Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) -1.4% in Wednesday's trading after saying its Q4 earnings were hurt by lower crude prices and narrower refining margins, in a sign that the quarter may have been a tough one for the big oil companies.

Exxon Mobil signaled on Tuesday that sharply weaker oil refining results, asset impairments and lower oil prices would reduce its fourth-quarter earnings by about $1.75 billion from the prior quarter.

Exxon Mobil profits will likely miss fourth-quarter-earnings estimates by close to 20%, one analyst argued as he trimmed his numbers. While Exxon Mobil expects changes in gas prices to improve earnings by up to $400 million,

Exxon Mobil Corp.’s shares fell after the company warned its fourth-quarter earnings will take a hit from lower crude prices and narrowing refining margins during the final three months of 2024.

Exxon Mobil signaled on Tuesday that sharply lower oil refining profits and weakness across all its businesses would reduce its fourth-quarter earnings by about $1.75 billion from the prior quarter. The oil major also said in an SEC filing that upstream asset sales would benefit results by about $400 million,