Exxon Profits Drop as Most of World Stays Home
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NEW YORK — Profits fell at ExxonMobil as the global pandemic began to erode oil demand.
The Irving, Texas, oil giant lost $610 million in the first quarter, down 126% from the same time last year, the company said May 1.
Revenue was $56.16 billion, down 12% from the same quarter in 2019.
Fewer people flew or drove as the world fought to contain the spread of COVID-19, decreasing the need for jet fuel and gasoline. That resulted in oversupplied markets and unprecedented pressure on prices and margins, said CEO Darren Woods in a news release.
Despite plummeting demand, Exxon produced 4 million barrels per day of oil, up 2% from the same time last year.
“While we manage through these challenging times, we are not losing sight of the long-term fundamentals that drive our business,” Woods said. “Economic activity will return, and populations and standards of living will increase, which will in turn drive demand for our products and a recovery of the industry.”
The oil industry was facing stark challenges even before the coronavirus hit, when prices were low because of a trade war between the U.S. and China that contributed to a global economic slowdown. As lockdowns began to spread around the world during the first quarter, oil use plummeted and prices fell. Then Saudi Arabia, in a power struggle with Russia, began flooding the market with oil, pushing prices down even further.
Exxon lost 14 cents per share, falling below the expectations of analysts polled by Factset.
Chevron Turns a Profit but Warns of Pain Ahead
Chevron's logo at the New York Stock Exchange. (Richard Drew/AP)
Chevron turned a profit in the first quarter. But the company warned its financial picture is likely to be depressed in the future because of reduced demand caused by the coronavirus.
The San Ramon, Calif.-based oil producer brought in $3.6 billion in profits, up 36% from the same time last year. CEO Michael Wirth says the growth was driven by margins in its refining business and increased production in the Permian Basin.
But the boost was also driven by the sale of upstream assets in the Philippines, favorable tax items and foreign currency effects that together totaled $1.2 billion.
Revenues were down 10% to $31.5 billion.
The price of U.S. benchmark crude has fallen nearly 70% since the start of the year, forcing oil companies to rein in drilling plans. Chevron reduced its capital expenditure budget to as low as $14 billion.
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