We recently published a list of 12 Best Battery Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) stands against other best battery stocks to buy according to billionaires.
Batteries are essential to our global energy landscape, especially nowadays, as they contribute heavily in accomplishing clean energy goals. These batteries power numerous electric vehicles (EVs) in the transport sector; on the other hand, they play a crucial role in the power sector, where energy storage is growing faster than any other clean technology, supporting the renewable energy shift.
Furthermore, the global battery industry is facing rapid growth due to lower costs and higher demand. A critical point was reached when prices of battery packs for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) dropped below $100 per kilowatt-hour. As a result of this cost-competitiveness, these batteries became highly demanded for internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Thus, according to The Business Research Company, the EV battery market is expected to jump from $66.43 billion in 2024 to $87.78 billion in 2025, showing a 32.1% yearly growth rate.
This growth majorly stems from decreasing battery mineral costs, especially lithium. The World Economic Forum reported that lithium-ion battery costs have dropped over 90% in the past decade, with a 40% drop in 2024 alone. The IEA points out that a rise in manufacturing and improved production methods drove the market, with global battery production hitting 3 TWh in 2024. Accordingly, this has sped up EV adoption, with S&P Global Mobility forecasting 15.1 million battery electric vehicle sales in 2025. These sales would be 30% higher than the 2024 level and would make up 16.7% of global light vehicle sales.
Moving on to China, which is a lead battery producer, we see that it makes up 75% of the total global production, as reported by Reuters. China’s vertically integrated supply chain, from refining minerals to producing batteries, has allowed manufacturers to scale up efficiently and reduce costs. Furthermore, Chinese companies pioneered the shift to lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, currently making up nearly half of the global EV market. These batteries cost about 30% less than lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NMC) substitutes while offering similar performance.
On the other hand, the U.S. energy storage industry faces challenges as new tariffs on Chinese battery parts increase costs. With lithium battery tariffs set to reach 25% by 2026, along with other rising import duties, project costs are climbing. Thus, Wood Mackenzie predicts slower storage installations, with yearly growth dropping to 10% between 2025-2028, down from 25% in 2024. As a result, lithium demand is likely to be affected, adding uncertainty to battery prices globally.
Besides lithium batteries, hydrogen is emerging as another clean energy alternative. KPMG reported rising investment in fuel cell technology, establishing hydrogen as a long-term player in clean energy. A 2024 IDTechEx report estimated that only 4% of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) will use hydrogen in the next two decades. However, at the same time, it predicts that about 19% of zero-emission trucks could be hydrogen-powered by 2044. According to KPMG’s Fuels of the Future study, electric batteries remain the leading low-carbon technology, preferred by 48% of experts. Yet 16% of experts note the potential of hydrogen fuel cells as a comparable alternative.
Therefore, we can see that the battery market is shifting rapidly as costs drop, technology improves, and market competition intensifies. Falling lithium prices and economies of scale drive further growth, while hydrogen’s increasing adoption points to a multi-technology energy future. Considering this momentum of electrification, battery stocks offer strong investment potential in the evolving clean energy market.
Our Methodology
We analyzed Insider Monkey’s exclusive database of billionaire stock holdings to compile our list of the 12 Best Battery Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. We selected the top 12 stocks based on the number of billionaire investors as of Q4 2024. For the stocks with the same number of billionaire holdings, we have used the total value of billionaire holdings as a secondary metric to rank the stocks.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
Aerial view of a major oil rig in the middle of the sea, pumping crude oil.
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)
Number of Billionaire Investors: 16
Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), is a major integrated energy company that operates across upstream, downstream, and low-carbon solutions. It is expanding into decarbonized power for data centers, targeting the provision of low-emission energy to data centers, with initial operations planned by 2028. The company leverages its complete carbon capture, transport, and storage (CCS) system as a competitive edge in industrial decarbonization.
Despite market challenges, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) earned $34 billion in 2024—its third-best decade result. It generated $55 billion in operational cash flow due to strong Upstream and Product Solutions performances. However, for Q4 ended December 31, 2024, EPS dropped to $1.67 per share versus an expected $1.77 per share. Still, the company hit record production in the Permian Basin and Guyana, with Permian output projected to grow from 1.5 million barrels daily in 2024 to 2.3 million by 2030.
Exxon Mobil is moving forward with four CCS projects launching within the next two years. The company’s low-carbon segment, including CCS, hydrogen, and lithium should add $2 billion to earnings by 2030. These moves not only support cleaner energy growth but also use existing infrastructure for long-term profitability.
Thus, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) continues integrating low-carbon solutions while maintaining its conventional energy strength. With careful capital management and strategic investments, the company aims for sustained earnings growth. Furthermore, Exxon’s CCS and hydrogen expansion may strengthen its position as industries shift toward reduced emissions. As such, it is among the best battery stocks to buy.
Overall, XOM ranks 2nd on our list of best battery stocks to buy according to billionaires. While we acknowledge the potential of XOM, our conviction lies in the belief that certain AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than XOM but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
