In this articleAROCBIPBIPITwo drilling rigs are pictured in Midland, Texas, U.S., Oct. 8, 2024.Georgina Mccartney | ReutersMany pundits are expecting major indices to be volatile due to macro uncertainty. Moreover, on average, September has historically been the worst month for U.S. stocks.Investors seeking consistent income despite a volatile market can consider adding dividend-paying stocks to their portfolios. To this end, they can rely on the recommendations of top Wall Street analysts, who with their e ...

The market expects Vital Energy (VTLE) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2025. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates. Zacks Consensus Estimate The earnings report, which is expected to be released on August 6, might help the stock move higher if the ...

Core Viewpoint - ExxonMobil is facing potential challenges due to global economic uncertainty despite having achieved record production levels and strong profits in 2024 [1][4]. Group 1: Financial Performance - ExxonMobil's earnings per share decreased from $8.89 in 2023 to $7.84 in 2024, yet it remains one of the best years in a decade [4]. - Analysts predict a further decline in earnings to $7.50 per share in 2025 due to economic headwinds [5]. - The company maintains a strong financial position with a debt-to-capital ratio of 12.5% and an AA- credit rating [7]. Group 2: Dividend and Shareholder Value - ExxonMobil has consistently raised its dividends for 42 consecutive years, demonstrating resilience through various economic cycles [6]. - The current dividend yield stands at 3.3%, which is relatively high among S&P 500 stocks, indicating a potential buying opportunity for dividend investors [12]. - The company plans to spend $20 billion annually on share repurchases through 2026 to counteract share dilution from its acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources [8]. Group 3: Growth Strategy - ExxonMobil aims to increase its oil and gas production from 4.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2024 to 5.4 million barrels per day by 2030 [9]. - The acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources enhances its presence in the Permian Basin, which is crucial for its growth strategy [9]. - Management targets an annualized earnings growth rate of 10% through 2030, focusing on reducing upstream costs and breakeven prices [10].