Exxon MobilExxon Mobil Corp reported lower-than-expected second-quarter results on Friday as tumbling crude prices halved profit at the world’s largest publicly traded oil company.

Profit at Exxon’s exploration and production business fared even more poorly with a profit of $2 billion, down sharply from $7.9 billion a year earlier.

The company’s shares fell two per cent to $81.40 in pre-market trading.

Crude prices in the quarter fell more than 40 per cent from a year earlier, hit by growing global supplies and worries about slowing demand from China.

Exxon, based in Irving, Texas, said it earned $4.2 billion, or $1.00 per share, in the quarter, compared with $8.8 billion, or $2.05 per share.

Analysts on average had expected a profit of $1.11 per share.

(Reuters/NAN)

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