Get Over Here, Big Oil! Shareholder Payouts on Thin Ice?

Finish Them! Big Oil's Promises

Hmph. They promised riches to their shareholders. 'Get over here!' they beckoned dangling the prospect of endless dividends and buybacks. But like Quan Chi with a hidden agenda a dark shadow looms over these promises. These Earthrealm… er I mean energy executives boasted of their ability to keep the flow of cash strong even after a decent first quarter. Fools! They underestimate the forces at play the volatility of the market – a chaos even I Scorpion find… intriguing.

Test Your Might: The Price of Greed

The stench of desperation is thick in the air. Crude prices have plummeted faster than Sub Zero after a well timed teleport. A 12% drop year to date? Pathetic! Even I have taken less damage from Raiden's lightning. Trump's trade policy like a poorly executed combo has added to the chaos. Some so called analysts – Shang Tsung's shapeshifting spies no doubt – doubt Big Oil's commitment. They see stretched balance sheets and their fear is… palpable. Their cries of anguish are music to my ears!

Toasty! The Flames of Reality

Espen Erlingsen this… Rystad Energy… warrior speaks of 'few economically attractive options.' He says these companies are spreading the butter too thin on the toast prioritizing returns over reinvestment. 'Get over here!' they cry to shareholders only to starve their own future. A fool's game! He questions the 'durability' of buyback programs. 'For now the majors are holding the line,' he admits. But he is wrong. They are on borrowed time. The shadows of Outworld are beginning to creep into the Earthrealm.

Fatality! The First to Fall

Buybacks those flexible little beasts are the first to be sacrificed. Like a kunai thrown in desperation they are meant to distract from the coming storm. But a true warrior knows that such tactics are fleeting. Weaker crude prices mean less blood to spill… I mean less cash to share. Investor fear rises like the flames that engulf my enemies. They thought this would last forever. They thought wrong. As the ninja say 'My spear will find you!'

Outstanding! Record Payouts Record Risks

A year of record payouts they say? $119 billion given to shareholders? Such… waste. It's like gifting the Amulet of Shinnok to a child. The payout ratio is a staggering 56%. They're distributing more than 80% of their cash flow! This is madness! They have become blinded by greed. They are living a lie and I'll make sure to wake them up. This level is unsustainable. They will fall and their cries of anguish will echo throughout the realms.

Flawless Victory? The Battle Ahead

Bank of America speaks of cuts and stretched balance sheets while I Scorpion say bring it on! BP Repsol Eni... they are already faltering. Only Shell TotalEnergies and Equinor cling to their buybacks. But their time will come. The British Petroleum is already struggling a first taste of what's coming. The point of maximum weakness is approaching. Divestments cost savings production growth... these are but temporary bandages on a mortal wound. Prepare yourselves for the final blow. 'Get over here!'