Chevron Corporation’s latest fourth quarter earnings report beat estimates as the company saw a 20% rise in EPS to $1.95, though quarterly revenue fell short of estimates -- $42.35 billion versus an estimated $46.13 billion.
The company’s net oil-equivalent production also grew more than 7% in 2018 to a record 2.93 million barrels per day.
Total earnings for 2018’s fourth quarter, including $2.02 billion in tax benefits related to U.S. tax reform, stood at $3.7 billion ($1.95 per share – diluted) compared to $3.1 billion ($1.64 per share – diluted) in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Sales and other operating revenues for the fourth quarter 2018 stood at $40 billion, compared to $36 billion in the year-ago period.
According to several analysts, the company has focused on a clear strategy to attract investors. For example, the company has resumed its share buyback program with sufficient cash and cash equivalents at its disposal - a planned rate of ~$3 billion annually for the foreseeable future. At the year-end, balances of cash, cash equivalents, time deposits and marketable securities for Chevron totaled $10.3 billion, an increase of $5.5 billion from 2017. Total debt at December's end stood at $34.5 billion, a decrease of $4.3 billion from a year earlier. This is expected to provide the company with the required financial flexibility.
Looking ahead, cash flow is expected to rise owing to improving oil prices, cost-cutting and increased production during the next five years.
Additionally, Chevron is currently following a conservative approach to capex, and it is expected that 70% of the company’s expenditure will translate into free cash flow in 2019.