Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) Shares Up 2.7% After Analyst Upgrade

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)’s stock price was up 2.7% during trading on Wednesday after Zacks Research upgraded the stock from a strong sell rating to a hold rating. The company traded as high as $147.84 and last traded at $147.58. Approximately 29,171,931 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 35% from the average daily volume of 21,681,975 shares. The stock had previously closed at $143.73.

Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. BNP Paribas Exane downgraded Exxon Mobil from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $125.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $137.00 to $134.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $171.00 target price on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Exxon Mobil from $146.00 to $148.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $158.00 to $156.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $140.59.

Insider Transactions at Exxon Mobil

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 5,000 shares of Exxon Mobil stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.75, for a total value of $698,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 23,584 shares in the company, valued at $3,295,864. This trade represents a 17.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders sold a total of 11,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,406,570 in the last quarter. 0.03% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Exxon Mobil News Roundup

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Exxon Mobil

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of XOM. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System boosted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 2.6% during the third quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 215,892 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $24,342,000 after buying an additional 5,573 shares during the last quarter. Linscomb Wealth Inc. boosted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Linscomb Wealth Inc. now owns 389,769 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $42,017,000 after acquiring an additional 5,527 shares during the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 306,658 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $34,576,000 after acquiring an additional 9,831 shares during the last quarter. Capital Counsel LLC NY grew its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Counsel LLC NY now owns 49,687 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $5,356,000 after acquiring an additional 460 shares in the last quarter. Finally, OneAscent Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 116.7% in the second quarter. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,657 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $825,000 after purchasing an additional 4,123 shares during the last quarter. 61.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Exxon Mobil Price Performance

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

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

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 12th will be given a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. Exxon Mobil’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 61.58%.

About Exxon Mobil

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.