Is Exxon Mobil Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for January 2026?

Core Viewpoint - Renewed investor interest in oil stocks, particularly Exxon Mobil, following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which may lead to U.S. oil companies participating in the reconstruction of Venezuela's energy infrastructure [1][4] Company Overview - Exxon Mobil is one of the largest integrated energy companies globally, involved in exploration, production, refining, and distribution of oil, natural gas, and petrochemicals, with a market capitalization of $499 billion [3] Stock Performance - Exxon Mobil's stock has seen significant movement, reaching a 52-week high of $125.93 on January 5, 2026, and delivering a 15% return over the past year, influenced by geopolitical events and market dynamics [5] Industry Dynamics - Venezuela, despite having the world's largest proven oil reserves of over 300 billion barrels, currently produces less than 1% of global output due to decades of mismanagement, underinvestment, and U.S. sanctions, leading to severely degraded infrastructure [6]