ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) Shares Down 3.1% After Analyst Downgrade

Shares of ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) dropped 3.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday after Zacks Research downgraded the stock from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating. The company traded as low as $149.47 and last traded at $150.18. Approximately 13,008,466 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 38% from the average daily volume of 21,082,689 shares. The stock had previously closed at $154.92.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Weiss Ratings cut ExxonMobil from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on ExxonMobil from $186.00 to $182.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of ExxonMobil from $183.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of ExxonMobil from an “outperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of ExxonMobil from $128.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $165.55.

Insider Transactions at ExxonMobil

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 1,080 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.50, for a total value of $167,940.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 17,124 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,662,782. This trade represents a 5.93% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting ExxonMobil

Here are the key news stories impacting ExxonMobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Exxon’s own executive said global oil inventories could fall to “really, really low levels” within weeks because of Middle East conflict, a setup that could push oil prices higher and improve cash flow for integrated producers like ExxonMobil. Exxon warns oil inventories will hit dangerously low levels in weeks, forcing prices to shoot higher
• Positive Sentiment: Mizuho raised its 2026 and 2027 oil price outlooks and increased its price target on ExxonMobil, reflecting expectations that stronger crude prices could support XOM’s earnings and valuation. Mizuho Increases 2026 and 2027 Oil Price Outlooks, Lifts Exxon Mobil (XOM) Target
• Positive Sentiment: Several recent pieces argue ExxonMobil could outperform the S&P 500 in 2026, citing resilient energy pricing and the stock’s strong run this year, which may help keep investor sentiment constructive. Prediction: ExxonMobil Will Outperform the S&P 500 in 2026
• Positive Sentiment: ExxonMobil won shareholder approval to move its corporate domicile to Texas, a governance win that could reduce legal risk and improve flexibility versus its previous New Jersey base. Exxon wins shareholder backing for legal move to Texas
• Positive Sentiment: Exxon is advancing the Haimara project in Guyana, its ninth major development in the Stabroek block, reinforcing long-term production growth prospects. Exxon Mobil’s Haimara Project In Guyana And What It Means For XOM
• Neutral Sentiment: Exxon is also exploring a return to Venezuela and considering safeguards around that move; this could expand output over time, but regulatory and political hurdles remain. Inside Exxon’s Dilemma Over Returning to Venezuela
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research downgraded ExxonMobil from “strong-buy” to “hold,” which may have pressured sentiment despite the broader bullish oil backdrop. ExxonMobil was downgraded by Zacks Research from strong-buy to hold
• Negative Sentiment: Reuters also reported that tensions around possible Iran-U.S. peace progress have already weighed on crude prices at times, showing how quickly the war premium supporting oil stocks can fade if geopolitics improve. Seadrill, Kosmos Energy, and Tidewater Stocks Trade Down, What You Need To Know

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ExxonMobil

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Portus Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in ExxonMobil in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Berbice Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in ExxonMobil during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in ExxonMobil during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. lifted its position in ExxonMobil by 456.1% during the fourth quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 228 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlantic Private Wealth LLC lifted its position in ExxonMobil by 776.9% during the first quarter. Atlantic Private Wealth LLC now owns 228 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. 61.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ExxonMobil Price Performance

The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $155.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $140.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $610.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.85, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 0.19.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 1st. The oil and gas company reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $83.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $81.13 billion. ExxonMobil had a net margin of 7.57% and a return on equity of 10.24%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.76 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that ExxonMobil Corporation will post 11.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ExxonMobil Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be given a dividend of $1.03 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. ExxonMobil’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 69.48%.

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) is an integrated oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, production, refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products and the manufacture and sale of petrochemicals. Its operations span the full energy value chain, including upstream exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas; midstream transportation and storage; and downstream refining, product distribution and retail. The company also produces a broad range of chemical products for industrial and consumer applications.

ExxonMobil markets fuels and lubricants under well-known brands such as Exxon, Mobil and Esso, and its Mobil 1 motor oil is a prominent consumer product.