Chevron reported Q1 EPS of $1.41, beating estimates by 46%, as US production jumped 24% on the Hess acquisition.
"The portfolio delivered solid first-quarter performance, showing the resilience of our operations," Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth said.
Revenue reached $47.56 billion, missing consensus by 9.76%. Net income fell 37% year over year, weighed by a $2.9 billion hit from the timing of hedging activity and a $360 million legal reserve. Worldwide production rose 15% to 3.86 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, with the Permian Basin crossing 1 million BOE per day.
The stock has rallied 26% year to date to about $188, riding a surge in crude prices tied to Middle East supply disruptions. Chevron returned $6 billion to shareholders in the quarter — $3.5 billion in dividends and $2.5 billion in share repurchases — and has increased its dividend annually for decades, giving it a 3.7% yield.
The Hess acquisition delivered initial $1 billion in cost savings ahead of plan, with structural cuts on track for $3 billion to $4 billion by year end. Chevron reaffirmed its 2030 targets for 10% annual free cash flow and EPS growth at $70 West Texas Intermediate.
The Q1 revenue miss and the one-time hedging drag may temper near-term enthusiasm, but the production gains and capital returns point to underlying strength. Investors will watch the Q2 earnings call for evidence that the hedging headwind reverses as management expects.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.