Originally posted by: PokerGuy
Originally posted by: msparish
Originally posted by: PokerGuy
Originally posted by: msparish
PokerGuy, Exxon isn't just a refining company. They're actually drilling for the oil themselves. Oil is not an "input" for Exxon to refine, it is an output that then goes to their refineries.
Agreed, they also explore for oil and find new sources etc. As more and more of the 'easy' sources of oil dry up over the years, it should become more and more expensive to find and drill for the oil.
What I'm saying though is that oil prices increasing is not just an "input" cost increase for Exxon. Earlier you stated that as the cost of your materials rise, your profits do not increase. Oil is something Exxon produces, not a material they buy. Therefore, a good chunk of their increased profits come because oil prices have doubled over the past couple years.
That's true and a valid point, but the oil they produce is not generally sold on the open market, they use it to refine and then sell the products. If that's true, then its still an input and just treated as 'cost of goods sold'. I'm not an expert on the oil industry and it's inner workings though, so that might not be a good assumption.