ExxonMobil is a global leader in the petroleum refining industry, engaged in oil and gas exploration, production, and refining.
It is defined by its massive scale, integrated operations, and longstanding presence as one of the world's largest publicly traded energy companies.
Updated: February 19, 2026, 16:00 EST
Based on technical, fundamental, and valuation analysis, here is a comprehensive view of Exxon Mobil (XOM).
Technical Perspective XOM is in a pronounced uptrend, evidenced by strong double-digit gains and significant market outperformance over recent months. However, its proximity to a 52-week high and the parabolic nature of its recent rise suggest the stock is technically overbought in the near term. This indicates potential for a pause or pullback before further significant advances.
Fundamental Perspective Fundamentally, Exxon Mobil displays a mixed picture. The company maintains robust absolute earnings and a very strong, conservative balance sheet with low debt. However, softening quarterly revenue and net income margins, coupled with low returns on equity and assets, highlight challenges in operational efficiency and profitability growth.
Valuation & Risk Valuation is a key concern, with elevated P/E and EV/EBITDA multiples suggesting the stock trades at a premium. While direct peer comparison is unavailable, these metrics indicate that much of the recent positive momentum may already be priced in. On risk, XOM exhibits low market volatility and a manageable maximum drawdown, but it remains exposed to cyclical oil price swings and long-term energy transition pressures.
Buy Recommendation
Exxon Mobil demonstrates strong operational momentum and a rock-solid financial foundation. However, its current premium valuation, coupled with signs of technical overbought conditions, suggests limited near-term upside. Investors might consider waiting for a more attractive entry point during a market pullback or sector weakness. For long-term holders, XOM remains a high-quality, albeit fairly valued, energy sector staple.
*Note: This is not investment advice, for reference only.*
Based on the comprehensive analysis provided, here is a 12-month outlook for Exxon Mobil (XOM):
The primary positive catalysts are the stock's strong operational momentum within a supportive oil price environment and its rock-solid financial foundation, which provides stability. Key potential risks include its premium valuation limiting near-term upside, susceptibility to a technical pullback from overbought conditions, and exposure to volatile energy prices and long-term transition pressures. While a specific analyst target is unavailable, the analysis suggests the stock is fairly to fully valued at current levels, implying a 12-month return profile that is likely muted without a meaningful correction; investors may find better opportunities on a pullback toward the $130-$140 range.
Most Wall Street analysts are optimistic about Exxon Mobil Corporation's 12-month outlook, with consensus target around $150.97, indicating expected upside potential.
Overall, XOM has investment potential but also faces challenges. Here are key factors to weigh before investing.
XOM has demonstrated exceptionally strong performance with substantial double-digit gains across multiple timeframes. The stock's significant outperformance relative to the market, combined with modest volatility and contained downside risk, reflects a robust bullish trend.
Over the past one and three months, XOM has surged by 15.72% and 27.09% respectively, dramatically outperforming the broader market by over 25 percentage points in the latter period. This powerful short-term momentum, coupled with a low beta, indicates the stock has delivered strong returns with below-market volatility.
Currently trading at $150.97, XOM sits very near its 52-week high of $156.93 and approximately 54% above its 52-week low, placing it in an extended uptrend. Given its proximity to the yearly peak and recent parabolic move, the stock appears technically overbought in the near term.
| Period | XOM Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1m | +15.7% | +1.0% |
| 3m | +27.1% | +1.9% |
| 6m | +42.2% | +6.5% |
| 1y | +34.8% | +12.1% |
| ytd | +23.1% | +0.2% |
Revenue & Profitability XOM's Q4 2025 revenue of $80.0 billion declined sequentially from $83.3 billion in Q3, while the net income ratio softened to 8.12% from 9.06%. This indicates moderating profitability amid lower quarterly sales, though absolute earnings remain robust with $6.5 billion in net income.
Financial Health The company maintains a conservative debt profile, with a low debt ratio of 15.6% and a strong cash ratio of 0.15. Interest coverage appears negative due to net interest income in Q4, but the healthy cash flow to debt ratio of 0.18 supports solid liquidity.
Operational Efficiency Operational metrics show room for improvement, with ROE at 2.5% and asset turnover of 0.18 reflecting capital-intensive operations. The negative cash conversion cycle of -34 days highlights efficient working capital management, though fixed asset turnover remains low at 0.27.
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Try Now & Get Tesla Stock RewardBased on the available metrics, Exxon Mobil appears to be trading at a premium valuation. The trailing and forward P/E ratios are both above 20, which suggests a higher earnings multiple. Furthermore, the significantly elevated EV/EBITDA of nearly 37 indicates the market is pricing in a substantial premium for its cash flow generation.
A peer comparison using industry average data is not feasible as it is currently unavailable. To conduct a thorough relative valuation, comparable metrics from companies like Chevron, Shell, and TotalEnergies would be required to contextualize whether XOM's multiples are in line with or deviate from its primary competitors.
Volatility risk for XOM appears relatively low. Its exceptionally low beta of 0.358 indicates significantly less price fluctuation than the broader market. The trailing one-year maximum drawdown of -16.05%, while substantial, is moderate for the energy sector.
Other risks are not dominated by short-selling pressure, as short interest is negligible. Nevertheless, the stock remains exposed to typical sector-specific risks, such as pronounced sensitivity to oil price volatility and long-term energy transition pressures. Liquidity is typically strong for a large-cap stock like XOM, mitigating that specific trading risk.
Based on the analysis, I am neutral on XOM despite its strong technical performance. The stock appears technically overbought after a significant run-up and trades at a premium valuation, while recent quarterly results show moderating profitability. However, its strong asset portfolio, shareholder returns, and low volatility provide stability. This stock is better suited for long-term, income-focused investors who can tolerate commodity price cyclicality rather than those seeking near-term growth.
Based on the metrics provided, XOM appears to be overvalued. Its trailing and forward P/E ratios (21.2 and 20.0) seem elevated for an energy stock, and its Price/Book (2.36) and Price/Sales (1.9) ratios suggest a premium valuation relative to its tangible assets and revenue. This high pricing contrasts with negative profitability growth indicated by the negative PEG ratio and its relatively low return on equity (2.5%), meaning the market is likely pricing in optimistic future prospects that are not yet reflected in its current moderate growth and efficiency metrics.
Based on the provided information, here are the key risks of holding XOM:
1. The stock is technically overbought following a parabolic surge, creating a high risk of a near-term price correction as it trades near its 52-week high. 2. Profitability is moderating with recent sequential declines in revenue and net income ratio, indicating potential business cycle or operational headwinds. 3. The company faces long-term structural pressure from the global energy transition, which threatens the demand for its core oil and gas products. 4. Operational efficiency is challenged by low returns on equity and asset turnover, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of its business and potential for suboptimal capital allocation.
Based on Exxon Mobil's current operational momentum and long-term strategy, here is a strategic forecast for 2026.
For 2026, we project a base case target price range of $160-$170, with a bull case of $180+ if oil prices remain structurally high. Key growth drivers include disciplined capital allocation in high-return oil & gas projects and advancements in lower-carbon initiatives like carbon capture and biofuels. Our main assumptions are supportive but not extreme oil prices (averaging $75-$85/bbl) and the company's continued success in controlling costs. This forecast is inherently uncertain and highly dependent on volatile energy markets and the global economic outlook, which could significantly alter the trajectory.