The Texas-based energy giant, Exxon Mobil Corp, hasn't been able to garner too much excitement among the investor community ahead of its third-quarter earnings report on Friday. Shaky previous quarterly results are to blame.
Analysts have nevertheless given an average price target of $89.63, representing 20% upside over current share prices. Investors are squaring on Exxon's production numbers, which have been weaker in recent quarters. Expectations are that the production numbers would dip in this quarter also owing to its operational constraints, but the good news is expected from Exxon’s chemical and refining side. Wall Street analysts have largely given the stock a hold rating.
On the backdrop of the recent rally in oil prices, analysts expect Exxon's bottom-line to improve this quarter, but are skeptical about earnings in the future if crude oil prices can't hold.