Oilfield service consolidation to increase under Trump, report says By Reuters
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 05 2024
0mins
Should l Buy XOM?
Source: Investing.com
Oilfield Service Sector Consolidation: The oilfield service sector is expected to see increased consolidation in 2025, driven by a potential loosening of regulations under President-elect Donald Trump and a wave of mergers among oil producers, which may lead smaller companies to seek favorable buyouts.
Market Dynamics and M&A Activity: The U.S. shale patch has experienced a reduction in customer bases due to significant mergers, with the oilfield services sector witnessing $19.7 billion in deals in 2024, the highest since 2018, indicating strong buyer interest and a fragmented market ripe for further consolidation.
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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: 148.910
Low
114.00
Averages
132.17
High
158.00
Current: 148.910
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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- Enbridge's Stable Cash Flow: Enbridge (ENB), a leader in North American energy infrastructure, generates 98% of its earnings from cost-of-service or contracted assets and is currently constructing CA$39 billion (approximately $28.5 billion) in expansion projects, which are expected to support future earnings growth and continued dividend increases.
- ExxonMobil's Strategic Investments: ExxonMobil (XOM) aims to enhance its earnings capacity by $25 billion and cash flow by $35 billion by 2030, with an expected cumulative surplus cash of about $145 billion, enabling share buybacks and ongoing dividend growth, showcasing its long-term growth potential.
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- Enbridge's Stable Cash Flow: Enbridge is currently constructing expansion projects worth CA$39 billion (approximately $28.5 billion), which are expected to provide mid-single-digit earnings growth by 2030, with 98% of its earnings derived from cost-of-service or contracted assets, ensuring long-term financial stability and continued dividend growth.
- Exxon's Profitability Strategy: Exxon plans to enhance its earnings capacity by $25 billion and cash flow by $35 billion by 2030, anticipating about $145 billion in cumulative surplus cash to support stock buybacks and dividend increases, while investments in new businesses like lithium and hydrogen will drive future growth.
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- Financial Strength of Major Energy Firms: Integrated energy giants ExxonMobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) boast low debt-to-equity ratios of 0.19x and 0.25x respectively, allowing them to support their businesses and dividends during downturns, with both companies having increased dividends annually for decades, showcasing strong financial resilience.
- Diversified Business Models: The integrated business models of Exxon and Chevron provide them with advantages across the global energy value chain; while diversification may limit upside potential, it also softens the impact during oil and gas price declines, making them solid long-term choices for dividend investors.
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- Financial Strength: Integrated energy giants ExxonMobil and Chevron boast low debt-to-equity ratios of 0.19x and 0.25x, respectively, allowing them to manage debt during downturns and continue supporting their businesses and dividends, maintaining stable dividend growth over decades despite market volatility.
- Diversified Business Model: Both companies leverage globally diversified portfolios and a complete energy value chain to mitigate risks across different markets and cycles, which, while potentially limiting upside, effectively cushions the impact during oil and gas price declines, making them suitable for long-term dividend investors.
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