Exxon Mobil Sets New Earnings Record for a U.S. Company

Oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. Friday reported a 2008 profit of $45.2 billion, breaking its own record for a U.S. company, although its fourth-quarter earnings fell 33% from a year ago, the Associated Press reported.

The previous record for an annual profit was $40.6 billion, which it had set the previous year, AP said.

Irving, Texas-based Exxon said its net income slid to $7.8 billion, or $1.55 a share, from $11.7 billion, or $2.13 per share, a year ago, when it set a U.S. record for quarterly profit, AP reported.

Chevron Corp., the second-largest U.S. oil company behind Exxon Mobil, reported a $4.9 billion for the fourth quarter, though revenues slid 26% with the declining price of oil, AP said.