Exxon was discussed in this column on 10/22/2010 when its price was about $70 per share. It is down about 16% to around $59. Has the BP disaster in the Gulf impacted this stock price? I think it has along with almost all oil production related companies.

The “story” on XOM remains the same, however. Demand for oil will increase in decades to come and the disaster indicates that supply is always an unknown and subject to wide fluctuations. XOM may well have access to more supply than anyone else in the world.

The company is sound financially ... almost beyond measure..and the dividend yield is now up to 3%. If it was a good buy at $70 ... it’s a great buy at $59. XOM should play a role in most portfolios.

Preston F. Sanders is a Chartered Financial Consultant and Registered Investment Advisor. He lives in Washington, Georgia, and can be reached at prestonsanders@bellsouth.net.

NOTE: Any investment can lose value. Don’t buy any stock without a careful evaluation of its appropriateness for your situation. See your financial/investment advisor.