Exxon's Q2 profit doubled to $15 billion and Chevron's nearly quadrupled to $12 billion, combining for roughly $27 billion as Brent crude peaked at $126.
Gas averaged $4.28 a gallon on Oct. 19, up 40% year-over-year, with 73% of likely voters disapproving of Trump's handling of prices.
A Dallas Fed model estimates a 15% global oil supply disruption cuts annualized US real GDP growth by about 0.3 points.
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#dallas #nearly #combining

$100,000 split across MO and ET alone generates roughly $2,548 annually, backed by 60 and 19 consecutive dividend raises respectively.
Verizon's CFO called its 6.1% dividend "ironclad" after free cash flow surged 27% to $6.43 billion in Q2.
Exxon anchors the basket with 43 straight years of dividend growth and a fortress balance sheet carrying just 0.55x net debt-to-EBITDA.
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Split $100,000 equally across five blue-chip dividend payers in tobacco, pipelines, telecom, net-lease real estate and integrated oil, and today's yields produce roughly $5,436 in annual income. That works out to about $20,000 per name. Dividend safety depends on more than yield. These companies back their payouts with long records of raises, real cash generation and a balance sheet that can handle a rough patch. That combination is what turns a one-time investment into a durable income stream.

#across #free #cash #balance

XOM has raised its dividend for 43 straight years, while CVX yields 3.45% with Hess acquisition synergies running 50% above initial targets.
EPD's distributable cash flow covered its 6% distribution 1.9x last quarter, with a trailing payout ratio of just 56% on adjusted cash flow.
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Energy has a reputation for boom and bust, yet the sector's largest companies have turned volatile commodities into some of the market's most reliable income. Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) alone has grown its annual dividend per share for 43 consecutive years. The four large caps below split into two integrated oil majors and two midstream toll-road operators. Each pairs a well-covered payout with strong cash generation, making them natural candidates for a long-term income portfolio.
At a recent price of $163.83, Exxon's annualized forward dividend of $4.12 per share works out to a 2.51% yield. The quarterly payout is $1.03, up from $0.99 after a 4% raise late last year.

#income

The stock market is pretty much being kept afloat by three tech stocks.
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) has never been more concentrated in just three stocks than it is today, with Nvidia (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), and Microsoft (MSFT) representing over 21% of the index, per data from Creative Planning.
The importance of these three stocks to the S&P 500 has never been greater. Only IBM (IBM), AT&T (T), and ExxonMobil (XOM) could hold a candle to the three tech stalwarts of today: In the mid-1980s, those three industrial giants at their peak made up 13.4% of the S&P 500.
Follow live coverage of the Nasdaq and S&P 500 trading at record highs.
Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft have been enjoying higher stock prices over the past month on the back of favorable news, pushing their concentration in the S&P 500 to a record.

#three #Microsoft #Stock #today

A Wall Street Journal report on September 16 revealed that ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is nearing a preliminary agreement with Venezuela's state-owned PDVSA, potentially marking its return to the country almost two decades after its ***** ets were nationalized. According to Reuters, Exxon has shown interest in the large Petromonagas heavy oil project in the Orinoco Belt, as well as in areas in the neighboring Carabobo block.
While the talks are still in their preliminary phase and could still fall apart or be delayed, they mark a major turnaround from Exxon's previous stance on Venezuela. The company's CEO, Darren Woods, stated in January that the country was "uninvestable" without durable investment protections, legal reforms, and changes to its hydrocarbon laws.
The development comes amid a broader push by the Trump administration to open Venezuela's oil industry to American companies and revive the country's dilapidated oil infrastructure. The South American nation is sitting on the largest proven crude oil reserves in the world, accounting for roughly 17% of the global total.
Venezuela could provide Exxon with access to an enormous resource base at a time when the company is actively seeking low-cost and long-duration ***** ets. The fields under consideration are estimated to contain more than 50 billion barrels of oil buried underground.
Exxon already holds an advantage through its previous experience in the country. Petromonagas, formerly called Cerro Negro, was once the energy firm's flagship project in Venezuela, giving it familiarity with the country's vast heavy and extra-heavy crude resources. Petromonagas also remains one of the few Venezuelan projects with an operational upgrader capable of turning the Orinoco's extra-heavy crude into lighter exportable grades.

#heavy #project

Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE:TRGP) has significantly outperformed the wider market this year, posting gains of over 56% since the beginning of 2026. A major catalyst behind this growth was the 20-year fee-based agreement that the company signed with ExxonMobil last month.
While there are concerns that the stock's rally may have topped out, the **** ysts over at TD Cowen see further growth ahead. On September 18, the firm upgraded TRGP from 'Hold' to Buy', while also boosting its price target from $275 to $350. The revised target implies an upside of almost 20% from the current levels and even exceeds the stock's record high of just under $308 achieved last month.
TD Cowen cited Targa's expected Permian Basin wet gas growth and peer-leading EBITDA growth for the upgrade. The **** yst expects the company's free cash flow yield to rise from 6% in 2026 to more than 10% in 2028, compared with an estimated 8.5% FCF yield for peers in 2030. The improvement is expected to be driven by EBITDA growth from new processing plants and the completion of a major capital project in the Speedway NGL pipeline.
According to TD Cowen, a key driver for Targa's growth is the rising wet gas production in the Permian, which means that the **** yst's thesis is tied to physical volume growth rather than simply a higher-commodity price **** umption.
Targa's recently announced deal with ExxonMobil provides greater visibility into future volumes and infrastructure demand. The company has also planned three new natural gas processing plants in the Permian Delaware as part of the deal, with an aggregate capacity of roughly 825 MMcf/day. Targa expects this agreement to add significantly to its "strong growth rate well into the next decade and bolster its outlook for durable and growing adjusted free cash flow over the long term".

#exxonmobil #ebitda

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is about to significantly expand its operations in Venezuela. The company's CFO, Eimear Bonner, revealed at a Barclays conference on September 8 that the American oil giant plans to more than double the number of oil rigs it operates in the country as part of its five-year plan ‌to increase output.
The statement follows the company's recent announcement that its joint venture partnerships in Venezuela would invest more than $7 billion to more than double oil ⁠output to 600,000 barrels per day by 2031. The current production from Chevron's three Venezuelan JVs totals around 290,000, which is all exported to the United States.
The move builds on Chevron's longstanding presence in Venezuela, as it was the only American oil major that continued operating in the country under a special US license, allowing it to produce and export oil despite the sanctions.
The expansion comes alongside a much larger agreement between Washington and Caracas announced this month, which gave the US majority control over around 20% of Venezuela's proven crude reserves. The White House has now invited American oil companies to revive and modernize the South American country's oil infrastructure and more than double its crude production in the next few years.
Chevron has maintained operations in Venezuela since 1923 and even stayed through the nationalizations that forced ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips to exit in 2007. This gives it a significant competitive advantage, since it already has a longstanding relationship with the state-owned PDVSA and extensive experience operating in the country's complex regulatory environment.

#around

Oil prices have been on a wild ride this year, and most investors **** ume the story is simple: Less crude moving through the Strait of Hormuz means higher prices at the pump.
Exxon Mobil's leadership says that take misses the real problem.
Speaking at the Barclays 40th Annual Energy Power Conference on Sept. 9, Chief Financial Officer Neil Hansen told **** ysts the bigger threat to the energy system isn't crude supply, but refining.
The distinction matters for anyone holding Exxon Mobil (XOM) stock or watching gas prices climb, as it changes how long the pain might last and which part of the business could benefit.
Hansen explained that when a shock like the Middle East conflict unfolds, markets usually respond in a similar pattern.

#hansen #energy

ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) agreed to increase its Papua LNG interest from 28.7% to 34.1% and ***** ume operatorship, as disclosed on September 7. The proposed ownership percentages reflect Papua New Guinea's state participation rights.
Papua LNG targets a fourth-quarter 2026 final investment decision, or FID. Santos Limited (ASX:STO) disclosed FID as a closing condition for its own stake acquisition; the operatorship announcement did not specify an equivalent condition.
TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TTE) said redesign and contractor rebidding had reduced estimated development spending by nearly $4 billion since 2024 to approximately $14 billion. The project would produce 5.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually. The question is whether that smaller budget can support attractive returns through construction and an uncertain LNG market.
ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) already operates neighboring PNG LNG. Combining operatorship could improve coordination during construction and operations, including the redesigned handling of upstream condensate. That gives the proposed efficiency gains a practical basis in existing infrastructure and local experience.
The cost reduction is substantial. Mechanically, nearly $4 billion off an approximately $18 billion previous estimate represents about 22%. For ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM), lower development spending would reduce the capital required to generate each future dollar of project cash flow, ***** uming production and operating economics hold.

#holdings #operatorship

ExxonMobil (XOM) is up 40% in 2026 to $164.83, powered by Brent crude surging from the low $60s to $96, delivering $14.5B in Q2 earnings.
Chevron (CVX) and the XLE ETF outpaced XOM with gains of 44% and 48% respectively, leaving the biggest U.S. major trailing its own sector.
Reaching $200 is possible but depends on crude holding near $96, while the EIA projects Brent falling to $79 by 2027.
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ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) stock is climbing Wednesday afternoon, extending a strong year for U.S. oil majors. ExxonMobil shares are up 3% in the current session to $164.83, carrying a 40% year-to-date gain. WTI crude oil has done much of the heavy lifting, and today it's up 3.29% over the past 24 hours to $96.09 per barrel.

#exxonmobil #crude

The biggest oil companies in the United States are playing hardball in unionized labor negotiations in a bid to get more concessions from workers' unions in the new contracts.
Over the past few years, some of the top U.S. refining companies have resorted to lockouts to ensure most of the company management's proposals in new labor contracts are accepted.
The trend began earlier this decade with Exxon locking out in 2021 as many as 650 workers out of the Beaumont refinery for 10 months. This was the longest labor dispute at a U.S. refinery in four decades.
Five years later, BP and Marathon are currently in a similar position, locking out workers at their Whiting, Indiana, and Martinez, California, refineries, respectively, amid labor disputes over union contracts.
The refineries continue to operate with contractors, supervisors, and replacement workers. The continued operations show that Big Oil is not as afraid as it used to be to use replacement staff while seeking concessions from the unions.

#contracts #unions #refinery

The biggest oil companies in the United States are playing hardball in unionized labor negotiations in a bid to get more concessions from workers' unions in the new contracts.
Over the past few years, some of the top U.S. refining companies have resorted to lockouts to ensure most of the company management's proposals in new labor contracts are accepted.
The trend began earlier this decade with Exxon locking out in 2021 as many as 650 workers out of the Beaumont refinery for 10 months. This was the longest labor dispute at a U.S. refinery in four decades.
Five years later, BP and Marathon are currently in a similar position, locking out workers at their Whiting, Indiana, and Martinez, California, refineries, respectively, amid labor disputes over union contracts.
The refineries continue to operate with contractors, supervisors, and replacement workers. The continued operations show that Big Oil is not as afraid as it used to be to use replacement staff while seeking concessions from the unions.

#contracts

The global energy market has been upended by the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, with reduced supply driving up oil and natural gas prices. However, companies like Chevron (NYSE: CVX), while benefiting from today's high energy prices, think in decades, not days, weeks, or months. In fact, volatility is the norm for the energy sector. Management's long-term approach is why Chevron is actively looking to invest in the conflict-torn Middle East. But what does this really mean for dividend investors?
There are many reasons to like Chevron as an investment. For example, it is large and geographically diverse, with exposure to the entire energy value chain. But one of the biggest is the company's consistency, which is highlighted by a 38-year streak of annual dividend increases. Add in a well-above market 3.5% yield, and the story gets even better for dividend lovers seeking to add some energy exposure to their portfolios.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Chevron's willingness to look beyond the conflict that is raging today is part of the story, too. In fact, it is planning to invest in Iraq and hopes to help build a pipeline that will allow energy companies to avoid traversing the Strait of Hormuz. Both could help the company maintain its impressive dividend growth streak, but they aren't the real dividend growth story investors need to be watching.
The real dividend growth story is Chevron's ability to think and act with a long-term mindset. The Iraq investment and pipeline are merely examples of decisions that allow the company to keep increasing its dividend. But what enables such decisions in the first place is the company's financial strength, as highlighted by its impressive balance sheet. At the end of the second quarter of 2026, its debt-to-equity ratio was 0.2x, second only to ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) in its peer group.

#NVIDIA #signal

Cramer called CVX a steal above $200 after Chevron's downstream earnings surged from $737 million to $4.87 billion year over year.
Chevron's P/E of 34 runs richer than Exxon's 23, while ConocoPhillips offers more crude upside, up 49% year to date.
A 20-year Microsoft power deal and Hess synergies running 50% above target give Chevron cash flows insulated from crude swings.
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Jim Cramer opened Squawk on the Street on the first trading day of September with a market backdrop he described in blunt terms. Two ships had been fired on in the Strait of Hormuz, Treasury yields were pushing higher across the curve, and diesel prices were climbing amid a supply picture already strained by Ukrainian strikes on Russian refining capacity and U.S. refiners operating near full utilization. Cramer called the combination "unholy" and said the AI trade had gone nowhere for about a year. Then he offered a single actionable idea.

#above

Amazon's e-commerce revenue will exceed $750 billion this year, surpassing both Exxon and Microsoft in total revenue.
AWS projects $180 billion in 2026 revenue at 40% growth, representing an estimated $2 trillion of Amazon's $3 trillion market cap.
Breaking Amazon into two public companies could let investors separately choose its stable e-commerce and high-growth AWS businesses.
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Investors often forget that Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has $700 billion in e-commerce revenue based on its first-half revenue run rate. Since its fourth quarter is by far its largest, the number will probably exceed $750 billion. That will make the e-commerce division as large as Exxon's (NYSE: XOM) total and larger than Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT). In fact, including AWS, Amazon was the No.1 company among the Fortune 500, having passed Walmart (NYSE: WMT) last year.

#total

First Eagle Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor update for "First Eagle Global Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. Easing tensions in the Middle East led to a strong rally in risk markets in Q2. The S&P 500 Index rose 15.2%, while the MSCI EAFE Index gained 10.8%. Growth stocks outperformed, with the MSCI World Growth Index significantly exceeding value returns. A notable shift in U.S. interest rate expectations followed Kevin Warsh's appointment as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, pushing Treasury yields higher and strengthening the dollar. Despite the optimistic market environment, concerns about fiscal constraints and limited policy flexibility remain. Tighter credit spreads and elevated equity valuations reflect strong demand for financial ****** ets, with household wealth in equities at a post-WWII high. Earnings expectations are buoyant, driven by AI infrastructure developments. Against this backdrop, Global Fund A Shares returned 2.86% in Q2 2026, with emerging markets and developed Europe as the primary contributors. Developed Asia (excluding ****** an) was the only detractor, and ****** an lagged. Information technology and financials led among equity sectors, while materials and energy detracted. The fund underperformed relative to the MSCI World Index during this period. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA). HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) owns and operates hospitals and related healthcare entities. On August 31, 2026, HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) closed at $414.45 per share. HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) returned 3.42% over the past month, and its shares are up 2.05% over the past year. HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) has a market capitalization of $89.72 billion.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The leading detractors in the quarter were gold bullion, Charter Communications, Inc. Class A, HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA), Exxon Mobil Corporation and Salesforce.com, Inc. HCA Healthcare is the largest for-profit hospital operator in the US, with a difficult-to-replicate network of large urban hospitals. Although the company reported sales and profit growth for its most recent growth, HCA reported that patient volumes grew at the low end of guidance, driven partially by declines in respiratory-related emergency room visits, inpatient surgeries and outpatient surgeries. A decrease in enrollment in both Medicaid and Affordable Care Act exchanges was also a headwind. We continue to view HCA's management as an effective steward of both operations and the balance sheet as it continues to return capital to shareholders through share buybacks."

#fund #first

First Eagle Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor update for "First Eagle Global Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. Easing tensions in the Middle East led to a strong rally in risk markets in Q2. The S&P 500 Index rose 15.2%, while the MSCI EAFE Index gained 10.8%. Growth stocks outperformed, with the MSCI World Growth Index significantly exceeding value returns. A notable shift in U.S. interest rate expectations followed Kevin Warsh's appointment as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, pushing Treasury yields higher and strengthening the dollar. Despite the optimistic market environment, concerns about fiscal constraints and limited policy flexibility remain. Tighter credit spreads and elevated equity valuations reflect strong demand for financial ***** ets, with household wealth in equities at a post-WWII high. Earnings expectations are buoyant, driven by AI infrastructure developments. Against this backdrop, Global Fund A Shares returned 2.86% in Q2 2026, with emerging markets and developed Europe as the primary contributors. Developed Asia (excluding ***** an) was the only detractor, and ***** an lagged. Information technology and financials led among equity sectors, while materials and energy detracted. The fund underperformed relative to the MSCI World Index during this period. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM). ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is a leading US-based crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company. On August 31, 2026, ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) closed at $160.95 per share. Over the past month, ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) returned 5.74%, and its shares are up 41.95% over the past year. ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) has a market capitalization of $661.81 billion.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Shares of integrated oil and gas giant ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) traded down alongside easing crude oil prices. Although the company experienced disruptions in its Middle East operations, it reported better-than expected results for its most recent quarter because of improved production from ***** ets in Guyana and the Permian Basin. We continue to view Exxon as a high-quality operator with strong capital discipline, an attractive portfolio of durable ***** ets and a commitment to returning cash to shareholders."

#first

First Eagle Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor update for "First Eagle Global Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. Easing tensions in the Middle East led to a strong rally in risk markets in Q2. The S&P 500 Index rose 15.2%, while the MSCI EAFE Index gained 10.8%. Growth stocks outperformed, with the MSCI World Growth Index significantly exceeding value returns. A notable shift in U.S. interest rate expectations followed Kevin Warsh's appointment as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, pushing Treasury yields higher and strengthening the dollar. Despite the optimistic market environment, concerns about fiscal constraints and limited policy flexibility remain. Tighter credit spreads and elevated equity valuations reflect strong demand for financial ****** ets, with household wealth in equities at a post-WWII high. Earnings expectations are buoyant, driven by AI infrastructure developments. Against this backdrop, Global Fund A Shares returned 2.86% in Q2 2026, with emerging markets and developed Europe as the primary contributors. Developed Asia (excluding ****** an) was the only detractor, and ****** an lagged. Information technology and financials led among equity sectors, while materials and energy detracted. The fund underperformed relative to the MSCI World Index during this period. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR). Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a US-based broadband connectivity company. On August 31, 2026, Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) closed at $152.44 per share. The one-month return of Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) was -4.10%, and its shares lost -44.49% over the past 52 weeks. Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) has a market capitalization of $26.69 billion.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The leading detractors in the quarter were gold bullion, Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), HCA Healthcare Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation and Salesforce.com, Inc. Charter Communications is the second-largest broadband commu nications service company in the US, providing cable broadcasting, internet, voice and mass-media services. Cable providers in general remain under competitive pressure from mobile operators, which are scaling up entry-level fixed wireless service. We continue to view Charter as a high-quality business with difficult-to-replicate ****** ets that generate steady cash flows and returns cash to shareholders."

#charter #global #msci

ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE) has agreed to acquire Brazos Midstream's Permian Midland Basin natural-gas gathering and processing ***** ets for $4.425 billion in cash. The deal is being paired with a $9 billion nonvoting minority equity investment from Apollo, of which ONEOK plans to use about $5 billion to reduce existing debt. ONEOK expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to earnings and free cash flow per share.
The transaction would more than double ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE)'s Midland Basin processing capacity to approximately 2.3 Bcf/d, including plants already under construction. The acquired platform includes roughly 700 miles of gathering infrastructure, 1.2 Bcf/d of processing capacity after the Cassidy II plant is completed, and approximately 600,000 dedicated acres backed by fixed-fee contracts with more than 12 years of weighted-average remaining term.
The biggest attraction is the quality and location of the ***** ets. The Permian remains one of the most economically important oil and gas-producing regions in the U.S., and the Brazos system gives ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE) additional exposure to ***** ociated natural-gas volumes generated by oil production. The acquired ***** ets are supported by 14 active drilling rigs operated by producers including ExxonMobil, Diamondback Energy, and Double Eagle. The long-term contracts provide ONEOK with considerable visibility into future volumes and cash flows. That makes this more than a simple capacity expansion. ONEOK is effectively adding infrastructure that can grow alongside production on the dedicated acreage.
The ***** ets fit closely with ONEOK's existing gathering, processing, NGL transportation and crude infrastructure. That creates an opportunity to extract more value from the same barrels and molecules as they move through ONEOK's network.
The company expects to connect the Brazos system with downstream ***** ets such as its West Texas NGL Pipeline and the Medford NGL fractionation facility. This broader integration could produce commercial and operational efficiencies that an independent owner of the ***** ets might not be able to capture. ONEOK estimates about $80 million of full-year synergies in its 2027 EBITDA calculation and expects additional commercial and capital efficiencies as the systems are integrated.

#cash #expects

Sullivan named CVX and XOM among prospective participants in a 25-year Venezuelan lease deal, but warned real production is years away.
Venezuela's output collapsed from 3.2 to 1.2 million barrels per day since 1997, leaving 65 billion barrels stranded without capital or expertise.
Act now: the **** yst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Exxon Mobil didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
CNBC's Brian Sullivan walked viewers through the announced U.S.-Venezuela oil arrangement Monday, delivering a simple message for investors: the headline reserve number is enormous, and the timeline to real production might not be as long as some would expect.
"Venezuela, 65 billion barrels proven reserves on the part of this deal. Venezuela obviously has more. The U.S. under this would control 55% of that," Sullivan said, framing a reported 25-year lease structure valued at $100 billion-plus in investment by U.S. energy companies.

#billion #lease

Good morning. Stocks slipped in early trading as investors saw an increased probability of a September rate hike and the US and Iran exchanged fire over the weekend, dampening sentiment near the end of an ebullient earnings season.
It's the final trading day of August, and the major indexes are on pace for solid monthly gains.
Here's a check of the markets in the first few minutes of trading, based on a heat map powered by Yahoo Finance AlphaSpace data.
Tech (XLK) stocks traded flat against a broadly down market on Monday, with software and semiconductor stocks edging higher. The Energy sector (XLE) was the real standout, however, as rising oil prices stemming from the rekindled Middle East conflict lifted shares of Chevron (CVX), Exxon (XOM), and other energy firms.
PG&E Corporation (PCG) stock dragged down Utilities (XLU) after new California legislation left a lot of uncertainty about utilities' exposure to wildfire liabilities.

#trading #september #august

Resumed U.S.-Iran strikes sent oil up 3%, lifting CVX and XOM roughly 1.5% each at Monday's open as Middle East risk premiums returned.
OXY fully offset Middle East production losses via Permian volumes, while PCG collapsed 19% after California lawmakers blocked wildfire liability reform.
Trump's Venezuela deal covers 65 billion barrels, but degraded infrastructure means years of investment separate the reserves announcement from actual new supply.
Act now: the ***** yst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Exxon Mobil didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Energy stocks led the market higher Monday morning as two major oil catalysts hit at once. CNBC's Dominic Chu framed the setup on the network's opening segment on Monday: "Oil prices did jump by about 3% on the resumption of those attacks, and that sent energy stocks higher."

#resumed

First Eagle Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor update for "First Eagle Global Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. Easing tensions in the Middle East led to a strong rally in risk markets in Q2. The S&P 500 Index rose 15.2%, while the MSCI EAFE Index gained 10.8%. Growth stocks outperformed, with the MSCI World Growth Index significantly exceeding value returns. A notable shift in U.S. interest rate expectations followed Kevin Warsh's appointment as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, pushing Treasury yields higher and strengthening the dollar. Despite the optimistic market environment, concerns about fiscal constraints and limited policy flexibility remain. Tighter credit spreads and elevated equity valuations reflect strong demand for financial ***** ets, with household wealth in equities at a post-WWII high. Earnings expectations are buoyant, driven by AI infrastructure developments. Against this backdrop, Global Fund A Shares returned 2.86% in Q2 2026, with emerging markets and developed Europe as the primary contributors. Developed Asia (excluding ***** an) was the only detractor, and ***** an lagged. Information technology and financials led among equity sectors, while materials and energy detracted. The fund underperformed relative to the MSCI World Index during this period. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM). ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is a leading US-based crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company. On August 31, 2026, ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) closed at $160.95 per share. Over the past month, ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) returned 5.74%, and its shares are up 41.95% over the past year. ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) has a market capitalization of $661.81 billion.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Shares of integrated oil and gas giant ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) traded down alongside easing crude oil prices. Although the company experienced disruptions in its Middle East operations, it reported better-than expected results for its most recent quarter because of improved production from ***** ets in Guyana and the Permian Basin. We continue to view Exxon as a high-quality operator with strong capital discipline, an attractive portfolio of durable ***** ets and a commitment to returning cash to shareholders."

#fund #msci

First Eagle Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor update for "First Eagle Global Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. Easing tensions in the Middle East led to a strong rally in risk markets in Q2. The S&P 500 Index rose 15.2%, while the MSCI EAFE Index gained 10.8%. Growth stocks outperformed, with the MSCI World Growth Index significantly exceeding value returns. A notable shift in U.S. interest rate expectations followed Kevin Warsh's appointment as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, pushing Treasury yields higher and strengthening the dollar. Despite the optimistic market environment, concerns about fiscal constraints and limited policy flexibility remain. Tighter credit spreads and elevated equity valuations reflect strong demand for financial ******* ets, with household wealth in equities at a post-WWII high. Earnings expectations are buoyant, driven by AI infrastructure developments. Against this backdrop, Global Fund A Shares returned 2.86% in Q2 2026, with emerging markets and developed Europe as the primary contributors. Developed Asia (excluding ******* an) was the only detractor, and ******* an lagged. Information technology and financials led among equity sectors, while materials and energy detracted. The fund underperformed relative to the MSCI World Index during this period. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR). Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a US-based broadband connectivity company. On August 31, 2026, Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) closed at $152.44 per share. The one-month return of Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) was -4.10%, and its shares lost -44.49% over the past 52 weeks. Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) has a market capitalization of $26.69 billion.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The leading detractors in the quarter were gold bullion, Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), HCA Healthcare Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation and Salesforce.com, Inc. Charter Communications is the second-largest broadband commu nications service company in the US, providing cable broadcasting, internet, voice and mass-media services. Cable providers in general remain under competitive pressure from mobile operators, which are scaling up entry-level fixed wireless service. We continue to view Charter as a high-quality business with difficult-to-replicate ******* ets that generate steady cash flows and returns cash to shareholders."

#NASDAQ #global #index #msci

First Eagle Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor update for "First Eagle Global Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. Easing tensions in the Middle East led to a strong rally in risk markets in Q2. The S&P 500 Index rose 15.2%, while the MSCI EAFE Index gained 10.8%. Growth stocks outperformed, with the MSCI World Growth Index significantly exceeding value returns. A notable shift in U.S. interest rate expectations followed Kevin Warsh's appointment as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, pushing Treasury yields higher and strengthening the dollar. Despite the optimistic market environment, concerns about fiscal constraints and limited policy flexibility remain. Tighter credit spreads and elevated equity valuations reflect strong demand for financial ******* ets, with household wealth in equities at a post-WWII high. Earnings expectations are buoyant, driven by AI infrastructure developments. Against this backdrop, Global Fund A Shares returned 2.86% in Q2 2026, with emerging markets and developed Europe as the primary contributors. Developed Asia (excluding ******* an) was the only detractor, and ******* an lagged. Information technology and financials led among equity sectors, while materials and energy detracted. The fund underperformed relative to the MSCI World Index during this period. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA). HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) owns and operates hospitals and related healthcare entities. On August 31, 2026, HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) closed at $414.45 per share. HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) returned 3.42% over the past month, and its shares are up 2.05% over the past year. HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) has a market capitalization of $89.72 billion.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The leading detractors in the quarter were gold bullion, Charter Communications, Inc. Class A, HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA), Exxon Mobil Corporation and Salesforce.com, Inc. HCA Healthcare is the largest for-profit hospital operator in the US, with a difficult-to-replicate network of large urban hospitals. Although the company reported sales and profit growth for its most recent growth, HCA reported that patient volumes grew at the low end of guidance, driven partially by declines in respiratory-related emergency room visits, inpatient surgeries and outpatient surgeries. A decrease in enrollment in both Medicaid and Affordable Care Act exchanges was also a headwind. We continue to view HCA's management as an effective steward of both operations and the balance sheet as it continues to return capital to shareholders through share buybacks."

#healthcare #NYSE #index

ONEOK has agreed to acquire Brazos Midstream's natural gas gathering and processing ******* ets in the Permian Basin's Midland sub-basin for $4.425 billion in cash, expanding the midstream operator's footprint in one of the largest U.S. oil and gas producing regions.
The acquisition will be funded as part of a separate $9 billion nonvoting minority equity investment from funds and affiliates managed by Apollo Global Management. ONEOK plans to use roughly $5 billion of the Apollo proceeds to extinguish existing debt, while the remainder will fund the Brazos acquisition.
The structure allows ONEOK to finance the transaction without issuing common equity. The company said the combination of the Apollo investment and planned debt reduction is expected to bring its pro forma 2027 debt-to-EBITDA ratio to about 3.25 times.
Brazos' Midland Basin system is supported by roughly 600,000 dedicated acres under fixed-fee contracts with a weighted average remaining term exceeding 12 years, according to ONEOK. Producers operating on the acreage include ExxonMobil, Diamondback Energy and Double Eagle, with 14 active drilling rigs currently supporting the system.
After completion of the Cassidy II processing plant, which ONEOK expects in the third quarter of 2027, the acquired system is expected to comprise about 700 miles of gathering infrastructure and 1.2 billion cubic feet per day of gas processing capacity across seven Midland Basin counties.

#basin

For committed, patient long-term income investors, some of the best opportunities, in terms of both yield and payout growth, can be found in the energy patch.
The sector's status as a payout haven encompasses a broad range of names, from pipeline stocks to some of the world's largest oil companies. Many market participants opt for familiarity and reliability, which helps explain why ExxonMobil and Chevron are hits with dividend investors. The two largest U.S. domestic oil companies have dividend increase streaks of 43 and 39 years, respectively.
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To be sure, those are impressive runs, but barring any surprises, those companies are likely to continue raising their payouts at low-single-digit percentages. Income-hungry investors seeking rapid dividend growth should look to the midstream segment, home to Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN). Indeed, this pipeline company has sunny dividend potential.
First, a housekeeping item. Sunoco LP is not the same as SunocoCorp LLC (NYSE: SUNC). However, the latter "owns a direct limited partner interest in Sunoco LP." Interestingly, Sunoco LP's general partner is owned by Energy Transfer, one of the most beloved large-cap names in the midstream income ******* e.

#Dividend #Companies #energy

Oil prices have been all over the place in 2026. Brent crude fell nearly 40% from its year-to-date (YTD) high of $118.35 on March 31 to $71.44 by July 1 after a U.S.-Iran peace deal reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Prices then rebounded more than 16% from that July low after the ceasefire broke down on July 8, helping make energy the best-performing S&P 500 sector ($SPX) during that period.
Shell (SHEL) has used the volatility to reshape its business. The company has sold ****** ets that no longer fit its focus on oil, gas, and LNG, including India's Sprng Energy for $1.8 billion, Gulf of Mexico stakes for $1.7 billion, and Jiffy Lube International and Premium Velocity Auto for $1.3 billion. It also sold its European onshore renewables portfolio to TotalEnergies SE (TTE) and agreed to acquire Canada's ARC Resources Ltd. (ARX) in a deal valued at about $13.6 billion.
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Next could be Shell's U.S. chemicals business. The company has reportedly drawn interest from potential buyers, including ExxonMobil Corporation (XOM) and LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LYB), in a deal that could fetch up to $8 billion.

#prices

More than half a year after the U.S. captured and extracted Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela, the biggest American oil firms haven't returned to operating oilfields in the world's largest oil reserves holder.
Chevron, which has operated in Venezuela throughout Maduro's reign, is extracting and exporting oil to the U.S., but neither ExxonMobil nor ConocoPhillips have returned as negotiations led by Venezuela's state oil firm PDVSA are not progressing as fast as the U.S. Administration probably thought in January when it extracted Maduro and hailed the big U.S. return to Venezuela's oil industry.
There have been some deals signed in recent months, with service providers and smaller American oil companies, which seem more willing to take the risks of operating in the country, which has yet to see a stable political and fiscal environment for large-scale operations.
Earlier this month, Venezuela signed deals with oilfield service major SLB and Hunt Oil Co. as part of efforts to boost investment in its key energy industry, the country's oil minister, Paula Henao, said.
Related: The 60 Day Peace Window Closed, and Trump's Iran Strategy May Shift Dramatically

#operating #service

Dividends are great, but what's even better for long-term investors is knowing that they're holding shares of a company that's a true dividend stock, not just a stock that pays a dividend.
Companies become true dividend names by showing unwavering commitment to steadily increasing their payouts. One of the world's largest oil companies, ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), is certainly in that camp. ExxonMobil is on a 43-year run of increasing its payout. Those are increases shareholders can set their clocks by, and for those wondering, pencil in the energy stock's next dividend lift. It's likely to arrive in October, as it has over the past several years.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Each of the company's 2023 through 2025 increases was $0.04 per share quarterly. That's not much, but those boosts add up over time. That consistency may have some on Wall Street banking on another increase of $0.03 to $0.04 a share, but ExxonMobil can deliver an "October surprise" -- and a positive one at that.
In addition to the 43-year payout increase streak, ExxonMobil is the second-largest dividend payer in the S&P 500. Fortunately, a yield of 2.5% and a payout ratio of 52.5% imply two pivotal factors. First, the energy company isn't burdened by its dividend obligations. Second, there's room for payout growth.

#exxonmobil