Exxon Announces Estimated 2Q 1999 Results

Exxon Corporation reported second quarter 1999 net income of $1.2 billion, down from $1.6 billion in the second quarter of 1998. Revenue for the second quarter of 1999 totaled $29.4 billion compared to $29.4 billion in the second quarter of 1998. Capital and exploration expenditures were $2.5 billion in the second quarter 1999 compared to $2.5 billion in last year's second quarter. According to the company, depressed refining margins and weaker natural gas prices drove the decline in earnings. Weaker chemical margins, lower copper and coal prices, and unfavorable foreign exchange effects also lowered earnings. With the improvement in oil prices, second quarter net income increased 18 percent from the first quarter of 1999, in contrast to the seasonal earnings decline that are usually seen from the first to the second quarter of each year. Exploration and production earnings benefited from rising crude oil prices, averaging about $2 per barrel more than the second quarter of 1998. Natural gas prices were lower in the U.S. and were much lower in Europe. Exploration and producing expenses were reduced versus the prior year. Earnings from U.S. exploration and production were $269 million compared with $187 million last year. Outside the U.S., earnings from exploration and production were $500 million, versus $497 million in the second quarter of 1998.