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Oil behemoths Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) and Chevron Corporation (CVX) recently reported third-quarter results, indicating enduring difficulties in accelerating oil production growth. Earnings have significantly dropped from the year-ago quarter, failing to meet the Wall Street projections. Nonetheless, both firms reported an upswing in earnings quarterly.
XOM’s oil production has tumbled, while CVX has faced setbacks impacting key growth endeavors in Kazakhstan and the major hubs of oil production, including the Permian Basin in West Texas and New Mexico.
The market reaction to the earnings reports was swift and severe. CVX’s shares plunged about 7%, and a descent of 1.9% in XOM’s shares was observed despite rising oil prices due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. This response underscores investor anxieties about these fossil fuel behemoths’ long-term viability and fiscal discipline relative to sectors like technology.
Both companies confirmed technical issues in the Permian region, including constraints on wastewater production, high concentrations of carbon dioxide in natural gas, and challenges encountered by production partners during fracking operations. The complications of oil production expansion, coupled with operational problems, are anticipated to influence a surge in industry-wide costs.
However, not all seems grim for the oil corporations. The oil majors are reportedly amplifying their capital investments within the oil and gas sector, undeterred by growing global consensus on a shift towards clean energy alternatives. The acquisitions underscore the enduring interest of the oil companies in profitable oil and gas ventures.
These strategic moves suggest that these corporations do not anticipate a decline in oil demand in the future. Instead, they lean toward believing that oil’s role will remain pivotal in the world’s energy matrix for the foreseeable future.
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) forecast of oil demand peaking by 2030 amid expanded use of renewable energy sources. The prediction undermines the justification for increased expenditure on fossil fuels and further prompts the question of why cash-rich oil titans are not pivoting toward green energy ventures.
The answer lies partly in the clean energy transition being a long-term, costly process, complicated further by the current economic backdrop of persistent inflation, escalating borrowing expenses, and continual supply chain difficulties.
For the past two years, geopolitical instability – from Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine to long-standing conflicts in the Middle East, has fostered unpredictability in energy prices. This has prompted concerns over energy demand, infusing uncertainties in the market. Additionally, easing oil and natural gas prices has exacerbated the profitability challenges of XOM and CVX.
A cautious approach has pervaded the market, with participants adopting a vigilant stance, awaiting the outcomes of pivotal events, including the U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting and China’s latest manufacturing data.
In its most recent Commodity Markets Outlook, the World Bank projected global oil prices to reach around $90 a barrel during the last quarter of the year before diminishing to an average of $81 a barrel throughout the coming year as global economic growth decelerates. Such a decline could cast a shadow over the financial health of XOM and CVX.
These corporations, heavily vested in the extraction and sale of oil and gas, stand at risk of substantial revenue reductions, which could compromise their net profitability. Dwindling prices could pose formidable challenges for these companies in securing funds for new ventures and investments, jeopardizing their future profitability.
On the flip side, however, OPEC+ and Russia’s prolonged production cuts, in addition to the geopolitical turmoil, could exacerbate supply chain disruptions, propelling oil and gas prices in the future. This development creates a conducive climate for extraction and ensuing production activities.
Let’s see some other factors that have the potential to influence the stocks’ performance in the near term:
Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM)
With a market cap of over $419 billion, XOM explores and produces crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally.
The cash influx enabled XOM to authorize a $60 billion acquisition of Pioneer, which attracted international media attention. Experts predict the strategic maneuver could boost XOM’s domestic oil production twofold, catapulting the company into the top tier of American producers. It could stimulate added consolidation within this fragmented sector, strengthening American shale producers’ role as the commanding players in the international oil market.
However, XOM’s third-quarter profits fell by over half of its record high last year due to a decline in oil and gas price realizations, although the company’s refinery throughput rose to 4.2 million barrels a day, the most since XOM merged with Mobil 24 years ago. The energy giant’s revenue slid 19% year-over-year to $90.76 billion, while non-GAAP earnings per share reached $2.27, falling short of analysts’ predictions.
The dwindling profits were influenced by an approximately 60% decrease in natural gas price realizations and a 14% reduction in oil price realizations. The company also reported a 69.9% decline in earnings from its chemical products division due to increased feedstock prices and overproduction.
In the quarter, it returned $8.1 billion to the shareholders, comprising $3.7 billion in dividends and $4.4 billion in share buybacks.
Moreover, XOM announced an increase in its fourth-quarter dividend to $0.95 per share, payable on December 11, honoring its excellent history of shareholder returns. A testament to the company’s reputation is its consistent record of paying dividends for 40 uninterrupted years.
Its annual dividend rate of $3.80 per share translates to a dividend yield of 3.60% on the current share prices. The company’s dividend payouts have grown at a CAGR of 1.5% over the past three years and 2.7% over the past five years.
The stock trades lower than the 50-, 100-, and 200-day moving averages, indicating a downtrend. However, Wall Street analysts expect the stock to reach $128.32 in the next 12 months, indicating a potential upside of 21.6%. The price target ranges from a low of $105 to a high of $150.
Institutions hold roughly 60.4% of XOM shares. Of the 3,637 institutional holders, 1,589 have increased their positions in the stock. Moreover, 147 institutions have taken new positions (9,154,521 shares).
For the fiscal fourth quarter ending December 2023, analysts expect its revenue and EPS to be $92.28 billion and $2.20, respectively.
Chevron Corporation (CVX)
Boasting a market cap of over $275 billion, CVX offers administrative, financial management, and technology support services for energy and chemical operations.
The firm’s recent $53 billion acquisition of Hess, recognized as one of the largest operators in North Dakota’s Bakken shale play, substantiates its massive investment amid the global shift towards cleaner energy. Even though this transaction could slightly increase the region’s oil production, industry analysts do not anticipate a revival to its peak pre-pandemic boom days.
Bakken oil production is anticipated to drop to 1.15 million bpd from 2026 and remain stagnant until 2030. A slow decay will follow this due to depleting reserves. It is yet to be ascertained if an infusion of new investments or technological advancements can counteract a longer-term decrease in Bakken output.
CVX also emphasizes the importance of consistent dividend distribution, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to operational diversity, having done so for an impressive 35 consecutive years. This reliability is quite remarkable considering the unpredictable nature of the energy sector.
In 2023, the company paid a dividend of $6.04 per share, which translates to a dividend yield of 4.18% on the current share prices. The company’s dividend payouts have grown at a CAGR of 5.6% over the past three years and 6% over the past five years. Although, it is worth noting that the decline in dividend payout rate over time might adversely influence investors seeking a steady source of passive income.
CVX adopts a moderate approach concerning leverage. During periods with low oil prices, the company can incur debt to finance its capital investment needs and maintain dividend payouts. When energy prices rebound, which historically they always have, the company can offset the debt. This prudent strategy offers reassurance to even the most conservative investors about the integrity of the company’s dividend capabilities.
For the fiscal third quarter that ended September 30, 2023, CVX’s upstream production segment earnings dipped 38.2% year-over-year to $5.76 billion. However, it increased only 16.6% from the second quarter, despite the substantial increase in oil prices.
Profit in CVX’s non-U.S. production segment, accounting for about two-thirds of its total output, declined 37.7% year-over-year but increased about 12% quarterly. Its U.S. production earnings increased 26.4% quarterly but declined 39% year-over-year.
The U.S. net oil-equivalent production was up 20% year-over-year and set a new quarterly record, primarily due to the acquisition of PDC Energy, Inc., which supplemented the quarter’s output with an additional 179,000 oil-equivalent barrels per day, and net production increases in the Permian Basin.
The stock trades lower than the 50-, 100-, and 200-day moving averages, indicating a downtrend. However, Wall Street analysts expect the stock to reach $189 in the next 12 months, indicating a potential upside of 30.9%. The price target ranges from a low of $166 to a high of $215.
Institutions hold roughly 71.4% of CVX shares. Of the 3,473 institutional holders, 1,718 have increased their positions in the stock. Moreover, 203 institutions have taken new positions (9,253,853 shares).
For the fiscal fourth quarter ending December 2023, analysts expect its revenue and EPS to come at $54.46 billion and $3.68, respectively.
Considering the oil stocks’ tepid price momentum, mixed analyst estimates, and financials, it could be wise to wait for a better entry point in the stocks.

Intel Corporation (INTC), a world leader in the design and manufacturing of computing and other related products, reported fiscal 2023 third-quarter results, surpassing analysts’ expectations on the top and bottom lines. Also, the company provided strong fourth-quarter guidance, implying revenue growth for the first time since 2020.
After posting better-than-expected earnings, INTC’s shares surged more than 9% on Friday. Moreover, the stock crossed the 50-day and 200-day moving averages of $35.58 and $32.07, respectively, indicating an uptrend.
The chipmaker posted third-quarter adjusted EPS of $0.41, beating analysts’ estimate of $0.22. INTC’s revenue was $14.16 billion, above the consensus estimate of $13.60 billion. However, it dropped nearly 7.7% year-over-year, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of declining sales.
But INTC told investors last Thursday that it expects revenue to grow again in the current quarter.
The boost to Intel’s earnings was mainly due to gains made by its foundry business and growing interest in AI, signs of a recovery in the PC market, and management’s ability to stay on course for several initiatives it had previously laid out for the company.
“We delivered a standout third quarter, underscored by across-the-board progress on our process and product roadmaps, agreements with new foundry customers, and momentum as we bring AI everywhere,” said Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO.
“We continue to make meaningful progress on our IDM 2.0 transformation by relentlessly advancing our strategy, rebuilding our execution engine and delivering on our commitments to our customers,” he added.
Gelsinger told analysts on a call that the company would slash costs by about $3 billion this year. CFO David Zinsner said that Intel’s EPS benefitted from controlling expenses, with operating expenses decreasing 15% from a year ago. INTC said it has 120,300 employees, a decline from 131,500 last year.
Now, let’s discuss several factors that could impact INTC’s performance in the upcoming months:
Positive Recent Developments
On October 30, Intel announced its intent to operate Programmable Solutions Group (PSG) as a standalone business. This move will give PSG the flexibility and autonomy to fully accelerate its growth and effectively compete in the FPGA industry, which serves various markets like the data center, communications, industrial, automotive, aerospace and defense sectors. 
“Our intention to establish PSG as a standalone business and pursue an IPO is another example of how we are consistently unlocking more value for our stakeholders. This will give PSG the independence it needs to keep growing share in the FPGA market, differentiating itself with capacity and supply resilience from IFS, and allowing Intel product teams to focus on our core business and long-term strategy,” said Pat Gelsinger.
On September 29, INTC’s new Fabin Ireland began high-volume production of Intel 4 technology, which uses extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology. With its Fab 34 production milestone, Intel executes its plan to users in the future for products such as INTC’s upcoming Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, which will pave the way for AI PCs and future-generation Intel® Xeon® processors coming in 2024.
The company’s rising investments in Ireland and existing and planned investments in Germany and Poland create a first-of-its-kind end-to-end leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing value chain in Europe. They serve as a catalyst for additional ecosystem investments and innovations across the European Union (EU).
Mixed Performance in the Last Reported Quarter
For the third quarter that ended September 30, 2023, INTC’s net revenue decreased 7.7% year-over-year to $14.16 billion. Sales in its Client Computing group, including laptop and PC processor shipments, declined 3% from the year-ago value to $7.90 billion. Intel’s Data Center and AI division, which offers server chips, witnessed a sales drop of 10% year-over-year to $3.81 billion.
The company said it has been seeing competitive pressure and a smaller overall market for server processors. Also, Intel’s Network and Edge segment’s revenue was $1.45 billion, down 32% year-over-year.
INTC’s gross margin came in at $6.02 billion, a decline of 7.9% from the prior year’s quarter. However, the company’s non-GAAP operating income grew 16.3% year-over-year to $1.92 billion. Also, non-GAAP net income attributable to Intel was $1.74 billion or $0.41 per share, compared to $1.53 billion or $0.37 in the previous year’s period, respectively.
As of September 30, 2023, the company’s cash and cash equivalents stood at $7.62 billion versus $11.14 billion as of December 31, 2022.
Mixed Historical Performance
INTC’s revenue has declined at a CAGR of 12.2% over the past three years. Its EBITDA has decreased at a 39.3% CAGR over the same period. However, the company’s tangible book value and total assets have improved at respective CAGRs of 22.5% and 9.1% over the same timeframe.
PC Market Showing Signs of Recovery
After two years of steady declines due to COVID-related slowdowns, inflationary pressures, and higher interest rates, the PC industry appears to be showing signs of life, which would be a boon for INTC.
“There is evidence that the PC market’s decline has finally bottomed out,” said Mikako Kitagawa, Research Director at Gartner.
“Seasonal demand from the education market boosted shipments in the third quarter, although enterprise PC demand remained weak, offsetting some growth. Vendors also made consistent progress towards reducing PC inventory, with inventory expected to return to normal by the end of 2023, as long as holiday sales do not collapse,” she added.
According to preliminary results by Gartner, worldwide PC shipments totaled 64.3 million units in the third quarter of 2023, down 9% year-over-year. While the third quarter’s results marked the eighth consecutive quarter of decline for the global PC market, Gartner expects the market to begin recovery in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Furthermore, the agency projects 4.9% growth for the global PC market for next year, with growth expected in both the enterprise and consumer segments.
Solid Fourth-Quarter Guidance
The company’s fiscal 2024 fourth-quarter guidance implies revenue growth for the first time since 2020. Intel expects revenue to come between $14.60 and $15.60 billion. Non-GAAP EPS attributable to Intel is expected to be $0.44 for the fourth quarter.
Mixed Analyst Estimates  
Analysts expect INTC’s revenue to increase 7.5% year-over-year to $15.09 billion for the fourth quarter ending December 2023. The consensus earnings per share estimate of $0.45 for the ongoing quarter indicates a 346.7% year-over-year improvement. Moreover, the company has topped the consensus revenue estimates in three of the trailing four quarters.
However, the company’s revenue and EPS for fiscal year 2023 are expected to decline 14.7% and 48.5% year-over-year to $53.76 billion and $0.95, respectively.
For 2024, Street expects INTC’s revenue and EPS to grow 13% and 98.8% year-over-year to $60.73 billion and $1.89, respectively.
Bottom Line
Although INTC’s third-quarter earnings and revenue beat analyst estimates, its revenue declined from the year-ago period. After reporting better-than-expected earnings, primarily driven by growth in its foundry business, rising interest in AI, and signs of a recovery in the PC market, the chipmaker expects revenue to grow in the fourth quarter.
While the PC market is recovering after two years of sales declines, there could be a delay in the full recovery of demand for PCs due to prevailing macroeconomic uncertainties. Also, Intel continues to grapple with increased competition and production challenges that could limit the potential for gains in its stock in the near term.
Given its mixed financials and uncertain near-term prospects, it could be wise to wait for a better entry point in the stock.

Inflation accelerated significantly last year, hitting a four-decade high of 9.1% in June 2022, pushing food prices higher. This led to many retailers experiencing consumers pulling back on spending. While inflation has fallen sharply from its peak, it is still higher than the Fed’s target.
According to a Labor Department report, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a closely followed inflation gauge, grew 0.4% in September and 3.7% year-over-year, beating respective Dow Jones estimates of 0.3% and 3.6%. Food costs were up 0.2% for the third quarter in a row. On a 12-month basis, food costs jumped 3.7%, including a 6% surge for food away from home.
Walmart Cuts Grocery Prices Amid Inflation
With persistent inflation in mind, popular grocery chains are trying to help customers save with new deals. Walmart Inc. (WMT), the country’s largest grocer, recently announced that it would be “removing inflation” on some of its grocery prices starting next month.
“This year, finally, we are able to have the Thanksgiving basket that the prices are coming down versus a year ago — we are really proud to say that the price of a Thanksgiving meal is going to come down,” Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner said during an exclusive interview on “Good Morning America.”
Last year, during a period of historically high inflation, WMT sold Thanksgiving ingredients at the same price as 2021. This year, the Thanksgiving basket from Walmart includes ingredients to make a meal for up to 10 people, which the company will “sell for around $2 less than last year” at just over $70.
Furner added that this move of cutting prices comes on the heels of consumer feedback: About 92% of its shoppers have expressed “some level of concern about inflation and how it will impact holiday celebrations.”
Like Walmart, fast-growing discounter Aldi expressed a similar sentiment about “high food prices” and announced price cuts of up to 50% starting November 1 and running through the year-end on more than 70 Thanksgiving favorites.
With food retailers offering temporary discounts on select items during peak seasons, including the holidays, a high volume of customers would drive into their stores and online for substantial savings. This is an effective way to boost sales, build customer loyalty, and have a competitive edge over peers.
Overall, holiday sales in November and December have averaged approximately 19% of total retail sales over the last five years, and the figure can be higher for some retailers, according to the National Retail Federation. 
Strong sales during the holiday season should give a solid boost to WMT’s stock. Shares of the retailer have gained nearly 6% over the past six months and 17% over the past year.
Let’s look at several other factors that could influence WMT’s performance in the upcoming months.
Robust Financial Performance
For the fiscal 2024 second quarter that ended July 31, 2023, WMT reported revenue of $161.63 billion, beating analysts’ estimates of $160.27 billion. This represents a 5.7% year-over-year increase. Its adjusted operating income rose 8.1% from the prior-year quarter to $7.40 billion. The company’s consolidated net income was $8.05 billion, an increase of 56.5% year-over-year.
Furthermore, the retailer’s adjusted EPS came in at $1.84, compared to $1.77 in the previous year’s period and the $1.71 expected by analysts. Its free cash flow for the six months ended July 31, 2023, was $9 billion, representing an increase of $7.20 billion compared to the same period in 2022.
“We had another strong quarter. Around the world, our customers and members are prioritizing value and convenience. They’re shopping with us across channels — in stores, Sam’s Clubs, and they’re driving eCommerce, which was up 24% globally. Food is a strength, but we’re also encouraged by our results in general merchandise versus our expectations when we started the quarter,” said Doug McMillon, WMT’s President and CEO.
“Our associates helped deliver increases in transaction counts and units sold, and profit is growing faster than sales. We’re in good shape with inventory, and we like our position for the back half of the year,” McMillon added.
Walmart’s CFO, John David Rainey, said he feels better about spending patterns than he did three months earlier, yet he described the consumer as “choiceful or discerning.” He added that seasonal moments like the Fourth of July holiday and back-to-school have helped drive sales during the second quarter.
Upbeat Full-Year Guidance
WMT raised its full-year 2024 forecast as the retailer stays committed to its low-price strategy to draw grocery customers and boost online spending. The big-box retailer now expects full-year consolidated net sales to grow by about 4% to 4.5%, compared with its prior guidance for consolidated net sales gains of 3.5%.
Further, Walmart said that its adjusted EPS for the year will range between $6.36 and $6.46, above its previous guidance of $6.10-$6.20. The company anticipates its consolidated operating income to increase approximately 7% to 7.5%.  
Impressive Historical Growth
Over the past three years, WMT’s revenue and EBIT grew at CAGRs of 5.2% and 4.6%, respectively. The company’s normalized net income increased at a CAGR of 5.8% over the same time frame, while its tangible book value grew at a CAGR of 3.9%.
Favorable Analyst Estimates
Analysts expect WMT’s revenue for the third quarter (ending October 2023) to come in at $158.30 billion, indicating an increase of 4.5% year-over-year. The consensus EPS estimate of $1.51 for the same period reflects a 0.6% year-over-year improvement. Moreover, the company has topped the consensus revenue and EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, which is impressive.
In addition, Street expects WMT’s revenue and EPS for the fiscal year (ending January 2024) to increase 5.5% and 2.9% from the previous year to $639.22 billion and $6.47, respectively. For the fiscal year 2025, the company’s revenue and EPS are expected to grow 3.6% and 10% year-over-year to $661.94 billion and $7.11, respectively.
Attractive Dividend
Earlier this year, WMT’s Board of Directors approved an annual cash dividend for fiscal year 2024 of $2.28 per share, up nearly 2% from the $2.24 per share paid for the last year 2023. The final quarterly installment of $0.57 per share would be paid on January 2, 2024, to shareholders as of record on December 8, 2023.
WMT’s annual dividend translates to a yield of 1.40% on the current price level, and its four-year average yield is 1.60%. Its dividend payouts have grown at a 1.8% CAGR over the past three years. The company has raised its dividend for 49 consecutive years.
Bottom Line
WMT’s second-quarter earnings beat analysts’ expectations as more Americans turned to the retailer for groceries and to shop online. Further, the company raised guidance for the fiscal year 2024 to reflect the second quarter upside, confidence in continued business momentum, and ongoing customer response to its value proposition.
As it sticks to its low-price reputation to draw grocery shoppers and boost online spending, the big-box retailer recently announced slashing grocery prices amid elevated inflation and help customers save more money with new deals for the holiday season, starting November.
In the previously reported quarter, seasonal moments such as the Fourth of July holiday and back-to-school have helped drive sales significantly. These sales trends typically signal patterns for the months ahead, including the holiday season.
Given its robust financials, attractive dividends, and promising growth outlook, WMT could be an ideal investment now.