Principal Financial Group Inc. Boosts Stake in ExxonMobil Corporation $XOM

Key Points

• Principal Financial Group raised its stake in ExxonMobil by 1.1% in Q4, adding 70,693 shares to own 6,510,505 shares valued at about $783.47 million (≈0.15% of the company).
• ExxonMobil beat Q1 estimates with adjusted EPS of $1.16 and revenue of $83.16 billion, and announced a quarterly dividend of $1.03 per share (annualized $4.12, yield 2.7%) with record date May 15 and payment on June 10.
• Analyst sentiment is a consensus "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $161.70 (ratings split: 1 Strong Buy, 10 Buy, 10 Hold), while institutional investors hold about 61.8% of the stock.

Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM - Free Report) by 1.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,510,505 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after acquiring an additional 70,693 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 0.15% of ExxonMobil worth $783,474,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of XOM. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its position in shares of ExxonMobil by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 215,892 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $24,342,000 after acquiring an additional 5,573 shares in the last quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in ExxonMobil by 6.6% in the fourth quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 231,488 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $27,857,000 after purchasing an additional 14,233 shares during the period. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in ExxonMobil by 5.6% in the third quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 166,547 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $18,778,000 after purchasing an additional 8,853 shares during the period. HORAN Wealth LLC increased its stake in ExxonMobil by 78.3% during the third quarter. HORAN Wealth LLC now owns 13,180 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $1,486,000 after purchasing an additional 5,788 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Krilogy Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of ExxonMobil by 46.6% during the third quarter. Krilogy Financial LLC now owns 35,160 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $3,997,000 after purchasing an additional 11,177 shares during the period. 61.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on XOM. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of ExxonMobil from $128.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Wolfe Research cut shares of ExxonMobil from an "outperform" rating to a "peer perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Bank of America upped their target price on ExxonMobil from $135.00 to $151.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on ExxonMobil from $186.00 to $182.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on ExxonMobil from $172.00 to $171.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, ExxonMobil currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $161.70.

ExxonMobil Stock Up 0.8%

XOM stock opened at $154.90 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $643.85 billion, a PE ratio of 26.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 0.19. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $155.14 and its 200 day simple moving average is $135.55. ExxonMobil Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $101.18 and a fifty-two week high of $176.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The oil and gas company reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $81.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.76 EPS. ExxonMobil's revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that ExxonMobil Corporation will post 11.14 EPS for the current year.

ExxonMobil Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Transactions at ExxonMobil

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 3,230 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.18, for a total value of $481,851.40. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 20,354 shares in the company, valued at $3,036,409.72. This trade represents a 13.70% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Over the last three months, insiders sold 6,460 shares of company stock valued at $989,104. Corporate insiders own 0.03% of the company's stock.

ExxonMobil News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting ExxonMobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results beat expectations — Exxon posted adjusted EPS above estimates and revenue ahead of consensus, with Permian and Guyana contributions and cost savings cited as drivers that help free cash flow and support buybacks/dividends. XOM Q1 Deep Dive
• Positive Sentiment: Faster reservoir analysis via AI in Guyana could speed project cycle times and lift near‑term production optionality — a potential multi-quarter catalyst for volumes and cash generation. Exxon using AI for faster analysis
• Positive Sentiment: RBC reaffirmed a sector‑perform rating and set a $180 price target — an analyst endorsement that suggests upside from current levels and can attract income/valuation‑oriented investors. Benzinga - RBC rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst fair‑value and narrative shifts: some models nudged Exxon’s fair value slightly higher as analysts reassess oil price assumptions and cash‑flow outlooks — useful context but not an immediate catalyst. How The Exxon Mobil Narrative Is Shifting
• Neutral Sentiment: Stock is a trending name on retail/analysis sites — increased attention can amplify moves but also raise volatility. Exxon trending article
• Negative Sentiment: Headline volatility in reported profits — some coverage notes lower GAAP metrics and derivative/timing effects despite adjusted beats, highlighting earnings noise that can weigh sentiment. Exxon, Chevron profits fall despite oil price surge
• Negative Sentiment: Broader supply/flow developments — reports of large U.S. shipments and export dynamics could blunt oil price upside over time, a headwind for margins if sustained. US Ships 250 Million Barrels

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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