By Stockpickr Staff
Posted on April 30, 2009

On Thursday, Exxon Mobil (XOM) reported first-quarter profit of $4.55 billion, or 92 cents a share, down from $10.89 billion, or $2.02 a share, a year ago. Revenue was $64 billion, compared with the year-ago quarter's $116.9 billion.

Marathon Oil (MRO) also reported a loss, with profit falling 61% from the year-ago quarter.

In early afternoon trading, Exxon was down $2.08, or 3%, to $66.36. Marathon was losing $1.40, or 4.6%, at $29.11.

In other news, the Labor Department reported a decreased in jobless claims, from 645,000 two weeks ago to 631,000 last week. Personal income and spending, however, were also lower in the month of March.

With this in mind, we though we'd take a look at what Jim Cramer's been saying about some of the stocks making headlines today.



These stocks could be in the news for a number of reasons. Some require immediate attention; while others may not. Regardless, it never hurts to hear what Cramer (or any of the other professional investors on the site) has to say about them. The key is to gather as much information as you can in order to make the most informed investment decisions you can.

In a recent post to his RealMoney blog, Cramer had this to say:

"Would someone please show me an article about the oils that is as robust and positive as the action? Will someone please show me something that isn't negative about the group? Will someone give us insight as to why the group is higher, and I don't mean the meager Exxon Mobil dividend boost, even as it is great to see with this decline in crude?

"Today, I steamed when I read this cheap-shot "Heard on the Street" piece about the BP (BP) dividend, the endless hectoring that it can't be maintained. The quarter was great, the company has been committed to it, and the company has made it clear that there is no problem given these prices for oil.

"Plus, we crave some analysis that is positive here about the drillers because Baker Hughes (BHI) says that the rig count has been cut in half, and we know that natural gas has been cut by two-thirds, yet the Oil Services HOLDRs (OIH) is screaming. All I am asking for is some help here! This rally is eluding everyone, and I need intel!

"We are at a strange moment in the oils. The press is totally captured by the bears. I never read a positive piece about either drillers or oils, even as the former has shown remarkable profitability as witnessed by Halliburton (HAL), Schlumberger (SLB) and Baker Hughes, and the latter is just way too hated, like BP!

"Random musings: How about how well these appliances makers act? I think Whirlpool (WHR) is a steal because it is so hated.... Wal-Mart (WMT) is on fire for the first time in a while.... And Disney (DIS) is on a bust out."

For more of what Cramer's been saying about stocks in the news, check out the Cramer's Take portfolio at Stockpickr.

(Editor's note: At the time of publication and/or original publication of his posts and shows, Cramer owned BP and Wal-Mart for his Action Alerts PLUS charitable trust.)