STOCK TITAN

Chevron (NYSE: CVX) sees Q1 hit from timing effects and legal charges

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Chevron Corporation is updating its outlook for first-quarter 2026 results, highlighting how recent commodity price volatility and operational factors are affecting earnings and cash flow. The company expects negative timing effects of about $2.7–$3.7 billion, mainly in its Downstream segment, as derivative marks and LIFO accounting pull forward losses that are anticipated to unwind later.

Working capital is forecast to be a net cash outflow of about $2–$4 billion, reflecting typical first-quarter patterns and higher commodity prices. In contrast, Upstream earnings are expected to benefit from stronger prices by $1.6–$2.2 billion versus fourth quarter 2025, with production of roughly 3.8–3.9 MMBOED, impacted by downtime at Tengizchevroil and reduced output in parts of the Middle East.

Chevron also anticipates a Downstream legal charge of about $350–$400 million for a litigation reserve tied to ceased operations, which will weigh on cash flow from operations excluding working capital. Weighted-average shares outstanding were about 1.98 billion, as share repurchases were largely offset by employee stock option exercises that generated roughly $1 billion of financing cash inflows. All figures are preliminary, unaudited estimates subject to change when full results are released on or around May 1, 2026.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Chevron flags sizable Q1 headwinds from timing effects and a legal charge, partly offset by stronger commodity prices.

Chevron outlines several large moving pieces for Q1 2026. Timing effects tied to derivatives and LIFO are expected to reduce earnings by about $2.7–$3.7 billion, mostly in Downstream, even though management expects these effects to unwind in future periods.

Operating cash flow will also feel pressure from an anticipated working capital outflow of roughly $2–$4 billion, consistent with seasonal patterns and higher price levels. Offsetting this, Upstream earnings should benefit from stronger commodity prices by $1.6–$2.2 billion compared with Q4 2025, although production of 3.8–3.9 MMBOED is tempered by downtime and Middle East constraints.

The company further expects a legal-related charge of about $350–$400 million in Downstream tied to a litigation reserve, which it plans to treat as a special item impacting cash flow from operations excluding working capital. First-quarter weighted-average shares were about 1.98 billion, with roughly $1 billion of financing inflows from employee option exercises. All of these estimates are preliminary and may change when full Q1 2026 results are reported on or around May 1, 2026.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Timing effects impact $2.7–$3.7 billion Expected negative effect on Q1 2026 earnings and cash flow from operations excluding working capital
Working capital outflow $2–$4 billion Expected Q1 2026 net working capital outflow in higher price environment
Upstream price benefit $1.6–$2.2 billion Expected Q1 2026 Upstream earnings uplift vs. Q4 2025 from higher commodity prices
Upstream production 3.8–3.9 MMBOED Projected Q1 2026 net oil-equivalent production with downtime and Middle East reductions
Legal charge $350–$400 million Expected Q1 2026 Downstream litigation reserve related to ceased operations
Shares outstanding 1.98 billion First-quarter 2026 weighted-average shares outstanding
Option exercise inflows $1 billion Approximate Q1 2026 financing cash inflows from employee stock option exercises
timing effects financial
"Together, these are referred to as timing effects."
working capital financial
"Working capital is expected to result in a net outflow of approximately $2 to $4 billion"
Working capital is the money a business has available to cover its daily expenses, like paying bills and buying supplies. It’s like the cash in your wallet that helps you handle everyday costs; having enough ensures the business can operate smoothly without running into money shortages.
Upstream net oil-equivalent production financial
"Upstream net oil-equivalent production | MMBOED | 3.8 - 3.9"
litigation reserve financial
"a charge of approximately $350 to $400 million related to a litigation reserve associated with ceased operations"
cash flow from operations excluding working capital financial
"cash flow from operations excluding working capital by approximately $2.7 to $3.7 billion"
Non-GAAP Financial Measures financial
"Non-GAAP Financial Measures - This communication includes reference to cash flow from operations excluding working capital"
Non-GAAP financial measures are numbers companies use to show their financial performance that exclude certain expenses or income. They help investors see how the company might perform without one-time costs or other unusual items, giving a different perspective from official reports. However, since they can be adjusted, they don’t always tell the full story and should be looked at alongside standard financial figures.
Timing effects impact $2.7–$3.7 billion
Upstream price benefit vs Q4 2025 $1.6–$2.2 billion
Upstream production 3.8–3.9 MMBOED
Downstream legal charge $350–$400 million
Guidance

Chevron provides preliminary Q1 2026 estimates for timing effects, working capital, commodity price impacts, production, and a legal charge, ahead of full results expected on or around May 1, 2026.

0000093410false0000093410FALSE00000934102026-04-092026-04-09


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 9, 2026
    Chevron Corporation  
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware    001-00368  94-0890210
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation )
    (Commission File Number)  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
1400 Smith StreetHouston,TX  77002
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)  (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (832) 854-1000
 
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $.75 per shareCVXNew York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.



Item 2.02     Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On April 9, 2026, Chevron Corporation (“Chevron” or the “Company”) is providing guidance on certain items affecting first quarter 2026 financial results. This includes the Company's current estimates of the financial and operational impacts from the heightened commodity price volatility related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Unit1Q 2026
Outlook
Timing effects 1
$ B$(2.7) - (3.7)
Working capital$ B$(2.0) - (4.0)
Upstream commodity price impacts 1
$ B$1.6 - 2.2
Upstream net oil-equivalent productionMMBOED3.8 - 3.9
Legal matter 1
$ MM$(350) - (400)
Weighted-average shares outstandingBillion1.98
1 After-tax
Timing Effects - The Company uses financial derivatives as economic hedges to manage certain price risks related to physical hydrocarbon shipments. At the end of the quarter, these derivatives are marked-to-market and reflected in current period earnings; however, earnings impacts on the associated physical shipments are not recognized until delivery is completed. This creates a timing difference in earnings recognition that is expected to unwind in future periods and result in an overall net profit. In addition, the Company’s use of LIFO accounting can result in non-cash earnings effects. Together, these are referred to as timing effects. In a rising commodity price environment, timing effects are generally negative, which the Company expects to adversely affect first quarter 2026 earnings and cash flow from operations excluding working capital by approximately $2.7 to $3.7 billion. The majority of these effects are in the Downstream segment and are expected to unwind in future periods.
Working Capital - Working capital is expected to result in a net outflow of approximately $2 to $4 billion, reflecting normal first-quarter activity and the impacts associated with a higher commodity price environment.
Price Impacts - Upstream segment earnings are expected to benefit from higher commodity prices by $1.6 to $2.2 billion compared to fourth quarter 2025.
Upstream Production - Production is expected to be approximately 3.8 to 3.9 million barrels of oil-equivalent per day, mainly reflecting downtime at Tengizchevroil and reduced production in the Middle East (Israel and the Partitioned Zone).
Legal Matter - Downstream earnings are expected to include a charge of approximately $350 to $400 million related to a litigation reserve associated with ceased operations. This matter, which the Company expects to treat as a special item, will adversely affect cash flow from operations excluding working capital.
Shares Outstanding - First-quarter weighted average shares outstanding were approximately 1.98 billion as share repurchases were largely offset by employee stock option exercises. The Company recorded financing cash inflows of approximately $1 billion related to these exercises.
The preliminary financial information presented is an estimate based on information available to management as of the date of this filing and has not been reviewed or audited by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The preliminary financial information presented is not to be considered comprehensive of all items that could impact Chevron’s financial results for the quarter, which will be reported on or around May 1, 2026, and is subject to adjustments or changes pending the finalization of the Company’s financial reporting process. It is possible that the financial impact of these items may differ from the estimates provided, including differences due to final accounting determinations, changes in facts, circumstances or assumptions or other developments in the interim.
The information included herein shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Website references provided in this report are provided for convenience only, and the content on the referenced website is not incorporated by reference into this report.
As used in this report, terms such as “Company,” “Chevron,” “we,” “its” and “our” may refer to Chevron Corporation, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or to all of them taken as a whole. All of these terms are used for convenience only and are not intended as a precise description of any of the separate companies, each of which manages its own affairs.



Non-GAAP Financial Measures - This communication includes reference to cash flow from operations excluding working capital, which is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less net changes in operating working capital and represents cash generated by operating activities excluding the timing impacts of working capital. The Company believes this measure is useful to monitor the financial health of the Company and its performance over time. This additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net cash provided by operating activities as prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Due to the forward-looking nature, management cannot reliably predict certain components of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure and is therefore unable to provide a quantitative reconciliation.




CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This report of Chevron Corporation contains forward-looking statements relating to Chevron’s operations, assets, and strategy that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about the petroleum, chemicals and other energy-related industries. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “advances,” “commits,” “drives,” “aims,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “believes,” “approaches,” “seeks,” “schedules,” “estimates,” “positions,” “pursues,” “progress,” “design,” “enable,” “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “budgets,” “outlook,” “trends,” “guidance,” “focus,” “on track,” “trajectory,” “goals,” “objectives,” “strategies,” “opportunities,” “poised,” “potential,” “ambitions,” “future,” “aspires” and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but not all forward-looking statements include such words. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control and are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Unless legally required, Chevron undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are: changing crude oil and natural gas prices and demand for the company’s products, and production curtailments due to market conditions; crude oil production quotas or other actions that might be imposed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producing countries; technological advancements; changes to government policies in the countries in which the company operates; public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics, and any related government policies and actions; disruptions in the company’s global supply chain, including supply chain constraints and escalation of the cost of goods and services; changing economic, regulatory and political environments in the various countries in which the company operates, including Venezuela; general domestic and international economic, market and political conditions, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the global response to these hostilities; changing refining, marketing and chemicals margins; the amount and timing of settlements on the company’s commodity derivative contracts; the company’s ability to realize anticipated cost savings and efficiencies associated with enterprise structural cost reduction initiatives; actions of competitors or regulators; timing of exploration expenses; changes in projected future cash flows; timing of crude oil liftings; uncertainties about the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves; the competitiveness of alternate-energy sources or product substitutes; pace and scale of the development of large carbon capture and storage and offset markets; the results of operations and financial condition of the company’s suppliers, vendors, partners and equity affiliates; the inability or failure of the company’s joint-venture partners to fund their share of operations and development activities; the potential failure to achieve expected net production from existing and future crude oil and natural gas development projects; potential delays in the development, construction or start-up of planned projects; the potential disruption or interruption of the company’s operations due to war, accidents, political events, civil unrest, severe weather, cyber threats, terrorist acts, or other natural or human causes beyond the company’s control; the potential liability for remedial actions or assessments under existing or future environmental regulations and litigation; significant operational, investment or product changes undertaken or required by existing or future environmental statutes and regulations, including international agreements and national or regional legislation and regulatory measures related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; the potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; the company’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits from the acquisition of Hess Corporation; the company’s future acquisitions or dispositions of assets or shares or the delay or failure of such transactions to close based on required closing conditions; the potential for gains and losses from asset dispositions or impairments; government mandated sales, divestitures, recapitalizations, taxes and tax audits, tariffs, sanctions, changes in fiscal terms or restrictions on scope of company operations; foreign currency movements compared with the U.S. dollar; higher inflation and related impacts; material reductions in corporate liquidity and access to debt markets; changes to the company’s capital allocation strategies; the effects of changed accounting rules under generally accepted accounting principles promulgated by rule-setting bodies; the company’s ability to identify and mitigate the risks and hazards inherent in operating in the global energy industry; and the factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” on pages 21 through 27 of the company’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and as updated in the future. Other unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this report could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: April 9, 2026
 
CHEVRON CORPORATION
By/s/ Amit R. Ghai
Amit R. Ghai
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer and
Duly Authorized Officer)



FAQ

What Q1 2026 financial impacts does Chevron (CVX) highlight in this update?

Chevron expects several large Q1 2026 impacts, including negative timing effects of about $2.7–$3.7 billion and a working capital outflow of $2–$4 billion. These are partly offset by an estimated $1.6–$2.2 billion Upstream earnings benefit from higher commodity prices versus Q4 2025.

How does Chevron define and quantify timing effects for Q1 2026?

Timing effects arise when derivative contracts are marked-to-market before related physical hydrocarbon sales are recognized, plus LIFO inventory impacts. For Q1 2026, Chevron estimates these will reduce earnings and cash flow from operations excluding working capital by about $2.7–$3.7 billion, mainly in the Downstream segment.

How are commodity prices expected to influence Chevron’s Q1 2026 Upstream results?

Stronger commodity prices are expected to increase Chevron’s Upstream segment earnings by about $1.6–$2.2 billion versus fourth quarter 2025. This benefit comes even as production is projected at 3.8–3.9 MMBOED, reflecting downtime at Tengizchevroil and reduced output in parts of the Middle East.

What production level does Chevron project for Q1 2026?

Chevron expects Upstream net oil-equivalent production of about 3.8–3.9 million barrels of oil-equivalent per day in Q1 2026. This outlook mainly reflects downtime at Tengizchevroil and lower production in the Middle East, including Israel and the Partitioned Zone, amid ongoing regional conflict.

How will share activity and option exercises affect Chevron’s Q1 2026 share count and cash flows?

First-quarter 2026 weighted-average shares outstanding were about 1.98 billion, as share repurchases were largely offset by employee stock option exercises. Those option exercises generated approximately $1 billion of financing cash inflows, slightly reshaping the capital structure without eliminating the impact of repurchases.

What non-GAAP cash flow measure does Chevron reference in this Q1 2026 outlook?

Chevron highlights cash flow from operations excluding working capital, defined as net cash from operating activities minus net changes in operating working capital. Management views it as useful for tracking underlying operating cash generation over time, but it is not a substitute for GAAP net cash from operating activities.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents