Thinking About Buying Dividend Stocks During the 2025 Nasdaq Bear Market? Consider These Risks First.

Group 1: Dividend Reliability - ExxonMobil has raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years, demonstrating resilience despite economic downturns in the oil and gas industry [3][4] - The company maintained its dividend during the 2020 economic collapse, relying on a strong balance sheet [4] Group 2: Financial Health - ExxonMobil's net total long-term debt is $14.7 billion, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08 and a debt-to-capital ratio of 12.5%, indicating reduced dependence on debt [5][6] - The company has the lowest debt-to-capital ratio among major integrated U.S. and European oil and gas companies [6] Group 3: Cost Structure and Future Outlook - ExxonMobil has improved its cost structure and technological advancements, allowing it to support dividends even if oil and gas prices decline [7] - The company has a long-term plan through 2030, expecting a cash surplus of$ 110 billion even at a pessimistic Brent crude price of $55 per barrel [8][9] Group 4: Competitive Advantages - ExxonMobil's diversified oil and gas production portfolio and significant refining business position it well to navigate market slowdowns [11] - The company is not reliant on a single geographic region, allowing it to capture market share during downturns [11][12] Group 5: Dividend Yield - ExxonMobil offers a dividend yield of 4%, providing a reliable source of passive income for investors [14]