ExxonMobil Corporation $XOM is Conning Inc.'s 7th Largest Position

Key Points

• Conning Inc. trimmed its ExxonMobil stake by 4.8% in the fourth quarter, selling 15,423 shares. The fund still held 303,273 shares valued at about $36.5 million, making ExxonMobil its 7th largest position.
• ExxonMobil reported solid quarterly results, beating EPS and revenue expectations with $1.16 EPS on $83.16 billion in revenue. The company also announced a $1.03 quarterly dividend, equal to a 2.7% annualized yield.
• Investor sentiment remains mixed but active, with unusually heavy call-option buying and supportive energy-sector commentary pointing to upside potential. However, governance concerns over Exxon’s Texas redomicile proposal and proxy adviser opposition could create near-term headline risk.

Conning Inc. reduced its position in ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM - Free Report) by 4.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 303,273 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 15,423 shares during the quarter. ExxonMobil comprises approximately 1.2% of Conning Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. Conning Inc.'s holdings in ExxonMobil were worth $36,496,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in XOM. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ExxonMobil in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. boosted its position in ExxonMobil by 456.1% during the fourth quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 228 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares during the last quarter. Key Capital Management INC purchased a new stake in ExxonMobil during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Nvest Wealth Strategies Inc. purchased a new stake in ExxonMobil during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, DecisionPoint Financial LLC raised its holdings in ExxonMobil by 968.0% in the 4th quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC now owns 267 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 242 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.80% of the company's stock.

ExxonMobil News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting ExxonMobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: ExxonMobil saw unusually heavy bullish options activity, with investors buying 413,969 call options — nearly triple the usual daily volume — signaling rising trader expectations for more upside.
• Positive Sentiment: Broader energy-sector news remains supportive, including articles pointing to tighter oil supplies, possible geopolitical disruptions, and a “glitch” in the oil market that could benefit integrated producers like ExxonMobil. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Commentary on the durability of the energy rally has also been constructive, with analysts saying the sector’s discipline could help keep profits and valuations supported.
• Neutral Sentiment: ExxonMobil announced that senior vice president Neil Chapman will speak at the Bernstein 42nd Annual Strategic Decisions Conference on May 28. The event is routine investor-relations news, but it keeps the company in focus ahead of the upcoming meeting. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: ExxonMobil is also preparing for a shareholder vote on moving its incorporation from New Jersey to Texas. Management says the change would preserve or improve shareholder protections, but proxy advisers and some investors are urging a “no” vote, making this a governance issue to watch. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Proxy advisory firms Glass Lewis and ISS have recommended that investors oppose some board positions and Exxon’s Texas redomicile proposal, raising the risk of a contentious annual meeting and potential governance overhang. Article Title

Insider Activity at ExxonMobil

In other news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,150 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total value of $339,313.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 18,204 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,872,955.28. This represents a 10.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

ExxonMobil Stock Performance

ExxonMobil stock opened at $152.58 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $154.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $137.31. The stock has a market cap of $632.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 0.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.77. ExxonMobil Corporation has a 1-year low of $101.18 and a 1-year high of $176.41.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The oil and gas company reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.18. ExxonMobil had a net margin of 7.57% and a return on equity of 10.24%. The firm had revenue of $83.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $81.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.76 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that ExxonMobil Corporation will post 11.5 EPS for the current year.

ExxonMobil Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be given a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. ExxonMobil's payout ratio is currently 69.48%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on XOM. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on ExxonMobil from $178.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. UBS Group increased their price target on ExxonMobil from $171.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating and set a $180.00 price objective on shares of ExxonMobil in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on ExxonMobil from $186.00 to $182.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on ExxonMobil from $183.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, ExxonMobil has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $163.95.

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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