Softer Oil & Gas Prices in Q2: Will XOM's Bottom Line Be Affected?

Core Insights - Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) anticipates a decline in earnings for Q2 2025 due to lower oil and natural gas prices, which is a significant concern given the company's reliance on exploration and production activities [1][3] Price Trends - The average spot prices for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude were $63.54, $62.17, and $68.17 per barrel for April, May, and June respectively, indicating a decline from Q1 prices which averaged $75.74, $71.53, and $68.24 per barrel [2] - Natural gas prices have also shown a similar downward trend, impacting the overall pricing environment for the energy sector [2] Earnings Impact - XOM forecasts that lower oil prices will reduce its upstream earnings by $800 million to $1.2 billion, while changes in gas prices could decrease upstream profit by $300 million to $700 million, leading to an expected earnings per share (EPS) of $1.47 for Q2, a decline of nearly 31% year over year [3][7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) is $2.13 per share for Q2, reflecting a 33% year-over-year decline, while ConocoPhillips (COP) is estimated at $1.44 per share, indicating a 27.3% decline [5] Stock Performance and Valuation - XOM shares have increased by 3.7% over the past year, contrasting with a slight decline of 0.6% in the broader industry [6] - XOM's current trailing 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio stands at 6.89X, which is above the industry average of 4.16X [8] Earnings Estimates Revision - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for XOM's earnings for 2025 has been revised upward in the past week, with current estimates for Q2 at $1.47, next quarter at $1.48, and the current year at $6.33 [10][11]