Exxon Mobil CorpU.S. naval blockade threat against Iran raises oil supply risk, boosting Exxon's pricing power.

Exxon Mobil shares advanced roughly 1.2% Friday morning as crude prices climbed after the U.S. threatened to maintain its naval blockade against Iran indefinitely. Reuters reported Brent crude jumped 1.6% to $88.50 a barrel, with more tension around the Strait of Hormuz meaning more risk for global oil supply and potentially more pricing power for Exxon. The U.S. energy giant generated $14.5 billion of second-quarter earnings, $14.7 billion of adjusted earnings, $23.6 billion of operating cash flow and $17.2 billion of free cash flow, returning $9.4 billion to shareholders through $4.3 billion of dividends and $5.1 billion of buybacks. Exxon also reported record Permian production and its highest Upstream production in more than two decades when Middle East disruptions are excluded. However, the stock traded at $160.59 on August 14, 28.69% above its GF Value of $124.79, suggesting investors are paying a big premium for a business whose earnings still swing with a commodity Exxon cannot control.
Exxon Mobil CorpU.S. naval blockade threat against Iran raises oil supply risk, boosting Exxon's pricing power.