Associated Banc Corp Acquires 500,591 Shares of ExxonMobil Corporation $XOM

Key Points

• Associated Banc Corp initiated a sizable ExxonMobil position, buying 500,591 shares worth about $81.5 million; XOM now represents 1.9% of its portfolio.
• ExxonMobil beat quarterly earnings and revenue estimates, reporting EPS of $4.23 and revenue of $110.5 billion. It also raised its quarterly dividend from $1.03 to $1.07 per share.
• Analyst sentiment is broadly positive, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $168.70; some analysts recently raised their targets.

Associated Banc Corp purchased a new stake in shares of ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 500,591 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $81,471,000. ExxonMobil makes up 1.9% of Associated Banc Corp's portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CPA Asset Management Group LLC increased its position in shares of ExxonMobil by 1.8% in the third quarter. CPA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 3,450 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $561,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. DecisionMap Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of ExxonMobil by 2.2% in the third quarter. DecisionMap Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,915 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $474,000 after buying an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. WP Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. WP Advisors LLC now owns 2,167 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $353,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Avant Capital LLC grew its holdings in ExxonMobil by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Avant Capital LLC now owns 11,182 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $1,529,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Core Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil by 1.0% in the first quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 6,805 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $1,155,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.80% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on XOM shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of ExxonMobil from $182.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday. William Blair initiated coverage on shares of ExxonMobil in a research report on Wednesday, October 28th. They set a "market perform" rating for the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of ExxonMobil from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 29th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on ExxonMobil from $184.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, August 17th. Finally, Freedom Capital upgraded ExxonMobil from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and fourteen have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $168.70.

ExxonMobil Price Performance

ExxonMobil stock opened at $177.50 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $735.72 billion, a PE ratio of 18.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.16. ExxonMobil Corporation has a 52-week low of $112.51 and a 52-week high of $188.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The company's 50 day moving average is $168.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $154.86.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 30th. The oil and gas company reported $4.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.12 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $110.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $104.89 billion. ExxonMobil had a net margin of 10.24% and a return on equity of 16.63%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.88 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that ExxonMobil Corporation will post 13.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ExxonMobil Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be paid a $1.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. This is an increase from ExxonMobil's previous quarterly dividend of $1.03. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. ExxonMobil's payout ratio is 42.34%.

Key Headlines Impacting ExxonMobil

Here are the key news stories impacting ExxonMobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Exxon beat third-quarter earnings expectations, with adjusted EPS of $4.23. Refining strength, improved margins and record downstream utilization helped offset weaker upstream earnings. How Investors Are Reacting To ExxonMobil Stock Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Investors are also receiving substantial cash returns: Exxon raised its quarterly dividend to $1.07 per share and increased its share-repurchase authorization to $110 billion. UBS raised its price target to $213 and kept a Buy rating after the results. UBS raises ExxonMobil price target
• Positive Sentiment: XOM’s move above its 200-day moving average is a technical signal some investors view as supportive of a longer-term uptrend. The company also took a 50% stake in Mozambique LNG, adding to its long-term growth opportunities. ExxonMobil crosses its 200-day moving average
• Neutral Sentiment: Oil traders are weighing conflicting signals about U.S.-Iran tensions and the possibility of a deal. Any change in perceived supply risk could move crude prices—and Exxon’s upstream outlook—in either direction. Report on U.S.-Iran tensions and oil markets
• Negative Sentiment: After a strong run, XOM’s valuation is considered elevated, leaving less room for disappointment. Upstream earnings declined sequentially, and lower crude prices could add pressure; the retreat from recent highs suggests investors are taking profits and reassessing how much good news is already priced in. ExxonMobil stock valuation and outlook

About ExxonMobil

Exxon Mobil Corporation, doing business as ExxonMobil NYSE: XOM, is an integrated energy company engaged in the exploration, development, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas. Its operations span the energy value chain, from resource development and refining to the marketing and distribution of fuels and other energy products.

Through its Energy Products segment, ExxonMobil manufactures and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, and other petroleum-based products. Its Chemical Products business produces petrochemicals, including commodity and performance products used in packaging, automotive components, construction materials, and consumer goods.

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