#Exxon posts 1st annual loss as a public company on COVID-19 blow, Write-Down of $20BN For #Shale #Gas Assets $XOM

• Reduces value of shale gas properties by more than $20 billion in Q4.
• Exxon cut up to 15% of its workforce and delayed oil and gas projects after accepting oil prices could remain below $60 a barrel for years.
• Added $22 billion to its debt last year to cover its dividend and project spending. 

Exxon posts first annual loss as a public company on COVID-19 blow

(Reuters) -Top U.S. oil producer Exxon Mobil on Tuesday posted its first annual loss as a public company as the COVID-19 pandemic hammered energy prices and it reduced the value of its shale gas properties by more than $20 billion in the fourth quarter.

Exxon cut up to 15% of its workforce and delayed oil and gas projects after accepting oil prices could remain below $60 a barrel for years. It added $22 billion to its debt last year to cover its dividend and project spending.

The company reported a net annual loss of $22.44 billion for 2020, compared with a full-year profit of $14.34 billion in 2019.

Exxon posted four straight quarters of losses in 2020 and is under fire from activist investors pushing for board changes and a better strategy for a global transition to cleaner fuels.

See the whole story on Reuters here: 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-exxon-mobil-results-idUSKBN2A21LN