ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) Shares Down 1.3% After Analyst Downgrade

ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)’s stock price dropped 1.3% during trading on Wednesday after Zacks Research downgraded the stock from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating. The company traded as low as $145.75 and last traded at $147.8020. Approximately 16,121,665 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 23% from the average daily volume of 21,034,359 shares. The stock had previously closed at $149.81.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on XOM. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and set a $180.00 price objective on shares of ExxonMobil in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of ExxonMobil from $171.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of ExxonMobil from $163.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on ExxonMobil from $172.00 to $171.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their target price on ExxonMobil from $128.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $165.55.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,150 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total transaction of $339,313.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 18,204 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,872,955.28. This represents a 10.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.

ExxonMobil News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting ExxonMobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Exxon executives warned that oil inventories are nearing very low levels, which could push crude prices sharply higher if supply tightens further; that would be favorable for ExxonMobil’s upstream earnings. Exxon warns oil inventories will hit dangerously low levels in weeks, forcing prices to shoot higher
• Positive Sentiment: Mizuho raised its oil-price outlook and lifted its price target on ExxonMobil, reflecting expectations that geopolitical risk could keep energy prices elevated. Mizuho Increases 2026 and 2027 Oil Price Outlooks, Lifts Exxon Mobil (XOM) Target
• Positive Sentiment: Exxon shareholders approved the company’s move to Texas, a governance change that may improve flexibility and reduce legal friction over time. Exxon wins shareholder backing for legal move to Texas
• Positive Sentiment: Exxon is advancing its Haimara project in Guyana, adding to a long pipeline of production growth projects that support future output and cash flow. Exxon Mobil’s Haimara Project In Guyana And What It Means For XOM
• Neutral Sentiment: Exxon remains a heavily watched stock, with new analysis and conference coverage reinforcing investor interest but not adding a clear near-term catalyst. Here is What to Know Beyond Why Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is a Trending Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Articles highlighted Exxon’s strong balance sheet and low leverage, which should help it weather commodity swings and support dividends, but this is more of a long-term stability factor than a fresh catalyst. Why ExxonMobil’s Strong Balance Sheet Matters for Investors
• Negative Sentiment: Oil prices have also slipped on hopes for Iran-related de-escalation, which can pressure energy stocks by reducing the war premium built into crude. Oil Prices Slip Amid Trump Demands; Exxon Warns Of Nasty Surprise
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research downgraded ExxonMobil from strong-buy to hold, which may have added some pressure to the shares. ExxonMobil was downgraded by Zacks Research from strong-buy to hold

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in XOM. Henshaw Capital LLC boosted its holdings in ExxonMobil by 32.3% in the first quarter. Henshaw Capital LLC now owns 352,025 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $59,725,000 after acquiring an additional 86,025 shares during the last quarter. Allen Capital Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Allen Capital Group LLC now owns 25,622 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $4,347,000 after purchasing an additional 525 shares during the period. Security Financial Services INC. lifted its stake in shares of ExxonMobil by 7.2% in the 1st quarter. Security Financial Services INC. now owns 6,556 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $1,112,000 after purchasing an additional 442 shares in the last quarter. Serenity Investment Advisors acquired a new position in shares of ExxonMobil in the 1st quarter valued at about $223,000. Finally, Ruggaard & Associates LLC grew its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Ruggaard & Associates LLC now owns 5,774 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $980,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. 61.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ExxonMobil Stock Performance

The stock’s 50-day moving average is $155.28 and its 200-day moving average is $140.11. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The stock has a market cap of $602.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 0.19.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The oil and gas company reported $1.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.18. ExxonMobil had a net margin of 7.57% and a return on equity of 10.24%. The firm had revenue of $83.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $81.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.76 earnings per share. ExxonMobil’s revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that ExxonMobil Corporation will post 11.49 EPS for the current year.

ExxonMobil Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. ExxonMobil’s payout ratio is presently 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.