Group 1 - Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) generates the majority of its earnings from upstream operations, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices [1][8] - The company has a strong balance sheet with a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 12.6%, indicating low exposure to debt capital [2][8] - This low debt exposure allows ExxonMobil to secure additional debt on favorable terms during uncertain times, enabling smooth operations and shareholder rewards [3] Group 2 - Other companies like Chevron Corporation (CVX) and EOG Resources Inc. (EOG) also maintain robust balance sheets, with debt-to-capitalization ratios of 16.7% and 12.7% respectively, allowing them to navigate unfavorable business environments [4] - XOM's shares have decreased by 5.7% over the past year, compared to a 0.5% decline in the industry [5] - The current valuation of XOM is reflected in its trailing 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 7.25X, which is above the industry average of 4.45X [7] - Earnings estimates for XOM for 2025 have been revised upward, indicating positive sentiment [10]

Core Viewpoint - Exxon Mobil has restarted its gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracking unit at the Beaumont, Texas refinery, which has a capacity of 612,000 barrels per day [1] Company Summary - The fluidic catalytic cracking unit at Exxon Mobil's Beaumont refinery was restarted on Thursday [1] - The refinery has a significant production capacity of 612,000 barrels per day, indicating its importance in the company's overall operations [1]

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM).And retail traders should know.We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with XOM, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.So how do we know what these investors just did? Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted ...

Core Viewpoint - ExxonMobil has announced a delay in the development of its proposed polyethylene (PE) project, the "Coastal Plains Project," due to current market conditions [1][2] Group 1: Project Details - The "Coastal Plains Project" was initially planned to include an ethane cracker with an annual ethylene production capacity of 2.2 million tons [1] - A downstream facility for metallocene linear low-density polyethylene (mLLDPE) was also planned, with a preliminary capacity range of 1.8 to 2.7 million tons per year [1] - The project is still in the preliminary planning stage, and ExxonMobil has not yet made a final investment decision (FID) [1] Group 2: Market Conditions - The delay is attributed to changes in the global market since the project application was submitted at the end of 2024, including increased tariffs by the U.S. on many regions, leading to lowered global GDP growth forecasts [2] - The ethylene and polyethylene markets are facing long-term overcapacity issues, with forecasts suggesting a recovery may not occur until 2028-2029 [2] - Dow Chemical has also paused its "Path2Zero polyethylene project" in Canada, which had already completed its final investment decision [2] Group 3: Future Plans - ExxonMobil is considering similar projects in various regions, including the Middle East, other parts of North America, China, India, and Indonesia [1] - The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian government in November 2023 to explore potential petrochemical projects in the region [1]

Core Viewpoint - Exxon Mobil Corporation is poised for a significant increase in third-quarter earnings for 2025, driven by higher oil prices and strong refining margins, despite a recent decline in stock performance [2][3][6] Group 1: Earnings Forecast - Exxon Mobil anticipates an increase in earnings by up to $300 million in the third quarter of 2025 due to favorable market conditions [2][6] - The Energy Products segment is expected to contribute significantly to earnings, with forecasts ranging between $300 million and $700 million [4] Group 2: Stock Performance - Scotiabank reaffirmed its "Outperform" rating for Exxon Mobil and raised its price target from $125 to $128, indicating confidence in the company's future performance [1][6] - Despite a 4% decline in stock price over the past year, the company's robust earnings forecast could signal a potential turnaround [3][6] - The current stock price is $113.98, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.04, or approximately -0.04% [3] Group 3: Market Position - Exxon Mobil's market capitalization stands at approximately $485.9 billion, highlighting its substantial presence in the energy sector [5] - The company had a trading volume of 3,463,938 shares on the NYSE, indicating active trading and investor interest [5]

Core Insights - Exxon Mobil Corporation has signed preliminary agreements for the exploration and development of the Majnoon oil field in Iraq, marking its re-entry into the country after a two-year absence [1][9] - Iraq, which currently produces nearly 4 million barrels of oil per day, aims to increase production to 6 million barrels per day by 2029 [1] Group 1: Details of the Majnoon Oil Field Deal - The Majnoon oil field, located approximately 37 miles from Basra, is estimated to hold 38 billion barrels of oil [2] - Exxon Mobil intends to sign heads of agreements with the Basra Oil Company and SOMO to develop the oilfield and enhance Iraq's export capacity, including profit-sharing on crude oil and refined products [2][9] - Discussions are ongoing regarding potential oil marketing projects in southern Iraq, with plans for SOMO to secure additional storage capacity in Singapore to improve access to Asian markets [3][9] Group 2: ExxonMobil's Past Involvement & Market Context - ExxonMobil was one of the first Western oil companies to enter Iraq in 2010, aiming to strengthen the energy sector post-Saddam Hussein [4] - The company previously exited exploration projects in Basra and Kurdistan due to weak returns and transferred its stake in the West Qurna 1 oilfield to PetroChina [5] - Iraq has recently signed agreements with other oil majors like Chevron and BP, offering more favorable investment terms to boost oil and gas production [6][7]

Core Insights - Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) anticipates a sequential increase in third-quarter 2025 earnings by up to $300 million, primarily driven by changes in oil prices and favorable refining margins [1][8] - The company expects its energy products business unit to generate earnings between $300 million and $700 million in the same quarter due to favorable industry refining trends [4][8] Oil & Natural Gas Price Impact - XOM projects a sequential earnings increase of $200 million in Q3 2025 due to natural gas price changes, with potential impacts ranging from a $200 million loss to a $200 million profit [2] - Average WTI spot prices for July, August, and September 2025 were $68.39, $64.86, and $63.96 per barrel, respectively, indicating a healthier pricing environment compared to the previous quarter [3] Production Outlook - ExxonMobil aims to increase its Permian production to 2.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by the end of the decade, up from approximately 1.6 million [5] - The company has made significant oil and gas discoveries in offshore Guyana, estimating recoverable reserves at 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent [6] Dividend and Stock Performance - XOM's current dividend yield is 3.47%, lower than the industry average of 4.4%, with competitors like BP and Chevron offering higher yields [7] - Over the past year, XOM's stock has declined by 4%, underperforming the industry's composite gain of 1% [8][12] Valuation Concerns - XOM is considered overvalued, trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 7.32X, which is higher than the industry average of 4.49X [14] - Compared to BP and Chevron, ExxonMobil's stock is currently priced at a premium [14] Future Outlook - The third-quarter 2025 results are expected to reflect a weaker oil pricing environment compared to the same period last year, with projected WTI prices declining in the coming years [10][11] - Despite a strong production outlook, the anticipated weakening of crude prices may negatively impact XOM's earnings [11]

Core Insights - ExxonMobil has reached a non-binding agreement with the Iraqi Government to assist in the development of the Majnoon oilfield and enhance oil exports [1][4] - Iraq aims to increase its oil output significantly, targeting more than six million barrels per day by 2029, up from the current production of around 4 million barrels per day [2] - The Majnoon oilfield is one of the largest globally, with an estimated 38 billion barrels of oil in place [3] Group 1: Agreement Details - The agreement with Exxon includes a profit-sharing arrangement for crude oil and refined products [3] - Plans are in place to enhance Iraq's oil export infrastructure in the southern region [3] - The agreement aims to secure storage capacity in the Asian market, potentially leveraging Exxon's facilities in Singapore [4] Group 2: Political and Market Context - The agreement reflects Iraqi officials' push to modernize the energy sector and improve relations with Washington [4] - Recent deals with other oil companies like Chevron, bp, and TotalEnergies indicate Iraq's strategy to offer more attractive terms to foreign investors [2] - The deals carry political weight, signaling Baghdad's intent to rebalance regional ties and deepen integration with Western markets [4] Group 3: Historical Context - Exxon previously entered Iraq after the 2003 US invasion but abandoned the West Qurna project due to unsatisfactory returns [4] - The company also attempted to develop fields in the Kurdistan region but withdrew due to poor exploration results [5] - Following its departure from the West Qurna 1 oilfield, Exxon transferred its stake and operatorship to PetroChina [5]

Group 1 - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce raised the target price for British Petroleum (BP.US) from $42 to $43 [1] - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce raised the target price for Chevron (CVX.US) from $160 to $165 [1] - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce raised the target price for ExxonMobil (XOM.US) from $125 to $128 [1]

ExxonMobil—the second largest oil and gas company by market cap and fourth largest by revenue—is engaged in a cost-cutting restructuring. However, the changes, including many layoffs, aren't keeping it from making a big bet in the Middle East. The company has inked an agreement to develop the supergiant oil field Majnoon in Iraq. The name is apt, given the field's size. In Arabic, Majnoon means crazy, mad, or insane—a perfect description for the estimated 38 billion barrels of oil it contains. Biggest oi ...