Core Viewpoint - Clariant rejects allegations from BP and Exxon Mobil regarding violations of European Union competition law related to its ethylene purchases [4] Group 1 - Clariant is a Swiss specialty chemicals maker [4] - The company asserts that its actions are compliant with competition laws [4]

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Friday to hear ExxonMobil's bid to obtain compensation from Cuban state-owned firms for oil and gas assets seized in 1960 under a federal law that lets Americans sue f... ...

Group 1 - Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM) is currently a focus for Wall Street analysts, with positive sentiments expressed by Jim Lebenthal from Cerity Partners, highlighting a "stealth trade" in energy [1] - ClearBridge Dividend Strategy has significantly increased its position in Exxon Mobil, citing commodity weakness as a compelling investment opportunity, and emphasizing the company's ability to lower costs and emissions while increasing production [1] - Exxon Mobil is positioned to deliver double-digit returns even without improvements in oil prices, and could provide a strong hedge in a stagflation scenario, outperforming many other stocks [1]

Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM ) is about to report its quarterly earnings on Oct 6th. I recently added a very small number of XOM shares to my long-term portfolio. Because when I see a company with good fundamentals and it is consolidating inI’m Laura Bennett, the writer behind Sophos Research. I started my career as a software engineer at Amazon, where I spent over five years working on large-scale distributed systems and backend architecture. My background is deeply technical, and over the years, my writing on s ...

Group 1 - Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) is set to report its quarterly earnings on October 6th [1] - A small number of XOM shares have been added to a long-term portfolio due to the company's strong fundamentals and current consolidation [1] Group 2 - The writer has a background in software engineering and has developed an interest in financial markets, particularly in the intersection of software, infrastructure, and capital allocation [1] - The current role involves working at a tech firm that builds algorithmic trading platforms and low-latency infrastructure for institutional clients and hedge funds, providing insights into market functions [1]

Core Viewpoint - ExxonMobil's CEO has criticized the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) as detrimental to global business operations in Europe, highlighting its potential to deter multinational companies from engaging in the European market [1][4]. Group 1: Legislative Impact - The CSDDD mandates multinational firms to align their supply chains with the Paris Agreement and implement legally binding climate transition plans, with penalties for non-compliance reaching at least 5% of global revenue [2]. - The CEO described the potential fines as "bone-crushing," indicating that the directive would affect not only European companies but also foreign suppliers selling into the EU market [2]. Group 2: Trade Relations - The legislation could complicate U.S.-EU trade relations, especially as the EU has committed to $750 billion in energy imports from the U.S., with major U.S. suppliers potentially facing significant liabilities under the CSDDD [3]. - The directive highlights the tension between the EU's climate accountability goals and industry concerns regarding cost competitiveness and trade frictions [5]. Group 3: Industry Concerns - ExxonMobil views the CSDDD as indicative of broader regulatory overreach, warning that excessive compliance burdens could lead to deindustrialization and prompt companies to exit European markets [4]. - The ongoing debate around the CSDDD reflects the critical balance between energy security and regulatory frameworks that impact global operators [5].

Group 1 - Recent international oil price decline has led to multiple major energy companies initiating layoffs [1][7] - ExxonMobil announced a global reduction of over 2,000 jobs, representing approximately 3% to 4% of its total workforce [3] - The layoffs primarily affect Europe and Canada, with 1,200 positions cut in the EU and Norway by the end of 2027 [3] Group 2 - Canadian Imperial Oil, in which ExxonMobil holds a 70% stake, will reduce 900 jobs, accounting for 20% of its workforce, saving approximately 150 million CAD (around 760 million RMB) annually [3] - ExxonMobil has undergone significant restructuring since 2019, with a projected workforce of 61,000 by the end of 2024, nearly a 20% reduction since 2019 [5] - Other companies in the industry, such as Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and BP, have also announced plans to lay off thousands of employees [7]

Core Viewpoint - The recent increase in crude oil prices has been short-lived, falling back towards $60 a barrel, which is below the peak profitability threshold. Chevron and Exxon Mobil are positioned to capitalize on this situation, making them worthy of comparison as potential investments [1][2]. Company Overview - Chevron and Exxon control over 20% of the global oil and gas integrated operations market, with Exxon having a market cap of over $477 billion and Chevron at $267 billion [2]. - Both companies have optimized their operations to remain profitable despite suppressed crude prices [2]. Operational Excellence - Chevron and Exxon excel in upstream oil production and refining, focusing on high-return projects while maintaining disciplined capital spending. Exxon has over $15 billion in cash and equivalents, with total assets of $447.59 billion against total liabilities of $177.63 billion [4]. - Chevron has a cash pile of $4 billion, total assets of $250.82 billion, and total liabilities of $103.56 billion [6]. Sector Challenges - Despite strong balance sheets, both companies face sector headwinds, including layoffs and reduced hiring due to falling oil prices and rising input costs [7]. - Chevron plans to reduce its workforce by 20% by 2026, while Exxon is cutting 2,000 positions as part of a restructuring. Exxon's Q2 profit dipped to $1.64 per share, a four-year low, while Chevron's Q2 EPS fell to $1.77 from $2.55 in the same quarter last year [8]. Performance & Valuation - Year-to-date, Chevron's stock is up 6%, slightly ahead of Exxon's 4% and the Zacks Oil and Gas-Integrated-International Market's 5%. Both companies have trailed the broader market's YTD return of 15% [9]. - Over the last five years, Exxon stock has gained 230%, while Chevron shares are up over 100%, trailing the Oil and Gas-Integrated-International Market's 140% but outperforming the S&P 500 [10]. - Chevron and Exxon trade at forward earnings multiples of 20X and 16X, respectively, which are premiums to the industry average of 10.6X but offer discounts to the S&P 500 [11]. Dividend Comparison - Chevron offers a 4.43% annual yield, roughly on par with the industry average, while Exxon's yield is 3.54%. Both yields significantly exceed the S&P 500's average of 1.09% [16]. Conclusion - Both Chevron and Exxon currently hold a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold). Given the prolonged suppression in crude prices, there may be better entry points for investment. Long-term investors may prefer Exxon for its industry-leading returns, while those seeking higher income may favor Chevron [18].

Core Insights - The world's largest oil and gas companies are increasing layoffs in 2024 to achieve cost reductions and improve efficiency due to industry consolidation, declining oil prices, and technological advancements [1][4]. Industry Overview - Following the peak oil prices of $100 per barrel in 2022, the industry experienced significant profits, but earnings have normalized and decreased in 2024 and 2025, leading firms to pursue additional cost savings as oil prices hover in the $60s per barrel [2]. - The substantial profits of 2022 triggered a wave of consolidation, particularly in the U.S., with major companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron engaging in multi-billion-dollar acquisitions to enhance their presence in shale and exploration sectors [3]. Layoff Trends - The ongoing mergers and lower oil prices are resulting in widespread layoffs, with a reduction in office-based employees and contractors as companies aim to save billions and streamline operations [4]. - ExxonMobil announced a reduction of 2,000 jobs globally, with significant cuts in its Canadian operations, and has already eliminated around 400 jobs in Texas following its acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources [6]. Technological Impact - Advancements in technology, including robotics and AI, are contributing to job eliminations, a trend expected to persist in the future [5]. Company-Specific Actions - Imperial Oil, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 20% by the end of 2027 as part of a restructuring effort aimed at enhancing operational focus and collaboration [7]. - ExxonMobil is realigning its global operations to better support collaboration and efficiency, reflecting a shift in its operational model [8].

Core Insights - The article discusses the potential attractiveness of dividend-paying stocks as the Federal Reserve moves toward rate cuts, highlighting the importance of selecting high-quality businesses that generate income [2][3]. Investment Strategy - The Franklin Templeton Equity Income Fund (FISEX) targets high-quality businesses that consistently invest, innovate, and expand, aiming for stronger and more resilient business models [2]. - Morgan Stanley emphasizes that dividends can stabilize portfolios during uncertain times, suggesting that reliable dividends become more appealing in a slower growth environment with falling interest rates [3]. Stock Selection Methodology - The article outlines a methodology for selecting dividend stocks, focusing on those with a forward P/E ratio under 16 and a reliable history of consistent dividend payments [6]. Featured Companies - **Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)**: - Forward P/E as of October 2 is 15.82. The company utilizes AI and machine learning to enhance operational efficiency and has increased its dividend for 42 consecutive years, offering a quarterly dividend of $0.99 per share with a yield of 3.51% [8][12]. - **JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)**: - Forward P/E as of October 2 is 15.62. The bank announced a 7.1% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.50 per share, with a dividend yield of 1.95% [13]. The company has a strong presence in both consumer and investment banking and is actively investing in fintech [14]. - **Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM)**: - Forward P/E as of October 2 is 13.12. The company is a leading provider of agricultural processing and has paid dividends for 93 consecutive years, currently offering a quarterly dividend of $0.51 per share with a yield of 3.44% [15][16]. Despite recent profit pressures, its size and vertical integration provide a competitive advantage in a growing market for food and biofuels [17][18].