Chevron profit falls 27 percent on lower oil prices, Anadarko deal in focus

By Gary McWilliams HOUSTON (Reuters) - Chevron Corp's first-quarter profit fell 27 percent from a year earlier due to lower crude oil prices and weaker margins in its refining and chemicals businesses, but topped forecasts and signalled it is committed to buying smaller rival Anadarko Petroleum Corp. The No. 2 U.S. oil and natural gas producer this week found itself in a takeover duel for Anadarko, a smaller oil and gas producer, when Occidental Petroleum Corp made a $38 billion offer that topped Chevron's $33 billion bid. [nL3N226349] Chevron's oil and gas production rose during the quarter, and profits in its U.S. exploration business jumped 15 percent from a year earlier. But weakness in refining and international exploration knocked overall profit down 27 percent on a 6.8 percent decline in revenue. "Earnings declined from a year ago largely due to lower crude oil prices and weaker downstream and chemicals margins," Chevron Chief Executive Officer Michael Wirth said. Wirth signalled that Chevron considers itself on track to make a deal for Anadarko. He said combining the shale, deepwater and liquefied natural gas businesses of the two companies "will unlock significant value to shareholders." Although earnings topped Wall Street's consensus, investors are focused on the takeover battle for Anadarko, wrote analysts at Edward Jones. The brokerage firm rates Chevron a buy. "We would not be surprised to see Chevron raise its offer," they said in a research note on Friday, saying the company's bid will "ultimately be the successful one." Chevron's daily production of oil and gas rose to 3.04 billion of barrels, from 2.85 billions of barrels in the year-ago period. But the price for each barrel of U.S. crude oil and natural gas liquids fell to $48 from $56 a year earlier. Chevron's take from international output, slipped to $58 per barrel from $61 a year earlier. The lower prices and weakness in gasoline margins knocked first-quarter net income to $2.65 billion, or $1.39 per share, from $3.64 billion, or $1.90 per share, a year earlier. Wall Street consensus was $1.30 per share. Revenue fell nearly 7 percent to $35.2 billion from $37.64 billion a year ago. Shares of San Ramona, California-based Chevron slipped less than 1 percent to $117.18 in morning trading. Rival Exxon Mobil Corp on Friday reported its earnings were well below analysts' estimates, citing the effects of weaker crude prices, heavier maintenance and weaker margins in its refining and chemicals businesses. Exxon shares were off 2.4 percent at $80.25 in morning trading. (Additional reporting by Arathy S Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by David Gregorio and Susan Thomas)