Insider Trading in Focus: Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM)

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) insider has recently participated in insider trading activity. Executive Officer, Cleveland Randy J sold 9,781 shares for $783,165 via one transaction Feb 09. Another notable insider trading was done by Corson Bradley W on Feb 08, who is the Vice President. The insider sold2,000 shares at an average price of $81.00. Moreover, an insider selling of 11,924 shares was carried out by Spellings James M Jr, Vice Pres. & Gen. Tax Counsel, on Feb 05. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 186,750shares in total. Vice President Kelly Alan J sold 9,159 shares for $725,749 through one transaction Feb 05. Following this sale, this insider’s stake in the company comprises 255,020 shares, priced at $20,659,170 as of Friday.

The stock has experienced a total of 82 insider trades in the past three months. These trades include 48 sell activities and 34 buy trades. Furthermore, over the past 12 months, the stock was traded 104 times by insiders. In 66 of these trades, the insider was a seller while an employee of the company was the buyer in just 38 instances.

Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) on February 2, 2016 announced estimated 2015 earnings of $16.2 billion compared with $32.5 billion a year earlier. Higher Downstream and Chemical earnings were offset by sharply lower commodity prices in the Upstream.

“While our financial results reflect the challenging environment, we remain focused on the business fundamentals, including project execution and effective cost management,” said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer. “The scale and diversity of our cash flows, along with our financial strength, provide us with the confidence to invest through the cycle to create long-term shareholder value.”

ExxonMobil completed six major Upstream projects during the year and achieved its full-year plan to produce 4.1 million oil-equivalent barrels per day. These new developments in Canada, Indonesia, Norway, the United States and West Africa added 300,000 oil-equivalent barrels per day of working interest production capacity.

Fourth quarter earnings were $2.8 billion, or $0.67 per diluted share, down from $6.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014. Lower commodity prices in the Upstream were partly offset by higher Downstream earnings.

During 2015, the corporation distributed $15.1 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Earnings of $2.8 billion decreased $3.8 billion, or 58 percent, from the fourth quarter of 2014.


• Earnings per share, assuming dilution, were $0.67, a decrease of 57 percent.


• Capital and exploration expenditures were $7.4 billion, down 29 percent from the fourth quarter of 2014.


• Oil-equivalent production increased 4.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2014, with liquids up 14 percent and natural gas down 5.6 percent.


• Cash flow from operations and asset sales was $5.1 billion, including proceeds associated with asset sales of $785 million.


• The corporation distributed $3.6 billion to shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2015, including $500 million in share purchases to reduce shares outstanding.


• Dividends per share of $0.73 increased 5.8 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014.