Oil Money: Chevron & Exxon

Chevron and ExxonMobil. Two names, both promising a little comfort in this messy world. Exxon’s always been a bit ahead, a little faster, like a slightly more ambitious pigeon. So it goes. But being second isn’t always losing. Sometimes, it’s just… different. And for those of us looking for a steady stream of income, that difference might matter a lot.

The Bigger Pigeon

ExxonMobil is the bigger bird, naturally. A market cap pushing $600 billion. Chevron, around $350 billion. Numbers. They mean something, I suppose, to people who believe in things. Both are giants, swimming in the same oily sea. They both have enough to keep going for a while.

Exxon gets a little more out of every dollar it invests, at least according to the numbers. Return on capital employed. Sounds important. Chevron lags a bit. It’s a pattern. They both rise and fall together, like the tides. It’s not a race, really. Just… momentum.

Financially, Exxon’s a bit sturdier. Less debt. But Chevron isn’t exactly on the brink of collapse. Both companies have enough cushion to weather a storm, to keep the dividends flowing even when the world decides oil isn’t so valuable anymore. Which, let’s be honest, feels inevitable.

Exxon has raised its dividend for 43 years straight. Impressive, I guess. Chevron’s at 38. A good run. It’s like collecting stamps, really. A way to mark the passage of time.

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The Yield is the Thing

Here’s where it gets interesting. Chevron’s dividend yield is around 3.9%. Exxon’s? 2.9%. A full percentage point. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? But money, like water, finds its level. That extra percentage adds up. It’s the difference between a shrug and a small, weary smile.

You could pick either one, really. You’d probably be okay. But if you’re looking for income, if you want a little something coming in to offset the general absurdity of it all, Chevron’s the better bet. It’s not a grand strategy, not a path to riches. Just… a little more. And in the long run, sometimes that’s enough. So it goes.

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2026-02-04 20:32