Richard BernstienExxon MobilXOMTOP PICKMay 28, 2004

Last quarter was basically in line with (slightly below by a penny or so) expectations. Hard to move the needle when you're the largest O&G company in the world. Most of these big guys are struggling with reserve lives of ~9 years. Having to go further afield for assets. Well run. 

Refining margins have been very high. A more defensive play, as other names have more torque/upside.

Upgraded today. Will remain strong despite the day to day headlines out of the Middle East, because their earnings are steady. He remains long.Upgraded todayWill remain strong despite the day to day headlines out of the Middle East, because their earnings are steady. He remains long.

Trades at 15x PE, pays nearly a 3% dividend yield, is 15% off its peak and well look today's oil and natural gas prices in Asia and Europe. Exxon will be making money for a while.

Is up 38% in one year, and 25% annualized over 5 years. Because of the Iran war, war is no longer oversupplied. He will ride this higher, then trim.

Has more going for it than just the price of oil. Lots of internal catalysts. Pretty compelling organic growth prospects, especially Guyana production.

When it comes to energy companies, he prefers the big names like SHEL or XOM.

He wouldn't buy any oil stocks now, because there's enough oil supply. Technology has let the supply surge. OPEC is managing supply to control the price. Is waiting for oil prices to rise before stepping in.

He's been a consistent bull on this one for all of 2025. Neither the upside nor the downside of Venezuela has anything to do with that. He's bullish about the O&G industry over the next 5 years generally. Best deployer of capital among the global large caps. Really, really likes it. Would absolutely invest at current levels.

Expects an all-time high soon. China is stimulating its economy and the American one seems to be doing fine. Oil prices, now low, should go higher.

Is a super-integrated, major oil name and pays a good dividend. Are buying back shares. Given the poor performance of the oil price this year, the price will probably rise meaningfully in 2026, lifting oil stocks with it.

Is top of class in energy. Nobody knows where energy prices will go, but if they go down, XOM can produce results and pay dividends and buy shares back. Problem is, nobody cares about the energy sector. 

He's overweight energy. XOM is investing heavily to help put up data centres. Are well-positioned.

A name to consider instead of CVX.

Shareholder returns are a little lighter than peers. Valuation a bit higher than peers. Cashflow per share growth is in line with peers, as is the payout ratio. Balance sheet better than peers. 

How many boxes does it tick? Ends up being fair. He wouldn't be buying a big oil company right now in front of the OPEC meeting.

It's tough being overweight energy now with WTI negative on a YOY basis and badly underperforms the market.