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May 02, 2026
ExxonMobil (XOM) Q1 2026 Earnings: Adjusted Beat Highlights Upstream Strength

ExxonMobil (XOM) Q1 2026 Earnings: Adjusted Beat Highlights Upstream Strength

Key Takeaways

  • ExxonMobil reported GAAP net earnings of $4.2 billion, or $1.00 per diluted share (EPS), down from $7.7 billion, or $1.76 per share, in Q1 2025.
  • Adjusted earnings excluding identified items reached $4.9 billion, or $1.16 per share, surpassing consensus estimates around $1.00 to $1.07.
  • Net production hit 4.6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), with record output exceeding 900,000 gross barrels per day in Guyana.
  • Cash flow from operations was $8.7 billion, supporting $4.3 billion in dividends and $6.2 billion in capital expenditures (capex).
  • Company declared a Q2 dividend of $1.03 per share and plans $20 billion in share repurchases for 2026.
  • Sales and operating revenue totaled $83.2 billion, with total revenues and other income at $85.1 billion.

Q1 2026 Earnings in Context

ExxonMobil's (XOM) first-quarter 2026 results arrive against a backdrop of volatile oil prices, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and evolving global energy demand. As one of the largest integrated energy companies, its performance carries weight for the oil sector and shapes investor views on fossil fuels. From what I see, investors focus on production growth, refining margins, and capital discipline—particularly with major initiatives like the Stabroek Block in Guyana and low-carbon investments. These earnings demonstrate resilience in upstream operations, even with unfavorable timing effects from derivatives and inventory accounting, pointing to the company's skill in handling disruptions.

Breaking Down the Reported Results

ExxonMobil recorded GAAP earnings of $4.2 billion, or $1.00 per diluted share, down year-over-year mainly from lower commodity prices and $3.9 billion in unfavorable estimated timing effects related to mark-to-market impacts on crude oil derivatives and last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory valuation. Excluding identified items—like $0.7 billion in hedge losses from Middle East disruptions—earnings came in at $4.9 billion, or $1.16 per share, topping analyst consensus of about $1.00 to $1.07. Stripping out timing effects entirely, underlying earnings hit $8.8 billion, or $2.09 per share, an increase from $7.6 billion in Q1 2025.

Sales and other operating revenue reached $83.2 billion, driving total revenues and other income to $85.1 billion, which beat expectations thanks to solid refining and trading in the Energy Products segment ($2.8 billion excluding items and timing). Upstream results were strong at 4.6 million boe/d, lifted by record Guyana production. I also checked production metrics using Tickeron’s AI Screener to compare XOM against peers. Cash flow from operations was $8.7 billion, yielding $2.7 billion in free cash flow after $6.2 billion in Q1 capex.

Market Reaction and What Investors Are Saying

After the May 1 release, XOM shares had a mixed initial response, slipping about 1.4% in pre-market to around $152 despite the adjusted EPS beat. While some reports mentioned a 1.5% premarket gain, overall sentiment leaned cautious due to the GAAP drop year-over-year and Middle East risks. Investors valued the upstream performance and cash flow but factored in softer refining margins and timing effects. Trading volume picked up, with attention turning to the company's proven model in volatile conditions.

Leveraging AI Tools in My Analysis

In my research workflow, Tickeron’s AI Screener has become a go-to for efficiently scanning stocks like XOM. It lets me filter thousands of stocks and ETFs by technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI signals—customizing for industry, market cap, indicators, or performance. This helps spot trade ideas, breakouts, and opportunities faster than manual methods, and I've found it particularly useful for energy sector comparisons during earnings season.

Looking Ahead: Outlook and Factors to Watch

ExxonMobil stuck to its 2026 cash capex guidance of $27-29 billion, prioritizing high-return projects like Guyana expansions and Permian Basin growth. Plans include $20 billion in share repurchases assuming steady markets, plus advancing toward $20 billion in structural cost savings by 2030—now at $15.6 billion cumulative since 2019. I'm watching oil and gas prices closely, as stronger realizations bolstered Q1 upstream earnings; tools like Tickeron’s AI Trend Prediction Engine help track those trajectories.

Guyana's production ramp and U.S. LNG via Golden Pass (first train online) provide upside potential, though Middle East tensions may affect trading and hedges. Refining margins and Energy Products remain tied to crack spreads and demand. Longer-term, low-emission areas like carbon capture, hydrogen, and lithium hinge on policy and tech progress. Q2 results will shed light on volume growth and cost control, signaling sustained earnings through cycles.

Disclaimer

The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.

Disclaimers and Limitations

Related Ticker: XOM

XOM in upward trend: price expected to rise as it breaks its lower Bollinger Band on June 18, 2026

XOM may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In of 24 cases where XOM's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

Price Prediction Chart

Technical Analysis (Indicators)

Bullish Trend Analysis

The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where XOM's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, of 16 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are .

The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. of 61 cases where XOM's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are .

The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on July 07, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on XOM as a result. In of 94 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for XOM just turned positive on July 07, 2026. Looking at past instances where XOM's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in of 52 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where XOM advanced for three days, in of 371 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

Bearish Trend Analysis

Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where XOM declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .

The Aroon Indicator for XOM entered a downward trend on July 07, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.

Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)

The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 34, placing this stock better than average.

The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.

The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. XOM’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.

The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.263) is normal, around the industry mean (2.113). P/E Ratio (23.380) is within average values for comparable stocks, (21.769). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.153) is also within normal values, averaging (1.160). Dividend Yield (0.029) settles around the average of (0.043) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.816) is also within normal values, averaging (2.001).

The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.

Notable companies

The most notable companies in this group are ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM), Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX), Petroleo Brasileiro Sa-Petrobras ADS (REP 1 Common Share) (NYSE:PBR), BP plc (NYSE:BP), Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU), YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:YPF).

Industry description

Integrated oil companies are involved across nearly the entire oil value chain – from upstream operations like exploration and production, to downstream functions of refining and marketing. Exxon Mobil Corporation, Chevron Corporation and BP are major integrated oil companies. Their bottom lines’ response to crude oil prices could depend on the proportion of upstream vs. downstream businesses; for example, if a company has substantial downstream business, the adverse impact on their upstream business due to falling crude prices could be mitigated by benefits to its downstream business.

Market Cap

The average market capitalization across the Integrated Oil Industry is 106.18B. The market cap for tickers in the group ranges from 39.76K to 575.65B. XOM holds the highest valuation in this group at 575.65B. The lowest valued company is PGAS at 39.76K.

High and low price notable news

The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the Integrated Oil Industry was 5%. For the same Industry, the average monthly price growth was -3%, and the average quarterly price growth was 23%. SKYQ experienced the highest price growth at 20%, while DEC experienced the biggest fall at -6%.

Volume

The average weekly volume growth across all stocks in the Integrated Oil Industry was -28%. For the same stocks of the Industry, the average monthly volume growth was -41% and the average quarterly volume growth was -24%

Fundamental Analysis Ratings

The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows

Valuation Rating: 40
P/E Growth Rating: 43
Price Growth Rating: 51
SMR Rating: 64
Profit Risk Rating: 34
Seasonality Score: 13 (-100 ... +100)
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a distributer of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products

Industry IntegratedOil

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Integrated Oil
Address
22777 Springwoods Village Parkway
Phone
+1 972 940-6000
Employees
61500
Web
https://www.exxonmobil.com
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