ExxonMobil (XOM -1.51%) is one of the world's largest energy companies. The iconic oil and gas giant traces its roots all the way back to John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company. It has grown over the years by investing in exploration for new energy sources and acquiring rival oil and gas producers.
ExxonMobil is an integrated energy company. It operates upstream oil and gas production facilities, midstream assets like pipelines, and downstream businesses like refining and chemicals. An integrated business model enables ExxonMobil to maximize the value of its production. It also helps mute some of the effects of oil and gas price volatility.
ExxonMobil makes most of its money producing fossil fuels that emit climate-changing carbon dioxide when burned. The company plans to continue investing heavily in expanding its traditional fossil fuel businesses over the coming years to support growing demand.
However, the oil company is also investing in renewable energy and making other strides to reduce its environmental impact. It's building a low-carbon business of potential sustainable solutions like carbon capture and sequestration, hydrogen, lithium, and biofuels.
Here's a step-by-step guide on buying ExxonMobil shares and some factors to consider before investing in the oil stock.
How to buy
How to buy ExxonMobil stock
To buy shares of ExxonMobil, you must have a brokerage account. If you still need to open one, these are some of the best-rated brokers and trading platforms. Here's a step-by-step guide to buying ExxonMobil stock:
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Should I invest?
Should I invest in ExxonMobil?
Before you purchase shares of ExxonMobil, you need to consider whether you want to invest in the oil company. Here are some reasons to buy shares:
- You strongly believe that oil and gas prices will rise in the future.
- You have a high conviction that fossil fuels will remain vital energy sources for decades to come.
- You think ExxonMobil's lower-carbon investment strategy will pay off over the long term.
- You want to collect passive income from dividends.
- You understand how ExxonMobil makes money.
- You want to invest directly in the company.
- You know that oil price volatility can have a major impact on ExxonMobil's cash flow and stock price.
- You believe that ExxonMobil's investment strategy will grow shareholder value over the long term.
- You prefer the company's integrated business model to the independent exploration and production focus of others in the sector.
Conversely, here are some factors to consider that might lead you to decide against buying ExxonMobil stock:
- You're concerned about the environment and don't want to invest in a company that primarily produces carbon-emitting fossil fuels.
- You're not sure that oil and gas prices will increase in the future.
- You believe fossil fuels will become extinct within your lifetime as clean energy sources like renewable energy replace legacy energy sources.
- You're not sure whether carbon capture and storage will become a commercially viable technology.
- You don't need dividend income.
- You think ExxonMobil's best days are in the rearview mirror.
- You're a more risk-averse investor and want to avoid the volatility of investing in an oil stock.
Profitability
Is ExxonMobil profitable?
Earnings growth helps fuel stock price appreciation over the longer term. It's an ideal area for beginning investors to focus on before buying shares in a company.
ExxonMobil is a wildly profitable company. The oil and gas company reported an industry-leading $7.7 billion in earnings and $13 billion in cash flow from operations in the first quarter of 2025. That built on its strong 2024 when it delivered $33.7 billion of earnings and $55 billion of cash flow from operations, its third-best year in a decade, even though market conditions weren't above average.
The oil giant expects to make even more money in the future. It aims to add $20 billion in earnings and $30 billion in cash flow by 2030. The company expects to deliver these additional earnings by investing in its advantaged assets (lower cost and higher margins) and delivering significant structural cost savings.
Dividends
Does ExxonMobil pay a dividend?
ExxonMobil has an illustrious history of paying dividends. The oil and gas producer has paid dividends for more than 100 years. As of mid-2025, the company had increased its dividend for 42 consecutive years. That's the longest streak in the oil and gas sector, a level that only 4% of companies in the S&P 500 have achieved. The oil giant also offered a well-above-average dividend yield (more than 3.5% in mid-2025 compared to less than 1.5% for the S&P 500).
ETF options
ETFs with exposure to ExxonMobil
Instead of actively buying shares of ExxonMobil directly, you could also passively invest in the oil and gas company through a fund holding its shares.
ExxonMobil is one of the largest traded companies by market capitalization and a widely held stock. ExxonMobil is in several stock market indexes, including the S&P 500 index. As a result, index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that benchmark their returns against those indexes hold ExxonMobil stock.
According to data from ETF.com, 396 ETFs held an estimated 699.1 million shares of ExxonMobil as of mid-2025. One of the largest holders was the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE -0.95%), with 60 million shares. The ETF also had the greatest allocation to ExxonMobil stock at 24.1% of the fund's holdings. It's an ideal option for investors seeking an alternative way to invest passively in ExxonMobil and other large energy stocks.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)
Stock splits
Will ExxonMobil stock split?
As of mid-2025, ExxonMobil had not announced an upcoming stock split. However, the company and its predecessors have implemented several stock splits over the years:
| Split date | Stock split |
| June 2001 | 2-for-1 |
| March 1997 | 2-for-1 |
| August 1987 | 2-for-1 |
| May 1981 | 2-for-1 |
| July 1976 | 2-for-1 |
| February 1956 | 3-for-1 |
| June 1951 | 2-for-1 |
ExxonMobil last split its stock more than two decades ago. Shares have grown in value since then, hitting an all-time high of $123.25 per share in October 2024 (though they were below that level in mid-2025 at around $100 a share). If the share price keeps rising, ExxonMobil could declare another stock split in the coming years.
Related investing topics
The bottom line on investing in ExxonMobil stock
ExxonMobil is one of the largest oil and gas producers in the world. It can make a lot of money for its investors, especially if energy prices rise in the future. It also has an exceptional track record of paying a high-yielding and growing dividend, making it appealing to income-seeking investors.
However, ExxonMobil stock isn't for everyone. While it provides upside exposure to oil prices, those prices can move to the downside without notice. The energy giant also isn't the most environmentally friendly company on the planet. Given these factors, investors must carefully consider whether they want to own ExxonMobil before buying shares.
FAQ
FAQ on investing in ExxonMobil stock
Is now a good time to buy ExxonMobil stock?
Oil prices have a significant impact on ExxonMobil's earnings and stock price. When oil prices fall, its earnings decline, weighing on shares. Conversely, when oil prices rebound, ExxonMobil's earnings improve, which tends to drive up its shares.
The best time to buy ExxonMobil stock is when oil prices are rising. If oil prices are currently on the upswing, and that seems likely to continue, then now would be a good time to buy shares of ExxonMobil.
What is the best way to buy Exxon Mobil stock?
The best way to buy ExxonMobil stock is through an online brokerage account. It trades under the stock ticker XOM.
What is Exxon's yearly dividend?
As of mid-2025, ExxonMobil made quarterly dividend payments of $0.99 per share, or $3.69 per share each year.
Will Exxon stock ever split?
ExxonMobil last split its stock in 2001. As of mid-2025, the oil giant hadn't declared an upcoming stock split. While it's possible the company will split its stock again, it's unclear when or if that will occur.
