Exxon (NYSE:XOM) said Friday that its third-quarter profit was the highest in years as improving demand, higher commodity prices and streamlined operations boosted results.
The company earned $1.58 per share during the period on an adjusted basis, which was ahead of the $1.56 analysts surveyed by Refinitiv were expecting. Revenue totaled $73.79 billion, short of the $76.34 billion the Street was expecting.
"All three of our core businesses generated positive earnings during the quarter, with strong operations and cost control, as well as increased realizations and improved demand for fuels," said CEO Darren Woods.
The $1.58 in EPS is the biggest adjusted quarterly profit since 2014, according to FactSet.
Exxon said its cash flow from operating activities reached $12.1 billion, funding capital investments, debt reduction and the company’s dividend. Earlier this week the company announced its first divided hike in more than two years.
The oil giant said Friday that starting in 2022 it plans to begin a share repurchase program of up to $10 billion over the following 12 to 24 months.
The company’s third-quarter results also speaks to Exxon’s ongoing recovery following the pandemic. During the second quarter the company earned $1.10 per share on revenue of $67.74 billion.
Exxon’s revenue jumped nearly 60% year over year. In the third quarter of 2020 Exxon lost 18 cents per share on an adjusted basis while generating $46.2 billion in revenue.
During the latest quarter Exxon spent $3.9 billion on capital and exploration productions, with oil-equivalent production standing at 3.7 million barrels per day.
XOM shares gained 63 cents, or 1%, to $64.94.
