Markel Group Inc. Buys 35,000 Shares of ExxonMobil Corporation $XOM

Key Points

• Markel Group sharply increased its ExxonMobil stake in the fourth quarter, buying 35,000 additional shares to bring its total holding to 38,000 shares valued at about $4.57 million.
• ExxonMobil reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings, with EPS of $1.16 versus estimates of $0.98 and revenue of $83.16 billion, while also announcing a quarterly dividend of $1.03 per share.
• Wall Street sentiment remains constructive, with analysts assigning a Moderate Buy consensus and a price target of $163.95, while company news highlights potential growth from Cyprus gas development, possible Venezuela access, and supportive crude prices.

Markel Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM - Free Report) by 1,166.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 38,000 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after purchasing an additional 35,000 shares during the quarter. Markel Group Inc.'s holdings in ExxonMobil were worth $4,573,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of XOM. Berbice Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of ExxonMobil during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of ExxonMobil during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. increased its stake in ExxonMobil by 456.1% in the 4th 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 bought a new position in ExxonMobil in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Westfuller Advisors LLC bought a new position in ExxonMobil in the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. 61.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 1,080 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.50, for a total transaction of $167,940.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 17,124 shares in the company, valued at $2,662,782. This represents a 5.93% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.03% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

ExxonMobil Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of XOM stock opened at $154.82 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $641.71 billion, a PE ratio of 26.11, a P/E/G ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.19. ExxonMobil Corporation has a 1-year low of $101.18 and a 1-year high of $176.41. The business has a 50-day moving average of $155.79 and a 200 day moving average of $138.95. 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 (NYSE:XOM - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The oil and gas company reported $1.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $83.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $81.13 billion. ExxonMobil had a return on equity of 10.24% and a net margin of 7.57%.ExxonMobil's quarterly revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.76 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that ExxonMobil Corporation will post 11.49 earnings per share for the current year.

ExxonMobil Dividend Announcement

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

Key Stories Impacting ExxonMobil

Here are the key news stories impacting ExxonMobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy signed a preliminary deal with Egypt to study development of Cyprus gas discoveries, opening a possible path to export gas through Egypt’s LNG infrastructure to Europe. Reuters: QatarEnergy, ExxonMobil sign deal with Egypt to study Cyprus gas development
• Positive Sentiment: Reports that ExxonMobil may be in talks to regain rights to produce oil in Venezuela suggest a potential long-term growth opportunity if the company can re-enter a major resource base. Reuters: Exxon may acquire rights to produce oil in Venezuela
• Positive Sentiment: Rising crude prices are also supportive, with WTI above $95 per barrel boosting Permian oil and associated gas activity, which could improve ExxonMobil’s upstream revenue and cash flow. Zacks: More Gas Per Barrel of Oil: A Growth Lever for Permian Operators
• Neutral Sentiment: Additional coverage highlighted ExxonMobil’s low-debt balance sheet and ongoing ability to fund dividends and projects, reinforcing the company’s financial resilience. Zacks: ExxonMobil's Resilience: What Sets it Apart in Uncertain Times
• Neutral Sentiment: Technical commentary said XOM is pulling back after a breakout and testing support levels, which traders may be watching for confirmation of the broader uptrend. FXEmpire: ExxonMobil (XOM) Price Forecast
• Negative Sentiment: Governance-related headlines, including Exxon’s clash with proxy advisers ISS and Glass Lewis, may keep some pressure on the stock by adding uncertainty around the Texas move and shareholder voting dynamics. WSJ: Exxon Blasts Proxy Advisers for Conflict of Interest in Fight Over Texas Move

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays upped their target price on ExxonMobil from $145.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, March 16th. Zacks Research upgraded ExxonMobil from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on ExxonMobil from $186.00 to $182.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their target price on ExxonMobil from $195.00 to $182.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 11th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on ExxonMobil from $150.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $163.95.

ExxonMobil Profile

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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