New York, Feb 15, 2026, 11:34 EST — The market has closed.
- Exxon finished Friday’s session off 0.99% at $148.45. After hours, the stock showed a modest uptick.
- Reuters said three contractors were hurt while doing maintenance at Exxon’s Beaumont complex in Texas.
- U.S. stock markets shuttered for Washington’s Birthday on Monday; trading picks back up Tuesday.
Exxon Mobil Corp finished Friday down 0.99% at $148.45, moving in a range from $147.98 to $151.66 over the session. After-hours, the stock edged up about 0.3%. Looking to Tuesday, traders are digesting two new headlines tied to Exxon’s operations and ongoing litigation.
No trading in the U.S. Monday—Washington’s Birthday holiday keeps markets dark, so New York’s next session lands on Tuesday. That extra pause leaves investors mulling the most recent headlines, waiting to see if anything sticks once cash equities come back online.
Brent crude finished Friday at $67.75 a barrel, with U.S. WTI closing at $62.89. Both contracts eked out modest daily gains, though they ended the week lower. “Looks like inflation is stabilizing,” said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial, citing rate expectations and warning about the potential for increased OPEC supply. Reuters
Exxon said three contractors were hurt at its Beaumont, Texas, facility after steam condensate escaped during maintenance on a crude distillation unit—the piece of equipment that starts the process of breaking down crude oil for the rest of the plant. “Safety is always our top priority,” spokesperson Kelly Davita said. The company has launched an investigation. The Crude A unit, which handles 180,000 barrels per day, was already on track to stay offline until mid-March, according to people familiar with operations. Reuters
A federal judge tossed out California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s attempt to shut down Exxon’s defamation suit over its “advanced recycling” initiative, which uses some plastic waste to create fuel. Exxon claims Bonta went beyond criticism, accusing him of making outright falsehoods. The judge said issues like good faith would be sorted out later. “This campaign of lies … must stop,” an Exxon spokesperson said. Reuters
These moves alone don’t overhaul Exxon’s short-term fundamentals, but they do layer on event risk, and that can sway things when headlines are scarce. For big integrated oil names, though, it’s crude and refining margins that really set the tone.
Oil traders have one eye on the possibility of additional barrels hitting the market later this year, following a Reuters report that OPEC+ — that’s OPEC along with partners like Russia — is considering ramping up production starting in April. The news leaves some investors cautious, watching how a weaker oil strip could squeeze producer cash flows.
Exxon reaffirmed in late January it’s sticking with its $20 billion share buyback target through 2026, and a $1.03 quarterly dividend is on the books for March 10. CEO Darren Woods pitched Exxon as “a fundamentally stronger company” than in prior years. The oil major also flagged a Feb. 20 release for a fresh version of its Company Overview and Investment Case presentation. ExxonMobil
Chevron and ConocoPhillips tend to move with shifts in crude and whatever policy angle’s in play. For Exxon, though, its big U.S. refining presence means Gulf Coast operations can hit the stock harder. Beaumont remains one to watch.
Here’s the risk — oil prices start to slide on oversupply worries, earnings projections take a hit, and buybacks lose some of their punch. For the company, fallout from the Beaumont incident, or a prolonged legal battle over the recycling case, could easily drag on sentiment.
As U.S. equities resume trading Tuesday, traders are keen to see if energy stocks mirror crude moves or slip amid supply chatter. Exxon’s response to the Beaumont probe is another focus—any new details could move shares. The next official update from the company lands with its investor presentation on Feb. 20.
