ExxonMobil Posts Record $44.1B Earnings in FY2008

Noria news wires, Noria Corporation
Exxon Mobil Corporation relesed the following financial report on January 30: 
  Fourth Quarter     Twelve Months  
2008   2007 % 2008   2007 %

Net Income

$ Millions 7,820 11,660 -33 45,220 40,610 11
$ Per Common Share
Assuming Dilution 1.55 2.13 -27 8.69 7.28 19
 

Special Items

$ Millions 0 0 1,160 0
 

Earnings Excluding Special Items

$ Millions 7,820 11,660 -33 44,060 40,610 8
$ Per Common Share
Assuming Dilution 1.55 2.13 -27 8.47 7.28 16
 
Capital and Exploration
Expenditures - $ Millions 6,829 6,151 11 26,143 20,853 25

EXXONMOBIL'S CHAIRMAN REX W. TILLERSON COMMENTED:

"ExxonMobil’s full year 2008 earnings excluding special items were a record $44,060 million, up 8% from 2007. Earnings per share excluding special items were up 16% reflecting the benefit of the share purchase program. Net income of $45,220 million in 2008 was also a record, up 11% from 2007. Net income included an after-tax special gain of $1,620 million from the sale of a natural gas transportation business in Germany and after-tax special charges of $460 million related to the Valdez litigation.

"ExxonMobil’s financial strength continued to support its disciplined capital investment approach in the midst of a growing global economic slowdown. Capital and exploration project spending increased to $26.1 billion in 2008, up 25% from 2007. Through these investments we continued to demonstrate our long-term focus throughout the business cycle.

"The Corporation distributed a total of $40.1 billion to shareholders in 2008, up 12% or $4.4 billion from 2007. This reflects a 13% increase in per share dividends versus 2007 and an overall reduction in shares outstanding of 7.5%.

"ExxonMobil’s fourth quarter earnings excluding special items were $7,820 million, a decrease of 33% from the fourth quarter of 2007. Weaker crude oil prices, higher operating expenses, lower chemical volumes and the impact of the Gulf Coast hurricanes were partly offset by higher downstream margins.”

FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Fourth Quarter 2008 vs. Fourth Quarter 2007

Upstream earnings were $5,634 million, down $2,570 million from the fourth quarter of 2007. Lower crude oil realizations reduced earnings approximately $3.2 billion while higher natural gas prices increased earnings about $500 million.

On an oil-equivalent basis, production decreased 3% from the fourth quarter of 2007. Excluding the impacts of lower entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production was down about 1%.

Liquids production totaled 2,472 kbd (thousands of barrels per day), down 45 kbd from the fourth quarter of 2007. Excluding the impacts of lower entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, liquids production was up 1%, as increased production from projects in west Africa and the North Sea and lower maintenance activity more than offset field decline.

Fourth quarter natural gas production was 9,849 mcfd (millions of cubic feet per day), down 565 mcfd from 2007. New production volumes from project additions in the North Sea, Qatar and Malaysia were more than offset by field decline and lower European demand.

Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations were $699 million, $576 million lower than the fourth quarter of 2007. Non-U.S. Upstream earnings were $4,935 million, down $1,994 million from last year.

Downstream earnings of $2,414 million were up $147 million from the fourth quarter of 2007. Higher margins increased earnings by about $900 million. Unfavorable foreign exchange, volume and mix effects and higher operating expenses, including hurricane repair costs, reduced earnings by about $800 million. Petroleum product sales of 6,761 kbd were 364 kbd lower than last year's fourth quarter, mainly reflecting asset sales and lower demand.

The U.S. Downstream recorded a loss of $20 million, down $642 million from the fourth quarter of 2007. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings of $2,434 million were $789 million higher than last year.

Chemical earnings of $155 million were $957 million lower than the fourth quarter of 2007. Lower volumes reduced earnings approximately $350 million, while lower margins decreased earnings by about $300 million. Hurricane repair costs and unfavorable foreign exchange effects also reduced earnings. Fourth quarter prime product sales of 5,626 kt (thousands of metric tons) were 1,423 kt lower than the prior year due to lower demand and hurricane effects.

Corporate and financing expenses of $383 million increased by $460 million due to net higher taxes and lower interest income.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, Exxon Mobil Corporation purchased 119 million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a gross cost of $8.8 billion. These purchases included $8.0 billion to reduce the number of shares outstanding, with the balance used to offset shares issued in conjunction with the company's benefit plans and programs. Shares outstanding were reduced from 5,087 million at the end of the third quarter to 4,976 million at the end of the fourth quarter. Share purchases to reduce shares outstanding are currently anticipated to equal $7.0 billion through the first quarter of 2009. Purchases may be made in both the open market and through negotiated transactions, and may be increased, decreased or discontinued at any time without prior notice.

Full Year 2008 vs. Full Year 2007

Net income of $45,220 million ($8.69 per share) was a record and increased $4,610 million from 2007. Net income for 2008 included an after-tax special gain of $1,620 million from the sale of a natural gas transportation business in Germany and after-tax special charges of $460 million related to the Valdez litigation. Excluding these impacts, 2008 earnings increased by $3,450 million.

FULL YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

Upstream earnings, excluding the gain related to the sale of the German natural gas transportation business, were a record $33,782 million, up $7,285 million from 2007. Record high crude oil and natural gas realizations increased earnings approximately $11.8 billion. Lower sales volumes reduced earnings about $3.7 billion. Higher taxes and increased operating costs decreased earnings approximately $1.5 billion, partially offset by favorable foreign exchange.

On an oil-equivalent basis, production decreased 6% from last year. Excluding the impacts of lower entitlement volumes, the Venezuela expropriation and divestments, production was down about 3%.

Liquids production of 2,405 kbd decreased 211 kbd from 2007. Excluding the impacts of lower entitlement volumes, the Venezuela expropriation and divestments, liquids production was down about 3%, as new volumes from project additions, mainly in Africa, were more than offset by field decline.

Natural gas production of 9,095 mcfd decreased 289 mcfd from 2007. Higher volumes from North Sea, Malaysia and Qatar projects and higher European demand were more than offset by field decline.

Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations for 2008 were $6,243 million, an increase of $1,373 million. Earnings outside the U.S., excluding the gain related to the sale of the German natural gas transportation business, were $27,539 million, $5,912 million higher than 2007.

Downstream earnings of $8,151 million were $1,422 million lower than 2007. Lower margins reduced earnings approximately $900 million as weaker refining margins more than offset stronger marketing margins. Higher operating costs mainly associated with planned work activity reduced earnings about $700 million while unfavorable foreign exchange effects decreased earnings by approximately $600 million. Improved refinery operations provided a partial offset, increasing earnings about $800 million. Petroleum product sales of 6,761 kbd decreased from 7,099 kbd in 2007, mainly reflecting asset sales and lower demand.

U.S. Downstream earnings were $1,649 million, down $2,471 million. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings were $6,502 million, $1,049 million higher than last year.

Chemical earnings of $2,957 million decreased $1,606 million from 2007. Lower margins decreased earnings approximately $1.2 billion, while lower volumes reduced earnings by about $500 million. Prime product sales of 24,982 kt were down 2,498 kt from 2007.

Corporate and financing expenses of $830 million, excluding the charges related to the Valdez litigation, increased by $807 million, mainly due to net higher taxes and lower interest income.

In 2008, Exxon Mobil Corporation purchased 434 million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a gross cost of $35.7 billion. These purchases included $32.0 billion to reduce the number of shares outstanding, with the balance used to offset shares issued in conjunction with the company's benefit plans and programs. Shares outstanding were reduced from 5,382 million at the end of 2007 to 4,976 million at the end of 2008, a decrease of 7.5%.

Estimates of key financial and operating data follow.

ExxonMobil will discuss financial and operating results and other matters on a webcast at 10 a.m. Central time on January 30, 2009. To listen to the event live or in archive, go to our website at exxonmobil.com.

Statements in this release relating to future plans, projections, events or conditions are forward-looking statements. Actual results, including project plans, costs, timing, and capacities; capital expenditures; and share purchase levels, could differ materially due to changes in long-term oil or gas prices or other market conditions affecting the oil and gas industry; completion of repair projects as planned; unforeseen technical difficulties; political events or disturbances; reservoir performance; the outcome of commercial negotiations; wars and acts of terrorism or sabotage; changes in technical or operating conditions; and other factors discussed under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Results" on our website and in Item 1A of ExxonMobil's 2007 Form 10-K. We assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date. References to quantities of oil expected to be developed may include amounts not yet classified as proved reserves but that we believe will ultimately be produced.

Consistent with previous practice, this press release includes both earnings excluding special items and earnings per share excluding special items. Both are non-GAAP financial measures and are included to help facilitate comparisons of base business performance across periods. A reconciliation to net income is shown in Attachment II. The release also includes cash flow from operations and asset sales. Because of the regular nature of our asset management and divestment program, we believe it is useful for investors to consider sales proceeds together with cash provided by operating activities when evaluating cash available for investment in the business and financing activities. A reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities is shown in Attachment II. Further information on ExxonMobil's frequently used financial and operating measures and other terms is contained under the heading "Frequently Used Terms" available through the Investors section of our website at exxonmobil.com.

Attachment I
 
 
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

FOURTH QUARTER 2008

(millions of dollars, unless noted)
           
Fourth Quarter Twelve Months
2008 2007 2008 2007
Earnings / Earnings Per Share
 
Total revenues and other income 84,696 116,642 477,359 404,552
Total costs and other deductions 71,501 96,920 395,609 334,078
Income before income taxes 13,195 19,722 81,750 70,474
Income taxes 5,375 8,062 36,530 29,864
Net income (U.S. GAAP) 7,820 11,660 45,220 40,610
 
Net income per common share (dollars) 1.57 2.15 8.78 7.36
 

Net income per common share - assuming dilution (dollars)

1.55 2.13 8.69 7.28
 
Other Financial Data
 
Dividends on common stock
Total 2,018 1,903 8,058 7,621
Per common share (dollars) 0.40 0.35 1.55 1.37
 
Millions of common shares outstanding
At December 31 4,976 5,382
Average - assuming dilution 5,045 5,454 5,203 5,577
 
Shareholders' equity at December 31 112,982 121,762
Capital employed at December 31 125,719 133,664
 
Income taxes 5,375 8,062 36,530 29,864
Sales-based taxes 7,211 8,664 34,508 31,728
All other taxes 9,463 12,065 45,223 44,091
Total taxes 22,049 28,791 116,261 105,683
 

ExxonMobil's share of income taxes of equity companies

1,238 920 4,001 2,547
Attachment II
 
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

FOURTH QUARTER 2008

(millions of dollars)
 
  Fourth Quarter   Twelve Months
2008   2007 2008   2007
Net Income (U.S. GAAP)
Upstream
United States 699 1,275 6,243 4,870
Non-U.S. 4,935 6,929 29,159 21,627
Downstream
United States (20 ) 622 1,649 4,120
Non-U.S. 2,434 1,645 6,502 5,453
Chemical
United States 81 335 724 1,181
Non-U.S. 74 777 2,233 3,382
Corporate and financing (383 ) 77 (1,290 ) (23 )
Corporate total 7,820 11,660 45,220 40,610
Special Items
Upstream
United States 0 0 0 0
Non-U.S. 0 0 1,620 0
Downstream
United States 0 0 0 0
Non-U.S. 0 0 0 0
Chemical
United States 0 0 0 0
Non-U.S. 0 0 0 0
Corporate and financing 0 0 (460 ) 0
Corporate total 0 0 1,160 0
Earnings Excluding Special Items
Upstream
United States 699 1,275 6,243 4,870
Non-U.S. 4,935 6,929 27,539 21,627
Downstream
United States (20 ) 622 1,649 4,120
Non-U.S. 2,434 1,645 6,502 5,453
Chemical
United States 81 335 724 1,181
Non-U.S. 74 777 2,233 3,382
Corporate and financing (383 ) 77 (830 ) (23 )
Corporate total 7,820   11,660 44,060   40,610  
Cash flow from operations and asset sales (billions of dollars)
Net cash provided by operating activities
(U.S. GAAP)
10.4 11.3 59.6 52.0
Sales of subsidiaries, investments and property, plant and equipment 1.8 1.8 6.0 4.2
Cash flow from operations and asset sales 12.2   13.1 65.6   56.2  
Attachment III
 
       
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

FOURTH QUARTER 2008

 
Fourth Quarter Twelve Months
2008 2007 2008 2007
Net production of crude oil
and natural gas liquids,
thousands of barrels daily (kbd)
United States 376 385 367 392
Canada/South America 303 305 292 324
Europe 421 461 428 480
Africa 697 669 652 717
Asia Pacific/Middle East 508 503 506 518
Russia/Caspian 167 194 160 185
Worldwide 2,472 2,517 2,405 2,616
 
Natural gas production available for sale,
millions of cubic feet daily (mcfd)
United States 1,216 1,405 1,246 1,468
Canada/South America 616 717 640 808
Europe 4,652 4,945 3,949 3,810
Africa 31 26 32 26
Asia Pacific/Middle East 3,196 3,205 3,114 3,162
Russia/Caspian 138 116 114 110
Worldwide 9,849 10,414 9,095 9,384
 
Oil-equivalent production (koebd) 1 4,113 4,253 3,921 4,180
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Gas converted to oil-equivalent at 6 million cubic feet = 1 thousand barrels
Attachment IV
 
       
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

FOURTH QUARTER 2008

 
Fourth Quarter Twelve Months
2008 2007 2008 2007
Refinery throughput (kbd)
United States 1,647 1,804 1,702 1,746
Canada 441 467 446 442
Europe 1,593 1,660 1,601 1,642
Asia Pacific 1,320 1,457 1,352 1,416
Other 312 329 315 325
Worldwide 5,313 5,717 5,416 5,571
 
Petroleum product sales (kbd)
United States 2,593 2,733 2,540 2,717
Canada 456 475 444 461
Europe 1,687 1,728 1,712 1,773
Asia Pacific 1,369 1,472 1,359 1,419
Other 656 717 706 729
Worldwide 6,761 7,125 6,761 7,099
 
Gasolines, naphthas 2,691 2,833 2,654 2,850
Heating oils, kerosene, diesel 2,164 2,155 2,096 2,094
Aviation fuels 551 639 607 641
Heavy fuels 632 724 636 715
Specialty products 723 774 768 799
Worldwide 6,761 7,125 6,761 7,099
 
Chemical prime product sales,
thousands of metric tons (kt)
United States 2,021 2,762 9,526 10,855
Non-U.S. 3,605 4,287 15,456 16,625
Worldwide 5,626 7,049 24,982 27,480
Attachment V
 
       
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

FOURTH QUARTER 2008

(millions of dollars)
 
Fourth Quarter Twelve Months
2008 2007 2008 2007
Capital and Exploration Expenditures
Upstream
United States 1,000 681 3,334 2,212
Non-U.S. 4,105 3,857 16,400 13,512
Total 5,105 4,538 19,734 15,724
Downstream
United States 438 336 1,636 1,128
Non-U.S. 516 578 1,893 2,175
Total 954 914 3,529 3,303
Chemical
United States 96 118 441 360
Non-U.S. 639 568 2,378 1,422
Total 735 686 2,819 1,782
 
Other 35 13 61 44
 
Worldwide 6,829 6,151 26,143 20,853
 
 
Exploration expenses charged to income
included above
Consolidated affiliates
United States 45 79 189 280
Non-U.S. 328 419 1,252 1,177
Equity companies - ExxonMobil share
United States 0 0 0 2
Non-U.S. 3 22 16 30
Worldwide 376 520 1,457 1,489
Attachment VI
 
 
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

NET INCOME

 
 
$ Millions $ Per Common Share 1
 

2004

First Quarter 5,440 0.83
Second Quarter 5,790 0.89
Third Quarter 5,680 0.88
Fourth Quarter 8,420 1.31
Year 25,330 3.91
 

2005

First Quarter 7,860 1.23
Second Quarter 7,640 1.21
Third Quarter 9,920 1.60
Fourth Quarter 10,710 1.72
Year 36,130 5.76
 

2006

First Quarter 8,400 1.38
Second Quarter 10,360 1.74
Third Quarter 10,490 1.79
Fourth Quarter 10,250 1.77
Year 39,500 6.68
 

2007

First Quarter 9,280 1.64
Second Quarter 10,260 1.85
Third Quarter 9,410 1.72
Fourth Quarter 11,660 2.15
Year 40,610 7.36
 

2008

First Quarter 10,890 2.05
Second Quarter 11,680 2.25
Third Quarter 14,830 2.89
Fourth Quarter 7,820 1.57
Year 45,220 8.78
 

1 Computed using the average number of shares outstanding during each period.

The sum of the four quarters' amounts may not add to the full year.