With a majority of oil companies in the U.S. posting huge profits this earnings season, mainly due to high crude prices, investors will be looking forward to how they will benefit.
Nothing pleases investors more than seeing companies returning money to them. After all, it's investors' money that companies use to churn out these profits. Let's take a look at some of the majors here and whether or not they're delivering returns to the investors in the form of dividends.
Two national stories
Not that I'm comparing the two directly, but Canadian oil companies have a great tradition of paying out dividends, which I had covered last week. Are Americans as generous?
American Big Oil firms look relatively impressive when it comes to paying out dividends. Since 2006, Chevron
ExxonMobil
Marathon Oil
Occidental Petroleum
Our best, their best
Texas-based ConocoPhillips
I also believe that this stock is ideally priced. With a P/E ratio of 8.9, it makes a lot more sense to consider this stock than a lot of alternatives, especially if you're concentrated on the income yield.
Foolish takeaway
Looking through these historical data, there is a lot to be hopeful about. Given how Americans guzzle oil, and coupled with high energy prices, there does not seem any reason why U.S. petroleum companies won't continue their profitable run in the foreseeable future.
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