Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) Trading Up 3.9% on Analyst Upgrade

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)’s stock price was up 3.9% during mid-day trading on Tuesday after Zacks Research upgraded the stock from a strong sell rating to a hold rating. The company traded as high as $145.01 and last traded at $143.8190. Approximately 37,445,983 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 76% from the average daily volume of 21,335,500 shares. The stock had previously closed at $138.40.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $146.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $171.00 price target on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on Exxon Mobil from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Exxon Mobil presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $140.59.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.75, for a total value of $698,750.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 23,584 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,295,864. This trade represents a 17.49% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 11,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,406,570. Company insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Exxon Mobil

Here are the key news stories impacting Exxon Mobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Evercore ISI reaffirmed its buy view on Exxon, reinforcing buy-side support and helping momentum into the trade. Evercore ISI Keeps Their Buy Rating on Exxon Mobil (XOM)
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlight Exxon’s record output and large buybacks as potential re-rating catalysts — the “bull case” story that could increase returns and justify higher multiples. The Bull Case For Exxon Mobil (XOM) Could Change Following Record Output And Massive Buybacks – Learn Why
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its price target to $145 and kept a buy rating, adding another constructive analyst signal supporting further upside. TD Cowen Raise
• Positive Sentiment: Market commentary (CNBC’s “Final Trades”) and intraday flows showed buying interest — the stock rallied in recent sessions as investors leaned into the execution narrative. Exxon Mobil on CNBC’s ‘Final Trades’
• Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo trimmed its target slightly to $156 but kept an overweight rating — a modest tweak that is not a directional change to their thesis. Wells Fargo Lowers Price Target
• Neutral Sentiment: Exxon agreed a settlement related to an arbitration with Sintana Energy (reported as a ~$9m resolution) — likely immaterial to Exxon’s overall cash flow but removes a legal overhang. Sintana Energy Settlement
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage pieces (Zacks, Seeking Alpha, Morningstar) are flagging XOM as a value/dividend play amid oil weakness, which drives trading interest but is not an immediate catalyst. Zacks Trending Stock
• Negative Sentiment: BNP Paribas Exane downgraded XOM to “underperform” with a $125 target — a more bearish call that could cap upside if other shops follow. BNP Paribas Downgrade
• Negative Sentiment: Insider sale: VP Darrin Talley sold 5,000 shares (SEC Form 4 filing) — a small-management liquidity event some investors may view as mildly negative. Insider Sale Filing

Institutional Trading of Exxon Mobil

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Exxon Mobil during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Key Capital Management INC purchased a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Westfuller Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Exxon Mobil during the third quarter worth about $30,000. Nvest Wealth Strategies Inc. purchased a new stake in Exxon Mobil during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, DecisionPoint Financial LLC raised its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 968.0% in the 4th quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC now owns 267 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 242 shares during the last quarter. 61.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Exxon Mobil Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $622.37 billion, a PE ratio of 22.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 15.25 and a beta of 0.39. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $124.49 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $116.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.15.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.63 by $0.08. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 11.21% and a net margin of 8.68%.The business had revenue of $82.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $77.98 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.67 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 EPS for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 12th. Exxon Mobil’s payout ratio is currently 61.58%.

Exxon Mobil Company Profile

Exxon Mobil 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.