Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) finished Tuesday’s regular session with a solid gain and then traded slightly higher in after-hours, as the broader U.S. market leaned into a holiday-week rally and traders kept one eye on crude’s next move. With Christmas Eve trading ahead—and a shortened session on tap—investors are heading into Wednesday focused on two big questions: Does oil stabilize or slip again, and will low-liquidity holiday conditions amplify every headline?
Below is what mattered for Exxon Mobil stock after the bell on December 23, 2025, plus the key events, forecasts, and risks to monitor before the market opens tomorrow.
Exxon Mobil stock price after the bell: where XOM stands tonight
Regular-session close (Tuesday, Dec. 23): Exxon Mobil shares rose 1.07% to close at $119.42, marking a third consecutive day of gains. The stock ended the day about 1.15% below its 52-week high of $120.81 (set Nov. 11). Trading volume was about 12.0 million shares, below its 50-day average of roughly 14.9 million—a detail that matters heading into a low-liquidity holiday session. [1]
After-hours (as of early evening ET): Extended trading showed modest upside rather than a breakout move. MarketWatch’s delayed after-hours quote showed $119.45 (+0.03, +0.03%) at 5:31 p.m. ET, with after-hours volume around 356,990 shares. [2]
A separate after-hours snapshot from Public showed XOM around $119.69 (+0.23%) at 6:00 p.m. ET, with an after-hours range roughly $119.20–$119.78. [3]
Why the small after-hours move matters: Into late December, after-hours price action often reflects thin liquidity more than a new fundamental “signal.” Tonight’s post-close drift higher suggests no major negative surprise hit the tape after 4 p.m.—but it also underscores that traders are waiting for the next catalyst (often oil, macro data, or geopolitical headlines).
What drove Exxon Mobil stock today?
1) A “risk-on” tape helped lift mega-caps—including energy
U.S. equities had a broadly constructive session. The S&P 500 rose 0.46% and the Dow gained 0.16%, according to MarketWatch’s end-of-day figures. [4]
Reuters attributed the broader lift to fresh economic data that supported expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026, even as some indicators were mixed. [5]
2) Crude oil steadied—reducing near-term pressure on integrated oil names
Oil prices were steady Tuesday as markets weighed potential supply risks (including Venezuela and Russia) against the possibility that the market remains well supplied into early 2026, according to Reuters. [6]
For Exxon, which has a diversified earnings base across upstream, refining, and chemicals, a calmer oil tape tends to lower the odds of sudden sentiment shocks—especially in holiday trading.
3) Exxon outperformed key peers on the day
XOM’s move also stood out versus some large energy peers: Chevron finished higher while ConocoPhillips ended lower, per MarketWatch. [7]
That relative strength can matter in the short term: in thin sessions, sector ETFs and “pair” flows (buy XOM vs. sell another integrated or E&P name) can magnify moves.
Today’s news and analysis: the main themes investors absorbed on Dec. 23
While Exxon didn’t dominate headlines with a single blockbuster corporate announcement today, the day’s coverage clustered around a few themes that directly shape how XOM trades.
Oil and supply outlook: risks on both sides
Reuters’ oil coverage highlighted a market balancing supply-risk headlines with ongoing concerns about oversupply into the first half of 2026. [8]
That matters for Exxon because the stock’s near-term multiple and momentum often follow the market’s “confidence level” in crude’s next 1–3 months.
U.S. drilling activity: a small uptick, but the trend remains cautious
A separate Reuters report noted U.S. drillers added oil and gas rigs for the first time in three weeks (a report released early due to the holiday). The total rig count rose to 545, still down 44 rigs year over year, reflecting the industry’s ongoing capital discipline. The same report cited EIA expectations for U.S. crude production to rise from 13.2 million bpd (2024) to 13.6 million bpd (2025). [9]
For Exxon investors, this is a “two-way” signal: more rigs can imply future supply pressure, but restrained industry growth also supports the thesis that majors with scale and advantaged assets can keep generating cash through cycles.
Street-style outlook: oilfield services narrative still leans constructive
A Zacks industry outlook published today argued that upstream activity can remain profitable even with softer oil, supported by improved drilling technology and lower break-evens—keeping demand for oilfield services resilient. The piece also noted WTI trading below $60/barrel and emphasized industry balance-sheet strength and technology-driven efficiency. [10]
Even though this is framed through the oilfield services lens, it reinforces a broader point relevant to Exxon: the cost curve has shifted, and “advantaged operators” can still earn attractive returns at oil prices that would have been painful in prior cycles.
Fundamental “bull case” framing: Exxon’s long-range growth narrative stays in focus
A Seeking Alpha analysis published today argued Exxon is undervalued relative to long-run growth potential and highlighted management’s longer-term targets and cost savings. It cited a forecast of net income rising from $33.68B (2024) to $58.68B (2030) and operating cash flow reaching $90.02B, alongside $20B of structural cost savings. [11]
Investors should treat any single-analyst model cautiously—but the key takeaway is that the market continues to debate how much of Exxon’s multi-year plan is already priced in near $120/share.
Forecasts and Wall Street expectations: where analysts see XOM next
Consensus price targets point to modest upside from today’s close
Across major market-data providers, the average 12-month price target for Exxon Mobil generally clusters around the low-$130s:
- Investing.com shows an average target around $131.56 (with a high estimate of $158 and a low estimate of $109) and a consensus leaning “Buy,” with a notable share of analysts also in “Hold.” [12]
- StockAnalysis lists an average price target around $130.74 and a consensus rating of “Buy.” [13]
- Yahoo Finance’s quote page also reflects a 1-year target estimate in the $131.56 area. [14]
The company’s own multi-year plan remains a major anchor for long-term bulls
Earlier this month, Exxon published an updated long-term plan projecting $25 billion in earnings growth and $35 billion in cash flow growth from 2024 to 2030 (on a constant price/margin basis), with expectations of strong returns and no increase in capital spending in that plan framework. [15]
The Wall Street Journal separately highlighted similar figures and emphasized expectations for strong returns and surplus cash flow generation under assumed oil-price scenarios. [16]
For tomorrow morning’s trade, these long-term targets probably won’t be the catalyst—but they do influence how quickly investors are willing to “buy dips” if oil weakens again.
What to know before the market opens tomorrow: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025
1) Tomorrow is a shortened U.S. trading session
U.S. exchanges will operate on Christmas Eve, but it’s not a normal day.
- NYSE and Nasdaq close early at 1:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 24, and both are closed on Dec. 25, reopening Dec. 26. [17]
- Nasdaq also published a holiday reminder noting the 1:00 p.m. ET early close and detailing late-session handling. [18]
- Bond markets are commonly expected to close early as well (SIFMA recommends 2:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 24) and be closed on Dec. 25. [19]
Why it matters for XOM: Holiday sessions often bring lighter volume, wider spreads, and sharper moves on headlines. For a mega-cap like Exxon, even modest ETF flows or crude-futures swings can move the stock faster than usual.
2) Watch the macro calendar: jobless claims are on the radar
Investopedia’s week-ahead calendar flagged initial jobless claims scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 24, alongside reminders of the 1 p.m. stock-market close and 2 p.m. bond close. [20]
If claims surprise meaningfully, it can move rates, the dollar, and broad risk sentiment—each of which can feed into energy equities.
3) Oil headlines remain the fastest “transmission mechanism” into Exxon stock
Going into tomorrow, the overnight watchlist for XOM is effectively the same watchlist for crude:
- Any new developments tied to Venezuela or Russia-related supply risks (themes highlighted in today’s Reuters oil coverage) [21]
- The market’s ongoing debate about whether the first half of 2026 stays well supplied [22]
- U.S. production and drilling signals (including the rig-count update) [23]
4) Know the key price levels traders will be watching
With the stock closing near $119.5, several nearby reference points matter in a thin session:
- 52-week high: $120.81 (a potential psychological resistance area) [24]
- Today’s intraday zone: roughly $118.3–$120.0 (a practical “range” traders may use as support/resistance) [25]
5) Next catalysts on the horizon: earnings timing and shareholder returns
No major Exxon-specific corporate release dominated today’s news cycle, so the near-term calendar matters:
- Next earnings: Multiple market calendars estimate Exxon’s next earnings report around late January 2026 (often cited around Jan. 29–30, 2026, depending on the source and whether the company confirms). [26]
- Dividend context: Exxon’s investor-relations materials reflect a $1.03/share dividend declared for 4Q25 (with key dates already in the past), reinforcing the stock’s role as a core income holding for many portfolios. [27]
Bottom line for XOM heading into the Christmas Eve open
Exxon Mobil stock closed higher on December 23 and stayed modestly positive after hours, supported by a constructive broader tape and a steadier oil backdrop. The most important “before the bell” reality is structural: tomorrow is a shortened session, and holiday liquidity can exaggerate moves—especially if crude headlines break overnight or macro data shifts rate expectations.
If you’re tracking XOM into Wednesday morning, the highest-signal checklist is straightforward:
- Confirm the latest premarket/extended-hours quote and volume
- Track crude direction and supply-risk headlines
- Note the early close at 1 p.m. ET and expect lighter liquidity
- Watch jobless claims (and any rate/dollar reaction)
- Keep $120–$121 as the near-term “ceiling” area until proven otherwise
References
1. www.marketwatch.com, 2. www.marketwatch.com, 3. public.com, 4. www.marketwatch.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. www.marketwatch.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.nasdaq.com, 11. seekingalpha.com, 12. www.investing.com, 13. stockanalysis.com, 14. finance.yahoo.com, 15. investor.exxonmobil.com, 16. www.wsj.com, 17. www.marketwatch.com, 18. www.nasdaqtrader.com, 19. www.sifma.org, 20. www.investopedia.com, 21. www.reuters.com, 22. www.reuters.com, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.marketwatch.com, 25. stockanalysis.com, 26. www.investing.com, 27. investor.exxonmobil.com
