Investors Purchase High Volume of ExxonMobil Call Options (NYSE:XOM)

ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) saw unusually large options trading on Thursday. Stock traders acquired 413,969 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of 198% compared to the average volume of 139,113 call options.

ExxonMobil Trading Up 3.2%

Shares of XOM traded up $4.94 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $157.72. 27,862,703 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 16,655,366. ExxonMobil has a fifty-two week low of $101.18 and a fifty-two week high of $176.41. The business has a 50-day moving average of $155.05 and a 200-day moving average of $137.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $653.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 0.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.77.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) last released its earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The oil and gas company reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.18. ExxonMobil had a net margin of 7.57% and a return on equity of 10.24%. The business had revenue of $83.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $81.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.76 earnings per share. ExxonMobil’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that ExxonMobil will post 11.5 EPS for the current year.

ExxonMobil Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. ExxonMobil’s dividend payout ratio is presently 69.48%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on XOM. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of ExxonMobil from $135.00 to $151.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of ExxonMobil from $140.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price objective on shares of ExxonMobil from $195.00 to $182.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and set a $180.00 target price on shares of ExxonMobil in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of ExxonMobil in a research report on Friday, April 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, ExxonMobil currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $163.95.

More ExxonMobil News

Here are the key news stories impacting ExxonMobil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: High oil prices are expected to support ExxonMobil’s exploration and production earnings, with stronger Permian recoveries and Guyana output helping profitability. How Will High Oil Prices Aid ExxonMobil’s Energy Business?
• Positive Sentiment: A Texas jury found ExxonMobil not liable in a long-running investor lawsuit tied to Canadian oil sands and Rocky Mountain gas disclosures, removing a legal overhang. Exxon Mobil not liable to investors over Canadian oil sands, gas assets, jury says
• Positive Sentiment: ExxonMobil resumed drilling in Guyana’s Canje block, which could support longer-term growth if exploration results are encouraging. Exxon resumes drilling in Guyana’s Canje block after four-year absence
• Neutral Sentiment: Bernstein cut ExxonMobil’s price target from $195 to $182, which may temper some near-term enthusiasm despite continued analyst interest. Exxon Mobil (XOM) Price Target Trimmed by $13 at Bernstein
• Negative Sentiment: Some investors are pushing back on ExxonMobil’s plan to move its incorporation from New Jersey to Texas, citing governance and shareholder-rights concerns. Exxon Mobil Texas Move Pits Shareholder Rights Against Governance Goals

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,150 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total value of $339,313.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 18,204 shares in the company, valued at $2,872,955.28. This trade represents a 10.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.03% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Berbice Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in ExxonMobil in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in ExxonMobil in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. grew its stake in ExxonMobil by 456.1% in the fourth quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 228 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares during the period. Key Capital Management INC bought a new stake in shares of ExxonMobil during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Westfuller Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of ExxonMobil during the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 61.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) is an integrated oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, production, refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products and the manufacture and sale of petrochemicals. Its operations span the full energy value chain, including upstream exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas; midstream transportation and storage; and downstream refining, product distribution and retail. The company also produces a broad range of chemical products for industrial and consumer applications.

ExxonMobil markets fuels and lubricants under well-known brands such as Exxon, Mobil and Esso, and its Mobil 1 motor oil is a prominent consumer product.