Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Exxon, Chevron split over how to manage rising cash piles

Exxon, Chevron split over how to manage rising cash piles

The two largest U.S. oil companies - Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) and Chevron Corp (CVX.N) - are minting cash from booming oil and gas operations, but are splitting over what to do next.
The pair on Friday posted first-quarter results that topped Wall Street forecasts as earnings soared. Exxon's net hit $11.4 billion while Chevron earned $6.6 billion and with analysts expecting the strong results to continue this year.

Both have paid down debt incurred during the COVID-19 downturn, have nearly pristine balance sheets and are spending well below their past levels on new exploration and development projects.

The pair have low, net debt-to-capital ratios of about 4%, a fraction of the double-digit ratios of few years ago, and have cut spending on new projects to less than half their income. The result: huge cash reserves, far in excess of what they need for routine operations.

They differ over what to do next, with Wall Street pushing for higher share buybacks and dividends, worried that too much cash could signal a spurt of big-dollar acquisitions.

Exxon CEO Darren Woods says he is happy to see cash balances rise so the company is well-positioned for a cycle downturn.

"The question is obviously when, but that will come," Woods said, after saying he would "expect to see cash balances higher" in times when the markets are on the top end of the cycle.

The CEO noted strong demand for its commodities and did not oppose acquisitions if a deal can lead to higher returns for shareholders.

"It's got to be one where what Exxon Mobil brings to the table actually increases what either company would do independent of one another," he said.

Exxon was sitting on $32.6 billion at the end of the first quarter while Chevron's vault held $15.7 billion, about triple what it needs for operating activity.

But Chevron, which twice bid on rivals, landing Noble Corp for $4.1 billion during the 2020 downturn, expects to reduce some of its cash, said Finance Chief Pierre Breber.

"We don't intend to hold $15-plus billion of cash on our balance sheet," he said, describing too much cash on the books as "economically inefficient for us to hold it, and it is not our cash, it is our shareholders' cash."
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Hungary's Prime Minister Criticizes NATO's Role in Ukraine
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Hungarian Scientist to Conduct 30 Research Experiments on the International Space Station
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
International Astronaut Team Launched to Space Station
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
Oil Prices Set to Surge After US Strikes Iran
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Hungary Ranked Among the World’s Safest Travel Destinations for 2025
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Man Convicted of Fraud After Booking Over 120 Free Flights Posing as Flight Attendant
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Beata Thunberg Rebrands as Beata Ernman Amidst Sister's Activism Controversy
Hungarian Parliament Approves Citizenship Suspension Law
Prime Minister Orbán Criticizes EU's Ukraine Accession Plans
Hungarian Delicacies Introduced to Japanese Market
Hungary's Industrial Output Rises Amid Battery Sector Slump
President Sulyok Celebrates 15 Years of Hungarian Unity Efforts
×