The energy giant has a 43-year streak of increasing payouts, with past increases typically at $0.04 per share quarterly. Analysts suggest the company's robust financial position, including an expected $145 billion in surplus cash flow through 2030 (based on $65/barrel Brent crude prices, which were nearly $89 on August 20) and $40 billion in share buybacks over two years, could enable a larger-than-anticipated dividend hike. Increased competition for dividend investors' capital may also incentivize ExxonMobil to offer a more substantial increase.