Plus, oil looking like it could hold at $75 is making it so that Chevron (CVX) and Exxon (XOM) of the integrateds and Transocean (RIG) and Schlumberger (SLB) of the drillers look like they can hold these price levels. As someone who wants to buy SLB, I can't believe this stock will not go back to $60 even in the worst of markets.

Dividends

Warren Buffett bought a new stake in Republic Services (RSG), increased a stake in Walmart (WMT) and Nestle (NSRGY) and decreased a stake in ConocoPhillips (COP) and disclosed a stake in ExxonMobil (XOM).

After trailing the market and their smaller brethren this year, the big integrated outfits offer some of the best value in the energy sector, and Exxon (XOM) looks like the most attractive one. The energy giant does command a higher price/earnings ratio than the other supermajors, but that gap has narrowed this year, enhancing Exxon's appeal. The stock could hit 90 in the next year.

energy

energy stocks will keep improving

Cramer urged Exxon Mobil (XOM) to move into the country “before BP locks it all up.” “I think that this is the great next level for oil,” Cramer said of Iraq.

We had a remarkable rally in the integrated oils, then an equally remarkable and stunning pullback. Now, led by the Anadarkos (APC) and the Transoceans (RIG), we are galloping higher. I am watching Exxon (XOM) to see if it can break out.

Stock buybacks, another type of investor reward, also are at an all-time low since S&P started keeping tabs on them in 1998's first quarter. For the second quarter this year (the most recent data available), S&P 500 companies spent only $24.2 billion to repurchase their shares, down 72% from $87.9 billion in April-June 2008, and an 86% drop from the record $172 billion spent on buybacks during 2007's third quarter. "At the height of the buyback bonanza," said Silverblatt, "companies spent 180% more on stock repurchases than they did on dividends. Now buyback spending is just half that of dividends." On the bright side, several big companies continued repurchasing their shares. ExxonMobil (XOM) spent the most, $5.2 billion. Wal-Mart (WMT) was second, dishing out $1.9 billion. Other notables were Family Dollar Stores (FDO), Staples (SPLS) and Medco Health Solutions (MHS).

Take Exxon Mobil (XOM). This stock, which used to be such a leader, is simply disliked, and nobody cares about it. Nobody at all. It just sits there.

oil at 60, no reason for it to go over 70 in the next year

Energy sector

too small dividend for price not moving much

Done nothing but lose forever. How can all other energies make money and this albatross keeps diving. It has seperated from energy prices and moves with the market. Makes no sense.

More corporate responaibility needs to be played by Exxom before I find them worthy of my investment. Unfortunately my investment flaw is that I also look at the ethics of the firm I invest in. Exxom does not possess an ethical standpoint that I can be proud to stand behind, even if they were to bank on a 45 billion dollar quarter.

too big, dropping oil prices

CO2 emissions

RISK

Not a great yield and oil prices falling won't make Exxon a real player.

buys far too much foreign oil