ExxonMobil vs Shell
This page compares ExxonMobil and Shell PLC - ADS, outlining their business models, financial performance, and market context in a clear, neutral manner to help readers understand the landscape. It presents accessible information and context without speculation, letting users form their own view. Educational content, not financial advice.
This page compares ExxonMobil and Shell PLC - ADS, outlining their business models, financial performance, and market context in a clear, neutral manner to help readers understand the landscape. It pr...
Why It's Moving
ExxonMobil Powers Ahead with Q3 Earnings Strength and Dividend Boost Amid Energy Sector Resilience
- Q3 earnings hit $7.5 billion with $14.8 billion in operating cash flow, offsetting weaker crude and chemical margins through Permian and Guyana volume gains and cost savings.
- Fourth-quarter dividend rose 4% to $1.03 per share, returning $9.4 billion to shareholders in Q3 and highlighting financial discipline.
- Advanced eight of 10 key 2025 projects on track, plus $20B low-carbon push through 2030 in CCS and hydrogen, aligning with faster-than-expected emissions cuts.
Shell trims debt structure and keeps buybacks rolling, sparking near-term stock reaction
- Completed exchange offers: Shell announced final results of exchange offers to replace six note series with new notes issued by Shell Finance US, a move that centralizes debt under a U.S. issuer and can reduce refinancing complexity and currency/interest‑rate mismatches, potentially lowering funding volatility for the group (announcement released this week).
- Ongoing buybacks: Daily disclosures show continued cancellations after management repurchased roughly 1.4–1.5 million shares in several recent sessions, signaling sustained cash returns that reduce share count and support EPS even if oil prices are choppy (company buy‑back updates this week).
- Dividend currency detail disclosed: Shell provided pounds‑sterling and euro equivalents for its Q3 2025 US$0.358 dividend, clarifying FX pass‑through to shareholders and removing near‑term uncertainty around cash returns in different markets (dividend FX detail published this week).
ExxonMobil Powers Ahead with Q3 Earnings Strength and Dividend Boost Amid Energy Sector Resilience
- Q3 earnings hit $7.5 billion with $14.8 billion in operating cash flow, offsetting weaker crude and chemical margins through Permian and Guyana volume gains and cost savings.
- Fourth-quarter dividend rose 4% to $1.03 per share, returning $9.4 billion to shareholders in Q3 and highlighting financial discipline.
- Advanced eight of 10 key 2025 projects on track, plus $20B low-carbon push through 2030 in CCS and hydrogen, aligning with faster-than-expected emissions cuts.
Shell trims debt structure and keeps buybacks rolling, sparking near-term stock reaction
- Completed exchange offers: Shell announced final results of exchange offers to replace six note series with new notes issued by Shell Finance US, a move that centralizes debt under a U.S. issuer and can reduce refinancing complexity and currency/interest‑rate mismatches, potentially lowering funding volatility for the group (announcement released this week).
- Ongoing buybacks: Daily disclosures show continued cancellations after management repurchased roughly 1.4–1.5 million shares in several recent sessions, signaling sustained cash returns that reduce share count and support EPS even if oil prices are choppy (company buy‑back updates this week).
- Dividend currency detail disclosed: Shell provided pounds‑sterling and euro equivalents for its Q3 2025 US$0.358 dividend, clarifying FX pass‑through to shareholders and removing near‑term uncertainty around cash returns in different markets (dividend FX detail published this week).
Which Baskets Do They Appear In?
Brazilian Energy Exposure (Global Majors Only)
Brazil's offshore energy sector is expanding significantly, driven by major new investments and discoveries. This collection may offer exposure to this growth through the US and EU-listed international companies central to the nation's energy development.
Published: October 16, 2025
Explore BasketNatural Gas Investing: What's Next for Nigeria?
As Nigeria pivots to leverage its vast natural gas reserves for economic growth, this resource is becoming central to its energy transition strategy. This basket offers potential exposure to globally-listed energy companies, infrastructure providers, and technology firms participating in this development.
Published: September 24, 2025
Explore BasketBlue Chip Stocks: Could Global Giants Offer Stability?
Amid economic uncertainty, many seek stable, long-term growth opportunities for wealth preservation. This basket offers exposure to some of the world's largest and most well-established US/EU-listed companies, often recognised for their market leadership.
Published: September 16, 2025
Explore BasketWhich Baskets Do They Appear In?
Brazilian Energy Exposure (Global Majors Only)
Brazil's offshore energy sector is expanding significantly, driven by major new investments and discoveries. This collection may offer exposure to this growth through the US and EU-listed international companies central to the nation's energy development.
Published: October 16, 2025
Explore BasketNatural Gas Investing: What's Next for Nigeria?
As Nigeria pivots to leverage its vast natural gas reserves for economic growth, this resource is becoming central to its energy transition strategy. This basket offers potential exposure to globally-listed energy companies, infrastructure providers, and technology firms participating in this development.
Published: September 24, 2025
Explore BasketBlue Chip Stocks: Could Global Giants Offer Stability?
Amid economic uncertainty, many seek stable, long-term growth opportunities for wealth preservation. This basket offers exposure to some of the world's largest and most well-established US/EU-listed companies, often recognised for their market leadership.
Published: September 16, 2025
Explore BasketOil & Gas
Fuel up with investment opportunities in the energy markets. This collection features carefully selected stocks from industry giants and innovators, chosen by professional analysts for their potential in the growing $6.93 trillion global oil and gas market.
Published: May 15, 2025
Explore BasketInvestment Analysis
ExxonMobil
XOM
Pros
- Exxon Mobil maintains a strong balance sheet with high interest coverage, indicating robust capacity to service debt obligations.
- The company's return on assets and return on equity are above industry averages, reflecting efficient use of capital.
- Exxon Mobil's valuation metrics, including P/E and P/B, are in line with major peers, suggesting market confidence in its earnings stability.
Considerations
- Exxon Mobil has experienced negative total returns over the past year, underperforming both the sector and some competitors.
- Its share price volatility remains elevated, increasing risk for short-term investors.
- The company's forward P/E suggests only modest earnings growth expectations, limiting upside potential in the near term.
Shell
SHEL
Pros
- Shell has delivered strong year-to-date share price gains, outperforming many integrated oil and gas peers.
- The company holds a significant cash reserve, providing flexibility for investments and shareholder returns.
- Shell's return on invested capital is competitive, indicating effective deployment of capital in core operations.
Considerations
- Shell's share price is more volatile than Exxon Mobil's, increasing risk for conservative investors.
- The company carries a higher debt load relative to Exxon Mobil, which could constrain financial flexibility in downturns.
- Shell's Sharpe ratio is lower than Exxon Mobil's, suggesting less favourable risk-adjusted returns over the past year.
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