U.S. Treasury Yields Rise as Investors Monitor Middle East Conflict
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 04 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Rising Treasury Yields: As of 6:37 a.m. ET, the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield increased by over 2 basis points to 4.084%, while the 30-year yield also rose by 2 basis points to 4.732%, indicating heightened market focus on upcoming economic data.
- Short-Term Bond Fluctuations: The 2-year Treasury yield also climbed 2 basis points to 3.52%, reflecting investor caution regarding short-term economic outlook amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
- Middle East Tensions Impact: The ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict has investors worried about a potential spike in oil prices leading to inflation, although President Trump’s announcement of risk insurance for maritime trade in the Persian Gulf aims to alleviate market fears.
- Economic Data Expectations: Investors are closely watching the upcoming ADP private payroll report, with forecasts predicting an addition of 48,000 jobs in February, a significant increase from January's 22,000, which could bolster confidence in economic recovery.
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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.
- Strong Cash Flow: ExxonMobil generated $52 billion in operating cash flow and $26.1 billion in free cash flow in 2025, indicating robust financial health that allows continued investment in low-cost Guyana oil fields and the Permian Basin without sacrificing shareholder returns.
- Significant Acquisition Benefits: Following the $60 billion acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources last year, Exxon expects to add over $3 billion in annual earnings and cost savings, exceeding original forecasts by 50%, positioning it for production capacity to potentially double to 2.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2030 in the Permian Basin.
- Sustained Shareholder Returns: Exxon plans to repurchase $20 billion in stock during 2026 and has increased its dividend for 43 consecutive years, demonstrating its ability to consistently reward shareholders through multiple commodity cycles, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Low-Cost Production Advantage: With production costs among the lowest in the industry in Guyana, ExxonMobil can remain profitable even in weaker commodity markets, expecting production capacity to reach 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030, further solidifying its market position.
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- Guyana Production Potential: ExxonMobil's Stabroek Block in Guyana is expected to reach a production capacity of 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030, becoming one of the company's most valuable assets, with low-cost production enabling profitability even in low oil price environments, thereby enhancing market competitiveness.
- Pioneer Acquisition Benefits: The approximately $60 billion acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources is projected to deliver over $3 billion in additional annual earnings and cost savings, exceeding original forecasts by 50%, with production capacity in the Permian Basin expected to double to 2.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.
- Growing Shareholder Returns: The company plans to repurchase $20 billion in stock during 2026 while increasing dividends for 43 consecutive years, demonstrating its ability to consistently reward shareholders through multiple commodity cycles, which boosts investor confidence.
- Financial Strength Provides Flexibility: ExxonMobil generated $52 billion in operating cash flow and $26.1 billion in free cash flow in 2025 while maintaining a low debt ratio, allowing continued investment in Guyana, the Permian Basin, and LNG without sacrificing shareholder returns.
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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.
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- Dividend Growth: ExxonMobil has raised its dividend for 43 consecutive years, positioning itself to join the Dividend Kings club, with a current yield of 3%, reflecting its stability and attractiveness amid economic fluctuations.
- 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.
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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.
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