ExxonMobil Sees Unusually Large Options Volume (NYSE:XOM)

Key Points

• ExxonMobil saw unusually high call-option activity on Friday, with 280,373 contracts traded—about 277% above its typical daily volume.
• XOM shares rose 0.9% to $160.08, while the company reported quarterly revenue above expectations but earnings per share slightly below consensus estimates.
• ExxonMobil declared a quarterly dividend of $1.03 per share, equivalent to an annualized $4.12 payout and a 2.6% yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $163.29.

ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM - Get Free Report) saw some unusual options trading activity on Friday. Stock traders bought 280,373 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 277% compared to the typical daily volume of 74,444 call options.

ExxonMobil Trading Up 0.9%

ExxonMobil stock traded up $1.47 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $160.08. The stock had a trading volume of 7,968,815 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,224,613. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $146.80 and a 200-day simple moving average of $150.38. ExxonMobil has a 52 week low of $105.67 and a 52 week high of $176.41. The stock has a market cap of $663.52 billion, a PE ratio of 20.60, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 0.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.85.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The oil and gas company reported $3.52 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.56 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $114.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $109.94 billion. ExxonMobil had a return on equity of 13.14% and a net margin of 8.88%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.64 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that ExxonMobil will post 11.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ExxonMobil Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 17th will be given a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 17th. ExxonMobil's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.02%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

XOM has been the subject of several recent research reports. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of ExxonMobil from $175.00 to $170.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on ExxonMobil in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $158.00 price objective on the stock. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on ExxonMobil from $128.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Freedom Capital raised ExxonMobil from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, HSBC set a $158.00 target price on ExxonMobil in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and thirteen have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $163.29.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ExxonMobil

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Park Place Capital Corp lifted its position in shares of ExxonMobil by 67.9% in the 2nd quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 9,757 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $1,334,000 after purchasing an additional 3,945 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of ExxonMobil by 2.8% during the second quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,729 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $510,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the period. Capital Square LLC increased its position in shares of ExxonMobil by 6.0% during the second quarter. Capital Square LLC now owns 16,948 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $2,354,000 after buying an additional 953 shares during the period. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in ExxonMobil by 1.1% in the second quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC now owns 392,100 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $53,608,000 after buying an additional 4,210 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stiles Financial Services Inc lifted its holdings in ExxonMobil by 1.6% in the second quarter. Stiles Financial Services Inc now owns 19,809 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $2,708,000 after buying an additional 308 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 61.80% of the company's stock.

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil 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.

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