ExxonMobil(US:XOM) Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2025-08-01 13:36Core Viewpoint - ExxonMobil is actively seeking to acquire smaller industry peers, focusing on strategic integration to create value rather than merely expanding scale [1][2] Group 1: Acquisition Strategy - CEO Darren Woods emphasized that future acquisitions will prioritize synergy in assets and expertise, aiming for a value creation effect of "one plus one greater than three" [1][2] - The company’s previous acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources for $60 billion serves as a validation of this strategy [1] - Woods highlighted that any merger must create added value beyond what individual companies could achieve independently, contrasting with the common "production consolidation" approach in the industry [2] Group 2: Market Context - Current oil price volatility is pressuring oil producers, with some companies forced to maintain high shareholder returns since record profits in 2022 [1] - Major energy firms like BP have become targets of market speculation regarding mergers due to pressure from activist investors [1] - The acquisition strategy reflects a new trend among traditional energy giants to enhance competitiveness through refined integration amid energy transition and market fluctuations [2] Group 3: Financial Performance - In Q2, ExxonMobil reported revenues of $81.5 billion and an adjusted net profit of $7.1 billion, equating to $1.64 per share [1] - The company paid $4.3 billion in dividends and maintained a $20 billion stock buyback plan, alleviating investor concerns about sustaining shareholder returns during periods of commodity price weakness [1]