HOUSTON, May 1 - Chevron reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.41 for the first quarter, comfortably outpacing the LSEG consensus of $0.95. The gains were driven mainly by stronger performance in the companys upstream operations, where higher oil prices during the quarter increased revenue and lifted segment earnings.
Despite the upside versus expectations, overall net income for January through March fell to $2.2 billion from $3.5 billion a year earlier. Company executives attributed part of the year-on-year decline to unfavorable timing effects associated with financial derivatives and accounting mismatches that weighed on downstream results.
Upstream performance and market backdrop
Chevrons upstream segment generated $3.9 billion in earnings, a 4% rise from the prior year, reflecting higher realized prices as global energy markets tightened. The company said that disruptions linked to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which began on February 28, significantly affected markets during the quarter. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was nearly halted at times, tightening supply and contributing to oil prices increasing by as much as 50% over the period.
Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth highlighted the companys performance amid the volatile environment, saying, "Despite heightened geopolitical volatility and related supply disruptions, Chevron delivered solid first-quarter performance, underscoring the resilience of our portfolio and the value of disciplined execution."
Downstream hit by accounting timing
The downstream business swung to a loss of $817 million in the quarter, down from a profit of $325 million in the same period a year earlier. Company officials said the deterioration was largely the result of accounting mismatches stemming from derivative-related timing effects, rather than underlying operational weaknesses. Management expects these paper losses to largely reverse in the second quarter as positions close.
Chief Financial Officer Eimear Bonner said in an interview that Chevron expects roughly $1 billion of paper positions to close in the second quarter and generate profit when they do. She characterized the underlying business as strong when excluding such timing impacts, noting, "We can see cash flow growing, we can see earnings growing, and all our plans are on track."
Production, cash flow and capital allocation
Chevron reported first-quarter production of 3.86 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, a modest decline from the previous quarter. The decrease was linked in part to downtime at the Tengiz field in Kazakhstan after a fire. The company also reiterated that its production exposure to the Middle East is limited, accounting for less than 5% of total volumes.
Production in the United States remained strong, topping 2 million barrels per day for the third consecutive quarter, according to the company.
Free cash flow moved into negative territory, recording a deficit of $1.5 billion in the quarter due to weaker operating cash flow. On an adjusted basis that excludes impacts to working capital, free cash flow was still down compared with the year-ago quarter. Bonner reaffirmed Chevrons target to achieve at least 10% annual growth in adjusted free cash flow through 2030.
During the quarter Chevron returned capital to shareholders through $3.5 billion of dividends and $2.5 billion of share repurchases. The buyback figure was lower than the prior quarter, but management said the company remains on track to target full-year buybacks between $10 billion and $20 billion.
First-quarter capital expenditure was higher than the prior year, a change management attributed partly to investments related to the Hess acquisition. That increase was offset in part by reduced spending in the Permian Basin.
Outlook and near-term expectations
Managements near-term outlook centers on the reversal of the derivative timing impacts, anticipated to provide a boost to downstream profitability in the second quarter as certain paper positions close. Beyond that, Chevrons stated capital-return targets and the reaffirmed free cash flow growth objective remain central to its financial plans.