Exxon's income is highly dependent on the price of oil. See their historical numbers: http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:XOM&fstype=ii http://www.google.com/

Exxon's income is highly dependent on the price of oil. See their historical numbers: http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:XOM&fstype=ii http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:XOM&fstype=ii With oil at lower prices ($80/barrel now), their net income can significantly fall.