Wild Ass Rumour of the Day: ExxonMobil to Buy GM and Become an Integrated Producer/Consumer
The Wall Street Journal is calling attention to the massive cash piles sitting around the offices of big oil re: falling stock prices. The solution to this problem? “Mr. Flannery argues that Big Oil will need to put cash into acquisitions to restore the battered share prices.” ExxonMobil alone is sitting on $39b despite buying back its own stock at a rate of $8b per quarter (it’s repurchased $218b of its shares over the past several years). General Motors’ total market capitalization of under $5b, and falling, makes it a target. OK, they have a few liability “issues.” But what’s good for GM is good for ExxonMobil. By deferring two months of its own stock buy backs ExxonMobil could gobble-up the world’s once and future king of cars. Think of the synergy! From exploration through production, marketing and finally right out the tailpipe; a truly global and integrated oil monster. Chevron, never one to be outdone by its sister company (both were once part of Standard Oil), is said to be eyeing Ford. With plunging demand dragging oil prices from $140 per barrel down to around $90, something must be done! Or not.
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You'd think that with a retirement package worth $400 million, Mr. Raymond could afford a new tooth. If this buyout happens (and it won't) it would be a great time to reorganize brand names and model lines. I'll be waiting anxiously for the 2012 Exxon OldsMobil. sorry...
Hey, Lee Raymond likes food and money! He ate a lot of food and made a lot of money. Compare him with the most famous vegetarian non-smoker: Adolf Hitler.
Considering that the environmentalists still won't forgive GM for killing the EV1 in favor of making Hummers, if this happens, kiss any attempt to make good with the Sierra Club/Greenpeace crowd goodbye...