Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM): Which Oil Major Returns the Most Cash to Investors?

But will these returns continue?

Looking at company cash flows for the first quarter of this year, it would appear that four companies have plenty of room to continue these high shareholder returns. Even Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), which is returning 8% to investors each year, has room to almost double its cash returns to investors.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) paid a special dividend at the end of 2012, therefore it did not pay a dividend in the first quarter of this year. Still, even after doubling its payout, the total amount of cash returned to shareholders was covered more than two times by operating cash flow.

As I have mentioned above, ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) has reduced its shareholder returns after its separation from Philips–but based on the company’s first quarter results, after the separation there is still plenty of room to increase shareholder payouts.

Conclusion

It would appear that on a yearly per share basis, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) has and will continue to return the most cash to investors. This is not surprising given the company’s size, but it is surprising that the company has space available in its cash flow to almost double shareholder returns.

However, ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) has plenty of room in its cash flow to double or even triple existing shareholder returns.

So overall, for investors who are looking for large returns from their investments, Exxon looks to be the company to turn to, but ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) could take its position in the future.

Fool contributor Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Chevron.

The article Which Oil Major Returns the Most Cash to Investors? originally appeared on Fool.com.

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