Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)
Quick Stats as of (10/5/2012)
- Market Cap: $427 billion
- EPS: 9.49
- Avg Vol: 12.8 million
- Beta: 0.83
This energy giant is one of the largest and most diversified firms in the industry. XOM is home to a market cap of $426 billion and trades over 12 million times a day. The Texas-based company has operations in nearly every continent on the globe and is focused on the exploration and production of crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products and other energy commodities. Since taking a big hit in 2010, this stock has gained more than 40% and is currently up 6.45% year-to-date. In addition, XOM boasts an EPS of 9.49 and a dividend yield of 2.5%.
PetroChina Company Limited (NYSE:PTR)
Quick Stats as of (10/5/2012)
- Market Cap: $236 billion
- EPS: 11.20
- Avg Vol: 145,000
- Beta: 0.86
Headquartered in Beijing, this company is one of the top picks among investors when it comes to global oil exposure. PetroChina focuses on producing and selling oil and gas in its home country, and since being founded in 1988 has grown to a market cap of more than $236 billion. PTR’s record high came in 2007, when shares traded at $255.06. Since then, however, the stock has lost nearly half of its value. 2012 has also proven to be a tough year for PetroChina, but its EPS of 11.20 and annual dividend yield of 3.6% may persuade some investors to take a closer look [see also Crude Oil Guide: Brent Vs. WTI, What’s The Difference?].
Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)
Quick Stats as of (10/5/2012)
- Market Cap: $231 billion
- EPS: 13.34
- Avg Vol: 5.8 million
- Beta: 1.08
With a total market cap of nearly $231 billion, CVX comes in third place on the list, making it one of the largest and most popular oil producers in the U.S.. The company is split into two segments of operation: upstream and downstream. The upstream portion focuses on the discovery and extraction of crude oil and natural gas while the downstream segment refines and markets the fossil fuels. CVX has a current dividend yield of 3.1% for its shareholders and a rather appealing EPS of 13.43.
Petroleo Brasileiro Petrobras SA (NYSE:PBR)
Quick Stats as of (10/5/2012)
- Market Cap: $148 billion
- EPS: 1.46
- Avg Vol: 13.7
- Beta: 1.76
Brazil’s Petrobras is one of the biggest names in oil, as the global behemoth has its roots firmly planted in the industry. Based in Rio de Janeiro, the company is known for their oil and gas exploration as well as refining and transportation. A massive cash pile and strong financials back this stock, as PBR has been fighting its way higher in recent weeks. The firm pays out a dividend of 1.1% and represents one of the most dominant companies in the Southern Hemisphere.
BP plc (NYSE:BP)
Quick Stats as of (10/5/2012)
- Market Cap: $134 billion
- EPS: 5.38
- Avg Vol: 5.1 million
- Beta: 2.03
BP is a well-known oil and gas producer throughout the world. Unfortunately, many people still associate the company with the Deepwater Horizon Spill, the most costly of its kind in the U.S., whichdestroyed the stock price. Although BP has made significant headway since then, the stock has struggled thus far in 2012 and is still a long ways off of its pre-spill highs. BP is sitting at a P/E ratio of 7.85, and rather low EPS of 5.38 in comparison to other companies on this list. The stock does, however, provide its shareholders with a juicy dividend yield of 4.50% [see also Examining Crude Oil’s Massive Dip].
This article was originally written by Daniela Pylypczak, and posted on CommodityHQ.
