NEW YORK, Jan 24, 2026, 06:07 EST — Market closed
- Exxon shares ended Friday up 1%, closing at $134.97.
- XTO Energy is gauging buyer interest for certain Eagle Ford shale assets, which are valued at more than $1 billion.
- Traders are eyeing oil prices, potential winter-storm disruptions, and Exxon’s Jan. 30 earnings as they prepare for next week.
Exxon Mobil (XOM) is exploring potential buyers for certain Eagle Ford shale assets in South Texas, with the total value topping $1 billion, the company confirmed late Friday. Shares closed up 1% at $134.97. U.S. crude futures ended at $61.07 a barrel, roughly 18% lower than this time last year.
Timing plays a key role. Exxon has been streamlining its portfolio, focusing investments on its largest growth drivers, and the Eagle Ford isn’t where management has been signaling expansion.
For investors, acreage takes a back seat. The real issue: is Exxon now zeroing in on mature shale sites, given the volatile oil prices and growing demand for cleaner cash flow?
Sources close to the situation say XTO has launched a “virtual data room”—a secure online repository for potential buyers—and is handling the sale process without outside banks. The asset package covers over a thousand wells, including both operated and “non-operated” interests (stakes in wells managed by others), plus royalty assets. An Exxon spokesperson framed this move as part of a strategy to “continually evaluate and optimize” its portfolio. Investing.com
Wall Street’s mood is steady, though not without some shifts. Morgan Stanley’s Devin McDermott cut Exxon’s price target to $134 from $137 but maintained an Overweight rating. He cited a weaker oil “strip” — the futures curve — and anticipates “fairly clean” Q4 operations, though cash flow may be softer due to price realization pressures. TipRanks
Energy markets may shake up the sector ahead of Monday’s open. Winter storm Fern has slashed crude and natural gas production, with outages potentially hitting about 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to consultancy Energy Aspects. Veteran oil analyst Tom Kloza flagged a “surge in distillate demand,” referring to diesel and heating oil. Reuters
Exxon has begun work on reconfiguring its Baytown, Texas, complex, aiming to tilt some gasoline output toward diesel and lubricant base stocks — key ingredients for motor oils and industrial lubricants. “Breaking ground on this project marks a major step forward,” said Basel Al-Aghbar, vice president of ExxonMobil Basestocks and Waxes. ogj.com
Two clear risks stand out. If crude prices drop, buyers might hesitate on Eagle Ford wells. Also, the sale process could stall, putting Monday’s initial numbers at risk of a sharp retreat.
Trading picks back up Monday, Jan. 26, with crude and refined products in the spotlight right out of the gate. Then, eyes will shift to any deal buzz surrounding Eagle Ford. Should the storm squeeze supply harder than anticipated, expect the entire energy sector to move in tandem.
Exxon is set to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on Jan. 30, with formal remarks scheduled for 5:30 a.m. Central time and a live call kicking off at 8:30 a.m. CT. CEO Darren Woods and CFO Kathy Mikells will lead the presentation, joined by incoming CFO Neil Hansen, the company said.
Exxon’s stock will have to navigate the oil market moves until then. Monday marks the initial hurdle; Jan. 30 is the key date investors are eyeing.
