As a long-term investment, XOM is one of the best there is. Remember, they not only explore for oil, they refine it and market it. That is to say, they have several segments from which to add value - exploration, production, transportation, manufacturing (refining), and marketing.
It’s not like a pure play in one segment of the business only.
I'm in kick myself mode. AA was at low 7-8-9 for a long time last year; now it's up to 17. The dividends were too low. Very short sighted.
That's going to be the story of my short life in the stock market, the ones that got away. And there are a lot now. WAG is another one I saw at high 40's and thought wait. Waited too long. Several more like that but not all. Some haven't done too well and those I fear may go belly up or just.
F pushed up to 17; now it's back at 15 where it's been for ages. Last year Forbes listed it as a good buy because there wasn't sufficient interest in its potential. So it goes.