How ExxonMobil's Q2 Earnings Reflect the Best and Worst of the Top Oil Company

Anyone who was expecting a good second quarter from energy giant ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) was fooling themselves, especially after fellow oil supermajor Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) (NYSE: RDS.B) reported dismal earnings just a few days prior.

Some investors were hoping for the company to at least outperform the low expectations Wall Street had set. Unfortunately, ExxonMobil wasn't even able to clear that bar, posting a $1.1 billion loss and zero cash flow -- none! -- for the quarter.

As bad as it was, Q2 results did highlight ExxonMobil's strengths, as well as the challenges it needs to address. Here's what investors need to know.

Source Fool.com