Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) is an oil stock worth owning on its own merits. But a fresh report that Exxon Mobil (XOM) could acquire the Club holding would likely unlock even more value. Exxon has held “informal” talks about buying Pioneer, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Any potential deal would not transpire until later this year or in 2024, the Journal reported. Exxon — which generated $62 billion in free cash flow in 2022 and ended the year with nearly $30 billion in cash — has held acquisition discussions with at least one other oil-and-gas firm, according to the Journal. Pioneer shares jumped more than 6% Monday, to around $221 each — making it by far the best-performing energy stock in the S & P 500 . Shares of Exxon fell by by 0.25%, to just under $115 apiece. Pioneer and Exxon did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment Monday. Exxon’s reported interest in Pioneer is hardly a surprise because the Texas shale driller is a “marquee” independent exploration-and-production company in the lower 48 states, Stifel analyst Derrick Whitfield told the CNBC Monday. If Exxon wants to meaningfully bolster its rig count in the Permian Basin, it’s “going to need quality depth of inventory,” which Pioneer has, Whitfield said. The analyst, who has a buy rating and $286 per share price target on PXD, said the likelihood of a Pioneer-Exxon deal comes down to how much Exxon is willing to pay. “I think management would want to … improve performance of their asset base and arguably have a higher stock price before coming to the table with Exxon Mobil,” Whitfield said. “That’s not to say if Exxon Mobil offered a 25% premium, it wouldn’t be done. Personally, that was the number I had pegged in my mind. If you saw a 25% premium, I think that would bring them to the table because, let’s be realistic, every independent wants to be acquired by Exxon Mobil.” The Club believes it may take a bit more for Pioneer to seriously consider selling. A 25% premium from where Pioneer closed Thursday, at roughly $208 per share, would value shares at around $260 each. However, Jim Cramer said Monday he thinks Pioneer CEO Scott Sheffield — an industry veteran in his second stint leading the company — would hesitate to sell at a per-share price below $285. That’s Pioneer stock’s all-time closing high, reached in June 2022. “I am not saying he wouldn’t sell. I am saying that he’s not going to sell below where this stock was, given the fact oil could be going back to $90 [a barrel], given the fact that he’s got the best Permian assets,” he added. West Texas Intermediate crude — the U.S. oil benchmark — was trading down more than 1% Monday afternoon, at $79.70 a barrel. We were content with our Pioneer investment prior to Exxon’s reported interest in the company, adding to our PXD stake twice last month at lower levels than Monday’s market price. Our most recent purchase of 25 shares on March 20 came at roughly $185 each. Pioneer’s attractiveness stems in large part from its quality acreage and low oil price breakevens, at roughly $39 per barrel. That enables the firm to generate hefty amounts of free cash flow and return most of it to shareholders through stock buybacks and quarterly dividends. Knowing that Exxon is reportedly on the prowl for an acquisition, investors may look at Pioneer and other Permian operators even more favorably. Stifel’s Whitfield believes the Journal story could put a near-term floor underneath Pioneer’s stock price — a view we share. At the very least, Pioneer’s shareholders may be more likely to remain invested in the company, Whitfield said. And that’s certainly our intention at this time. “What I suspect is it’s going to further firm the shareholder base because you now have an article that directly links Exxon Mobil to Pioneer, and the way it was set up, there is clearly an interest there,” Whitfield said. “I think if you’ve seen Pioneer at [a] much higher share price in the past, that gives you that much more conviction to hold onto it now.” (Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust is long PXD. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Permian Basin rigs in 2020, when U.S. crude oil production dropped by 3 million a day as Wall Street pressure forced cuts.
Paul Ratje | Afp | Getty Images
Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) is an oil stock worth owning on its own merits. But a fresh report that Exxon Mobil (XOM) could acquire the Club holding would likely unlock even more value.
Mercedes-Benz Electric G-Wagon (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)
If you’ve been eyeing the all-electric G-Wagon, Mercedes-Benz just sweetened the deal – but only for a limited time.
According to a dealer bulletin, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology – AKA the electric G-Wagon – now comes with $9,500 in lease cash, up from last month’s $7,500. That’s a 27% jump in savings. The move comes just weeks before the $7,500 EV lease tax credit loophole closes on September 30.
Like most EVs leased in the US, the G-Class has been able to qualify for the credit even though it’s excluded from purchase incentives. That benefit is about to disappear, which likely explains why Mercedes is boosting the offers now.
The electric G-Wagon doesn’t come cheap. With a base price of $162,650, the $9,500 incentive amounts to only a 5.8% discount. The SUV also carries a steep advertised lease: $1,869 per month for 36 months with $14,613 due at signing. Factor it all in, and you’re really paying about $2,275 a month for 10,000 miles a year. Current Mercedes deals run through September 2.
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For context, the 2025 G 580’s lease money factor now sits at 0.00180, which works out to around 4.3% APR – lower than the standard rates previously on offer.
Performance-wise, the electric G-Wagon earns an EPA rating of 62 MPGe and an electric range of 239 miles. Not groundbreaking numbers, but for buyers who want the iconic G-Wagon experience with zero tailpipe emissions, this is it.
With federal lease credits ending soon, Mercedes appears to be betting that drivers looking for a last chance at big EV savings will jump now rather than later.
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The Honda Prologue is a surprise hit. It was the second-best-selling electric SUV behind the Tesla Model Y in the second half of 2024. Now, used models are in high demand.
Honda Prologue leads used EV sales growth in July
After it delivered the first customer models last March, the Honda Prologue quickly became one of the most popular EVs in the US.
Throughout the second half of the year, Honda sold an average of over 5,000 Prologues every month. In November, it was the third best-selling EV, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
Honda’s electric SUV continues to be a top seller this year. Last month, it outsold the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai IONIQ 5. Since delivering the first Prologue model last March, Honda has now sold 52,500 units in the US.
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According to Cox Automotive’s latest EV Market Monitor report, used Honda Prologue EVs are selling faster than expected.
Used EV sales rose sharply in July to 36,670, up 23.2% from June and 40% compared to last year. Honda had the biggest increase in used EV sales, more than doubling (+103%) month-over-month. Hyundai (+61.3%) and Rivian (60.5%) ranked second and third.
Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)
Tesla led used EV sales last month, selling 15,903 vehicles, up 18% year-over-year. GM’s Chevy (3,499 units, +28.6%), Ford (1,967 units, +25.7%), Mercedes-Benz (1,724 units, -12.3%), and Nissan (1,659 units, +19.9%) rounded out the top five.
Although its market share slipped to 43.4% from 45.2%, Tesla remained the leader by a wide margin. Other luxury brands, including BMW and Audi, reported higher used EV sales in July, with increases of 43.87% and 38%, respectively.
2025 Honda Prologue at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Honda)
According to the report, used EV listing prices reached $35,263 last month, a 1.9% decrease from June. With a price gap of just $1,266, a record low, used electric vehicle prices are closing in on ICE vehicles.
New EV sales also picked up in July. With over 130,000 EVs sold, up 26% from June, the electric vehicle market share reached 9.1%, the second-highest to date.
Ahead of the $7,500 federal tax credit deadline, set to expire at the end of September, 11 brands posted their best EV sales of the year. The top five included Tesla, Chevy, Hyundai, Ford, and Honda. Volkswagen surged to sixth after electric vehicle sales surged 454% last month.
The Honda Prologue starts at $47,400, but with the credit, you can snag one for under $40,000 right now. Honda is also offering monthly leases as low as $159 in California and other ZEV states. In other regions, it’s still listed for as low as $229 per month.
2025 Honda Prologue trim
Starting Price*
Starting Price After Tax Credit*
EPA Range (miles)
EX (FWD)
$47,400
$39,900
308
EX (AWD)
$50,400
$42,900
294
Touring (FWD)
$51.700
$44,200
308
Touring (AWD)
$54,700
$47,200
294
Elite (AWD)
$57,900
$50,400
283
2025 Honda Prologue prices and range by trim (*Does not include $1,450 D&H fee)
Even Honda’s luxury brand, Acura, is selling more electric vehicles than expected. Through the first half of the year, the Acura ZDX outsold the Cadillac Lyriq, and it’s based on the same GM Ultium platform.
Sales are expected to continue picking up ahead of the deadline. As Cox Automotive highlighted, “July’s performance sets a strong precedent, and as policy support winds down, the market’s ability to respond to real-time demand and brand-level dynamics will be critical in shaping the next phase of growth.”
Ready to take advantage of the savings while they are still here? We’re here to help. You can use our link to find deals on the Honda Prologue in your area (trusted affiliate link).
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The waste management experts at Republic Services are committed to cleaning up the Chicagoland area — and now, that includes the air Chicagoans breathe, thanks to the deployment of new Mack LR Electric garbage trucks in the heart of America’s Second City.
Republic Services executives and partners from local utility ComEd gathered yesterday, 14AUG, to celebrate the deployment of Chicago’s first electric refuse fleet, featuring two new Mack LR Electric garbage trucks paid for, in part, by ComEd’s commercial EV rebate program.
“The Mack LR Electric is purpose-built for refuse applications, delivering zero local emissions while maintaining the durability and performance Mack trucks are known for,” reads the official Mack press release. “The electric powertrain provides quieter operation for early morning routes and helps fleet operators meet sustainability goals while supporting cleaner air quality in urban communities. With its low cab-forward design and tight turning radius, the LR Electric maintains the maneuverability essential for residential and commercial waste collection routes.”
The big Class 8 Mack Trucks are powered by a pair of electric motors putting 400 combined kW (about 536 hp) through a 2-speed Mack Powershift transmission that offers a whopping 4,051 lb-ft of peak torque output. That’s over 40% more power than the first generation Mack LR Electric released in 2019, and this iteration can charge the 376 kWh Samsung-sourced batteries fully in under two hours at 150 kW.
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Real money, real results
ComEd and Republic Svcs. executives pose with “big check,” via ComEd.
“ComEd is proud to support Republic Services in advancing zero emissions transportation for Chicago’s neighborhoods,” explains Melissa Washington, our senior vice president of customer operations and strategic initiatives. “As more customers take advantage of our EV rebate programs, we are helping empower customers to realize the air quality and energy savings benefits of EVs, and moving our communities closer to their goals for a more sustainable future.”
The new HD electric vehicles will be powered up nightly by equally new 150 kW DC fast charging stations from BP pulse, which are installed at Republic’s vehicle yard in the Little Village neighborhood. Part of the ComEd rebate money awarded to the company helped fund the make-ready infrastructure portion (effectively from the transformer to the stub) of that project, as well as at least one Ford F-150 Lightning pickup.
Look, you know me. There is absolutely ZERO chance that I’ll be able to remain objective about anything that’s putting down more than four thousand lb-ft of torque. Make that thing quieter, cleaner, and generally better for me and my community, and there’s even less of a chance of me saying anything critical about it.
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