Chevron: Earnings Prerelease With a Splash of Management Changes
In an unusual move, Chevron CVX prereleased second-quarter results while announcing management changes. Second-quarter adjusted earnings fell to $5.8 billion from $11.4 billion a year ago as lower oil and natural gas prices offset higher production. Production increased to 2,959 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day from 2,896 mboe/d a year ago, with an 11% increase in Permian Basin volumes to a record 772 mboe/d. During the quarter, Chevron repurchased $4.4 billion in shares, in line with guidance. It expects to close the PDC Energy acquisition in August. Our fair value estimate and narrow moat rating are unchanged. More detail will be available with the full earnings release on July 28.
Chevron also announced two key management changes. First, it waived the mandatory retirement age of 65 for current CEO Mike Wirth, who is 63, effectively extending his tenure indefinitely. Wirth has deftly steered Chevron during his tenure, so we view the extension positively. Second, Chevron announced that CFO Pierre Breber will retire in March 2024 and be replaced by Eimear Bonner, currently vice president and chief technology officer and president of the Chevron Technical Center. Chevron also announced several other leadership changes related to this transition.
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