30/10/2008 09:26

Exxon Mobil Corporation Announces Estimated Third Quarter 2008 Results

IRVING, Texas, Oct 30, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM:
exxon mobil corp com
 Last: 72.11-2.54-3.40%
11:26am 10/30/2008

XOM
 72.11, -2.54, -3.4%)
:
                                    Third Quarter                Nine Months
                                    2008          2007     %     2008         2007      %
Net Income
$ Millions                          14,830        9,410    58    37,400       28,950    29
$ Per Common Share
Assuming Dilution                   2.86          1.70     68    7.11         5.15      38
Special Items
$ Millions                          1,450         0              1,160        0
Earnings Excluding Special Items
$ Millions                          13,380        9,410    42    36,240       28,950    25
$ Per Common Share
Assuming Dilution                   2.59          1.70     52    6.89         5.15      34
Capital and Exploration
Expenditures - $ Millions           6,853         5,441    26    19,314       14,702    31

EXXONMOBIL'S CHAIRMAN REX W. TILLERSON COMMENTED:
"ExxonMobil's strong results in the third quarter of 2008 demonstrate the continued success of our disciplined business approach. Third quarter earnings excluding special items were a record $13,380million, up 42% from the third quarter of 2007. Earnings per share excluding special items were up 52% reflecting the benefit of the share purchase program. Record net income for the third quarter of $14,830million was up 58% from the third quarter of 2007. Net income included an after-tax special gain of $1,620million from the sale of a natural gas transportation business in Germany and an after-tax special charge of $170million reflecting a provision for interest related to the Valdez punitive damages award. Earnings for the first nine months of 2008 excluding special items were $36,240million, an increase of 25% over the first nine months of 2007. Net income for the first nine months of 2008 was $37,400million, up 29% versus 2007.
"Third quarter results include impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike which affected U.S. Gulf Coast operations during the period. We responded quickly and effectively to maximize supplies of gasoline and other products to the marketplace. The majority of our operations are back on-line or are completing the final stages of start-up. At our Beaumont Chemical facilities, we continue to progress repairs and start-up planning after experiencing significant flooding during Hurricane Ike. Quarterly upstream volumes were down 24 thousand oil equivalent barrels per day and costs were higher by $50million before tax due to the hurricanes. Damage repairs and lower volumes across all business lines associated with the hurricanes are expected to reduce fourth quarter earnings by about $500million.
"Despite the continuing uncertainty in world financial markets, ExxonMobil has maintained a strong financial position. We plan to continue our disciplined capital investments with our full year capital and exploration expenditures projected to be about $25billion, consistent with previous guidance. In the third quarter of 2008, capital and exploration project spending increased to $6.9billion, up 26% from last year. For the first nine months of 2008, spending on capital and exploration projects was $19.3billion. Through these investments we continue to make a substantial contribution to employment and economic activity in the countries in which we operate.
"The Corporation returned significant cash to shareholders, distributing a total of $10.1billion in the third quarter through dividends of $2.1billion and share purchases of $8.0billion to reduce shares outstanding by 2%."
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
-- Earnings excluding special items were a record $13,380million, an increase of 42% or $3,970million from the third quarter of 2007.
-- Earnings per share excluding special items were up 52% to $2.59 reflecting strong earnings and the continued reduction in the number of shares outstanding.
-- Net income was a record at $14,830million, up 58% from the third quarter of 2007.
-- Third quarter 2008 net income included an after-tax special gain of $1,620 million from the sale of a natural gas transportation business in Germany and an after-tax special charge of $170 million reflecting a provision for interest related to the Valdez punitive damages award.
-- Capital and exploration expenditures were $6.9billion, up 26% from the third quarter of 2007.
-- Share purchases of $8.0 billion reduced shares outstanding by 2.1%.
-- Cash flow from operations and asset sales was approximately $17.0billion, including asset sales of $2.6billion.
-- The ExxonMobil-operated Kizomba C deepwater development started production from the Saxi and Batuque fields. Combined with the Mondo field, which came on stream in January, the Kizomba C project is now producing 200,000 barrels of oil per day (gross). The Kizomba C development, located off the coast of Angola, is designed to produce an estimated 600 million barrels of oil (gross) over the life of these three fields.
-- ExxonMobil announced the start-up of the East Area Natural Gas Liquids II project, located offshore Nigeria. The project started ahead of schedule and is expected to recover more than 275 million barrels of natural gas liquids from several East Area fields, which will help monetize gas resources and reduce gas flaring. At its peak, the project is expected to produce 50,000 barrels of natural gas liquids per day.
Third Quarter 2008 vs. Third Quarter 2007
Upstream earnings, excluding the gain related to the sale of the German natural gas transportation business, were $9,351million, up $3,052million from the third quarter of 2007. Higher crude oil and natural gas realizations increased earnings approximately $4.4billion. Lower sales volumes decreased earnings about $1.3billion.
On an oil-equivalent basis, production decreased 8% from the third quarter of 2007. Excluding lower entitlement volumes (which include price and spend impacts and PSC net interest reductions) and impacts associated with the hurricanes, production was down about 5%. Higher maintenance activity and downtime reduced volumes by just under 3%.
Liquids production totaled 2,291kbd (thousands of barrels per day), down 246 kbd from the third quarter of 2007. Excluding lower entitlement volumes and the impacts of the hurricanes, liquids production was down 5%, as increased production from projects in west Africa and the North Sea was more than offset by mature field decline and higher maintenance activity.
Third quarter natural gas production was 7,823mcfd (millions of cubic feet per day), down 460 mcfd from 2007. Higher European demand and new production volumes from project additions in the North Sea and Malaysia were more than offset by mature field decline, increased maintenance activity and entitlement effects.
Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations were $1,879million, $683million higher than the third quarter of 2007. Non-U.S. Upstream earnings, excluding the gain related to the sale of the German natural gas transportation business, were $7,472 million, up $2,369million from last year.
Downstream earnings of $3,013million were up $1,012million from the third quarter of 2007. Higher margins increased earnings by $1.1billion while favorable mix effects increased earnings by $200 million. Unfavorable foreign exchange effects were a partial offset. Petroleum product sales of 6,688kbd were 413kbd lower than last year's third quarter, mainly reflecting asset sales and lower demand.
U.S. Downstream earnings were $978million, up $64million from the third quarter of 2007. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings of $2,035million were $948million higher than last year.
Chemical earnings of $1,087million were $115million lower than the third quarter of 2007. Lower volumes, which reduced earnings approximately $200million, and lower margins were partly offset by favorable foreign exchange effects. Third quarter prime product sales of 6,060kt (thousands of metric tons) were 669kt lower than the prior year due to hurricane effects and lower demand.
Corporate and financing expenses of $71million, excluding the charge for interest related to the Valdez litigation, decreased by $21million.
During the third quarter of 2008, Exxon Mobil Corporation purchased 109million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a gross cost of $8.7billion. These purchases included $8.0billion 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 5,194million at the end of the second quarter to 5,087million at the end of the third quarter. 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.
First Nine Months 2008 vs. First Nine Months 2007
Net income of $37,400million ($7.11 per share) was a record and increased $8,450million from 2007. Excluding special items, earnings for the first nine months of 2008 were $36,240million, an increase of $7,290million from 2007.
FIRST NINE MONTHS HIGHLIGHTS
-- Earnings excluding special items were a record $36,240million, up 25%.
-- Earnings per share excluding special items increased 34% to $6.89, reflecting strong business results and the continued reduction in the number of shares outstanding.
-- Net income was up 29% from 2007. Net income for the first nine months of 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 punitive damages award. Net income for the first nine months of 2007 did not include any special items.
-- The effective income tax rate increased to 48% versus 45%.
-- Cash flow from operations and asset sales was approximately $53.4billion, including $4.2billion from asset sales.
-- The Corporation distributed a total of $30.0billion to shareholders in 2008 through dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding, an increase of $3.3billion versus 2007.
-- Year to date dividends per share of $1.15 increased 13%.
-- Capital and exploration expenditures were $19.3billion, an increase of 31% versus 2007.
Upstream earnings, excluding the gain related to the sale of the German natural gas transportation business, were a record $28,148million, up $9,855million from 2007. Record high crude oil and natural gas realizations increased earnings approximately $14.8billion. Lower sales volumes reduced earnings about $3.7billion. Higher taxes and increased operating costs decreased earnings approximately $1.5billion. Favorable foreign exchange effects provided a partial offset.
On an oil-equivalent basis, production decreased 7% from last year. Excluding impacts related to the Venezuela expropriation and lower entitlement volumes, production was down about 4%.
Liquids production of 2,383kbd decreased 267 kbd from 2007. Excluding the Venezuela expropriation and lower entitlement volumes, liquids production was down about 5%, as field decline in mature areas more than offset project volume increases.
Natural gas production of 8,843mcfd decreased 194mcfd from 2007. Higher volumes from North Sea, Malaysia and Qatar projects and higher European demand were more than offset by mature field decline and planned maintenance activity.
Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations for 2008 were $5,544million, an increase of $1,949million. Earnings outside the U.S., excluding the gain related to the sale of the German natural gas transportation business, were $22,604million, $7,906million higher than 2007.
Downstream earnings of $5,737million were $1,569million lower than 2007. Lower worldwide refining margins decreased earnings approximately $1.9billion while higher operating costs reduced earnings about $400million. Improved refinery operations increased earnings about $800million. Petroleum product sales of 6,761kbd decreased from 7,090kbd in 2007, mainly reflecting asset sales and lower demand.
U.S. Downstream earnings were $1,669million, down $1,829million. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings were $4,068million, $260million higher than last year.
Chemical earnings of $2,802million decreased $649million from 2007. Lower margins decreased earnings approximately $900million, while lower volumes decreased earnings by about $200 million. Favorable foreign exchange and tax effects provided a partial offset. Prime product sales of 19,356kt were down 1,075kt from 2007.
Corporate and financing expenses of $447million, excluding the charges related to the Valdez litigation, increased by $347million, mainly due to lower interest rates and higher corporate costs.
Gross share purchases through the first nine months of 2008 were $26.9billion, reducing shares outstanding by 5.5%.
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 October 30, 2008. 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, resource recoveries and production rates, capital expenditures, and the impact of hurricane damage on future earnings, 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 Form10-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
  THIRD QUARTER 2008
  (millions of dollars, unless noted)
                                                                  Third Quarter                Nine Months
                                                                  2008           2007          2008          2007
  Earnings / Earnings Per Share
  Total revenues and other income                                 137,737        102,337       392,663       287,910
  Total costs and other deductions                                111,580        85,577        324,108       237,158
  Income before income taxes                                      26,157         16,760        68,555        50,752
  Income taxes                                                    11,327         7,350         31,155        21,802
  Net income (U.S. GAAP)                                          14,830         9,410         37,400        28,950
  Net income per common share (dollars)                           2.89           1.72          7.19          5.21
  Net income per common share - assuming dilution (dollars)       2.86           1.70          7.11          5.15
  Other Financial Data
  Dividends on common stock
  Total                                                           2,063          1,932         6,040         5,718
  Per common share (dollars)                                      0.40           0.35          1.15          1.02
  Millions of common shares outstanding
  At September 30                                                                              5,087         5,464
  Average - assuming dilution                                     5,160          5,536         5,260         5,620
  Shareholders' equity at September 30                                                         125,286       118,603
  Capital employed at September 30                                                             138,185       129,030
  Income taxes                                                    11,327         7,350         31,155        21,802
  Sales-based taxes                                               9,327          7,970         27,297        23,064
  All other taxes                                                 11,856         10,953        35,760        32,026
  Total taxes                                                     32,510         26,273        94,212        76,892
  ExxonMobil's share of income taxes of equity companies          870            537           2,763         1,627

Attachment II
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
THIRD QUARTER 2008
(millions of dollars)
                                                                         Third Quarter                 Nine Months
                                                                         2008            2007          2008            2007
Net Income (U.S. GAAP)
Upstream
United States                                                            1,879           1,196         5,544           3,595
Non-U.S.                                                                 9,092           5,103         24,224          14,698
Downstream
United States                                                            978             914           1,669           3,498
Non-U.S.                                                                 2,035           1,087         4,068           3,808
Chemical
United States                                                            257             296           643             846
Non-U.S.                                                                 830             906           2,159           2,605
Corporate and financing                                                  (241    )       (92    )      (907    )       (100    )
Corporate total                                                          14,830          9,410         37,400          28,950
Special Items
Upstream
United States                                                            0               0             0               0
Non-U.S.                                                                 1,620           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                                                  (170    )       0             (460    )       0
Corporate total                                                          1,450           0             1,160           0
Earnings Excluding Special Items
Upstream
United States                                                            1,879           1,196         5,544           3,595
Non-U.S.                                                                 7,472           5,103         22,604          14,698
Downstream
United States                                                            978             914           1,669           3,498
Non-U.S.                                                                 2,035           1,087         4,068           3,808
Chemical
United States                                                            257             296           643             846
Non-U.S.                                                                 830             906           2,159           2,605
Corporate and financing                                                  (71     )       (92    )      (447    )       (100    )
Corporate total                                                          13,380          9,410         36,240          28,950
Cash flow from operations and asset sales (billions of
dollars)
Net cash provided by operating activities (U.S. GAAP)                    14.4            15.1          49.2            40.7
Sales of subsidiaries, investments and property, plant and equipment     2.6             0.7           4.2             2.4
Cash flow from operations and asset sales                                17.0            15.8          53.4            43.1

Attachment III
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
THIRD QUARTER 2008
                                                                          Third Quarter               Nine Months
                                                                          2008          2007          2008        2007
Net production of crude oil and natural gas liquids, thousands of
barrels daily (kbd)
United States                                                             341           373           364         394
Canada/South America                                                      283           321           287         331
Europe                                                                    397           446           431         486
Africa                                                                    639           686           637         734
Asia Pacific/Middle East                                                  510           533           506         523
Russia/Caspian                                                            121           178           158         182
Worldwide                                                                 2,291         2,537         2,383       2,650
Natural gas production available for sale, millions of cubic feet
daily (mcfd)
United States                                                             1,167         1,414         1,257       1,489
Canada/South America                                                      633           799           649         840
Europe                                                                    2,768         2,665         3,713       3,427
Africa                                                                    33            25            32          25
Asia Pacific/Middle East                                                  3,135         3,270         3,086       3,148
Russia/Caspian                                                            87            110           106         108
Worldwide                                                                 7,823         8,283         8,843       9,037
Oil-equivalent production (koebd) (1)                                     3,595         3,918         3,857       4,156
(1) Gas converted to oil-equivalent at 6
million cubic feet = 1 thousand barrels

Attachment IV
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
THIRD QUARTER 2008
                                                                 Third Quarter           Nine Months
                                                                 2008         2007       2008         2007
Refinery throughput (kbd)
United States                                                    1,592        1,790      1,720        1,727
Canada                                                           468          451        448          434
Europe                                                           1,647        1,648      1,603        1,637
Asia Pacific                                                     1,328        1,368      1,363        1,402
Other                                                            319          325        316          322
Worldwide                                                        5,354        5,582      5,450        5,522
Petroleum product sales (kbd)
United States                                                    2,437        2,709      2,523        2,711
Canada                                                           452          470        439          457
Europe                                                           1,736        1,783      1,721        1,788
Asia Pacific                                                     1,338        1,429      1,356        1,401
Other                                                            725          710        722          733
Worldwide                                                        6,688        7,101      6,761        7,090
Gasolines, naphthas                                              2,622        2,831      2,641        2,855
Heating oils, kerosene, diesel                                   2,063        2,056      2,073        2,074
Aviation fuels                                                   640          671        625          642
Heavy fuels                                                      602          728        639          712
Specialty products                                               761          815        783          807
Worldwide                                                        6,688        7,101      6,761        7,090
Chemical prime product sales, thousands of metric tons (kt)
United States                                                    2,248        2,661      7,505        8,093
Non-U.S.                                                         3,812        4,068      11,851       12,338
Worldwide                                                        6,060        6,729      19,356       20,431

Attachment V
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
THIRD QUARTER 2008
(millions of dollars)
                                                           Third Quarter           Nine Months
                                                           2008         2007       2008         2007
Capital and Exploration Expenditures
Upstream
United States                                              1,000        568        2,334        1,531
Non-U.S.                                                   4,277        3,283      12,295       9,655
Total                                                      5,277        3,851      14,629       11,186
Downstream
United States                                              421          263        1,198        792
Non-U.S.                                                   423          721        1,377        1,597
Total                                                      844          984        2,575        2,389
Chemical
United States                                              123          96         345          242
Non-U.S.                                                   598          505        1,739        854
Total                                                      721          601        2,084        1,096
Other                                                      11           5          26           31
Worldwide                                                  6,853        5,441      19,314       14,702
Exploration expenses charged to income included above
Consolidated affiliates
United States                                              45           75         144          201
Non-U.S.                                                   353          271        924          758
Equity companies - ExxonMobil share
United States                                              0            0          0            2
Non-U.S.                                                   6            5          13           8
Worldwide                                                  404          351        1,081        969

Attachment VI
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
NET INCOME
                      $ Millions        $ Per Common Share
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

SOURCE: Exxon Mobil Corporation
ExxonMobil 
Media Relations, 972-444-1107

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