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Chevron Corp.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 1 May 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Reported earnings fell on timing effects: Reported earnings were $2.2 billion ($1.11 per share diluted), against $3.5 billion a year earlier. The company cited timing effects of about $2.9 billion. Source
  • Adjusted earnings were $2.8 billion: Adjusted earnings were $2.8 billion ($1.41 per share diluted), against $3.8 billion a year earlier. Adjusted figures exclude special items and foreign currency effects. Source
  • Earnings excluding timing improved: Excluding the timing effects, earnings improved, the company said, because of upstream production growth and higher refining margins. Source
  • U.S. refinery throughput hit a record: U.S. refinery crude unit throughput stayed above 1 million barrels per day for a fifth straight quarter, with a record in March 2026. Source
  • International downstream swung to a loss: International downstream recorded a $1.0 billion loss, against $222 million of earnings a year earlier, on lower margins, timing effects and higher transportation costs. Source
  • Operating cash flow fell on working capital: Cash flow from operations was $2.5 billion, against $5.2 billion a year earlier, mainly from working capital outflows tied to the March 2026 jump in commodity prices. Source
  • $6.0 billion returned to shareholders: Cash returned was $6.0 billion in the quarter, made up of $2.5 billion of share repurchases and $3.5 billion of dividends. Source

“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,”

Mike Wirth, Chevron’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Announced an agreement in Venezuela to expand the heavy oil interest in Petroindependencia and take rights to develop the adjacent Ayacucho 8 area. Source
  • New: Entered an exclusivity agreement with Microsoft and Engine No. 1 for a proposed power generation and electricity offtake agreement tied to a West Texas power project. Source
  • New: Entered Libya as a winning bidder in the Sirte Basin, adding exploration acreage. Source
  • New: Awarded four offshore exploration leases in Greece, adding to the Eastern Mediterranean position. Source
  • New: Farmed into the OFF-7 block in Uruguay, adding to the exploration portfolio. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Reported earnings fell on timing effects: Reported earnings were $2.2 billion ($1.11 per share diluted), against $3.5 billion a year earlier. The company cited timing effects of about $2.9 billion. Source
  • Adjusted earnings were $2.8 billion: Adjusted earnings were $2.8 billion ($1.41 per share diluted), against $3.8 billion a year earlier. Adjusted figures exclude special items and foreign currency effects. Source
  • Legal reserve and currency reduced earnings: The quarter included a $360 million net loss from a legal reserve. Foreign currency effects reduced earnings by $223 million. Source
  • Earnings excluding timing improved: Excluding the timing effects, earnings improved, the company said, because of upstream production growth and higher refining margins. Source
  • Production grew on Hess and Permian: Worldwide production rose 15 percent and U.S. production 24 percent, with the Hess acquisition and Permian growth cited as drivers. Source

Upstream segments and regions

  • U.S. upstream earnings rose on volumes: U.S. upstream earnings were $2.1 billion, up from $1.9 billion. Higher sales volumes were partly offset by higher DD&A, higher operating expenses and lower liquids realizations. Source
  • U.S. output above 2 million barrels daily: U.S. production was above 2 million oil-equivalent barrels per day for the third consecutive quarter, up 388,000 barrels per day from a year earlier. Source
  • International upstream earnings declined: International upstream earnings were $1.8 billion, down from $1.9 billion, on timing effects, higher DD&A and currency effects, partly offset by higher sales volumes. Source
  • TCO downtime and Middle East curtailments: Production was partly offset by downtime at TCO, a 50 percent owned affiliate, and curtailments in Israel and the Partitioned Zone. Source

“This disciplined performance supports dependable cash generation, enabling us to continue returning significant capital to shareholders, while investing in advantaged long-lived assets.”

Mike Wirth, Chevron’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Downstream and refining

  • U.S. refinery throughput hit a record: U.S. refinery crude unit throughput stayed above 1 million barrels per day for a fifth straight quarter, with a record in March 2026. Source
  • U.S. downstream earnings rose on margins: U.S. downstream earnings were $196 million, up from $103 million, on higher margins on refined product sales, partly offset by a higher litigation reserve. Source
  • International downstream swung to a loss: International downstream recorded a $1.0 billion loss, against $222 million of earnings a year earlier, on lower margins, timing effects and higher transportation costs. Source
  • International product sales rose 7 percent: International refined product sales rose 7 percent on higher gasoline demand, while U.S. refined product sales fell 2 percent. Source

Costs, pricing and charges

  • Brent averaged $81 a barrel: Average Brent spot price was $81 per barrel, up from $76 a year earlier and $64 in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • U.S. liquids realization rose from prior quarter: U.S. liquids realization was $51.94 per barrel, against $42.99 in the fourth quarter of 2025 and $55.26 a year earlier. Source
  • All Other charges rose on Hess shares and interest: All Other net charges were $882 million, up from $583 million, due to the absence of a prior-year favorable fair value adjustment on Hess shares and higher interest expense. Source

“We continue to closely monitor developments in the Middle East with a focus on the safety of our workforce and the integrity of our assets and operations,”

Mike Wirth, Chevron’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Cash flow and capital spending

  • Operating cash flow fell on working capital: Cash flow from operations was $2.5 billion, against $5.2 billion a year earlier, mainly from working capital outflows tied to the March 2026 jump in commodity prices. Source
  • Free cash flow negative, adjusted positive: Free cash flow was negative $1.5 billion, while adjusted free cash flow was $4.1 billion, helped by a $1 billion loan repayment from TCO. Source
  • Capex rose on legacy Hess assets: Capital expenditures were $4.1 billion, up from $3.9 billion, largely on legacy Hess assets, partly offset by lower Permian Basin spend. Source
  • ROCE fell to 4.5 percent: Return on capital employed was 4.5 percent, against 8.3 percent a year earlier and 5.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source

Shareholder returns and balance sheet

  • $6.0 billion returned to shareholders: Cash returned was $6.0 billion in the quarter, made up of $2.5 billion of share repurchases and $3.5 billion of dividends. Source
  • Net debt ratio rose to 17.9 percent: Net debt ratio was 17.9 percent, against 15.6 percent at December 31, 2025. Net debt-to-CFFO was 1.3x, against 1.0x. Source
  • Shares outstanding fell slightly: Shares outstanding were 1,977 million at March 31, 2026, against 1,980 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Projects and exploration

  • Tamar and Leviathan expansions started up: Expansions at Tamar and Leviathan in Israel reached start-up, adding production capacity to support demand and regional energy security. Source
  • Aseng gas project reached investment decision: A final investment decision was reached on the Aseng gas project in Equatorial Guinea, which the company said advances the country's gas market role. Source
  • Oil discovery at Bandit prospect: Oil was discovered at the Bandit prospect in Green Canyon Block 680 in the Gulf of America, through a non-operated joint venture. Source

Coming up, as management said on 1 May 2026

  • Dividend payable June 10: Quarterly dividend of $1.78 per share is payable June 10, 2026, to holders of record at the close of business on May 19, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Throughput (U.S. refinery crude unit inputs) Source1,054 MBD
Throughput (international refinery crude unit inputs) Source616 MBD
Capital expenditure Source$4.1 billion

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management cited an unpredictable external environment and the need for disciplined investment to secure energy supply. Source
  • Operational: Production was held back by TCO downtime and by curtailments in Israel and the Partitioned Zone. Source
  • Regulatory: A legal reserve produced a $360 million net loss in the quarter. Source
  • Financial: Commodity price increases in March drove working capital outflows that lowered operating cash flow. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said its structural cost reductions, measured against 2024 levels, are on track. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.