New York, January 19, 2026, 10:33 ET — Market closed.
- Exxon shares ended Friday’s session at $130.03, up 0.1%, then slipped slightly to $129.89 in after-hours trading.
- Oil prices remained close to their recent range on Monday, leaving energy stocks linked tightly to the news as U.S. markets stayed closed.
- Exxon plans to release its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on Jan. 30. Investors will be watching closely for the company’s outlook for 2026.
Exxon Mobil’s shares are set to resume trading Tuesday following the extended weekend break, as U.S. markets shut down Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The holiday lull shifts focus to factors that could still sway the stock: crude prices, geopolitical developments, and positioning ahead of Exxon’s upcoming earnings. Exxon plans to report fourth-quarter 2025 results on Friday, Jan. 30. CEO Darren Woods and other executives will hold a conference call that morning.
As the earnings season approaches, analyst sentiment is shifting. Scotiabank’s Paul Cheng cut his Exxon price target to $128 from $155 but maintained an “Outperform” rating. He called the upcoming quarter “straightforward” unless winter disruptions arise and highlighted ongoing discussions about whether market volatility will alter 2026 guidance or trigger cost reductions at exploration and production (E&P) companies. TipRanks
Brent crude, the global benchmark, held steady near $64 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) hovered around $59. Market nerves over Iranian supply have eased somewhat, but traders remain watchful of escalating U.S.-Europe tensions around Greenland and tariffs. “Oil price action has calmed since last week, yet the short-term trend still points upward,” said IG analyst Chris Beauchamp. Rystad’s Janiv Shah warned of demand risks if trade disputes deepen, and PVM’s John Evans flagged supply concerns linked to cold weather forecasts. Reuters
Some investors are revisiting Exxon’s warning from earlier this month: the company noted that weaker crude prices might cut fourth-quarter upstream earnings by roughly $800 million to $1.2 billion. That makes any fresh remarks on realizations, volumes, and costs particularly valuable.
Right now, the stock remains close to where it was heading into the weekend, so few surprises are expected. The key upcoming test will be Exxon’s late-month report, which investors will watch for signs that refining and chemicals are holding steady, and whether management maintains its current spending and buyback plans.
But the balance is fragile. A fresh spike in geopolitical tensions might push oil prices higher, benefiting the group. On the flip side, a stronger demand scare—particularly if tariff discussions toughen—could weigh on crude and drag down the entire energy sector simultaneously.
On Tuesday, as U.S. markets reopen, investors will first react to Monday’s oil news before shifting focus to Exxon’s results due January 30. They’ll be looking for more clarity on the company’s 2026 strategy.
