What's Going On With Exxon Mobil (XOM) Stock?

Exxon Mobil Corp XOM shares are trading higher by roughly 5% during November after Donald Trump's win in the presidential election, as investors anticipate a more favorable regulatory and economic environment for the oil and gas sector.

Trump's administration is expected to prioritize fossil fuel production, potentially reversing recent policies on environmental restrictions and supporting domestic energy expansion, which could directly benefit Exxon's extensive U.S. operations.

Trump's stance on reducing regulations in the energy sector could make it easier and more cost-effective for Exxon to expand drilling projects, especially in U.S. shale regions like the Permian Basin, where the company has invested heavily in recent years.

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What To Know: One anticipated shift under Trump's policies would be a rollback of regulations tied to carbon emissions, methane leaks, and drilling permits, which had increased compliance costs for companies like Exxon.

With eased regulatory pressures, Exxon would have greater flexibility to explore and develop new oil and gas fields without facing stringent environmental compliance costs, potentially boosting production levels and profitability.

Additionally, Trump's proposal to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and possibly undo green energy subsidies could slow the U.S. transition to renewables, extending the market dominance of traditional energy sources where Exxon is well-positioned.

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What Else: Trump's protectionist trade policies, particularly his advocacy for tariffs on foreign imports, could also play a role in shaping Exxon's strategy.

While higher tariffs could increase costs for some imported materials used in refining and exploration, the overarching goal to strengthen domestic energy independence aligns with Exxon's core U.S. operations.

Furthermore, Trump's inclination to ease sanctions on certain countries, such as Russia, could create new avenues for Exxon to partner in international projects, a potential growth area constrained by recent sanctions.

While uncertainties remain in the global oil market, Trump's commitment to bolstering fossil fuel production and easing regulatory constraints provides an optimistic outlook for Exxon's growth trajectory, making the stock an appealing choice for energy investors post-election.

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How To Buy XOM Stock

By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for Exxon Mobil – be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.

Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of possible trading platforms here. Many will allow you to buy ‘fractional shares,' which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share. For example, some stock, like Berkshire Hathaway, can cost thousands of dollars to own just one share. However, if you only want to invest a fraction of that, brokerages will allow you to do so.

In the the case of Exxon Mobil, which is trading at $121.61 as of publishing time, $100 would buy you 0.82 shares of stock.

If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to ‘go short' a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a stock can be found at this resource. Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading – either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.

According to data from Benzinga Pro, XOM has a 52-week high of $126.34 and a 52-week low of $95.77.