CERAWEEK: EXXON'S UPSTREAM LEADER REPORTS VENEZUELA TEAM ASSESSING UNDERGROUND RESOURCES
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 25 2026
0mins
Source: moomoo
Venezuela's Resource Evaluation: The government of Venezuela is currently assessing its natural resources, particularly in the context of the energy sector.
Focus on Ground Resources: The evaluation emphasizes the importance of resources located underground, which are crucial for the country's economic development.
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Analyst Views on XOM
Wall Street analysts forecast XOM stock price to fall
19 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 136.280
Low
114.00
Averages
132.17
High
158.00
Current: 136.280
Low
114.00
Averages
132.17
High
158.00
About XOM
Exxon Mobil Corporation is an energy provider and chemical manufacturer. The Company’s principal business involves exploration for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas; the manufacture, trade, transport and sale of crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemicals and a wide variety of specialty products; and pursuit of lower-emission and other new business opportunities, including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, lower-emission fuels, Proxxima systems, carbon materials, and lithium. Its Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. The Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments manufacture and sell petroleum products and petrochemicals. Energy Products segment includes fuels, aromatics, and catalysts and licensing. Chemical Products segment consists of olefins, polyolefins, and intermediates. Specialty Products segment includes finished lubricants, basestocks and waxes, synthetics, and elastomers and resins.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Market Sentiment: Investors are adopting a cautious stance towards the energy sector, particularly amid fluctuations in oil prices and supply chain issues, which are contributing to overall market pessimism and exacerbating downward pressure on energy stocks.
- Industry Impact Analysis: The decline in energy stocks may affect the financing capabilities and investor confidence of related companies, potentially negatively impacting their long-term growth prospects, especially in the context of increasing economic uncertainty.
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See More
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- Current Gas Prices: The average U.S. gasoline price stands at $3.83 per gallon, down from $4.29 a month ago but still significantly higher than last year, indicating that consumers are facing elevated costs at the pump despite falling crude prices.
- Refinery Operations: U.S. refiners are operating at maximum capacity, leading to tight gasoline supplies that prevent the quick conversion of cheaper crude into finished gasoline, thereby keeping retail prices high and reflecting a supply-demand imbalance in the market.
- Geopolitical Risks: Croft noted that ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains below normal levels, averaging about 40 vessels per day compared to over 100 pre-tension, suggesting that geopolitical uncertainties may continue to impact energy prices.
- Market Outlook: Croft believes that mid-August will be a critical turning point for energy prices, contingent on shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, the progress of nuclear negotiations, and whether refinery utilization and gasoline inventories begin to normalize.
See More
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- Exxon Mobil Upgrade: Envision Research upgraded Exxon Mobil (XOM) to Buy, citing multi-decade lows in U.S. and global oil inventories, with expectations for a price rebound in the next 1-2 years, as the depletion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is likely to catalyze oil price recovery.
- Rocket Lab Acquisition: JR Research upgraded Rocket Lab (RKLB) to Speculative Buy, viewing its acquisition of Iridium as a pivotal move that provides critical L-band spectrum access and proven EBITDA profitability, positioning the company to compete more effectively against integrated players in the market.
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- Qualcomm Execution Risks: Kumquat Research downgraded Qualcomm (QCOM) to Hold, noting that the company's pivot from smartphones to AI chips introduces heightened volatility and significant execution risks, which current shareholders may find challenging to tolerate during this lengthy transition period.
See More
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- Diversified Business Model: The company operates over 16,000 miles of pipelines in North America, encompassing upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, effectively insulating it from oil price volatility, thereby ensuring sustained cash flow and profitability.
- Strong Profitability: The expected EPS for 2023 is projected to reach $11.71, a 75% increase from last year, which comfortably covers the forward dividend rate of $4.12 per share, showcasing the company's robust earnings capacity and dividend sustainability.
- Safe Investment Choice: Despite oil price fluctuations, ExxonMobil's midstream and downstream businesses can provide stable cash flow; with a current share price of $136 and a P/E ratio of 12, it presents an attractive investment opportunity and value.
See More
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- Dividend Growth Potential: ExxonMobil has raised its dividend for 43 consecutive years and is on track to join the Dividend Kings within the next decade, with a current yield of 3%, which is likely to attract more income-focused investors.
- Diversified Business Advantage: With over 16,000 miles of pipelines in North America, ExxonMobil's upstream, midstream, and downstream operations provide resilience against oil price volatility, particularly benefiting from rising oil prices where upstream revenue growth outpaces expenses.
- Global Resource Allocation: Operating in over 56 countries, ExxonMobil sources most of its oil and gas from the U.S., but by expanding in the Permian Basin and increasing production in high-growth markets across Latin America, it effectively reduces dependence on the Middle East, enhancing its competitive position.
- Profitability and Cash Flow: The company is expected to achieve an EPS of $11.71 in 2023, a 75% increase from last year, while spending 92% of its free cash flow on dividends over the past 12 months, demonstrating strong profitability and cash flow management capabilities.
See More
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- Financing Needs: Roth Capital has lowered Sable Offshore's price target from $22 to $15 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating, indicating a belief in the company's long-term potential despite current challenges.
- Debt Reduction Outlook: Analysts noted that Sable Offshore needs to secure approximately $350 million in additional financing to meet financial assurance obligations tied to its asset acquisition from Exxon Mobil, with expectations of debt reduction starting in the second half of 2026.
- Stock Performance Rebound: Sable Offshore's shares surged 35% on Wednesday, breaking an eight-session losing streak, primarily due to the successful pricing of 32.47 million shares at $3.08 each, reflecting positive market sentiment towards its financing plans.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Retail investor sentiment shifted from 'bullish' to 'extremely bullish', with many users believing that the current stock price of $3.08 serves as a support level, indicating a recovery in confidence towards Sable Offshore.
See More
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- Energy Sector Decline: On Wednesday afternoon, the NYSE Energy Sector Index fell by 0.8%, indicating a weakening confidence in energy stocks, likely influenced by concerns over global economic slowdown and uncertain demand outlook.
- Market Sentiment: Investors are adopting a cautious stance towards the energy sector, particularly amid fluctuations in oil prices and supply chain issues, which are contributing to overall market pessimism and exacerbating downward pressure on energy stocks.
- Industry Impact Analysis: The decline in energy stocks may affect the financing capabilities and investor confidence of related companies, potentially negatively impacting their long-term growth prospects, especially in the context of increasing economic uncertainty.
- Investor Strategy Adjustment: In light of the downturn in energy stocks, investors may reassess their portfolios, considering reallocating funds to other sectors with greater growth potential to mitigate risks associated with market volatility.
See More
