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Nov 27, 2018
Weakening Oil Prices Puts New Pressure on U.S. Energy Sector

Weakening Oil Prices Puts New Pressure on U.S. Energy Sector

During the U.S. shale oil and gas boom over the past 15 years, one of the major challenges for different U.S. energy sector companies is how to provide for the perennial infusion of cash needed to finance their exploration, production, and investment activities.

With rising oil prices during early 2018, many analysts anticipated the challenge subsiding, as several energy companies revealed in third-quarter earnings reports that they were able to cover their capital spending from operating cash flows. Two of the country’s largest oil companies, ExxonMobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX), reported healthy profits from their US operations after reporting losses in 2017.

But these profits were recorded when the benchmark US WTI crude was trading around $73 a barrel.  It follows that the recent plunge in oil prices over the past two months has brought financing concerns/challenges back to the surface again.

Related Ticker: XOM

XOM's Stochastic Oscillator stoops into oversold zone

The Stochastic Oscillator for XOM moved into oversold territory on August 27, 2026. Be on the watch for the price uptrend or consolidation in the future. At that time, consider buying the stock or exploring call options.

Price Prediction Chart

Technical Analysis (Indicators)

Bullish Trend Analysis

The 10-day moving average for XOM crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on July 23, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In of 14 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher 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 370 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 314 cases where XOM Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .

Bearish Trend Analysis

The 10-day RSI Indicator for XOM moved out of overbought territory on August 24, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 42 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In of the 42 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at .

The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on August 26, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on XOM as a result. In of 91 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for XOM turned negative on August 26, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 51 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In of the 51 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at .

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 .

XOM broke above its upper Bollinger Band on August 18, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring 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 28, 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 outstanding price growth. XOM’s price grows at a higher 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 (2.480) is normal, around the industry mean (1.880). P/E Ratio (20.134) is within average values for comparable stocks, (16.494). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.224) is also within normal values, averaging (1.259). Dividend Yield (0.026) settles around the average of (0.040) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.830) is also within normal values, averaging (3.513).

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 119.18B. The market cap for tickers in the group ranges from 39.76K to 643.27B. XOM holds the highest valuation in this group at 643.27B. 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 -3%. For the same Industry, the average monthly price growth was 0%, and the average quarterly price growth was 14%. SLNG experienced the highest price growth at 5%, while E experienced the biggest fall at -7%.

Volume

The average weekly volume growth across all stocks in the Integrated Oil Industry was -9%. For the same stocks of the Industry, the average monthly volume growth was -13% and the average quarterly volume growth was -11%

Fundamental Analysis Ratings

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

Valuation Rating: 46
P/E Growth Rating: 55
Price Growth Rating: 43
SMR Rating: 67
Profit Risk Rating: 28
Seasonality Score: -32 (-100 ... +100)
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General Information

a distributer of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products

Industry IntegratedOil

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