Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is significantly increasing its upstream production from its advantageous assets, particularly in the Permian and Guyana regions, despite a challenging pricing environment [2][4]. Upstream Production and Assets - ExxonMobil remains the main operator of the Guyana oilfield with a 45% stake, even after Chevron's acquisition of Hess, which gives Chevron a 30% stake in the Stabroek Block [2]. - The company is achieving record oil and gas production from its high-return assets, characterized by low breakeven costs, which allows it to maintain profitability even when the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) price is below $60 per barrel [3][4]. Financial Performance and Resilience - The integrated business model of ExxonMobil helps shield it from earnings volatility, and the focus on structural cost savings is expected to enhance earnings resilience amid volatile pricing environments [4]. - ExxonMobil maintains a strong balance sheet comparable to its peers, enabling it to navigate market cycles effectively [4]. Market Performance - Over the past six months, ExxonMobil's shares have increased by 10.6%, outperforming the industry composite stocks, which rose by 9.2% [8]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ExxonMobil's 2025 earnings has remained unchanged over the past week, indicating stability in earnings expectations [10]. Valuation Metrics - ExxonMobil trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 7.75X, which is above the broader industry average of 4.83X, suggesting a premium valuation compared to its peers [12].

Core Viewpoint - Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended the deadline for ExxonMobil's sale of its stake in the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project until January 1, 2027, indicating a prolonged involvement of the company in the Russian energy sector [1] Group 1 - The extension of the deadline allows ExxonMobil more time to navigate the complexities of divesting its stake in the Sakhalin-1 project [1] - This decision reflects the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the impact on foreign investments in Russia's energy sector [1] - The Sakhalin-1 project is a significant oil and gas venture, and ExxonMobil's stake is crucial for its operations and future developments [1]

Exxon Mobil Corporation - ExxonMobil updated its corporate plan through 2030, raising its outlook for earnings and cash flow growth by $5 billion each compared to its previous forecast [2] - The company now expects to deliver $25 billion in earnings growth and $35 billion in cash flow growth by 2030, relative to 2024 levels, while maintaining flat capital spending [2] - Exxon Mobil shares rose 1.1% to close at $119.42 on Tuesday [5] NVIDIA Corporation - NVIDIA expects to begin shipping its second-most powerful AI chip, H200, to China in mid-February, fulfilling initial orders with existing chips [4] - Initial shipments are expected to include 5,000 to 10,000 chip modules, representing around 40,000 to 80,000 H200 chips [4] - NVIDIA shares climbed 3% to close at $189.21 during the session [5] iShares MSCI India ETF - The iShares MSCI India ETF rose 0.5% during the session [5]