ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) Shares Climb 1.8% – Here’s Why

ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)’s stock price shot up 1.8% on Monday. The company traded as high as $172.55 and last traded at $172.0170. Approximately 8,762,062 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 52% from the average session volume of 18,074,795 shares. The stock had previously closed at $168.94.

Key ExxonMobil News

Here are the key news stories impacting ExxonMobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst rating upgraded to Buy: Zacks raised ExxonMobil to Rank #2 (Buy), citing improving earnings prospects. The upgrade may support continued investor demand. Zacks ExxonMobil rating upgrade
• Positive Sentiment: Higher earnings forecasts: Erste Group Bank increased its FY2026 EPS estimate to $12.56 from $11.60 and its FY2027 estimate to $11.12 from $10.91. The FY2026 forecast is also above the current consensus estimate of $12.40. ExxonMobil earnings estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Oil-price leverage: Crude prices above $90 per barrel could materially strengthen ExxonMobil’s cash flow, particularly because of its relatively low-cost production in the Permian Basin and Guyana. ExxonMobil cash flow outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Integrated operations remain a strength: ExxonMobil’s 8.9% net margin exceeds Chevron’s 6.7%, while its chemicals business rebounded sharply to $1.13 billion in second-quarter earnings from $110 million in the first quarter. Its diversified model also supports dividend resilience during periods of weaker oil prices. Chevron versus ExxonMobil
• Neutral Sentiment: Strategic focus is evolving: Analysts note that management is emphasizing different assets and priorities than it did after acquiring Pioneer Natural Resources, raising questions about how investors should assess ExxonMobil’s future growth mix. ExxonMobil strategic outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Port Houston will recognize ExxonMobil for its longstanding partnership and role in the Houston Ship Channel, providing positive reputational exposure but little direct earnings impact. Port Houston Lone Star Award
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and earnings risks: At roughly 22 times earnings, XOM trades near the broader market multiple even though some forecasts expect earnings to decline after an unusually strong second quarter. Analysts also question whether the stock is already pricing in much of its recent performance. ExxonMobil valuation and earnings outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Guyana project uncertainty: Guyana may scale back LNG plans while ExxonMobil requires more gas for its wells, creating potential project-scope and execution risks. Guyana LNG plans

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on XOM shares. HSBC reissued a “hold” rating and set a $90.00 price objective on shares of ExxonMobil in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Freedom Capital raised ExxonMobil from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of ExxonMobil from $168.00 to $169.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 22nd. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on ExxonMobil from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on ExxonMobil from $168.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fourteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $164.78.

ExxonMobil Trading Up 1.8%

The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $162.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $154.31. The company has a market cap of $734.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.85.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The oil and gas company reported $3.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.56 by ($0.04). ExxonMobil had a net margin of 8.88% and a return on equity of 13.14%. The firm had revenue of $114.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.94 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.64 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that ExxonMobil Corporation will post 12.40 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ExxonMobil Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 10th. Investors of record on Monday, August 17th were paid a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 17th. ExxonMobil’s dividend payout ratio is currently 53.02%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ExxonMobil

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Avant Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Avant Capital LLC now owns 11,182 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $1,529,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the period. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC lifted its stake in ExxonMobil by 0.6% in the first quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 12,017 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $2,039,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Cardinal Strategic Wealth Guidance raised its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Cardinal Strategic Wealth Guidance now owns 3,720 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $631,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in ExxonMobil by 1.0% in the first quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 6,805 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $1,155,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Swisher Financial Concepts Inc. raised its position in shares of ExxonMobil by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Swisher Financial Concepts Inc. now owns 27,402 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $4,649,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. 61.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ExxonMobil Company Profile

Exxon Mobil Corporation, commonly known as ExxonMobil, is an integrated energy company engaged in the exploration, development, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas. The company also manufactures and markets fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and specialty products used in transportation, industrial and consumer applications.

ExxonMobil operates across the energy value chain through businesses that include upstream oil and natural gas production, refining and fuels marketing, chemical manufacturing, and lower-carbon solutions.