GE said:
Cromagnum said:
GE said:
Cromagnum said:
Approaching $36 right now. Dividend cuts or labor cuts gonna have to happen.
I guess that would depend on why it's approaching 36.
They have been taking on debt to cover dividends since the interest rates have been low. Cant keep that up forever.
How are you distinguishing debt to cover dividend vs. fund capital program?
Look at their 2019 statement of cash flows.
Net Cash From Operations:
2018 - $36 billion
2019 - $30 billion
CAPEX Spending:
2018 - ($20 billion)
2019 - ($24 billion)
Dividend Payments:
2018 - ($14 billion)
2019 - ($15 billion)
New Long Term Debt Issued:
2018 - $0 billion
2019 - $7 billion
In 2018, XOM could cover their CAPEX + dividends with cash from operations. In 2019, they couldn't and they took on debt. How do we distinguish whether those specific dollars funded CAPEX or dividends? We don't - cash is cash. But given that CAPEX is essential to sustain cash from operations (dividends aren't) and XOM could have covered their CAPEX without new long-term debt, I think we can surmise XOM borrowed to cover their dividend.