ExxonMobil Probably Won't Hike Dividend in 2020: Why Investors Shouldn't Worry (Yet)

Oil and natural gas are trading at historically low levels, which has been a huge problem for energy stocks like ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM). Investors fear the worst, which in the case of ExxonMobil would include a dividend cut after more than three decades of annual increases. Those fears aren't unfounded, but there are some things to consider before you let your fear get the best of you.

Exxon operates in an extremely volatile commodity-focused industry. The energy sector's history is littered with periods of swift and dramatic oil and natural gas price swings.

The internationally diversified integrated-energy giant is well aware of that history, however, and has built a business that has, so far, been fairly robust in the face of adversity. Look no further than its string of 37 consecutive annual dividend increases for proof of that. 

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Source Fool.com